🛏️ Trip Length: 6 Days | 5 Nights
📆 2026 Dates: Sunday, Nov 29- Friday, Dec 4, 2026
👫 Small Group Limited to 6 (Six Guests)
About this trip:
We’re heading to Strasbourg, France, the “Capital of Christmas,” home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe dating back to 1570. For a few magical weeks, the historic center transforms into a network of festive markets filled with twinkling lights, wooden chalets, and the scent of mulled wine.
This is a slow, feel-good escape—less rushing, more wandering. Think cozy markets, wine cellars, storybook villages, and plenty of free time to sip, shop, and enjoy the season without a schedule breathing down your neck. 🎄✨
👀 This trip is for you, if you want...
You want a curated, easy, done-for-you experience
You love cozy, festive travel
You prefer quality over rushing
You’re comfortable with boutique European hotel room sizes (cozier than typical U.S. hotels)
✈️ Getting There
Arrive at Strasbourg Airport (SXB) or Strasbourg Train Station
🏬 Depart from Strasbourg Airport (SXB) or Strasbourg Train Station
✨ Alma Explores recommends: fly into Paris or Frankfurt, then take the train and vice versa.
Trip Highlights
🍷 Welcome Drinks in Strasbourg – ease into the week with a toast and good company
🎄 Christmas Markets with a Historian Guide – stories, lights, and zero rushing
🕯️ Wine Cellar Tour, Tasting & Cozy Meal – underground, intimate, very Alsace
🏘️ Alsace Day Trip – half-timbered villages straight out of a snow globe
⏳ Built-In Free Time – because lingering is the whole point
🌿 We’ll visit independent, locally run vendors to discover organic foods, handmade goods, and the everyday rhythm of Strasbourg beyond the main markets.
This isn’t a packed itinerary—it’s a feel-good reset to end the year well.
Sunday, Nov 29 | Arrival Day
✈ Arrive in Strasbourg, France
Hotel Check-in time is 3PM.
🍷 Evening welcome drinks to ease in, toast the week, and beat the jet lag
Monday, Nov 30 | Strasbourg + Christmas Markets
🏰 Discover Strasbourg with a local historian
🎄 Wander the Christmas markets at a relaxed pace (no rushing, no checklist energy)
✨ Free evening to linger, snack, and follow the lights
Tuesday, Dec 1 | Wine Cellar Evening
🕯 Cellar tour and wine tasting
🍽 Cozy Alsatian meal—warm, intimate, very December
Wednesday, Dec 2 | Alsace Day Trip
🏘 Day trip through Alsace’s storybook villages + regional markets
📸 Charm, and photo stops straight out of a snow globe
Thursday, Dec 3 | Free Day
⏳ A full free day by design
☕ Sleep in, revisit favorite markets, shop, eat, wander, spa... repeat
Friday, Dec 4 | Departure
Delight in one final breakfast
Hotel Check-out by 11am
✈ Depart Strasbourg with ornaments, memories, and zero regrets
Stay in a charming boutique hotel in central Strasbourg.
✔️ 5 Nights Boutique Hotel Accommodation in City Center. Boutique European hotel rooms are cozy and smaller than typical U.S. hotels
✔️ Hosted by the Alma Explores Founder + Local Expert Tour Leads, with a dedicated host throughout the entire trip—someone there to support you, guide you, and take care of the details so you don’t have to
✔️ Airport/Train Station Transfers from/to Strasbourg, France only
✔️ Welcome Happy Hour on Sunday, November 29 (arrival day only) by 7PM
✔️ Daily Breakfast at the Hotel
✔️ 1 Guided Christmas Market Tour with Local Guide
✔️ 1 Wine Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with 1 Local Meal and meal tip Included
✔️ 1 Day Trip Through Alsace’s Storybook Villages
✔️ 3 Pre-Trip Video Calls with Alma Explores Host
✔️ Private Concierge Chat During the Trip
✔️ Curated Recommendations for Dining, Shopping & Activities
✔️ Alma Explores Holiday Swag Bag 🎁
❌ International Flights to/from Home
❌ Travel Insurance (Mandatory: must include international medical coverage)
❌ Alcoholic Drinks (Except where noted, like the welcome happy hour)
❌ Tips for Guides & Drivers (We recommend bringing small USD or local currency for tipping)
❌ Additional Activities Not Listed in the Itinerary
❌ Personal Expenses (Shopping, snacks, etc.)
❌ Spa Services (To be paid directly at the spa provider)
🌨️ Weather & What to Wear
🥶 Cold but festive (high 30s–40s°F)
🧥 Layers are your best friend + a warm coat = essential
👢 Comfy boots/sneakers you can walk in all day (trust me)
✨ Casual, cute, cozy—this is a laid-back vibe
🧣 No need to overpack… you can grab scarves, hats, and cozy extras while you’re there
👟 Walkability Factor
🚶🏽♀️ Very walkable city (especially around the markets)
🔁 Expect lots of strolling, wandering, and “just one more loop” moments
😄 Comfortable shoes are not optional
TERMS & CONDITIONS TO KEEP IN MIND
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY: You have 24 hours from the time of booking to cancel a trip for a full refund. ALL REFUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO A 5% PROCESSING FEE. In other words, if you request a refund for a payment or a deposit, your refund will be minus a 5% processing fee. After 24 hours, the trip deposit – and all future payments – are non-refundable.
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY to travel with us. We highly encourage you to purchase travel insurance within 10 days of booking this trip.
Keep in mind that our goal is to adhere to this itinerary, however weather issues, transportation issues, or other acts that may occur out of our control, can always impact the schedule.
U.S. citizens traveling to France for up to 90 days (tourism/business) do not need a visa but must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond their departure date, with at least 2 blank pages. Proof of onward travel, accommodation, and travel health insurance (covering ) may be required at entry.
Upcoming Changes: Starting late 2026, U.S. citizens will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before traveling (this is not a visa)
Application Process: Must be completed online via the official ETIAS website or mobile app, providing personal, passport, and travel details, along with safety/health questions.
Cost: €20 ($22 roughly) for applicants aged 18 to 70; free for minors and seniors.
You are responsible for checking the latest updates before booking travel, as requirements can change.
This is your end-of-year exhale, a chance to slow down, enjoy the season, and do something just for you!