Celebrate the season with us on a nine-day Christmas Market adventure through some of Europe’s most magical winter destinations! We’ll begin in Belgium with Brussels and Bruges, continue into Germany for some time in Cologne, then make our way through France’s Alsace region with visits to Strasbourg and Colmar before ending our journey in the festive glow of Paris!

Along the way, you’ll experience charming historic towns, cozy winter streets, festive lights, delicious seasonal treats, and some of the most iconic Christmas markets in Europe — all during the most enchanting time of year.

It’s the perfect blend of culture, holiday warmth, and unforgettable moments… and we can’t wait to share it with you!

In addition to having Matt and Nat as your hosts for the trip, you will be accompanied by a tour leader whose aim is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. In addition to your tour leader, for certain inclusions, you will be accompanied by a local guide. A local guide has specialized knowledge of a site or location you are visiting. If there is a local guide provided for a particular activity, this will be listed in your day-by-day itinerary.

Reserve your spot with a deposit of $500 USD and choose how to pay your total balance (surcharges vary: 0% for ACH,  2.9% for Credit Cards, and 3.9% for AMEX).

After paying your deposit, you can immediately pay your remaining balance in full, or take advantage of the no-interest (0%) installments. If you choose to pay via interest-free installments, payments will be processed automatically in six installments, due monthly up to 120 days before departure, using the following payment schedule:

• March 7, 2026

• April 7, 2026

• May 7, 2026

• June 7, 2026

• July 7, 2026

• August 7, 2026

Note: If the deposit is initially paid after one of these dates, all installments due prior must be paid at the time of booking.

Payment Methods:

We accept payment via ACH (electronic payments from a USA bank account) or Credit Card. There is no surcharge for ACH electronic payments, while Credit Cards will add 2.9% to each transaction/automatic payment (3.9% for AMEX). All payments must be made through the WeTravel platform. We do not accept checks or alternative methods of payment.

Note: Surcharges for payments are not included in the trip package price. Additionally, WeTravel charges a service fee starting at 1% of the transaction amount plus 30 cents per transaction on all payment methods.

Cancellations and Refunds:

Our cancellation policy is based on the days until the trip starts.

Once your spot is confirmed (i.e., the trip has 12 or more bookings), your initial trip deposit is non-refundable but can be used for any future trip with Adventures of Matt and Nat. However, if you have made any additional payments above and beyond the deposit, those are fully refundable until 100 days prior to the trip start date.

We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance that provides "cancel for any reason" or other coverage for non-refundable trip costs. 

• Cancellation made from the time of booking to 100 days prior to departure: we will hold the deposit amount as a credit towards future trips with Adventures of Matt and Nat

• Cancellation 99 days or less prior to the trip start date will incur 100% cancellation fees

• No-shows will be treated as cancellations and will incur 100% cancellation fees.

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect against unexpected events, including trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, lost luggage, or other unforeseen circumstances. If paying for your trip with a credit card (see payments section), check for coverage benefits that may apply for international travel through your credit card.

For travel insurance, we recommend TravelInsurance.com

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland, or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory due to local regulations.

However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when traveling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting (on day 1 of the trip), recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Please note that Adventures of Matt and Nat (and our partners) are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, illness, or expenses incurred during the trip. Travelers participate at their own risk.

Passport

You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. 

We need your passport information to prepare everything for your trip so the information on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. 

Visas & Entry Requirements

Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and process your visa application.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites, or on the Intrepid Travel page here: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Welcome to Belgium! Arrive in Brussels, the elegant European capital known for its art nouveau architecture, indulgent chocolates, and festive winter spirit. After checking in to your hotel, meet your tour leader, Matt & Nat, and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at your hotel (time and exact location TBD). Afterward, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together (location to be announced). The rest of the evening will be yours to explore at leisure — perhaps take a stroll to the Place Sainte-Catherine Market, one of Brussels’ most atmospheric Christmas markets, with its charming chalets, fairy lights, and the scent of mulled wine in the air. Be sure to try a warm waffle or a cone of frites before returning to your hotel this evening!

