Trip Overview
✈️ Flight & Car Details
Outbound: Flight FR8768 - Arriving Cologne 8:00 PM (Dec 3)
Return: Flight FR5205 - Departing Cologne 11:50 AM (Dec 8)
Car Rental: WeeGo - Pickup Dec 3 (8:30 PM), Return Dec 8 (9:00 AM)
🎻 SPECIAL: André Rieu Concert!
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Venue: MECC Maastricht
👨👩👧👦
Travel Party
6 People
2 adults, 1 child (3 yrs), 4 grandparents
🏨
Hotel
BestPrice Eschweiler
All 5 nights
+49 2403 782 4299
🚗
Car Rental
WeeGo
6 days rental
🎄
Highlights
8+ Markets
+ Concert + 2 Countries!
Day-by-Day Summary
| Day | Date | Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Wed Dec 3 | Arrival | Flight FR8768 → Eschweiler |
| Day 2 | Thu Dec 4 | Cologne | ⛪ Cathedral + Markets (weekday = less crowded!) |
| Day 3 | Fri Dec 5 | Villages | 🏰 Stolberg & Monschau (THE HIGHLIGHT!) |
| Day 4 | Sat Dec 6 | Aachen | 🎅 St. Nicholas Day + Shopping (Primark & H&M) |
| Day 5 | Sun Dec 7 | Netherlands | 🎻 Valkenburg Caves + André Rieu + Maastricht! |
| Day 6 | Mon Dec 8 | Departure | ✈️ Flight FR5205 at 11:50 AM |
✨ What You'll Experience
- 🎄 8+ Christmas Markets across 3 countries
- ⛪ 2 UNESCO Sites (Cologne & Aachen Cathedrals)
- 🏰 2 Medieval Villages (Stolberg & Monschau)
- 🎅 St. Nicholas Day celebrations in Aachen
- 🎻 André Rieu Concert in Maastricht!
- 🏔️ Underground Cave Markets (Valkenburg - UNIQUE!)
- 🛍️ Shopping Mall with Primark & H&M
- 🌍 3 Countries: Germany 🇩🇪, Belgium 🇧🇪, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Day 1: Wednesday, December 3rd
Arrival Day
✈️ Flight FR8768 - Arrival
Arrival Time: 8:00 PM at Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Car Rental: WeeGo pickup at airport (~8:30 PM)
🚗
Drive Time
30 minutes
📍
Distance
30 km
Timeline
8:00 PM
Flight FR8768 arrives at Cologne/Bonn Airport
8:30 PM
Pick up WeeGo rental car at airport
- Have confirmation number ready
- Check car for damage (take photos)
- Note fuel level
- Ensure GPS/navigation works
9:00 PM
Drive to BestPrice Hotel Eschweiler (30 min)
Address: Aachener Str. 147, 52249 Eschweiler
Address: Aachener Str. 147, 52249 Eschweiler
9:30 PM
Check in at hotel
Phone: +49 2403 782 4299
Phone: +49 2403 782 4299
Evening
Light dinner at hotel or nearby, settle in, rest after travel
💡 Arrival Day Tips
- Keep snacks and drinks in carry-on for the drive
- Download offline maps (Google Maps) before departure
- Have hotel address ready in GPS
- Confirm late check-in with hotel beforehand (arriving ~9:30 PM)
- Check hotel breakfast times for tomorrow
- Pack essentials in easy-access bag for first night
⚠️ WeeGo Car Rental - Important
- Driver's license + credit card required
- Take photos of car condition before leaving
- Ask about fuel policy (usually return full)
- Confirm insurance coverage included
- Check mileage allowance (should be unlimited)
- Save WeeGo emergency contact number
Day 2: Thursday, December 4th
Cologne - Cathedral & Christmas Markets
⛪ UNESCO Site Weekday = Less Crowded!🚗
Drive Time
25-30 min each way
🎄
Christmas Markets
7-8 Markets!
📍
Distance
28 km each way
Cologne Christmas Market
Cologne Cathedral
Christmas Market
Full Day Timeline
10:00 AM
Depart for Cologne
10:30 AM
Arrive Cologne, park at Parkhaus Am Dom (~€15-20 for day)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) ⛪
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Gothic masterpiece, tallest twin-spired church
- FREE entry - stunning interior
- 150-foot high ceilings, stained glass windows
- Walk around exterior for best photos
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Cathedral Christmas Market
- Lunch at market stalls
- 160+ wooden stalls
- Giant 25m Christmas tree with 50,000 lights
- Starlight canopy over square
- MUST TRY: Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes)!
