Christmas Markets Of The Black Forest & Alsace - Jg Explorer

Itinerary

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

The frosted landscapes of the Black Forest and the fairytale towns of Alsace combine to create a magical festive adventure on this break. From Freiburg to Strasbourg, we discover a range of Christmas markets and enjoy the lovely blend of French and German traditions, architecture and local delicacies. Warm lights line half-timbered houses, handmade gifts fill the cosy stalls, delicious aromas drift through the air and twinkling trees illuminate historic squares: it's the best way to get into the festive spirit! We also include an evening of live music at our welcoming hotel plus a tour of the storied Black Forest, offering the chance to discover Germany's highest waterfall, see the world's largest cuckoo clock, try some Black Forest Gateau in its birthplace and much more.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in either Châlons-en-Champagne or Reims in France.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

We continue our journey, stopping en route in Nancy to discover its Christmas markets, known locally as the Saint Nicholas villages. There are several dotted throughout the city, with the traditional cabins adorned with twinkling garlands and a range of local products and gift ideas on offer. Don't miss Place Charles III's arts and crafts section, which surrounds the nostalgic merry-go-round, as well as the magical atmosphere of Place Stanislas, one of Europe's most spectacular squares. Later, we enjoy an overnight stay in Haguenau with dinner included.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

After a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to Strasbourg, known as the Capital of Christmas and home to France’s oldest Christmas market. Soak up the welcoming atmosphere and explore the mesmerising blend of French and German styles of architecture on display, lit up with spectacular illuminations for the festive season. Elsewhere, take the chance to discover the astronomical clock at the gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame (once the world's tallest building!), stroll past quaint half-timbered houses in the Petite France district or try some traditional Alsatian specialities like flammkuchen/tarte flambée, crispy wafer-thin flatbread traditionally topped with crème fraîche, bacon and red onion. Later, we continue to our hotel in Oberharmersbach, where we spend the next three nights.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

After a morning at leisure, we take an afternoon trip to the charming medieval town of Freiburg, a city full of beautiful, cobbled squares. The Freiburg Christmas Market is a real highlight of the region, offering a delightful array of festive stalls selling handmade crafts, traditional German treats and mulled wine against the backdrop storybook architecture.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

Today we tour the beautiful Black Forest, a region of rich history and storied landscapes. First, we travel to Triberg, famous for having the world’s largest cuckoo clock (which is the size of a two-storey building!), the highest waterfall in Germany and being the birthplace of the original Black Forest Cherry cake recipe! Be sure to sample some of the delicious sweet treat here, take a stroll to see Triberg Waterfall or visit the Black Forest Museum to learn more about this region. Next is the colourful and picturesque town of Rottweil, renowned for its medieval centre, followed by Schiltach in the very heart of the Black Forest, full of half-timbered houses straight out of a fairytale, quaint cafés and little shops. Later, we return to Oberharmersbach in time for dinner at our hotel.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

After checking out of our hotel, we begin our journey to Reims, where we stay overnight with dinner included. We stop in Épernay along the way, the capital of France's champagne-producing region. Enjoy some free time here or take the chance to join our optional excursion to the celebrated Mercier cellar for a tour and a tasting, discovering the emblematic blend of the Pinot Noir and Meunier grape varieties.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Reims to discover its stunning cathedral and other highlights before heading to Calais for our return ferry home.

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

• Return coach travel & ferry crossings
• First & last night on a bed & breakfast basis in France (last night with light evening meal)
• Additional overnight stay on outward journey on a half-board basis
• 3 nights at one of two hotels in Oberharmersbach (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• Welcome drink
• Fruit & water in room on arrival
• Entertainment on one evening
• Excursion to Freiburg Christmas Market
• Scenic tour of the Black Forest (Triberg, Rottweil & Schiltach)
• En-route visit to Nancy Christmas Market, Strasbourg Christmas Market & Épernay
• Free time in Reims

Optional excursion to Mercier Champagne for cellar tour & tasting (£29pp)

Christmas Markets of the Black Forest & Alsace

• Excursion to Freiburg Christmas Market
• Scenic tour of the Black Forest (Triberg, Rottweil & Schiltach)
• En-route visit to Nancy Christmas Market, Strasbourg Christmas Market & Épernay

JG Explorer Coaches

We are pleased to introduce JG Explorer – a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.

Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind – with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There’s improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it’s the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so our JG Explorer coaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.

On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on the JG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.

The layout of the JG Explorer includes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.

Accommodation

Bären Hotel, Oberharmersbach, Germany JG3

The Bären Hotel in Oberharmersbach offers guests traditional and comfortable en-suite rooms. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and free WiFi in public areas. Situated close to the Harmersbach River, Bären Hotel is ideally situated for our itinerary.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

Bärenstube Hotel, Oberharmersbach, Germany JG3

The Bärenstube Hotel is situated in Oberharmersbach, a charming town set against rolling German countryside. Furnished in a country-house style, it offers cosy en-suite rooms with satellite TV, a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.