Long a hub of French culture and cuisine, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration. Music, film, architecture, literature, dance and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theaters, bookstores and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city. At the center of it all is the Champs-Élysées. With its inviting riverside promenade, graceful bridges and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum.

Parisian Christmas markets are filled with good cheer as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and tasty morsels of cheese and chocolate are served across the city. Tuileries Garden is the largest marché de Noël in Paris, combining traditional market stall offerings with carnival themed attractions. Its Ferris wheel offers a prime spot to view the city from above. The charming Montmartre district offers the perfect place to shop for unique handcrafted gifts, while the Hôtel de Ville provides a stunning backdrop to its stalls, bathing its neoclassical facade in twinkling lights.

Reims, nestled in the heart of the renowned Champagne region, is home to one of France's largest Christmas markets. More than 140 stalls grace the Promenades Jean-Louis Schneiter, in the heart of the city center, while craftsmen display their wares at the market in the courtyard of the Palace of Tau. The famous Reims Cathedral is decorated in a colorful light display that showcases the magnificent architectural details of this 13th-century Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO Site.

The medieval Old Town of Bernkastel transforms itself during the holidays, with its cobblestone streets decked out in lights and the aroma of mulled wine, gingerbread and almonds filling the air. Picturesque half-timbered houses form the backdrop for about 40 stalls, where vendors showcase seasonal wares such as traditional handicrafts and jewelry. The market square is also home to the region’s largest Advent calendar, festively displayed in the window of a local pharmacy. The market’s highlight is the arrival by boat of Santa Claus, accompanied by swimmers carrying torches.

Hugging a gentle curve in the Moselle River, Winningen enjoys stunning vistas of forested hills and limestone cliff faces on the river's opposite banks. The small city's Weingüter, or wine taverns, showcase the valley's famed Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Elbling that are nurtured in steeply terraced vineyards draping nearby slopes. In a region with many renowned wine towns, Winningen is less well-known, and therein lies its charm. Its typical German streets are lined with half-timbered buildings and are a pleasure to explore.

Mainz is part of the Rheinhessen wine region, Germany's largest wine region that is renowned for producing high-quality white wines, such as Riesling. Wine has long played a key role in the city's economy and culture, with numerous wine festivals and events throughout the year, including the Mainzer Weinmarkt and the Mainzer Weinwoche. The city is also home to the renowned Geisenheim University, which offers programs in viticulture and oenology. Mainz's wine culture and history continue to thrive today, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation in winemaking.

In Heidelberg's Marktplatz, a replica of the world's largest wine barrel, the Heidelberg Tun, is on display and a highlight of the city's festive market. Enchanting wooden huts are decorated with reindeer, ornaments and colorful ribbons. Department store windows reflect picturesque winter scenes. Smaller markets feature unique handicrafts, such as hand-carved figurines or handblown ornaments, while Karlsplatz, framed by the romantic backdrop of Heidelberg Castle, is home to one of Germany's most beautiful ice rinks.

In the heart of Würzburg's Old Town with a backdrop of the historic Falkenhaus and Gothic Marienkapelle, the Advent Market showcases a range of mouthwatering traditional food and sweets that are customary in Bavaria for the festive season. The scent of spices fills the air with stalls providing tasty treats, including Christmas cookies and roasted almonds. Local artisans can be seen in action, creating decorative pieces for the holiday season, from glass, straw, pewter and pottery to wooden toys.

During the holidays, Bamberg is transformed into a winter wonderland, when the city's Advent market takes centerstage. Maximiliansplatz, in the heart of the pedestrian district, features a large Franconian half-timber nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. At Bamberg im Sand, the Elisabeth Church plays host to an array of artists showcasing traditional arts and crafts, including a blacksmith who provides a demonstration of his creations for visitors.

The medieval city of Nuremberg hosts one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Its streets are lined with wooden huts, offering a variety of homemade treats, including lebkuchen or gingerbread. Specially selected dealers showcase Christkindlesmarkt souvenirs, from cookie cutters to decorative mugs. The air is filled with the scent of grilled Bratwurst; the Nuremberg Bratwurst has been a longstanding culinary tradition of the city for more than 700 years.

Few cities embody the past as authentically as Prague, the Czech Republic's atmospheric capital on the Vltava River that clings to its history with unwavering passion. Prague's medieval architecture is its most prominent feature, but the city is also a rich repository of Romanesque, baroque and art nouveau buildings that stir the imagination. The city's graceful, pedestrian-only Charles Bridge served as the coronation route of the kings of Bohemia across the river to Hradčany Castle and its rich complex of royal buildings.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.