Fairytale villages, cuckoo clocks, gingerbread, scrumptious food, the scenic Black Forest, & charming Alsace. Jawohl & oui, we're headed to the heart of "Old World" Europe! So, get out your walking shoes & practice your high school German or French. It's off to some of Europe's most enchanting towns & traditional markets. Join Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell, certified Europe specialists, on our wonderful small group getaway. It's packed with colorful holiday markets, memorable walking tours, half-timbered houses, folk traditions, quaint villages, friendly locals, & the magic of Germany & France. On this relaxing adventure by train & on foot, we spend six nights in our cozy home base, nestled in an historic Black Forest village. Every day we venture to corners of Europe few American tourists know. Our daily excursions, using German Rail Passes, highlight cobble-stoned towns, holiday celebrations, & insider discoveries, a special slice of Christmas-time Europe. Top off our stay with an overnight in fabled Rothenberg ob der Tauber & then spend the final night in Frankfurt airport-area hotel. Space on this unique getaway is limited to just twelve congenial travelers. Rush us your application & deposit today!

 

Our tour includes:

• 6 Nights’ lodging in family-run Black Forest hotel (with private facilities)
• 1 Night each in both medieval Rothenberg ob der Tauber & Frankfurt area
• 8 Full breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), & 4 dinners (D)
• Welcome orientation walk through our homebase village 
• Guided walking tours of Freiburg, Heidelberg, & Strasbourg
• Hosted daily excursions by train & bus
• Roundtrip 2^nd class roundtrip train ticket Germany to Strasbourg, France           
• German Rail 2^nd class pass valid 5 days out of 1 month period   
• Entrance fees to selected museums & sights (incl. the Black Forest Folk Museum, Baden Baden’s Thermal Spa, & Heidelberg Castle)
• Visit to German Black Forest cuckoo clock factory
• Advent choral music concert & visit of medieval Rothenburg   
• Time for wandering, shopping, & exploring 6 Christmas markets   
• Visits to charming Black Forest villages Titisee & Triberg

Got the travel bug? Pack your bags and grab your camera! Our vacation tours will show you all the sights in the places you've always wanted to visit - all at the right pace.