Cologne & Ghent Christmas Markets
- Travel by train to two distinct Christmas market destinations
- Explore the extensive markets in Cologne, against the backdrop of the famous cathedral
- Browse the stalls of Ghent’s Winter Festival and take a turn around the ice rink
- Enjoy an optional day trip to Bruges or Antwerp
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade your hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 4 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Day trip to another Belgian Christmas market destination
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES:
COLOGNE – 18 NOVEMBER TO 23 DECEMBER, GHENT – 5 – 31 DECEMBER, BRUGES – 22 NOVEMBER TO 5 JANUARY 2025
Suggested Itinerary
Take the Eurostar from London’s grand St Pancras station to Brussels. Here, change onto a high-speed German ICE service to Cologne. Both trains have bar buffet cars where you can purchase snacks and drinks and there’s no restriction on bringing your own supplies with you. You will arrive in Cologne in the late afternoon and check in at the CityClass Europa am Dom (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Enjoy a full day in Cologne, sampling all the festive fare the city has to offer. There are seven different markets in 2023, from the famous Cathedral Market which is the largest, to the Harbour Christmas market on the banks of the Rhine, near the Chocolate Museum, which is also well-worth a visit!
You might also like to visit the cathedral itself, take a brewery tour or enjoy a cruise along the Rhine. Some of the best views of the city are to be had from the Cologne Triangle, across the river from the cathedral.
Leave Cologne today for a return journey to Brussels. From here, a regional service will take you to Ghent. Because you don’t need seat reservations on this train, you can choose to leave your luggage in Brussels Midi station and have a look at the Christmas markets around the stunning Grand Place or Marché aux Poissons.
On arrival in Ghent, check in for 2-night stay at the Ghent River Hotel (or similar).
You have a free day today to discover pretty Ghent, with its canals and cobbled streets. The markets here are smaller than those in Cologne, but there’s a lovely festive atmosphere with lots of pop-up bars and restaurants as well as an ice-rink.
If you’d rather, you can also hop on the train to Bruges, a beautiful city with a bigger (and busier) Christmas market or Antwerp, which also has some other interesting attractions to visit.
Leave Ghent today for your return journey to London. If you don’t live far from London, we can arrange an evening Eurostar service so you can enjoy another full day in Ghent (especially if you went to Bruges yesterday). Let us know what you would prefer.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Cologne
The centrally located CityClass Hotel am Dom offers easy access to the main station and Cologne Cathedral. Modern bedrooms feature conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, minibar and a hairdryer. Guests can also relax in the spacious lounge area with an on site bar. A daily breakfast buffet is served here every morning. The hotel also boast a 24-hour reception.
Ghent
Occupying historic river-front warehouses, the Ghent River hotel is a unique property with easy access to the heart of the city. All bedrooms have a TV, mini-bar and Wi-Fi internet access. Some include original features such as wooden beams and vaulted ceilings. There is also a bar with a riverside terrace and a breakfast room with panoramic views over Ghent.
Upgrade your accommodation
Cologne
Superbly situated for rail travellers, this American hotel has larger-than-average rooms, a magnificent breakfast and an atmospheric bar. The restaurant, Brasserie Fou, serves a selection of French dishes inspired by Asian cuisine. The famous Dom (cathedral) and old town are a short walk away.
Cologne
Occupying a great location opposite the famous cathedral in the centre of Cologne, the Excelsior Ernst is one of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, with a history dating back to 1863. The Michelin starred Taku restaurant has an Asian-inspired menu and innovative French cuisine is served in the Hanse Stube restaurant. Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.
Ghent
Resting on the banks of the River Leie, the Marriott Hotel Ghent is the ideal base for exploring all of this beautiful city’s cultural, gastronomic and retail highlights. Rooms come with a king-size bed, WiFi and a mini fridge, and when you’re feeling more active, a fitness centre and bike hire service are available. The hotel also has an excellent on-site restaurant.