Included Meals:

• Welcome Dinner (location TBD)

Included Activities/Services:

• Welcome meeting with Tour Leader

Accommodation: The Mila Hotel or similar

Today, we'll take a short train journey to the storybook town of Bruges, often called the Venice of the North. Cobbled lanes, tranquil canals, and gabled houses create a fairytale backdrop for one of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets. Visit Markt Square, where festive stalls and an ice rink sit beneath the towering belfry, and wander through the Burg Square to admire the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Perhaps warm up with a Belgian hot chocolate or a local beer before returning to Brussels for the night.

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• Day trip to Bruges by train

• Bruges - Visit to Markt (Main Square w/ Christmas market)

• Brussels - Place Sainte-Catherine Market visit

Accommodation: The Mila Hotel or similar

Today, we board a train to Cologne, a city that truly shines during the festive season. After arrival, set out to explore Cologne’s renowned Christmas markets — start at the Cathedral Market, framed by the stunning Gothic spires, then move on to the Old Town Market (Heinzels Wintermärchen) and the Harbour Market along the Rhine. With handcrafted ornaments, carousels, and warm spiced Glühwein, this is Germany’s Christmas spirit at its finest!

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• Visit to Cathedral Market, Old Town Market (Heinzels Wintermärchen), & Harbour Market

Accommodation:

Kommerzhotel Köln or similar

Spend another magical day soaking in the festive cheer of Cologne’s smaller, charming markets. Start the day with a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Museum for a tour and tasting! After that, take the rest of the day to visit the Angel’s Market (Neumarkt), where twinkling stars hang from the trees, the Village of St. Nicholas (Rudolfplatz), with its medieval-style wooden chalets, and Advent Village with its towering Christmas Pyramid! You might like to join an optional Rhine River Christmas Cruise (not included), where you'll glide past the illuminated skyline while enjoying festive music and warm drinks on board!

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• Lindt Chocolate Museum visit

• Visit to Angel’s Market (Neumarkt), Village of St. Nicholas (Rudolfplatz), & Advent Village!

Accommodation: Kommerzhotel Köln or similar

Travel by train to Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region and home to Christkindelsmärik, one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. Explore the festive squares, each glowing with thousands of lights, and stop at Place Kléber to admire the giant Christmas tree towering over the city. This evening, take a peaceful walk through Petite France, where canals reflect the shimmer of fairy lights and timber-framed houses are adorned with holiday decorations.

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Guesthouse)

Included Activities/Services:

• Visit to Christkindelsmärik Market, Place Kléber & Petite France

Accommodation: Hotel Victoria or similar

Leave Strasbourg behind as you take a short train ride to Colmar, a jewel of Alsace that looks straight out of a Christmas card. Spend the day wandering between its six Christmas markets, each with a distinct character — from Place des Dominicains to Petite Venise, where festive stalls line the canals. Sip vin chaud, taste Alsatian bredele cookies, and admire the colourful half-timbered houses lit by thousands of twinkling lights.

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• Christmas Markets visits

Accommodation: Logis Hôtel Beauséjour Colmar or similar

This morning, we'll travel by private transport to the wine villages of Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque towns in Alsace. Wander through cobbled lanes surrounded by medieval houses draped in garlands, sample local treats from the festive stalls, and soak up the intimate, small-town Christmas atmosphere. Return to Colmar in the evening and enjoy your final night in Alsace.

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• Day trip to Kaysersberg & Riquewihr by private transport

Accommodation: Logis Hôtel Beauséjour Colmar or similar

After breakfast, take the high-speed TGV train to Paris, arriving in around 2 hours and 40 minutes. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace. You may enjoy a walk along the Champs-Élysées Christmas lights, visit a local market, take in the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or simply relax in a café, soaking up the festive ambiance. In the evening, join your group for one final farewell dinner (time & location TBD)!

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

• Farewell Dinner (location TBD)

Included Activities/Services:

• Train Colmar to Paris (Gare de l’Est)

Accommodation: Hôtel Paris Lafayette or similar

All good things come to an end, and this morning, your adventure officially comes to a close. Please make your own way to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Included Meals:

• Breakfast (Hotel)

Included Activities/Services:

• None