Nürnberg Market Square

Prague Christmas Market

prague

Prague Castle

Vienna Christmas Market

Bratislava Christmas Market

Buda xmas square

Budapest Christmas Market

Budapest Parlament

CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN CENTRAL EUROPE in 8 days

Christmas Markets pop up all over Europe during the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Each year, we feature several winter wonderland tours during the holiday Christmas season. These outdoor markets feature unique decorations, beautiful, handcrafted arts, and endless opportunities to sample great food and countless varieties of glüwein, punch, and spiced drinks, served piping hot in souvenir mugs. This route features four contrasting cultures and languages.  This tour visits Nürnberg, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest.  

Your Adventure Starts Here!

PRICE FROMDATES
$3789 + airNov 30-Dec 7, 2025“Sign
$3789 + airDec 13-20, 2026“Sign

Nürnberg – 1 night

Prague – 2 nights

Vienna – 2 nights

Budapest – 2 nights

——————————-

Single Room Additional Cost ~ $680

ITINERARY

Sunday, Day 1: Munich to Nürnberg – Join your Exploring Europe guide at Munich’s Central Train Station by 12:00 noon. Then, let’s hop on a fast train. In an hour, we will be in Nürnberg, home of Germany’s most famous Christmas Market. The town square has over 180 wooden stalls loaded with homemade crafts, local food, mulled wine, and Christmas cheer. Each stall is decorated with red and white cloth and has become the model for all other European Christmas markets. Enjoy a free afternoon. We will reconvene for dinner this evening to celebrate your winter holiday adventures.  Sleep 1 night in Nürnberg. Dinner. NOTE: Transportation from the Munich Airport to the central train station is easy via taxi or local train. We will help and provide instructions.

Monday, Day 2: Prague – We will get an early start on our journey to Prague, making a stop or two along the way. Once in Prague, we’ll embark on an ambling walking tour through Prague’s historic old town. We’ll end our day with a traditional dinner in an authentic pub.  Sleep for 2 nights in Prague. Dinner.

Tuesday, Day 3: Prague Castle – After breakfast, join your guide on a local tram crossing the Vltava River and up the hill to the largest castle complex in Europe. You’ll visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace (when available), St. George’s Basilica, and the “Golden Lane.” Enjoy lunch and the remainder of the day and evening on your own to experience more of Prague and its Christmas Markets. Your guide will be available to help plan activities, such as a concert, dinner, or a performance at the unique Black Light Theatre.

Wednesday, Day 4: Vienna – Enjoy a scenic ride through the Czech countryside. Later, you’ll arrive in Vienna, the capital city of Austria.  Join an orientation walk with your guide and spend some free time exploring the Christmas Markets before dinner.  Sleep for 2 nights in Vienna. Dinner.

Thursday, Day 5: Vienna – After breakfast, we will begin a walking tour concentrating on the royal Habsburgs and their importance to this city. You will visit the Opera House (when open), the Hofburg Palace, the Imperial Apartments, and the Royal Treasury. The remainder of the day and evening is free to explore another museum or a palace or slow down and enjoy the coffee café culture.  

Friday, Day 6: Bratislava and Budapest – Bratislava, on the banks of the Danube River, is the capital of Slovakia. We’ll stop here to experience the pedestrian-only 18th-century town known for its cheery cafes and Christmas Market vibe. Then it is on to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. Enjoy a walking tour and a panoramic cruise on the Danube River. See the massive Parliament Building, several outdoor Christmas Markets, and the Great Indoor Market Hall.  Sleep for 2 nights in Budapest.

Saturday, Day 7: Budapest – We will visit Castle Hill for a panoramic view of the city and countryside. You’ll have the afternoon free to enjoy more of Budapest and perhaps take a relaxing plunge in a traditional public bath (swimming suit required). Later, we will meet for dinner to celebrate our final evening in Budapest.  Dinner.