- Bratwurst, roasted almonds, gingerbread
- Glühwein for adults, Kinderpunsch for kids
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Markt der Engel (Angels' Market) at Neumarkt
- MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY! Perfect for 3-year-old
- Beautiful angel decorations throughout
- 100+ stalls
- Carousel rides - your daughter will love this!
- Special children's area
- Less crowded than Cathedral market
- 10-minute walk from Cathedral market
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Coffee & cake break - Find a café, rest for grandparents, warm up indoors
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
✨ MAGIC HOUR - Evening Markets!
- Return to markets - ALL LIGHTS COME ON!
- Most atmospheric and magical time
- Perfect for photos
- Dinner at market stalls
- Enjoy festive evening atmosphere
- Christmas music, twinkling lights everywhere
7:00 PM
Drive back to Eschweiler (30 min)
✨ Why Thursday is PERFECT
- Less crowded than weekends! Much easier to navigate with family
- Easier parking availability
- More relaxed atmosphere
- Shorter lines at food stalls
- Better for photos without crowds
💡 Cologne Tips
- 🅿️ Parking: Parkhaus Am Dom or Contipark Dom/Hauptbahnhof (~€15-20)
- 👶 With 3-year-old: Bring stroller (essential!), Angels' Market best for kids
- 🍽️ Food must-trys: Kartoffelpuffer #1, Bratwurst, roasted almonds
- 📸 Best photos: Evening 5-7 PM when all lights on
- 💶 Cash helpful: Many market stalls prefer cash
- 🎄 Market mugs: Pay €3-5 deposit, keep as souvenir!
Day 3: Friday, December 5th
Stolberg & Monschau Villages
★ HIGHLIGHT DAY Gentle Pace🚗
Total Driving
~1h 40m
🏰
Villages
2 Medieval Towns
📍
Total Distance
~100–110 km
Stolberg Castle
Stolberg
Morning: Stolberg — “The Christmas Castle City”
9:00 AM
Leisurely breakfast at hotel
10:00 AM
Depart for Stolberg (~15 min drive)
10:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Stolberg Old Town & Castle
- Stolberg Castle (Burg Stolberg): illuminated red during Advent — iconic photos from the square
- Christmas village: stalls around Alter Markt & Burgstraße (flat & stroller-friendly)
- Old town wander: half-timbered houses, copper-town heritage
- Warm-up café stop: Kupferhof Rosenthal (cozy, great for grandparents)
- Optional: brief castle courtyard visit (skip towers/stairs with stroller)
🅿️ Parking: Parkhaus Zweifaller Str. 22 — 2–3 min walk to center
12:30 PM
Drive to Monschau (~35 min through the Eifel)
Monschau
Monschau Christmas Market
Monschau
Afternoon & Evening: Monschau ⭐ THE HIGHLIGHT!
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Lunch in Monschau — Zum Haller (hearty German dishes, warm & central)
2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Explore Monschau
- Half-timbered streets along the Rur River — every corner is a photo
- Christmas Market: stalls woven through the town; stay for the lights
- Monschauer Dütchen: cream-filled pastry — must try
- Senfmühle (Mustard Mill): gifts & tastings
- Carousel rides for your daughter
- Best time: after 4:30 PM when lights switch on ✨
🅿️ Parking: Parkhaus Burgau (Seidenstraße 1) — easiest with grandparents and stroller
6:30 PM
Drive back to Eschweiler (~50 min)
✨ Why this Day Works
- Stolberg first: flat, compact, instantly festive — saves energy for Monschau
- Monschau at dusk: the most magical version of the town
- Short drives: 15m → 35m → 50m, all scenic
💡 Day 3 Tips
- 💶 Bring cash: many small stalls prefer cash
- 👟 Footwear: cobblestones can be slick; wear good grip
- 🌡️ Layers: valley towns feel colder after sunset
- 🚌 Monschau P+R: if central parking is full, use the shuttle
- 📸 Photos: castle over Stolberg square; Monschau bridges after dark
Day 4: Saturday, December 6th
Aachen - St. Nicholas Day! + Shopping
🎅 St. Nicholas Day! Shopping Mall🎅 TODAY IS SPECIAL: St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag)!
December 6th is an important German holiday! St. Nicholas appears at markets throughout the day, giving treats and small gifts to children. Extra festive atmosphere and special activities. Your 3-year-old will LOVE meeting St. Nicholas!
