Christmas and New Year

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

Celebrate Christmas in true style in the magical city of Venice. Treat yourself to the charm and delights of incomparable Venice over the festive season. A short break in this most romantic of cities is the ultimate Christmas gift.

You can tailor make your Christmas and New Year holiday by rail  to exciting destinations throughout Europe including Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany and Austria.

What better way to chase away the winter blues than a holiday to one of Europe’s magical Christmas Markets? Our short breaks by rail include Germany’s oldest Christmas Market in Dresden dating back to 1434. Here the historic Striezelmarkt, with its romantic and festive charm, is an inspiration in itself, a real treasure trove for traditional handmade crafts. In Berlin you can experience the incomparable excitement of “WinterMagic” in the capital city of the German Christmas Markets. Set amidst some of Europe’s most beautiful squares and renowned buildings, with scrumptious treats and pretty fairy lights, are Germany’s largest selection of over 60 markets. Montreux’s charming market sits cosily alongside the stunning backdrop of Lake Geneva and tempts visitors with handmade crafts from local artisans. We also give you the opportunity to explore these fascinating cities and their attractive surrounding areas during the festive season.

The beauty of these Christmas fairs and markets is that they still convey a real traditional Christmas feel and many gifts are not mass-produced, instead they are craftwork of real quality. Each market has its own character, developed over the centuries and built around regional specialities or local customs. Here you can find all kinds of Christmas goodies and presents, especially traditional items such as crib figurines, toys, wood carvings, marionettes, candles and lambskin shoes. Many are difficult to resist – as are the warming glass of delicious mulled wine, the sizzling sausages or hot chestnuts with their evocative aromas that are so welcome on crisp winter days.

New Year in Paris by First Class Rail

Stunning and stylish – New Year in Paris is the perfect short break destination by rail. This most romantic of cities boasts an abundance of iconic monuments, world-class museums, gastronomic restaurants and chic boutiques, all framedby elegant tree-lined boulevards and the mesmeric river Seine.

New Year in Paris 3 night short break by First Class rail staying in superior double rooms at the Hotel Mayfair from £675 per person.

New Year in Paris - First Class

New Year in Paris - First Class

Whether you are enticed here by the romance of the Île St. Louis, the grandeur of the Louvre, the vibrancy of the Champs Elysées, the more bohemian Quartier Latin, the audacious modernity of the Centre Pompidou or the imposing and unique Eiffel Tower, New Year in Paris will beguile you with its gallic charm.

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Christmas in Venice by First Class Rail – from £995

Christmas in Venice by First Class Rail

Venice truly is like nowhere else on earth which is what makes a holiday here such a unique and unforgettable experience. Let yourself be totally mesmerised by the serenity and sheer beauty of this romantic city. 6 night holiday by First Class rail travelling on daytime trains throughout, including 4 nights at the Hotel Ai Mori d’Oriente and overnight stays in Zurich and Montreux.

Holiday Highlights

Christmas Markets of Cologne by First Class Rail

Christmas Markets of Cologne – departure dates between the dates of 24th November and 20th December 2011

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne Christmas Markets

Experience Christmas shopping as it should be amidst Cologne’s seven Christmas markets, each with their own unique charm, on this festive short break.

3 night holiday by Standard Class rail from £349 per person and by First Class rail from £499 per person

Christmas Markets of Cologne – Holiday Highlights

  • Cologne’s seven Christmas markets
  • Cologne and its famous Cathedral
  • First Class rail travel aboard the Flagship services of Eurostar, Thalys and ICE

Read Full Details » Christmas Markets of Cologne by First Class Rail

Christmas Markets of Bruges by First Class Rail

Bruges Christmas Markets

Bruges Christmas Markets

Medieval Bruges is a perfectly preserved gem as befits one of northern Europe’s richest cities of the Middle Ages. The ‘Venice of the North’ is criss-crossed with attractive waterways and boasts some of the finest examples of Flemish and European art, including the richly detailed canvasses by Van Eyck and Memling and Michelangelo’s beautiful Madonna with Child. The heart of the city is dominated by the Markt Square and imposing Basilica of the Holy Blood, whilst step-gabled Merchants’ buildings line the pretty canals. All around cobbled streets, guild houses, palaces and stone bridges lead to tempting shops, historic cafés and indulgent restaurants.

3 night Christmas markets holiday by First Class rail staying at the Hotel Bryghia (3 star) from £349 per person, or staying at the Hotel Aragon (4 star) from £375 per person or staying at the Oud Huis de Peellaert (4 star) and the Grand Hotel Casselbergh (4 star superior) from £390 per person

Christmas Markets of Bruges – Holiday Highlights

  • Medieval Bruges
  • Christmas Markets
  • First Class rail travel

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Berlin Christmas Markets (escorted tour)

Holiday Highlights

  • Berlin’s 60 Christmas Markets
  • Fascinating Berlin
  • Potsdam’s stunning New Palace
  • Imperial Potsdam
  • Dinner in a classical Berlin restaurant

Itinerary

Your Outward Journey – Day 1 – London to Berlin

As soon as you set foot in beautifully restored St Pancras International station let the holiday mood take over. We speed towards continental Europe in the comfort of Eurostar’s Standard Premier Class (formerly 1st class) service to Brussels. We then join Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed ICE service to Cologne. Here we change trains and board a flagship ICE train as we travel in style across Germany to the capital city of Berlin. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for 4 nights the 4 star Hotel Berlin. Here we enjoy dinner together. 

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Montreux Christmas Markets by First Class rail

Holiday Highlights

Montreux Christmas Markets

Montreux Christmas Markets

  • Montreux Christmas Markets
  • Lakeside Montreux
  • Stunning Château de Chillon with Medieval Christmas Markets
  • Scenic Swiss Mountain Trains (supplements apply)
  • Flagship rail services on Eurostar and TGV

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Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland Christmas and New Year


 

The Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland by First Class rail  – Christmas & New Year 2011

Journey to the roof of the Alps and enjoy fabulous scenery from alpine meadows to stunning lakes and picture-postcard towns and villages on this wonderful 7 night holiday. Our included Swiss Half-Fare card allows you to make the most of Switzerland’s majestic beauty and breathtaking scenic rail journeys.
Experience 3 of Switzerland’s most scenic and world-renowned rail journeys on
this fantastic 7 night holiday by First Class rail from £1,449 per person (based on two people sharing a twin/double room) and from £1,595 per person including the journey from Montreux to Jungfraujoch on the Jungfrau Railway and return on the Golden Panoramic Express
 

Holiday Highlights

Glacier Express
Bernina Express
Poschiavo
Lakeside Montreux
Stunning Château de Chillon (payable locally)
The Jungfrau – Top of Europe (supplements apply)
Golden Panoramic Express
Bernese Oberland
Scenic Rhine Gorge