Christmas market school trip to Aachen, Germany
The most accessible German Christmas market option for UK school groups, visit Aachen & stay at our exclusive centre in Hellenthal.
- Voyager exclusive
- Key stage 2 – 16+
- Nov-Jan
Overview
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the gothic Aachen Town Hall & Cathedral—one of the oldest in Europe—this Christmas market school trip to Germany will inspire all the yuletide joy and winter wonder you'd expect in bucketloads.
We know that Christmas market school trips are typically a short 2-night whistle-stop jaunt, so it's worth opting for the markets closest to the UK to maximise your time at your destination. This makes Aachen your best bet for your class of German learners. With the coach journey from Calais clocking in at 6 hours, you won't find any Christmas market in Germany easier to reach.
When is Aachen Christmas market open?
24 Nov–23 Dec 2023. Watch this space for 2024 dates!
Plan your trip any time from the last week of November to mid-December to best enjoy Aachen Christmas market 2024.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Board coach and depart from school early morning
- Cross the channel at Calais followed by a evening trip to the Christmas markets (however the coach cant enter Cologne so would need to use park and ride provided by the city council)
- Groups can then decide to eat at the Christmas markets or back at the accommodation.
Day 2
- Enjoy breakfast
- You can then visit local attractions and entertainment such as Phantasialand with full coach availability or you can stay at one of Voyager's language immersion centres like DJH Helenthal with the option for a day of German Betreuer led activity.
- Board the coach to visit the Christmas markets late afternoon
- Arrive back at accommodation
Day 3
- Board the coach after eating breakfast and collecting your packed lunches
- Head back to Calais to return across the channel to England
- Arrive at school
Location
Your group will have a comfortable stay at DJH Hellenthal, our exclusive residential German language centre, nestled within the beautiful forested hills of North Rhine-Westphalia, a stone's throw from the Belgian border.
Excursions
Aachen
The Aachen Christmas Market is Germany's nearest Christmas market to the UK and can be reached from Calais in six hours by coach. Explore the city’s streets as they are transformed into a Christmas wonderland of lights, delicious treats and the famous gingerbread, Aachen Printe.
Monschau Christmas Market
The Monschau Christmas Market is small but charming and has received an award for being one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in western Germany. The Monschau Christmas Market extends from Richters Eck through Rurtrasse past the town's church and monastery to the market square where there is a large and beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
Cologne
Cologne Christmas markets are some of the most famous in Europe. Each year Cologne holds seven Christmas markets around the city, the four biggest ones are located around the cathedral, Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, ‘Market of Angels’ presents itself on the square Neumarkt under a magnificently shining star sky and near Rudolfplatz, every year, these markets attract about 2 million visitors. Each market provides great food and drinks but also shopping too from Christmas decorations to selling chocolate. It’s a great place to try out your German language skills!
Included
Our European school trips include:
- Board and lodging as specified in your itinerary
- A detailed itinerary with pre-booked excursions
- German language activity workbook (for language groups)
- Your choice of return travel; coach travel, with ferry crossing, applicable tolls and taxes included, or return flights and overseas transfers
- Free teacher to student ratio approx 1:8 (coach trips) / approx 1:10 (air groups)
- 24-hour emergency support
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Assistance with inspection visits
Extras to budget for:
- School to airport transfers and meals en route (if required)
- Visa charges and supplements for small parties, single rooms and additional adults
- Local tourist taxes which can only be paid in cash to the hotel
- Entrances other than those specified in your itinerary
- Hotel damage deposits
From
£325 pp
3 day/2 night
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Find out more
Christmas market teacher case study
Read all about Chafyn Grove school's Christmas market trip with Voyager School Travel