Sunday, Day 8: Your tour ends this morning – Have breakfast at our hotel. Your Exploring Europe tour leader will be available to assist with your exit plans if needed.  Merry Christmas!

Itinerary specifics are subject to change.

INCLUSIONS

Transportation by coach or minivan from the Munich Airport to your last hotel in Budapest.

Seven night’s accommodation in traditional hotels, guesthouses, and B&B’s. All rooms have private en-suite baths.

A guaranteed Small group with 6-18 travelers.

All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, and hotel staff. 

Seven traditional breakfasts.

Four dinner dining experiences at some of David’s personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority and you’ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer.

Water is included with all group meals. Sodas, wine, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.

All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Walking orientation tours in Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Nurnberg. Public transportation tickets where needed.  opportunity to have a traditional public bath in Budapest.  Guided tour of the Vienna Opera (when possible).  Entrance and audio-guided tour of the Hofberg palace in Vienna.  Visit Christmas Markets in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Nurnberg, and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change). 

A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the historical and cultural experience of the tour destinations.

David’s digital e-printed tour handouts detailing each day’s itinerary and experiences.

Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.

Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that once locked in, with your deposit, will never cha

$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.

EXCLUSIONS

Comprehensive Trip insurance. We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance for tour.

Fee for passports.

Beer, wine, spirits, and soda during the tour.

Laundry, phone, internet, and personal items

Extras and optional activities.

Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.

CANCELLATION POLICY

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

Deposits- Deposits for tours are fully refundable for 30 days from your initial application and deposit date, unless otherwise noted. If you book a tour less than 90 days before its departure date, full payment is due immediately, and the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after seven days. After these dates, deposits are not refundable and will be forfeited if you cancel your tour reservation.

Payments- Tour payments are due in full 90 days before your tour departure date. If you find you must cancel between 90-0 days before your tour departure, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to transfer your payments to another tour departing within 18 months. We strongly recommend that everyone purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers tour cancellations, emergency medical, and other unexpected events.

Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.

SIGN UP BY EMAIL OR POST

If you do not want to sign up online:

You may download a tour application and send it to us with payment.

-OR-

You may return it by:

  • FAX 1-800-570-1351
  • Email – info@davidmcguffin.com
  • email – take a photo of the form with your smartphone and attach it to an email
  • TXT – take a photo with your smartphone and TXT to 904-612-8149

KEY TO WALKING & ACTIVITY

Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to provide maximum tour experiences. The basic nature of Europe does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the big cities. To help you plan, we’ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is the key for our walking activity ratings:

Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.

Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.

Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks.  There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.

Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.

PRE-TOUR RESOURCES

Now that you’ve decided to join this tour, we are sure you’ll have some questions.  Don’t worry. We are here to help you through each aspect of your tour from start to finish.

DAVID’S 60 SECONDS DESTINATION VIDEOS

Join David as he shares impromptu moments from his travels in the United Kingdom.  Watching these short 60-second segments are a great way to experience David’s travel style and adventures. Watch David Explores Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

David’s TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY almost-weekly broadcast and Video Series Blog.

Every week, when David is not traveling in Europe, he presents a LIVE broadcast on Zoom and Facebook.  Check it out on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.

Each Travel Talk Tuesday session is recorded.  Watch them here.

DAVID’S BLOG ARTICLES

David and his team have answered many travel-related questions, and they are all tucked away on his blog.  But, no need to go there. Just type in a keyword in the search box at the top or bottom of this page (it’s the gray rectangle with a small magnifying glass icon), and you will get results for your query.

PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL OR GIVE US A CALL.

We are happy to answer your travel questions and give advice and suggestions.  tours@davidmcguffin.com   or 800-570-1351.

 

Testimonials & Reviews of our Tours

I am quite please!

I’m quite pleased with my first experience with David McGuffin tour company. The itinerary was spot on - from sites (expected tourist highlights to less known treasures) to hotels (especially Barr Na Straide) & restaurants (Rinuccini❣️) to planned time balanced with free time. And our guide David Grey was THE BEST! David is respectful, thorough, flexible, & a wealth of knowledge and all the while just being plain fun. As my late mother would say, “he’s a keeper.”

