Three Countries Christmas Markets
Experience the traditional Christmas Markets of Germany, Begium and the Netherlands - often dusted with seasonal snow!
Experience the traditional Christmas Markets of Germany, Begium and the Netherlands - often dusted with seasonal snow!
Popular in Europe since the Middle Ages, these Christmas markets remain a huge attraction, each with their own unique character and atmosphere. Experience the fairy-tale setting of Valkenburg’s Christmas Market in Holland - unusually set in illuminated caves and underground passageways. Also visit the nearby markets of Germany and Belgium where the gluhwein flows, sausages sizzle and the ambiance is often further enhanced by local choirs and twinkling lights. A dusting of seasonal snow is also not out of the question. Our holiday hotel goes all out to enhance your stay with live musical entertainment, free tea/coffee during the day and Happy Hours at the bar!
ITINERARY
Monday - Early morning departure from Dorset via channel crossing to Calais and onwards through Belgium to Valkenburg in Holland. After settling in enjoy dinner in the restaurant followed by music in the bar.
Tuesday - Morning to stroll into Valkenburg and take in the sights - an adorable little town full of interest and historic attractions. At lunch time we shall make the short drive to Aachen (15 miles) in Germany, host to one of the Top 5 Christmas Markets in Europe. The squares and lanes around the cathedral are transformed into a Christmas village with twinkling lights and the scent of gingerbread on the air. Dinner and music back at the hotel this evening.
Wednesday - More time to enjoy Valkenburg today. The town is a magical affair just before Christmas with street theatre, nativity scenes, culinary walking route, Santa's village and of course the largest underground Christmas Market in Europe. Christmas lights and beautiful trees, fabulous decorations and all manner of festive market stalls fill the Velvet Cave. Valkenburg is "The Christmas Town". This evening enjoy more musical entertainment in the hotel or wander back into town to take in the illuminated sights after dark.
Thursday - We bid a fond farewell to Holland and drive across Belgium to call at Brugge which hosts a Winter Glow experience on the run up to Christmas. A festival packed with sparkle filled special moments including a light trail, ice skating, winter bar, two Christmas markets and of course the decorated medieval town centre. Winter Glow will wrap you in a warm embrace. Drive back to Calais for afternoon channel crossing to Dover and return to Dorset late that evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotel Schaepkens, Valkenburg
A stunning modern hotel situated in its own large gardens on the outskirts of beautiful Valkenburg yet just 10 mins walk into the town centre. Bedrooms are stylish and light with private bathroom, hairdryer, digital TV, phone, heating, safe and free wifi. There is an electrical socket for you travel kettle or charger. A lift serves all floors. Breakfast is a continental buffet and dinner a three course buffet meal with choices in the elegantly decorated restaurant. Live musical entertainment is provided in the evenings and after taking advantage of Happy Hour at the bar you might even be inclined to dance! For the energetic the hotel has its own heated indoor swimming pool and sauna (local charge).
Tour Price: £529.00 Per Person
Single Room Supplement: £90.00
Includes: All coach travel, Return channel crossings, 3 nights hotel accommodation, Half board meals, Live musical entertainment, Happy Hour Bar.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Other Points in Dorset | Phone us to discuss a convenient pick up. |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | St Nicholas Church, Buxton Road, Weymouth |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
