Aachen & Valkenburg Christmas Market Tour

This is a superb opportunity to visit two of Europe’s best Christmas markets in Holland and Germany, and of course the chance to stock up on Christmas beer, wine and spirits at low, French prices. This tour is now offered as a 14 day motorhome tour which now includes some more historic towns in Germany as well as Luxembourg and Belgium.
The Dutch town of Valkenburg holds its annual Christmas markets in superb setting of a local cave. This means that even if it rains or snows everybody should be dry and comfortable. The stalls sell everything the Dutch associate with Christmas, including room and tree decorations, seasonal delicacies and some different ideas for Christmas presents.
About 20 miles from Valkenburg is the German town of Aachen, which holds one of Germany’s biggest and best Christmas Markets. It is always interesting to compare the two different Christmas events and we usually arrange to spend an evening at the Aachen event.
The campsite in Valkenburg is within 10 minutes walk of the caves and we usually arrange a bus to take everybody to Aachen – so you needn’t worry about indulging in the more potent Christmas spirits which may be available!

A typical 14 day motorhome Christmas market tour

This tour also includes Luxembourg and Belgium!

The tour described below is an example of a typical tour. Tours can be customized to a great extent, depending on the number of motorhomes in the group. We insist on a pre-tour meeting beforehand which must be attended by at least one person from each motorhome, this gives us all a chance to discuss things we would like to include or maybe exclude. Every group is different, so every tour is different which is what makes them so much more fun.
Saturday	Normally we will meet up at our Trentham depot in Stoke-on-Trent, just of the M6 J15 on Saturday afternoon. If you like we can arrange to meet up in Dover early on Sunday morning. Saturday is spent travelling to Dover and getting a good feel of your motorhome. If you want to, you can meet up with the tour guide on Saturday evening at a campsite near Dover.
Sunday	On Sunday we will catch a morning ferry from Dover to Calais. After disembarking, we have a drive of about 220 miles, nearly all on motorway, to arrive at our campsite in the town of Valkenburg. Inexperienced drivers will be given the opportunity to “follow the leader”, while those with more confidence can make their own way to the campsite. The campsite has its own snack bar, and a choice of restaurants is within 5 minutes walk.
Monday	The town of Valkenburg has its own, unique Christmas market, held annually in two caves, within 10 minutes walk of the campsite. There are a huge variety of stalls selling Christmas items which may be familiar to you – along with some others which you may not recognize. The caves are open all day, so you can visit this wonderful spectacle whenever you wish throughout the day.
Tuesday	This morning has been left free, but in the afternoon we will be collected by bus and taken on the short drive (about 20 miles) to the world-famous Aachen Christmas market. You will be able to spend the evening tasting the various local specialities (including their wonderful mulled wine called Glühwein) and comparing the German Christmas items with the Dutch. The bus will collect the group at about 21.00 and return to the campsite.
Wednesday	A completely free day so that you can relax and explore the town of Valkenburg at your leisure – or re-visit the Christmas Market!
Thursday	This morning we head south, Monschau is near the Belgian border. Monschau offers visitors a wealth of things to see and do. Quaint shops, romantic old streets, half timbered buildings, a wonderful selection of restaurants & cafes, a historic mustard mill, various museums and the old friary to mention just a few.
Friday	Today you can choose what to do at Monschau, there is the Guido-Breuer Historic Mustard Factory, the Red House Museum, a Monschau Train Tour and a Glass Museum
Saturday	We travel to Koblenz today. Lovely Koblenz has been nicknamed the "corner of Germany" because of its geographical position as a meeting point between the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Rebuilt with great care after WWII, Koblenz has become a bustling center of the mid-Rhineland region. Its roads lead to castle dotted landscapes, lush vineyards and to region's larger cities.
Sunday	Today is a laidback lazy Sunday in Koblenz. The main sites of Koblenz are the Old Town, Church Of Our Lady, Mittelrhein Museum, Basilica St. Kastor, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Rhein Mosel Halle.
Monday	We now travel west on the A48 to Trier. Trier is an important gateway, lying only 10km (6 miles) from Luxembourg on the western frontier of Germany, where the Ruwer and Saar rivers meet the Mosel. The city is rich not only in art and tradition, but also, because of its location, in wine -- it's one of Germany's largest exporters.
Tuesday	Today we go to Luxembourg where fuel is the cheapest in Europe, also tobacco and wine are ridiculously cheap too. The north of the country lures outdoors enthusiasts with lovely settings promising fabulous hiking. The Moselle Valley, just east of Luxembourg City, is one of Europe's most idyllic wine-producing regions. And the capital is no more than an hour's drive from anywhere else in the country.
Wednesday	Today we go into Belgium and on to Brugge. Known as Venice of the North, Brugge is a charming and uniquely captivating city. Built over a network of canals dating back to the 13th century, Brugge has been remarkably preserved and changed little. The centre is a maze of cobbled streets filled with gastronomic restaurants, winding waterways and Brugge also has some of the most magnificent examples of gothic architecture in Europe. Chocolate is very important to Belgians and Brugge is home to many shops selling the best in Belgian Chocolate!
Thursday	This morning we head back to Calais and spend the night in the municipal campsite near the beach. The site can best be described as “adequate” but it is one of the few campsites in northern France which is open at this time of the year. An optional end-of-tour dinner will be arranged in a good quality local restaurant if you want to give the chef a rest.
Friday	This morning we go to Cité Europe to stock up on the other Christmas essentials, wine, beer, whisky, cognac etc. etc. The savings you make can really help make your Christmas easier on your pocket. Don’t forget to fill up with cheap diesel before boarding the ferry.

Included in the tour price

 

• A fully equiped motorhome of your choice. 5/6/7 berth
• Unlimited mileage
• Full Comprehensive insurance
• Breakdown/Accident recovery service
• Road Maps pinpointing campsites
• Two way radio or CB to avoid getting lost (more details at welcome meetings)
• All campsites
• A return cross channel ferry ticket, usually Dover-Calais for the motorhome and all its occupants
• Activities to suit all
• A celibration meal for everyone
• The services of a highly experienced Motorhomes Direct Ltd tour guide