Day 1 - London to Luxembourg
We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels. Our journey continues by train to Luxembourg, where we spend four nights at the Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa, situated across from the railway station, within the shopping district. (D)
Day 2 - Luxembourg's Christmas Markets
After a leisurely start we meet up in the Old Town for a guided orientation walking tour of this lovely compact city, a UNESCO World Heritage site seated on top of a rocky promontory. The rest of the day is free to sightsee or wander around the St Nicholas Market at Place de Paris, where the Christmas tree is illuminated by 16,000 lights. You could also enjoy a warming cup of mulled wine at the Christmas Market in Place d'Armes, with its wooden chalets. (B)
Day 3 - The Grand Duchy's Castles and Wines
Our panoramic coach tour heads first through the delightfully scenic Mullerthal region, also known as 'Little Switzerland'. On the way we stop in the charming town of Echternach on the banks of the River Sûre. The narrow streets retain a medieval atmosphere and the town boasts a fine Romanesque basilica. Continuing into the Ardennes, we visit picturesque Vianden and its magnificent castle, which was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Our day concludes with a visit to the Moselle Valley, where we taste the region's sparkling wine at a local winery. (B)
Day 4 - Metz Christmas Market
Today we head south into France by train to visit Metz, the capital of Lorraine, and one of France's greenest cities. The cathedral of Saint Etienne is renowned for its stained glass, which covers a surface of 21,312 square feet (6,496 sq m). The Christmas Market in the Impressive Place Saint Louis is charming and the streets are full of life with festive activities and music. (B,D)
Day 5 - To Brussels and London
We leave Luxembourg today by train for Brussels. Here we join the Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday