7-Nights Enchanting Christmas Markets of Germany, Switzerland & France

Lucerne

Without a doubt one of the prettiest towns in Switzerland, Lucerne lies in the heart of the country on famous lake of Lucerne. Dotted with Renaissance and Baroque fountains, colorful paintings on the gables and commanded by the exquisite wooden bridge, the Kapellbrücke and Wasserturm, the 13th century octagonal water tower, Lucerne's character is pure charm. Spectacular views and sights abound from almost every vantage point in and around Lucerne. The Old Town Hall is a fine example of a Renaissance building while the City Wall, built between 1350 and 1405 stands proud above the city. A stroll along the quay leads past the modern health resort and onto the largest, most important Transport Museum in Europe and the only Planetarium in Switzerland. The famous Lion Monument and Glacier Garden make for remarkable viewing as do the mountain peaks surrounding the city. A short drive from town takes visitors to some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth, and a short drive from Viewaldstätter Lake leads to nearby winter resorts and many more lakes.

Freiburg

Freiburg is the gateway to the southern Black Forest and a center of wine-growing and the arts. Some of the more notable sights include the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Kaiserstuhl, Freiburg's famous cathedral, the unique brooks running through the streets of the Old Town in open channels decorated with Rhine pebble mosaics - and the wild, romantic landscape of the Höllental valley just outside the city. Other sights of interest include: cathedral with the "most beautiful spire in Christen-dom"; Historical Kaufhaus (former customs and trade building); Wentzingerhaus (now home of the City History Museum); Old and New Town Halls; St. Martin's Gate; Schwabentor Gate; Gerberbau ("Tanner's Building", old guilds quarter); Fischerau quarter and Gewerbe Canal; Gerichtslaube (Freiburg's oldest Town Hall); and Haus Zum Walfisch (magnificent doorway).

Regensburg

Regensburg is located in Bavaria, one of the most distinctive regions of the entire nation. It is an ancient city. Settled first by the Celts in prehistoric times, it was a Roman center for centuries and the site of an important bishopric in the Middle Ages and after. Regensburg is now a thriving city of approximately 150,000 and is a major port on the Danube with beautiful and well-preserved architecture as well as striking, modern buildings. It is only a short distance from both Munich and Nuremberg and within easy access of Vienna, Prague, and other major centers of Central Europe.