🚗
Drive Time
20 min each way
🎅
Special Day
St. Nicholas Day
🛍️
Shopping
Primark & H&M
Timeline
10:00 AM
Drive to Aachen (20 min)
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Aachen Christmas Market - St. Nicholas Day Celebrations!
One of Germany's most beautiful markets
- 120+ stalls around Aachen Cathedral & Town Hall (UNESCO sites)
- St. Nicholas appearances all day! 🎅 He walks through markets greeting kids
- Special St. Nicholas Day activities for children
- Face painting, special treats for kids
- Aachener Printen ⭐ LOCAL SPECIALTY! Spiced gingerbread cookies unique to Aachen
- Carousel rides and children's railway
- Live music, choirs, carolers
- Traditional market food and drinks
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch break (market food or near Aquis Plaza)
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Aquis Plaza Shopping Center
- ✅ Primark - Budget-friendly clothing, home goods
- ✅ H&M - Fashion for all ages
- Plus: Zara, C&A, Douglas (perfumes), Müller (drugstore)
- Media Markt (electronics), Thalia (books), Deichmann (shoes)
- Food Court: Asian, pizza, burgers, salads, coffee shops
- Clean restrooms with baby changing stations
- Elevators and escalators throughout
- Climate-controlled - warm break from outdoor markets!
- 5-10 min walk from Christmas market
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Evening Market Return
- All lights on - magical evening atmosphere!
- Dinner at market stalls
- Final browsing and shopping
- Glühwein & Kinderpunsch
- Enjoy festive evening mood
7:00 PM
Drive back to Eschweiler (20 min)
💡 Aachen Day Tips
- 🎅 St. Nicholas Day: Kids get small gifts/treats from St. Nicholas - magical for children!
- 🍪 Buy Aachener Printen: Perfect gifts to bring home, available at market and shops
- 🅿️ Parking: Parkhaus Katschhof, Parkhaus Büchel, or Parkhaus Elisengalerie (~€15-20)
- 📸 Photos: Cathedral with market, Gothic Town Hall, St. Nicholas with your daughter!
- 🛍️ Shopping strategy: Split up if needed - some shop while others rest in food court
- Perfect balance: Outdoor morning, indoor afternoon, outdoor evening
Day 5: Sunday, December 7th 🎻
Valkenburg Caves + André Rieu Concert + Maastricht Evening!
🎻 CONCERT DAY! ★ ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME🎻 ANDRÉ RIEU - "Christmas with André Rieu 2025"
Time: 3:00 PM - ~6:00 PM (2.5-3 hours with interval)
Venue: MECC Maastricht, Netherlands
Featuring: Johann Strauss Orchestra, international soloists, world-champion figure skaters, ice dancers, stunning dance ensemble!
Program: Christmas carols, romantic waltzes, Ave Maria, Oh Holy Night, Jingle Bells, Hallelujah, Sleigh Ride, and more!
⚠️ ACTION REQUIRED - BOOK NOW:
- Concert tickets for 6 people
- Parking online (€19) - must book in advance
- Valkenburg cave tickets (€10 per person = €60 total for 6)
- These concerts SELL OUT - don't delay!
🚗
Total Driving
~2.5 hours
🏔️
Unique Feature
Cave Markets!
🎻
Concert Time
3:00 PM
🌍
Countries
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Morning: Valkenburg (Underground Cave Markets)
9:00 AM
Breakfast at hotel
9:45 AM
Depart for Valkenburg, Netherlands (1h drive)
10:45 AM - 1:45 PM
VALKENBURG - Underground Cave Christmas Markets!
Europe's LARGEST underground Christmas market!
- Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave): Christmas markets IN Roman-era caves!
- UNIQUE experience - nowhere else like this in the world!
- Named Netherlands' best Christmas market (2022)
- 30-meter miniature Biblical Christmas diorama
- 3D paintings and underground atmosphere
- Christmas stalls in ancient quarried caves
- Weather-proof! Perfect if raining - you're indoors in caves
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible
- Your 3-year-old will be AMAZED! Underground caves are magical for children
- 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch in Valkenburg
- 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM: Quick visit to Santa's Village (free market above ground)
⚠️ MUST BUY TICKETS ONLINE IN ADVANCE - caves have NO ticket office!
