Christmas Markets & History Tour with Lindsay Graham
Join Lindsay Graham on an immersive journey from Strasbourg to Salzburg. This small-group adventure through France, Germany and Austria pairs Europe’s best Christmas markets with world-changing history.
Enjoy three nights each in Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Munich, plus day trips into Alsace, Bavaria, and Salzburg. Led by expert guides and local historians, experience history where it actually happened with Lindsay Graham and fellow history enthusiasts.
Special Guest: Lindsay Graham
Waitlist Early Bird Rate: From USD $7,920
(Book before 20 April to save 10%)
Standard Price: From USD $8,800
Deposit: USD $1,000
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Dates: Sunday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 22 2026
Group size: Strictly capped at 20 guests
Overnight locations: 3 nights each in Strasbourg, Nuremberg, and Munich
Guiding: Licensed guides and local historians throughout
Who it’s for: Travellers with a passion for history and culture
Day 1: Arrive in Strasbourg, welcome dinner
Day 2: Strasbourg, "Capital of Christmas"
Day 3: Alsace day trip to Colmar and Riquewihr
Day 4: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day 5: Medieval Nuremberg
Day 6: Nuremberg and World War II
Day 7: Medieval Regensburg
Day 8: Salzburg Fortress and Old Town
Day 9: Munich and Bavarian Christmas
Day 10: Final breakfast and onward travel
Guests arrive in Strasbourg, with airport transfers included to our hotel. There are no scheduled activities during the day, so you can settle in, rest after travel, or take your first walk through the old town at your own pace.
In the evening, the group comes together for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Over a three-course meal with drinks included, you'll meet your fellow travellers, discuss the tour ahead, and ease into our journey together.
The morning begins with a guided walking tour of Strasbourg’s historic centre. With a local guide, we’ll explore the old town and set the scene for the city’s distinctive place in European history, shaped by its position on the French-German frontier.
The afternoon is free for you to explore independently before we regroup in the evening for a visit to Strasbourg’s famous markets.
The “Capital of Christmas”, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik has been running since 1570. The oldest Christmas market in France, you’ll find more than 300 stalls amid Alsatian decorations and crafts.
Because Strasbourg sits on a historic borderland, it’s the perfect place to taste local specialities like tarte flambée and mulled white wine. A unique mix of French and German cultures, the markets of Strasbourg and Alsace are unmissable.
Travel into the heart of Alsace for a day in two of the region’s most charming towns.
We begin with a short stop in Riquewihr, a walled wine town that becomes especially beautiful in winter. Amidst the festive atmosphere, we'll enjoy a wine tasting of the region's local specialities.
In Colmar, we'll tour the historic town centre with a local historian. The afternoon is then yours to explore before we return to Strasbourg in the evening.
Colmar’s six Christmas markets are all distinctly themed. Don’t miss the Gourmet Market, dedicated to seasonal delicacies and gastronomy.
Today we enjoy the stunning town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
One of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns, Rothenburg is famous for its unparalleled beauty and charm. Within its stone walls is a town that belongs in a fairy tale, renowned for Christmas crafts and home to a market tradition that stretches back more than 500 years.
After exploring this winter wonderland, we’ll continue to Nuremberg in the late afternoon.
For the adventurous, climb the Town Hall Tower, a narrow ascent offering sweeping views over Rothenburg’s rooftops, the Tauber Valley, and the countryside beyond.
Back at street level, reward yourself with a Schneeball, a traditional Franconian pastry made from deep-fried shortcrust pastry strips dusted with powdered sugar.
We begin our stay in Nuremberg with a tour of its historic old town. Once a major trading centre and a hub of the German Renaissance, we’ll explore centuries of history and the hilltop Imperial Castle.
After a free afternoon, we’ll regroup in the evening to enjoy a tour of the Christkindlesmarkt. Full of festive treats and local crafts, the Hauptmarkt becomes a “city of wood and cloth”, with hundreds of traditional stalls.
One of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is both a feast and a spectacle. Come hungry for Nürnberger Lebkuchen, the city’s famous gingerbread, and Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, the classic little sausages served hot in a roll.
Don’t miss the glow of the world’s largest Feuerzangenbowle: a specially designed cauldron that holds more than 9,000 litres of festive punch. Served with a flaming sugarloaf, the spiced red wine and rum is an absolute delight.
Today's programme focuses on two of the most important historic sites in twentieth-century Europe.
We begin with a visit to Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg Trials were held after the Second World War. With a guided tour, we unpack how the trials shaped the post-war world and defined international justice.
After a group lunch, we travel to the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds and the adjacent Documentation Centre. Here, local experts will reveal how the regime produced propaganda on an unprecedented scale and why Nuremberg became the ideological heart of the Third Reich.
In the evening, we enjoy a group dinner at a Franconian restaurant famed for its traditional cuisine.
Enjoy a day trip to historic Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. A former trading centre on the Danube, Regensburg escaped the worst destruction of the Second World War, which is why its medieval streetscape remains so beautifully intact. Home to the oldest preserved bridge in Germany, we’ll tour the city before continuing on to Munich.
Be sure to indulge in regional delicacies such as blueberry mulled wine from the Bavarian Forest. For the hungry (and ambitious), try a half-metre-long Regensburger sausage.
