NEW! Holland & Belgium at Christmas

  • From £2,795
  • |
  • 8 Days
  • |
  • 6 Guided Tours
  • |
  • 3 Countries

Venlo, The Netherlands

  • Historic European building with fountain

Set along the Meuse River near the German border, Venlo has long linked the Netherlands with the Rhineland, putting it within easy reach of Cologne and Düsseldorf. Its strategic location allowed the city to rise to prominence as a trading hub, earning it self-governing “city rights” and a place in the Hanseatic League. Its importance also drew the interest of many foreign powers before it eventually came under modern Dutch rule. While Venlo sustained heavy damage during World War II, it was rebuilt with the original street plan in mind in order to preserve its rich past.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.

Festive Christmas Market with Illuminated Tree

Christmas in Cologne

Celebrate the festive season in Germany at Cologne’s Christmas Market and savor traditional Spekulatius.

Included
Festive Christmas Market with Illuminated Tree

Christmas in Cologne

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes      

Visit the City’s Delightful Old Town and Christmas Market

Celebrate the festive season in Germany at Cologne’s Christmas Market and savor traditional Spekulatius. You will head into the historic city center to visit the largest Christmas market in the city, as your guide explains the important customs and holiday traditions in the region. During a stroll amid the colorful market stalls, take in the aromas of the festive foods on offer, such as roasted chestnuts and cinnamon-infused glühwein, and pause to sample a taste of Spekulatius, a traditional German holiday treat. Continue through the Old Town and soak up the atmosphere as you admire the city’s festive twinkling lights. Be in awe of the Gothic masterpiece that is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; pause to view the ornate design of its impressive exterior as it towers majestically over the city.

* Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.
Festive Christmas market with wooden stalls

Düsseldorf at Christmas

Explore Düsseldorf and immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere during a visit to the Christmas market.

Included
Festive Christmas market with wooden stalls

Düsseldorf at Christmas

Duration: 6 hours      

Discover Düsseldorf’s Festive Christmas Market

Explore Düsseldorf and immerse yourself in the seasonal atmosphere during a visit to the Christmas market. Meet your guide at the pier and transfer to Düsseldorf, where you will explore its historic quarter, an important center for art and the country’s fashion capital. Take in the sights of the second largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, including St. Lambertus Church and the Schlossturm (Castle Tower), the only remaining part of Düsseldorf Castle destroyed by a fire in 1872. At the Christmas market, immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the yuletide season as you browse the decorated stalls, adorned in twinkling lights. Shop for seasonal treats and handmade ornaments at the Altstadt market and admire the wooden huts that are modeled on the city’s old burgher houses. You will also stroll the Handwerker Market, in front of the opulent City Hall.

* Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.
Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.