European Christmas Markets

WOMEN ONLY

TOUR TO EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Imagine sipping warm mulled wine, the scent of roasted chestnuts filling the air, as you stroll through 13th-century town squares adorned with twinkling lights. Indulge in gingerbread, shop for handcrafted treasures, and lose yourself in the festive magic of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.

Group size

Up to 14

Trip length:

12 days

Activity Level:

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Master the art of Poland’s dumplings!

Learn to make pierogis, a classic Polish dish.

Indulge in Vienna’s sweet traditions

Taste Viennese kuffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) on a walking tour.

Pub-hopping with beer and bites

Drink beer and taste tapas at local pubs on a tour in Prague.

Mulled wine at Prague's secret spots

Go off the tourist track of the Christas Markets in Prague sipping mulled wine and snacks.

Explore Prague’s dark history

Walk the streets of Prague at nighttime with a historian called The Plague Doctor.

Cruise through Prague

Float down the Vltara River on a boat cruise complete with locals snacks and the best views of the city.

TRAVELER LOVE

"I met 12 amazing women and made new friends from all over the world by going on one trip! I keep in touch with them still. I would recommend taking a SoFe trip if you are looking for some adventure, relaxation, knowledge, and like minded women to travel with!"

SAMANTHA

TRIP DETAILS

Proof of travel insurance is required before joining day 1 of any Meetup Tour. International flights are not included.

INCLUSIONS

Arrival airport pickup on day 1

Feature stays in a boutique hotel with a social cause and a castle-side hotel

Stay in 4* and 5* hand-picked hotels

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners + food tours

All activities listed in the itinerary

Transportation on scenic trains, private vans, and luxury local buses

Max 14 solo female travelers

Most tips included

Twin share rooms

Expert local guide for the whole tour

MEET YOUR NEW BFF

People often leave our Meetup Tours with friends for life and couches to crash on all over the world.

GUARANTEED SOLO TIME

Spend it with friends or explore on your own, but take time to reflect on your incredible journey.

GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

Enjoy our hand-picked accommodation combining the best of design, location and comfort.

TOUR AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO Krakow!

Welcome meeting and first taste of local cuisine

DAY 2 - Krakow

Walking tour of Old Town and Christmas Market

DAY 3 - Krakow

Local market tour, pierogi cooking class, and solo time

DAY 4 - Krakow to Vienna

Scenic train ride and Christmas Market

DAY 5 - Vienna

Kaffe and kuchen walking tour and solo time

DAY 6 - Vienna to Český Krumlov

Solo time and Christmas Markets of Czech Republic

DAY 7 - Český Krumlov to Prague

Solo time, transfer to Austria on luxurious local bus, and beer tour

DAY 8 - Prague

Christmas Markets of Prague and solo time

DAY 9 - Prague

Solo time, boat ride, and Plague doctor tour

DAY 10 - Prague to Dresden

Explore Dresden and the oldest, largest Christmas Market in the world

DAY 11 - Dresden

Solo day and farewell feast

Departure Day

Breakfast, goodbyes and check out

YOUR TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1

WELCOME TO Krakow!

Welcome meeting and first taste of local cuisine

Welcome to Poland! Our adventure starts tonight with a warm, traditional and delicious Polish meal at a local favorite restaurant specially chosen by our female guide. We recommend arriving before 2pm so you arrive in time for our welcome dinner and first meeting at 6 pm with plenty of time to settle in and relax.

We’ll pick you up from Krakow’s John Paul II International Airport anytime today depending on your arrival. Just look for our driver with a sign with our logo and your name when you exit the airport. Our driver will take you straight to our first hotel to check into our hotel and meet your fellow travelers.

Meals: dinner

Day 2

Krakow

Walking tour of Old Town and free time to explore the Christmas Market

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll explore the beautiful city of Krakow with our local female guide. Starting in the UNESCO Heritage site, the Old Town, we’ll walk through the city stopping at iconic sites like the regal Wawel Royal Castle, Rynek Glowny the 13th-century town square, the Jewish Quarter, and St. Mary’s Basilica with its stunning Gothic altarpiece.

We’ll also see the neo-Gothic St Francis’ Basilica, home to some of Poland’s finest Art Nouveau as well as some local known nooks and crannies for the best views and chats with local people.

In the evening, we’ll have solo time to explore the Christmas Market!

Meals: breakfast

Day 3

Krakow

Local market tour, pierogi cooking class, and solo time

Today is all about the vibrant food culture of Poland! The day starts at a local market to meet farmers and vendors, sample local delicacies, and experience hundreds of years of tradition. We’ll also buy the ingredients for our pierogi cooking class! Pierogis are delicious filled little dumplings and while they seem simple, folding them is an art. Eat the fruits of your labor along side our hosts for the day.

The rest of the day is yours to explore! Wander with your camera, people watch at a cafe, go back to the Christmas Market, or ask your guide for some ideas.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 4

Krakow to Vienna

Scenic train ride and Christmas Market

Make sure your camera is charged, because after breakfast we are getting on a scenic train ride to Vienna. When we arrive and check into our next stunning hotel located in the city center, take some time to relax before we visit the Rathausplatz Christmas Market, a dazzling display of lights, colors, and holiday aromas.

We’ll start our time at the market as a group and then you can wander on your own or with your fellow travelers.

Meals: breakfast

Travel time: 6.5 hours

Day 5

Vienna

Kaffe and kuchen walking tour and solo time

Kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) are a beautiful part of Austrian daily life, and every granny, baker, and local makes them a little differently. As we explore the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, stroll through the Graben and Grand Hofburg Palace, and the globally renowned State Opera House, immersing you in the city’s rich cultural heritage, we’ll be stopping to sample coffee and cake from multiple vendors.

The rest of the day is free for you to continue to explore the city, return the the Christmas Market, or tuck into a warm place for local cuisine.

Meals: breakfast and Viennese sweets

Day 6

Vienna to Český Krumlov

Solo time and Christmas Markets of Czech Republic

Vienna is a perfect city to wander, especially with Christmas Markets in full swing! The morning is yours to enjoy however inspires you. Our guide will be there to help organize anything you like, including an optional Christmas Markets tour with a local guide who will take you to corners you may skip on your own and introduce you to vendors while tasting more sweets and treats.

This afternoon, we will meet back up to hop in a private van and make our way to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO medieval village straight out of a fairytale. When we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel and go explore the local Christmas Market!

Meals: breakfast

Travel time: 3 hours

Day 7

Český Krumlov to Prague

Solo time, transfer to Austria on luxurious local bus, and beer tour

Český Krumlov is a small town rich with history and charm. We’ll spend the morning wandering along the river and seeing a day time perspective of the Christmas Markets. You can choose to follow the guide and listen to fairytales, history, taste local delicacies, or to wander solo.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to Prague on a luxury local bus. Upon arrival, we will join a local guide for a beer hall and pub tour with Czech tapas you may have never even heard of. Many say that beer in this county is the best in the world due to its brewing conditions, so we will let you be the judge!

Meals: breakfast

Travel time: 2.5 hours

Day 8

Prague

Christmas Markets of Prague and solo time

There’s no better way to explore an ancient cobble stone city than by walking with a local guide who knows all its secrets. Christmas markets are our focus this morning, where we’ll sample some mulled wine and snacks, walk through the city’s squares, and go off the tourist track.

This tour concludes in the afternoon so you have some time to either rest or wander solo.

Meals: breakfast, mulled wine, and snacks

Day 9

Prague

Solo time, boat ride, and Plague doctor tour

The morning is yours to get an early start in the Christmas markets, sleep in, walk the Jewish Quarter or whatever inspires you. In the afternoon we will meet back up for a leisurely boat ride down the Vltava River for a different view of the city and stop at The Charles Bridge Museum for a look at their famous nativity scene.

In the evening, we meet The Plague Doctor of Prague who will lead us through a nighttime tour to more hidden nooks and crannies of the city. He brings history to life explaining how different communities responded to the plague of 1713-1715, walking a common path of doctors of that time. If dark history if your thing, this evening is a slightly spooky and totally compelling experience.

Meals: breakfast

Day 10

Prague to Dresden

Explore Dresden and the oldest, largest Christmas Market in the world

We’ll begin our day with a scenic transfer to Dresden, Germany home of what many consider the world’s first genuine Christmas market. We will check in upon arrival and set off on a tour showcasing Dresden’s crown jewels: the majestic Zwinger Palace, the iconic Frauenkirche, and the treasure-filled Green Vault.

We’ll end up at the Dresden Striezelmarkt in the evening, Germany’s oldest Christmas market dating back to 1434! Whether you choose to unwind and relax at your accommodation, venture into local markets for shopping, or embark on further exploration of the area’s attractions, the choice is entirely yours. Ask your guide for recommendations!

Meals: breakfast

Day 11

Dresden

Solo day and farewell feast

Embrace the freedom of a leisurely day in Dresden to explore at your own pace or simply soak in the city’s charm. This day is yours to uncover hidden gems, revisit favorite spots, or perhaps find tranquility along the banks of the Elbe. As the day transitions into evening, we’ll gather for a farewell group dinner, a moment to celebrate the journey and new friendships.

Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 12

Departure Day

Our adventure comes to end this morning at hotel checkout at 10am. Enjoy a last breakfast together and perhaps share a taxi to the airport with a fellow traveler.

Meals: breakfast

HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION

Our accommodation is hand-picked to give you the best combination of comfort, location, and style. These are photos from our collection of favorite villas and resorts to give you a sense of the accommodation you can expect with us. All of our accommodation is premium, comfortable and many have beautiful views of prime locations.

MAGDAS HOTEL, VIENNA

We love this hotel for the retro upcycled furniture and decor and even more for its social causes. It hires, trains, and pays fair wages to refugees who help make this hotel not only beautiful, clean, and comfortable, but also super warm and friendly. Pus the location can’t be beat.

CASTLE BRIDE HOTEL, ČESKY KRUMLOV

Experience India from a totally different perspective at this countryside luxury camp hotel. Private bathrooms, temperature control, and amazing home-cooked meals, this is one of our favorite spots and our feature stay of this tour.

HYPERION HOTEL, DRESDEN

With an unbeatable location and lavish amenities, this award-winning hotel is a game changer! Take in breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal and Agra from the stunning rooftop terrace and Instagram-worthy pool — the ultimate place to unwind.

MEET JOHANKA

YOUR GUIDE FOR THE TRIP

Johanka is all about good vibes and laughs—she’ll have you smiling from start to finish!

Not only is she an amazing cook and a language enthusiast, but she’s also a beer pro. She even ran her own microbrewery, so she knows everything about brewing and enjoying the Czech Republic’s favorite drink.

If you’re up for some fun in the evening, Johanka is your person! She loves hosting Beer & Tapas nights or a cozy dinner in the Old Town. She’s also a huge fan of Modern Czech Cuisine and can’t wait to share her favorites with you.

With Johanka, you’re in for a memorable and exciting trip.

Dates & Prices

Prices listed in USD

We sell out fast!

Hold your spot with a $550 deposit that goes toward the total cost of your tour.

Flexible payment plans

Pay what you want when up want with the balance due 90 days before departure.

Free transfer

Change your dates or your destination one time for free, just give us at least 90 days notice.

Dates	Priced from	Book Now
December 8 - 19, 2025	$4,995.00	Book Now

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WHAT ARE THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS?

Arrival: Fly into Krakow’s main international airport, John Paul II International Airport (KRK).

We will have an airport transfer waiting for you at the airport if you are arriving on Day 1. The transfer will take you from the airport to our group hotel in Krakow.
If you arrive a day or two early, the airport transfer is not included. Please email us directly if you book flights outside this window so we can assist.

Departure: Dresden Airport (DRS). You can leave anytime on the last day.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

Airfares
Visa fees if applicable
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Airport drop off
Tips for guide

PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY

A non-refundable $550 deposit is required to hold your spot.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure.
Pay as much as often as you like until the due date.
If you cancel your spot earlier than 90 days before departure, you can apply your payment to any trip within the next year.
No refunds on deposits.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Many nationalities do not require a visa for visits less than 90 days, including citizens of the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.

For the latest update of what is required in order to enter the Schengen area, please check your government’s foreign travel advisory or contact the embassy for more information.

WILL THIS ITINERARY CHANGE?

The itinerary is subject to change due for any reason – weather, unexpected cancellations, impromptu local opportunities, or surprise additions.

All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory or you may be refused to join the tour. See our guide for help choosing a plan.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

Our tours are comfortable and very inclusive with premium accommodation. This means you can pack a little lighter. In fact, you will be carrying your own bags to the lobby or at the airport, and you will need to be able to manage.

KIND WORDS FROM OUR TRAVELLERS

"I traveled with you 3 months ago, and I just need to tell you I STILL talk about my trip all the time. It was the coolest trip of my life and I can not wait to book my next one...Thank you so much for such a unique and incredible experience. You're the best!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐PRIYA

""I made such good friends on my first tour that we have traveled together since then on 2 more Sofe tours plus once on our own. I love the women who come and how the whole tour is supporting locals everywhere they can... I feel good about traveling the world with Sofe. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐JENNY

"Our guide was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and approachable. I felt safe and taken care of. I would definitely take another tour with SoFe"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐RAJBIR

"My SoFe Tour felt like just a bunch of girlfriends out on an adventure. Is there anything better?"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐JORDYNN

"I've been on 4 SoFe tours, and I won't book with anyone else now. Everything is taken care of so all you have to do is make friends, have fun, and relax. "

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐CAROL B.

PHOTOS FROM THE ROAD

We looove to collect and share photos from our Solo Female Traveler Meetup Tours. To see more images from this tour, check out the stories on our Instagram! @solofemaletravel. When you travel with us, tag @sofetravel so we can find your posts.