Day 1
Bangkok → Zurich (overnight flight)
Evening departure from Suvarnabhumi. Tour leader hands out the trip dossier, a 3-country Christmas Market map, and a curated playlist for the long flight.
Switzerland · Germany · France · 9 Days 7 Nights
Christmas Lumière
Journey through Switzerland, Germany & France to the most magical Christmas markets, Zurich → Bern → Montreux → Colmar → Strasbourg → Stuttgart → Nuremberg → Munich, all in one December journey.
The journey, day by day
Day 2
Zurich arrival · Zurich Christmas Market
Arrive Zurich Airport in the morning. Private transfer to a 4–5 star hotel in the city centre. Slow lunch in the old town, then an afternoon walk through Zurich's Christmas markets along Bahnhofstrasse and the Single Tree market inside the Hauptbahnhof, with its Swarovski-crystal tree, first Glühwein of the trip as the festive lights come on at dusk.
Ambassador Zurich Hotel (or equivalent 4–5★)
Day 3
Zurich → Bern Old Town → Montreux Noël
Morning transfer to Bern, the Swiss capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, a stroll under its medieval sandstone arcades and the famous clock tower. Afternoon continue to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva for Montreux Noël, the lakeside Christmas market, complete with its flying Santa gliding over the water at dusk.
Mona Montreux Hotel · Montreux (lakeside)
Day 4
Montreux → Colmar · fairy-tale Alsace
Cross into France and the Alsace wine region to Colmar, the storybook town of half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals and "Little Venice." Slow afternoon through Colmar's Christmas market, one of the most beautiful in France, wandering the lantern-lit lanes as the lights come on.
Novotel Suites Colmar (or equivalent 4–5★)
Day 5
Colmar → Strasbourg · Capitale de Noël
Morning transfer to Strasbourg, capital of Alsace and home to the oldest Christmas market in France (since 1570), proudly the "Capitale de Noël." Private walking tour of the Grande Île (UNESCO), the soaring cathedral, and the canals of Petite France, then the grand market and giant tree on Place Kléber by night.
Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île · Strasbourg
Day 6
Strasbourg → Heidelberg → Stuttgart
Cross into Germany to Heidelberg, the romantic university town beneath its red-stone castle, for a Christmas market spread across the Old Town squares along the Neckar. Afternoon continue to Stuttgart, home to one of Europe's oldest and largest Christmas markets, over 300 years of tradition with its elaborately decorated stall rooftops.
Motel One Stuttgart (or equivalent 4–5★)
Day 7
Stuttgart → Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Nuremberg
Morning at Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most perfectly preserved medieval walled town in Germany and the most romantic stop on the Romantic Road, its Reiterlesmarkt and cobbled lanes look like a Christmas card come to life. Afternoon to Nuremberg, ready for the most famous market of all.
Park Plaza Nuremberg · Nuremberg
Day 8
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt → Ingolstadt Village → Munich
Morning at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Germany's largest and most famous Christmas market, a sea of red-and-white stalls, Lebkuchen and Nürnberger sausages. En route to Munich, a stop at Ingolstadt Village outlet for designer-brand shopping. Evening arrival in Munich for the Marienplatz Christmas market under the Neues Rathaus and its Glockenspiel.
4–5★ hotel near Marienplatz, Munich
Day 9
Munich → Bangkok
Slow morning, breakfast, a final photo walk through Marienplatz. Afternoon private transfer to Munich Airport. Evening departure. Edited digital album with Christmas Market scenes from 3 countries arrives within 14 days.
Signature stays
Hotels we'd return to
Well-known 4–5 star hotels in each city, comfortable, in central locations, walking distance to each Christmas market. Never apartments or hostels.
- Ambassador Zurich Hotel · Zurich, central, walking distance to Bahnhofstrasse and the Zurich Christmas market
- Mona Montreux Hotel · Montreux, by Lake Geneva, steps from the Montreux Noël lakefront market
- Novotel Suites Colmar · Colmar, minutes from La Petite Venise and Colmar's fairytale Christmas markets
- Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île · Strasbourg, on the UNESCO Grande Île, walking distance to the Capitale de Noël markets
- Hotel Motel One Stuttgart · Stuttgart, central, close to the Schlossgarten and Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt
- Park Plaza Nuremberg · Nuremberg, in the Old Town, near the famous Christkindlesmarkt
*Hotels listed are subject to change with similar or equivalent alternatives, Wanvela confirms hotels 60–90 days before departure.
What's included
Christmas Lumière reviews · 4.9 / 5
★★★★★
"Colmar in the evening was like stepping into a storybook, pastel half-timbered houses along the La Petite Venise canals, Christmas lights reflecting on the water. Our 8-year-old daughter said 'it's like a cartoon.' Wandering all six of Colmar's markets was the real highlight of the trip."
★★★★★
"Strasbourg really is the Capitale de Noël, the oldest Christmas market in France, wrapped around Notre-Dame cathedral, with the giant tree on Place Kléber. A warm vin chaud, a walk through the UNESCO Grande Île old town. A memory that will stay with us forever."
★★★★★
"Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt was better than expected, Germany's largest and most famous market, with proper Lebkuchen and Nürnberger Bratwurst. Three countries in 9 days never felt rushed. Comfortable vehicle, attentive team. Every kind of Christmas atmosphere in one trip."
Common questions
Why visit three countries in one trip?
Each country brings a different Christmas character. Switzerland opens the trip with Zurich Christmas Market, Montreux Noël on Lake Geneva, and Bern's UNESCO Old Town. France brings Alsace, fairy-tale Colmar and Strasbourg, the "Capitale de Noël" with the oldest Christmas market in France. Germany is the home of Glühwein and Lebkuchen, Stuttgart, medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, and Munich's Marienplatz. One trip, three Christmas perspectives.
How cold is it, and what should we pack?
December temperatures sit between -5 and 7°C (the Swiss Alps and the Bavarian medieval towns can drop below freezing with snow). Colmar, Rothenburg and Nuremberg typically have snowfall. We send a packing list 30 days before departure, long wind-resistant coat, non-slip boots, heat-pack gloves, woollen hat. All hotels have excellent indoor heating.
What if we don't drink alcohol, is there an alternative to Glühwein?
Yes. Every market sells Kinderpunsch (a hot spiced fruit drink, no alcohol), the main winter drink for European children, with the same warming spices as Glühwein (called vin chaud in France). Switzerland has Heisse Schoggi (Swiss hot chocolate) which is intensely rich. We'll point you to the best stall in each city.
Small group of 6–8, how does that work? Is it really private?
Genuinely private, Wanvela runs only one group per trip. 6–8 travelers fit comfortably in a 9–13 seater vehicle, no one cramped. A dedicated team of 2 (tour leader + photographer) lets us adjust pacing per group and add or drop activities every day. Not a 30–40 person mass tour where everyone waits.
Can the route be modified?
Yes, it's a Private Trip, fully customizable. Add Lucerne (Chapel Bridge + Lake Lucerne) along the Swiss leg, add a night in Colmar to explore the Alsace Wine Route, add a full-day stop at Heidelberg Castle, or reorder the cities to start/end with your flights. Just tell us.
How far ahead should we plan?
120–150 days, as December is peak season in Central Europe. Hotels in Colmar and Strasbourg Old Town sell out 4–6 months ahead. Schengen visa support is included but we need at least 60 days' lead time.