Today we cross into Austria by train for a full-day excursion to Salzburg. With its stunning old town and the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress, there’s plenty to explore on our guided tour. One of Central Europe’s largest fully preserved castle complexes, Hohensalzburg crowns the city, and the views from above are exceptional.
After the tour, we’ll spend time in Salzburg’s famous Christmas markets in the heart of the old city.
If you want to try a local sweet, Salzburger Nockerl is the classic. A light soufflé dessert that’s become one of the city’s culinary symbols, this delicacy can be enjoyed on our day trip to Austria!
Our morning begins with a tour of the proud Bavarian capital. Famed for grand squares, historic churches, and no shortage of beer halls, the city is at its best when adorned with Christmas decorations. On our walk, we’ll see palaces, memorials, and hidden sites as we survey one of Europe’s most famous cities.
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore local stalls and museums before we reconvene for one final evening of traditional Christmas markets.
Munich’s markets are a city-wide event. While the main Christkindlmarkt may be at Marienplatz, other squares host themed markets, including the Medieval Christmas Market at Wittelsbacherplatz. Be sure to sample the different foods and drinks at each.
After our final breakfast, the tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are included to Munich Airport (MUC).
If you’d like, we can suggest onward plans and the easiest routes to other towns and cities.
From Strasbourg Airport on December 13, and to Munich Airport on December 22
With Lindsay travelling alongside the group, this tour offers more than beautiful markets and historic cities. It provides the chance to experience them in good company, with thoughtful conversation, expert local guiding, and an itinerary designed for travellers who want rich historical storytelling as well as a social and festive atmosphere.
Special Guest - Lindsay Graham
Lindsay Graham is the award-winning host of History Daily, American History Tellers, and American Scandal. Through his production company Airship, Lindsay seeks to expand human understanding and empathy by demonstrating “history is human.”
Local Historians
On selected evenings, we’ll be joined in the Christmas markets by local historians. Over a cup of glühwein, we’ll discuss each region’s distinct history, with plenty of opportunities for questions and conversation.
Tour Manager
An experienced tour manager will handle logistics day-to-day, ensuring the trip runs smoothly and assisting with your practical needs and hotel check-ins.
Licensed Guides
Walking tours and scheduled site visits are led by licensed guides, selected for their expertise in each city’s history and culture.
Accommodation
This tour includes 9 nights in centrally located, well-reviewed 4-star hotels, chosen for easy walking access to the old towns and Christmas markets.
Rooming
Rooms are arranged on a shared basis. Twin and double rooms are available.
Solo travellers are welcome. You can request a private room (single supplement applies) or opt into same-sex roommate matching to share with another solo traveller.
This tour includes a significant amount of walking, particularly on guided tours and in Christmas market areas. You should be comfortable spending extended periods on your feet in city centres.
Stairs are unavoidable at some historic sites. The pace is steady rather than rushed and suits slow but steady walkers.
If you have any concerns about mobility or fitness, please contact us before booking so we can advise.
IS THIS FOR ME?
Who is this tour best suited to?
This tour is designed for travellers with a passion for history. It suits guests who enjoy walking-based exploration, thoughtful discussion, and travelling with a small group of like-minded history lovers.
Do I need prior knowledge of French and German history?
No prior knowledge is assumed. The tour is structured to provide the context you need as we go.
How much walking is involved, and are stairs unavoidable?
Christmas markets include a significant amount of walking and time on your feet. Some stair climbing is unavoidable at historic sites.
Is the pace suitable for someone who walks slowly but steadily?
Yes. The pace is steady rather than rushed, and the tour is suitable for travellers who walk slowly but comfortably. If you have any concerns about mobility or fitness, please contact us before booking so we can advise.
TOUR DETAILS
Will Lindsay Graham accompany the entire tour?
Yes. Lindsay will accompany the group for the entire tour, from arrival in Strasbourg to the tour’s conclusion in Munich.
How do we get around each day?
The tour uses private coaches, trains, and public transport, alongside walking between nearby sites.
Where do we meet on Day 1, and where do we finish on Day 10? Are airport transfers included?
Airport transfers are included on arrival and departure. On Day 1, you’ll be met at Strasbourg Airport and transferred to our hotel in Strasbourg. On Day 10, the tour ends after breakfast, with a transfer from the hotel to Munich Airport.
Which meals are included, and can you cater for dietary requirements?
Breakfasts are included daily, along with one lunch and two group dinners. Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated. Please tell us in advance.
COSTS & POLICIES
Is my deposit refundable?
Your deposit is fully refundable for 7 days from the date of booking. After that, deposits are non-refundable.
Are tips and taxes included?
Yes. Tips for guides and drivers are included, along with local taxes related to included services.
What is the group size?
The group size is capped at 20. The tour has a minimum of 10 guests.
For further details on all policies, please see our Terms & Conditions.
If you’d like to join the tour, join the waitlist today. Places are strictly capped and early bird rate ends on April 20 2026.
We look forward to sharing some glühwein with you!
If you have any questions, tap the question icon at the top of the screen. If you would like to ask them over a quick call, you can schedule a 15-minute call here with the Chase History team.