Christmas

Christmas Tours

There’s something magical about Europe in late November and December, when cobblestoned town squares shimmer with a soft glow of colorful lights and the air smells like spice and woodsmoke. 

At Road Scholar, our Christmas market tours invite you into that world as a true learning adventure where you’ll discover centuries-old traditions and customs alongside faculty and a cohort of lifelong learners. Explore the history, cuisine and folklore behind these winter gatherings at German Christkindlmarkts or Marchés de Noël in France, with time to wander and connect along the way.

Christmas Market Tours

European Christmas market tours are an immersive learning adventure that is built around the region’s traditions. Joining Christmas tours with Road Scholar allows you to spend meaningful time in historic towns and cities, exploring markets that have brought communities together for generations.

With insights from faculty and local experts, you learn the stories behind the stalls, food and customs while enjoying lectures and demonstrations that add context and depth. The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is festive and best of all, the experience is designed for travelers who want an educational journey that feels warm and rooted in culture.

Why Choose Our Christmas Tours

At Road Scholar, our Christmas market tours bring to life the spirit of the season, no matter what European country you find yourself in. Whether you’re joining Germany guided tours or Eastern Europe tours, you’ll join an experienced instructor who will immerse you in the traditions and ambiance of these vibrant celebrations. 

Along the way, you can ask any question that comes to mind and receive a thoughtful response, while having time to converse with fellow travelers and share spirited conversations.

Another benefit of our educational holiday travel is our ability to take away the stress that often comes with travel this time of year. Thoughtfully curated itineraries offer a comfortable balance of adventure and relaxation, while accessible and senior-friendly transportation ensures you get to and from each destination with ease.

Top Christmas Market Tours This Season

Looking into winter getaways that bring you on some of the most memorable European Christmas market tours? Some of the top Christmas market excursions you might find yourself on include:

• Nuremberg, Germany: Also referred to as Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and most storied in Europe, where visitors can walk through its red and white stalls, enjoying spiced lebkuchen while discovering the area’s medieval roots. This Christmas tour is a great starting point to understand why they began and why they still matter.
  
  
• Strasbourg, France: Small group Christmas market tours to Strasbourg bring you to the “Capital of Christmas.” This winter wonderland pairs Alsatian charm with festive history, allowing you to marvel at the whimsy of half-timbered houses while indulging in regional foods.
  
  
• Vienna, Austria: Xmas market tours in Vienna reflect the city’s imperial past and enduring love of music and culture. Here, cozy up with warming treats while wandering around historic sites like Schönbrunn Palace or the lively Rathausplatz.

What to Expect on a Christmas Market Tour

At Road Scholar, our Christmas tours are designed to feel festive, educational and unhurried, giving you the time to take in the sights, sounds and smells of your surroundings. Here’s what you can expect along the way:

• A relaxed, well-planned pace: Itineraries are built to give you time to feel fully immersed in your chosen destination so you can converse with artisans in their stalls, wander off the beaten path or pop into a local shop without feeling rushed.

• Learning woven into each day: Lectures and presentations from faculty and local experts provide context on the history of each region’s Christmas markets, seasonal traditions and food, so your market visits feel more meaningful.

• Engaging excursions and walks: Field trips and walking explorations connect markets to their towns and cities so you can fully understand how traditions shape each place.

• Comfort and support throughout: Accommodations and lodging are comfortable, and logistics are taken care of so you can focus on the journey ahead.

• A welcoming group experience: On our Christmas market tours, you’ll travel with fellow Road Scholars who share a love of learning, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes the journey even more rewarding.

Plan Your Christmas Market Excursions with Road Scholar

Ready to experience the magic of the holiday season? Whether you’re looking into Italy to experience Merano’s riverside stalls or Trento’s Piazza Fiera or an adventure to Cologne to partake in Germanic traditions, we offer an exciting range of European Christmas market tours to choose from. 

Each tour pairs you with an experienced instructor and a diverse cohort of lifelong learners who open the door to spirited conversations that help you build relationships that last well beyond your program’s end. 

Book your Christmas tours with Road Scholar today for an immersive holiday experience you won’t forget!