Valkenburg, Aachen & Cologne* Christmas Markets
Start off your fantastic festive holiday with a visit to the stunning Aachen Christmas market. Possibly one of the most picturesque in the whole of Germany, you will really get to enjoy the romantic feel of this quaint town. Then, head deep down underground as we head over into Holland and to Valkenburg Christmas markets. If you’re looking for something unique, then the most impressive of Dutch markets in the Municipal caves will be right up your street! And, why not end on a big crescendo? On our 5-day Christmas break, we’ll head to mighty Cologne to enjoy the numerous Christmas markets dotted about this incredible city.
Tour Includes
- 3 or 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 3 evening meals on 5 day tour only
- Convenient local joining points
4 days from £619pp
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Inbound Travel
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 4 or 5 day itinerary
Please note: The Christmas market information provided is correct at the time of publication, and may be subject to change without notice, by the market organisers and local authorities.
Local departure by coach, then to your hotel in Holland for a three-night stay.
Today we cross the border into Germany and travel to Aachen to visit the Christmas Market. Every year in the weeks prior to Christmas, the squares and alleys around Aachen’s town hall and cathedral are transformed into a festive Christmas Market. The range of goods offered is overwhelming, from grand objects to the modest trinket and from the most impressive gifts to everyday utensils. Enjoy free time visiting the many stalls whilst sipping a warming cup of mulled wine and sampling the delicious potato fritters. Be sure to try ‘Spekulatius’ or traditional Christmas spice cookies.
In order to enhance your tour, you may wish to join an optional half day visit to the lovely German town of Monschau, the ‘Gem of the Eifel Region’. Centered on the banks of a small river and overlooked from opposite hillsides by the ruins of a stone watchtower and an old palace, Monschau is a classically pretty town. Linked by a series of bridges, the town’s restaurants and shops lead up to the town centre where a charming church proudly stands.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monschau Half Day | 2026 From £32 | 2027 From £34 |
This optional excursion is available to pre-book or you can book during your tour.
Spend today in the charming town of Valkenburg. Experience the festive excitement of the Christmas market in the Town Cave (Gemeentegrot); the oldest and largest underground Christmas market in Europe. The ancient galleries are filled with Christmas music and decorated with lights and traditional stalls selling all kinds of festive gifts creating a truly magical atmosphere.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Please note: The Christmas market information provided is correct at the time of publication, and may be subject to change without notice, by the market organisers and local authorities.
Local departure by coach, then to your hotel in for Holland, for a four-night stay.
Today we cross the border into Germany and travel to Aachen to visit the Christmas Market. Every year in the weeks prior to Christmas, the squares and alleys around Aachen’s town hall and cathedral are transformed into a festive Christmas Market. Enjoy free time visiting the many stalls whilst sipping a warming cup of mulled wine and sampling the delicious Potato fritters. Be sure to try ‘Spekulatius’ or traditional Christmas spice cookies.
In order to enhance your tour, you may wish to join an optional half day visit the lovely German town of Monschau, the ‘Gem of the Eifel Region’. Centered on the banks of a small river and overlooked from opposite hillsides by the ruins of a stone watchtower and an old palace, Monschau is a classically pretty town. Linked by a series of bridges, the town’s restaurants and shops lead up to the town centre where a charming church proudly stands.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monschau Half Day | 2026 From £32 | 2027 From £34 |
This optional excursion is available to pre-book or you can book during your tour.
Spend today in the charming town of Valkenburg. Experience the festive excitement of the Christmas market in the Town Cave (Gemeentegrot); the oldest underground Christmas market in Europe. The ancient galleries are filled with Christmas music and decorated with lights and traditional stalls creating a truly magical atmosphere.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Today we visit Cologne and its Christmas market on our included excursion. Cologne’s history traces back more than 2,000 years when it was founded as a Roman colony. Today it has developed into a beautiful cosmopolitan city.
Advent magic spreads throughout Cologne at this time of year, when the idyllic Christmas markets open their gates to visitors. Festive stalls offer traditional goods and handcrafted gifts. Wonderful spicy aromas of cinnamon stars, baked apples and roasted almonds will fill the air.
Start at the ‘Christmas market in Kolner Dom/Cathedral Square’ with a huge, decorated fir tree. Admire the festive lights over Roncalliplatz, and discover culinary delights and individually made arts and crafts.
Not far away, the rustic ‘Heinzels Winter Fairytale’ Christmas market with old-world charm, dedicated to the legend of the ‘Heinzelmannchen’ (or elves) of Cologne – is situated in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, spreading over the squares ‘Alter Markt’ and ‘Heumarkt’.