London, Paris and Rome…SO amazing

We were a family of 5 with three adults and two children 7 and 9. In London we had great food, site seeing and special moments like tea at Harrods, seeing Wicked live and a trip to Harry Potter WB studio experience as well as a trip to Abbey Road for a photo moment. We rode The Eye, boats, busses and the subway. John and Audra guided us expertly . On to Paris via train and more wonderful sites and food. We absolutely loved the Eiffel Tower both from the top and from the river. Spectacular experience of seeing the lights coming on at dusk. Took a cooking class and it was fantastic. The macarons were delicious. Lots of walking. This hotel was convenient to transportation but room too small for a family. All the hotels had delicious breakfasts. Flew to Rome and the hotel there was very nice. Very hot here but enjoyed all the sites and food. No water in Trevi Fountain but lots of other things to enjoy. Had a wonderful memorable time. Came home exhausted but with lots of lasting memories. Thanks to David, Leslie John and Audra for a trip of a lifetime.

 by Chares - Damascus, Maryland on David McGuffin's Tours to Ireland
Just Wonderful

The trip to Ireland was just GREAT. David McGuffin Exploring Europe really provides a very nice itinerary and very comfortable everything, very nice hotels, great food, highlighted places and experiences. The part I liked best was David the personal full time tour guide, he was exceptional. The company took care of all of the details like where to go, where to stay, all attraction payments, the beautiful motorcoach. All we had to do is relax and enjoy. And what a great group of people. It couldn't have been better!

 by David from Phoenix, Az. on David McGuffin's Tours to Italy
Fantastic

My wife and I traveled to Italy last month for David’s “Essence of Italy” tour and we had a great time. Traveling with David and Charlotte was so much easier not having to worry about our hotel, food, and transportation arrangements.

Due to the Jubilee and the Pope’s death, Rome was extremely crowded. We missed the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica because of the Conclave. We plan on returning to Rome with David to see these sites.

The train ride to Cinque Terre was fun with a lot to see. Once there, we were able to visit a few of the five villages using local trains. The views of the mountain villages next to the ocean were fantastic.

Our next stop was to the hilltown of Volterra in Tuscany. Now I know why David calls Volterra one of his favorite places. It’s really beautiful and has a lot of history. We would never have thought of visiting some of the locations David took us.

We finished our trip visiting Siena and Florence. The museums, Cathedrals, and famous historical sites were great to see.

Traveling with David, Charlotte and our group was very enjoyable. We have already booked our next trip with David in 2026.

 by Leslie, Green Cove Springs, FL on David McGuffin's Tours to Italy
Essence of Italy Tour May 2025

Essence of Italy 10 days our first David McGuffin Tour and we were thankful to have David and Charlotte with us on this tour. Rome was quite the experience 2 full days of site seeing with the Vatican, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain to name a few all so beautiful, but a little over whelming with the crowds.
Our hotels in every location were quaint and lovely! Not having A/C is some of them was an adjustment , I definitely recommend you bring the portable fan that David mentions to bring we used it.
We really enjoyed our small group 10 people including our guides it was perfect. We had so much fun at our group dinners having a guide for the restaurants was definitely a plus, as well as what food to order.
Cinque Terre- Monterosso was my favorite village and Volterra the Tuscany area was also a favorite of ours! The tour guides in Rome (Guilai was amazing) and Volterra were informative and enjoyable as well as David and Charlottes information on each area.

We packed just like David suggested and we didn’t have any issues or problems handling our own luggage but we did do laundry once while there. David’s tour prep instructions were spot on.
We had the most enjoyable time making new friends and seeing beautiful Italy our next adventure is hopefully Greece!

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David McGuffin Exploring Europe: Tour Operator & Travel Information
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