The Best Christmas Market Tours in Europe
Looking for the best tour through Europe's Christmas markets? We have carefully curated a selection of Christmas market tours in Europe to make sure that you have an unforgettable escape filled with adventure, cherished traditions, and heartwarming activities. Immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season as you wander through charming marketplaces, alive with joyful celebrations, all while joining a tour that takes care of the planning and organizing for you.
The Best Christmas Market Tours through Europe
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.
Why does Europe appeal to Christmas market enthusiasts?
Europe is famous for its Christmas markets, which blend festive cheer with traditional craftsmanship. Rome, Istanbul, and Paris are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Rome is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. These tours let you dive into the best markets and holiday destinations in a convenient way at an affordable price. You'll travel stress-free while creating amazing holiday memories.
How much do Christmas Market Tours in Europe cost?
The average daily price of Christmas Market Tours in Europe is $337 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Christmas Market Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer Christmas market tours in Europe. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is a large company with a focus on river cruise cruises through Germany, Austria, Hungary, and France. Most participants are adults and the cruises range in length from 8 days to 3 weeks. The cruises offered by Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
CroisiEurope River Cruises
Focusing on river cruise cruises through France, Germany, Cambodia, and Vietnam, CroisiEurope River Cruises is a well established tour provider. Most participants on their tours are adults and their cruises range in length from 2 days to 3 weeks. Some of their offerings cater to familes with children. This company's cruise offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers.
See All Tours from CroisiEurope River Cruises
Crucemundo
Crucemundo offers local river cruise cruises through the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, and others. Most participants are adults and the cruises range in length from 8 days to 11 days. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many cruises focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings.
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, Great Britain, Austria, and France. Some of their offerings cater to familes with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
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Christmas Markets Destinations in Europe
Wondering where christmas markets tours visit in Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and its beautifully situated on the Danube River. It's an artistic city that has a long history of classical music including being home to such renowned musicians as Mozart and Beethoven. The city has many palaces and beautiful architecture.
Munich
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and, while its most popular during Oktoberfest, it's also interesting to visit other times of the year. At the heart of the old town is Marienplatz Square, which is filled with landmarks. The city also has many parks and museums that you can explore.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It's divided into two section, Buda, and Pest, which are separated by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. The Buda side is the hilly side. There's a funicular that runs up to the top of Castle Hill. The Pest side is flat with promenades and beautiful architecture. It also has a lively nightlife.
Salzburg
Salzburg a beautiful Austrian city near the border with Germany. It's part of the Eastern Alps and it has a beautiful old town that is filled with music and nice architecture. The city is the birthplace of Mozart and there are several museums relating to his life. Salzburg is also the setting for the famed Van Trapp family whose story is retold in the classic "Sound of Music."
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Other popular destinations for christmas markets tours through Europe include Passau, Rudesheim am Rhein, Melk, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Regensburg.
Christmas Market Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're unsure whether to go with an organized tour or plan everything independently, think about the factors that set each experience apart.
Organized Tours
Pros- Let someone else organize the trip, don't worry about logistics
- Many tours will make your reservations and schedule transportation for you, so you can avoid the hassle
- Guides know which markets have the best atmosphere.
- Make new friends by meeting like-minded travelers.
- Schedules may limit your flexibility.
- Weather problems might limit what you see during the tour.
Independent Travel
Pros- More flexibility over your schedule.
- More time to make purchases at the shops
- More work to plan a route to visit the best markets.
- You need to know the market schedules ahead of time.
- Hotels fill up quickly during the holiday season.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided Christmas market tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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