We offer Christmas Markets trips, and Christmas Market tour vacations to suit your every need. Visit the major cities of Germany and Austria and begin your holiday season with a wonderful centuries-old tradition, the Christmas Markets. Christmas Markets were usually held around the town's principal church in order to attract churchgoers on their way to and from services. In the midst of grim winters, the townspeople loved the bright panoply of the market and spent happy hours looking through the many wares and buying many a gift or sweet. In fact, a 17th-century parish priest in Nürnberg complained one year that the afternoon service on Christmas Eve failed to take place since everybody was out and about buying presents! Over time, each Christmas Market developed its own distinctive character, not only reflecting local traditions but also unique historic backdrops. Because only local traders and merchants were allowed to sell products at the Christmas Market, each town became known for its distinct specialties. In recent years, the towns and cities of Germany and Austria have vied with each other to distinguish their markets from all others, so that many of the traditional Christmas Markets today offer real superlatives. They typically last about four weeks -- beginning about the same time as the Advent season -- and draw many locals and visitors alike. Now traveling to see the Christmas Markets is even easier, as we have done all the work for you. Choose from escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages. There are so many amazing things to see that it is hard to know where to start. There are tours for individuals, couples and families to experience the best that nature has to offer. Buying your Christmas Market Tour in advance gives you peace of mind because you prepay for your trip and save up to 40% off the cost of traveling the same itinerary on your own. There's no better time than now to take a Christmas Markets tour vacation. This is Europe’s Value Season, November through March.