In the centre of the larger shopping areas, the "Market of Angels" on Neumarkt presents itself under a magnificently illuminated starry sky. The illuminated wooden stars in the trees above the market provide a special atmosphere. Relax and browse for tasty food, gifts and arts and crafts.
Next door on Rudolfplatz, young and old alike will enjoy the "Village of St Nicholas", a wonderful experience for the whole family. This market tends to have reindeer and elves and a huge advent calendar.
‘Cologne Harbour Christmas market’ at the Chocolate Museum is located in a picturesque backdrop directly on the river Rhine, right in front of the Chocolate Museum, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of ships’ sails.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
*Cologne included on the 5-day break only.
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Accommodation
You will stay for three or four nights at a minimum 3-star hotel such as the Hotel Walram or NH Maastricht.
Due to demand, we may use other hotels of a similar standard in the area.
Walram
The Hotel Walram is a comfortable, family-run hotel with splendid views over the famous castle ruins of Valkenburg. It is situated on a quiet square, close to the picturesque little waterfall of the River Geul. The town centre boats a host of shops, cafés, and restaurants, and is just a short 2-minute walk away.
Hotel Facilities
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General
- 3 Star
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- Central Location
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer on Request
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
- Iron or Trouser Press
Service
- Safe Box in Reception
- 24 Hour Front Desk
Accessibility
- Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
- Wheelchair Access
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Transport
- Bus Stop Nearby
- Train / Tram Nearby
Hotel
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
Travel Options
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.
The pinnacle of luxury coach travel
Exclusive to Leger Holidays, these exceptional vehicles blend state-of-the-art features with sophisticated design, offering business-class comfort on the road. Try Luxuria once, and you’ll never look back – the journey will stay with you long after the holiday ends.
With just 31 spacious seats, enjoy a calm, unhurried atmosphere from the moment you step on board – because true comfort means more space, more privacy, and more time to relax. You’ll also benefit from a choice of seating, allowing you to travel in a way that suits you...
- Double Seats Designed for two, double seats are great for couples or friends travelling together – offering comfort, connection, and a relaxed way to share the journey.
- Single Seats Offering privacy and comfort, single seats are perfect for solo travellers who prefer a little more personal space.
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Face-to-Face Seats
Face-to-face seats with personal tables are the sociable way to travel, ideal for card games, coffees and conversation.
With a superior average seat pitch – 32% greater than many leading short-haul airlines – Luxuria double seats offer unmatched personal space. Enjoy comfort that’s built in, not added on.
Luxuria Features
Entertainment at your fingertips
Immerse yourself in your own touch-screen TV, offering a world of films, TV shows, music, and games – entertainment designed around you.
The perfect pour
Our crew serves a selection of hot and cold beverages directly to your seat – ideal for staying refreshed throughout your journey.
Relax in unmatched comfort
Recline in spacious, ergonomically designed, armchair-style seating with generous legroom and experience a refined sense of luxury, crafted exclusively for your relaxation.
Stay connected
Keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey with USB ports and plug sockets at every seat – perfect for capturing memories and staying connected with loved ones.
Silver Service
From the attentive service to the carefully considered features, our Silver Service coaches create an atmosphere that is both friendly and memorable, bringing people together. Experience the difference – refined travel, shared moments, and lasting comfort.
- Designed for Socialising A stylish and spacious rear lounge offers a sophisticated and private place to unwind, where conversation flows easily and friendships are made along the journey.
- Privacy Board An innovative privacy screen creates a calm retreat away from the rest of the coach, giving you the choice to enjoy quiet seclusion while you socialise with fellow passengers.
- Tables with Cup Holders Thoughtfully designed cabinets with secure cup holders mean refreshments are always within easy reach, adding both practicality and polish to your travel experience.
Silver Service Features
Deluxe design
Specially designed, luxurious seats enhanced with leather headrests deliver superior support, blending comfort with a premium finish.
Space to stretch out
Enjoy the luxury of generous legroom that goes far beyond standard coach travel, giving you the freedom to settle in with ease and stretch out fully.
Spacious rear lounge
Designed for socialising, the spacious rear lounge offers a stylish retreat with privacy screens, handy tables and cup holders – perfect for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the journey.
Thoughtful touches that make a difference
A carefully maintained interior climate and soft ambient lighting ensure the coach always feels comfortable, welcoming and perfectly suited for a relaxing journey.
Reviews
4.3 Out of 5 ( 49 Reviews )
Reviews
Quality
4.3 / 5
Value for Money
4.2 / 5
Trudy Wiseman, 1 year ago
The Hotel at valkenburg was in a fantastic position right in the centre. Easy to walk to the caves.
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Christine, 1 year ago
very enjoyable trip.
