Day 1: Depart North Wales and travel to York. Enjoy some time at leisure at the annual St Nicholas Fayre, one of the most popular festive markets in the country. Like stepping into a scene from a Dickens’ tale, the lively Victorian market stalls sell everything from local produce to traditional gifts and crafts. We continue to Hull for our overnight ferry crossing to Rotterdam.
Day 2: Upon arrival in Rotterdam, we disembark the ferry and travel to the city of Bonn. The former capital of West Germany, home to Germany’s largest University, and birthplace of the brilliant composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Visit the famous Christmas Market, every year Bonn's Christmas fair conjures up a festive atmosphere, so browse the many stalls whilst enjoying Gluhwein, gingerbread, potato pancakes and sausages.
We continue to the majestic city of Cologne for a 2-night stay (Bed & Breakfast). Advent magic spreads throughout Cologne at this time of year, when the idyllic Christmas markets open their gates to visitors. Festive stalls offer traditional goods and handcrafted gifts. Wonderful spicy aromas of cinnamon stars, baked apples and roasted almonds will fill the air.
Day 3: A free day in the beautiful cosmopolitan city of Cologne. Start at the ‘Christmas market in Kolner Dom/Cathedral Square’ with a huge, decorated fir tree. Admire the festive lights over Roncalliplatz and discover culinary delights and individually made arts and crafts.
Not far away, the rustic ‘Heinzels Winter Fairytale’ Christmas market with old-world charm, dedicated to the legend of the ‘Heinzelmannchen’ (or elves) of Cologne – is situated in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, spreading over the squares ‘Alter Markt’ and ‘Heumarkt’.
In the centre of the larger shopping areas, the "Market of Angels" on Neumarkt presents itself under a magnificently illuminated starry sky. The illuminated wooden stars in the trees above the market provide a special atmosphere. Relax and browse for tasty food, gifts and arts and crafts.
Next door on Rudolfplatz, young and old alike will enjoy the "Village of St Nicholas", a wonderful experience for the whole family. This market tends to have reindeer and elves and a huge advent calendar.
‘Cologne Harbour Christmas market’ at the Chocolate Museum is located in a picturesque backdrop directly on the river Rhine, right in front of the Chocolate Museum, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of ships’ sails.
Day 4: After breakfast we depart Cologne and journey to Antwerp in Belgium. With almost 100 stalls and an impressive ice-skating rink, Antwerp is transformed into a wonderful Christmas market each season offering an array of foods, drinks, crafts and decorations. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a glass of Glühwein, a real speciality of the Christmas market in Antwerp.
After a fantastic day, we make our way back to the Europort in Rotterdam for our overnight sailing to Hull.
Day 5: We disembark our ferry in Hull and make the return journey to North Wales, stopping en-route in Manchester. The city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, and galleries. The Christmas market located in the city centre, offers more than 220 stalls selling all kinds of festive food, drink, and gifts.