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C Moy, 1 year ago
Our drivers Dave Bushell and Chris were excellent and I enjoyed the short tour. I regret not joining the optional tour to Monschau as all day in Aachen was too long. Our time in Valkenberg was very nice with the market in the caves and the stalls right outside our hotel. The hotel Walram was very central which meant we could easily walk around the area. The downstairs area of the hotel was very nice but many of the rooms are quite small and for some reason I had a very strong and unpleasant smell of stale tobacco in the bathroom which must have been coming through the air vent. I was lucky to have a nice view of the square at the front of the hotel. The tour was switched out 6 days before my tour by my understanding and I therefore did not get the drivers I requested because of a mess up at your admin office double booking drivers onto the tour and then changing the drivers that one of your customers had specifically requested and not allowing a refund following your mess up. The coach was kept clean but it was a 2018 coach. The drivers I had requested (Mark Capewell and Matt Hallas) drive a 2024 coach which I was looking forward to travelling in. You changed the newer coach's tour to a river cruise tour where the passengers were only on the coach for the two travelling days and left the tour that was using the older coach to be used in all days of the tour. You told me on the phone that the tour was likely changed due to sickness and whilst I do understand that this can happen and that you cannot guarantee the drivers I know that the same tour had been booked in a long time ago for both sets of drivers so that clearly is not the case here. I have enjoyed my tours with Leger and Shearings but this experience has put me off booking with Leger again.
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Anne, 1 year ago
Aachen, Valkenburgh and Cologne Christmas Markets by Luxuria, November 2024 A great tour, two days travelling, three days visiting. exceeded my expectations. A great trip, for me a mixture of cathedrals, markets, architecture and Lindt outlet warehouse. Great crew, who cared for all their passengers. Paul and Lisa were the crew on their Luxuria coach. Both very personable, very professional, nothing was too much trouble for them. We were treated as their very special guests of them, as though we were the only ones they’d ever have – not part of a revolving group of people. They soon knew our names; refreshments were served regularly. When we reached a Cologne and had to catch a shuttle bus, they ensured we knew where we were going and how to get back. Kept us fully informed about that day and the next, particularly timings. Aachen was a lovely city, after a visit to the Lindt outlet first priority was visiting the amazing cathedral – smaller than I expected – but totally marvellous. Aachen the home of Aachener Printen – a spiced gingerbread, you are welcomed to the markets by them. The next day we were in Valkenburg all day, staying at the Hotel Walram. Plenty of time to have a wander round and appreciate the town. Timed ticket for the municipal caves – these were interesting, varied stalls, lots of light tableaus, music, food. As there were so many branches, seemed to lack the verve of other locations. Need to watch your footing. The evening parade goes very close to Hotel Walram, so straight out after our evening meal, wandering through the market in front of the hotel. A great sight, Somerset Carnival parades on a smaller scale. Then onto Cologne, about 90 minutes from Valkenburg, many markets, Cathedral, Rauthaus, Noddy Train. My priority was the Cathedral, I took the Noddy Train which had an informative commentary. Having not been able to properly look around the Cathedral in July 2022, this was my chance. It was amazing, a great place to explore and be blown away by it all. Had a look around the Kilmer Dom Market and finished the loop on the Noddy Train to Alter Market, which I thought was the best. Early departure for Dunkirk on the last morning. Hotel Walram in Valkenburg – was comfortable, a good size room and almost as large ensuite. Kettle, tea and coffee in room. If you are thinking of going on a coach holiday, do look at a map to envisage the distances you are travelling, on this trip the distance travelling was on the first and last day, day 2 about 30 minutes, day 3 stayed in Valkenburg, day 4 it was 90 minutes to Cologne. Highly recommended.
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Lynn Hunter, 1 year ago
The only thing that spoiled this holiday was the hotel, over 15 years ago we stayed in this hotel with Leger silver service and it has not improved in any way. The drivers we had on this holiday were Mel and Georgie who are both very good if you needed them they were there but didn’t force them selves on you. The transfer drivers we had on the way home from stop 24 should remember that they are getting paid for taking people home not doing us a favour and treating us like we were a chore.
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A Whitmarsh, 1 year ago
Lovely holiday. Great drivers - Mal and Georgie,very cheerful and entered into the christmas spirit and kept the drinks flowing and lots of choices even cocktails. would have been nice to have Tea and coffee making in our rooms. Didn't like or understand why we had to buy tokens to use in bar or to buy any drinks even coffee. The food was good and plentiful and good choices though It would have been nice to have coffee/ tea available after dinner especially as we did not have that facility in our rooms. The Luxuria coach was wonderful, having plenty of room to sit in comfort. The markets were lovely especially Valkenburg and the cave markets. The parade was beautiful.
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Departure Dates
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