1:45 PM
Drive to Maastricht (only 15 minutes! They're neighbors)
Afternoon: André Rieu Concert 🎻
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Arrive at MECC Maastricht, find parking, get settled in seats
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🎻 ANDRÉ RIEU CONCERT - "Christmas with André Rieu 2025"
- Duration: 2.5-3 hours with interval (break in middle)
- Music: Christmas carols, romantic waltzes, beautiful international classics
- Visual Spectacle: World-champion figure skaters, ice dancers, dance ensemble
- Perfect for all ages: Visual entertainment for 3-year-old, music for adults
- Atmosphere: Unforgettable evening filled with music, humor, Christmas spirit
- Johann Strauss Orchestra, international soloists
- Your parents' dream concert!
Evening: Maastricht Christmas Market ✨ (BEST TIME!)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Maastricht Evening - MAGICAL!
Magisch Maastricht Vrijthof - Open until MIDNIGHT on Sundays!
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner at restaurant or market (celebrate the concert!)
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Vrijthof Square Christmas Market
- NOW all lights are twinkling - MOST magical time!
- Evening atmosphere is MORE beautiful than daytime
- Post-concert celebration mood!
- 1000 sqm ice skating rink (if you want to skate!)
- 45-meter Ferris wheel - AMAZING night views!
- Dutch Christmas treats: Stroopwafels, poffertjes, oliebollen
- Glühwein under twinkling lights
- Food stalls open until midnight
- Carousel and attractions until 11 PM
- Less crowded in evening
- Perfect ending to your trip!
9:00 PM
Drive back to Eschweiler (1h)
10:00 PM
Arrive hotel - long but AMAZING day!
✨ Why This Day is PERFECT
- 🏔️ Underground cave markets - UNIQUE! Can't experience this anywhere else in the world
- 🎻 André Rieu concert - Your parents' dream come true!
- ✨ Maastricht evening market - Most magical time (NOT daytime!)
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands experience - Complete your 3-country trip!
- 👨👩👧👦 Something for everyone: Caves for kids, concert for adults, markets for all!
- 🎄 Perfect finale to your Christmas adventure!
- Valkenburg-Maastricht only 15 min apart - perfect geographic flow!
💡 Day 5 Critical Tips
- ⚠️ BOOK IMMEDIATELY:
- Concert parking (€19) - must book online
- Valkenburg cave tickets (€60 for 6) - NO ticket office at caves!
- Long day but worth it: Back by 10 PM - manageable
- Evening markets MORE magical than daytime: All lights on, best atmosphere
- Flexibility: Grandparents can rest at dinner while you do evening market if tired
- Weather-proof morning: Caves are indoors if it rains!
- Perfect timing: Concert at 3 PM = not too early, not too late
Day 6: Monday, December 8th
Departure Day
✈️ Flight FR5205 - Departure
Departure Time: 11:50 AM from Cologne/Bonn Airport
Car Return: WeeGo at airport (~9:00 AM)
🚗
Drive Time
30 minutes
✈️
Flight Time
11:50 AM
⏰
Buffer Time
2h 50min
Departure Timeline
7:00 AM
Breakfast at hotel
8:00 AM
Check out, load car with all luggage
8:15 AM
Fill gas tank (return car with full tank)
Find gas station near Eschweiler before heading to airport (cheaper than airport prices)
Find gas station near Eschweiler before heading to airport (cheaper than airport prices)
8:30 AM
Depart for Cologne/Bonn Airport (30 min drive)
9:00 AM
Return WeeGo rental car at airport
- Allow time for car inspection
- Keep fuel receipt
- Take final photos of car condition
- Get return receipt from WeeGo
- Check car thoroughly for all belongings!
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Check in for Flight FR5205, security, duty-free shopping if desired
11:50 AM
✈️ Flight FR5205 Departs
🎄 Trip Summary - What You Experienced
- ✅ 8+ Christmas Markets across 3 countries
- ✅ 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Cologne & Aachen Cathedrals)
- ✅ 2 Fairytale Medieval Villages (Stolberg & Monschau)
- ✅ Underground Cave Markets (Valkenburg - unique in the world!)
- ✅ André Rieu Concert 🎻 (once-in-a-lifetime!)
- ✅ St. Nicholas Day Celebrations in Aachen
- ✅ Shopping Mall (Primark & H&M)
- ✅ 3 Countries: Germany 🇩🇪, Belgium 🇧🇪, Netherlands 🇳🇱
- ✅ Traditional Foods: Kartoffelpuffer, Printen, Dütchen, Stroopwafels, Glühwein
- ✅ Magical Family Memories!
Total Driving: Only 8-9 hours over 6 days - very manageable!
💡 Departure Day Tips
- Pack tonight (Day 5 evening) - everything except morning essentials
- Fill gas tank before airport - cheaper and avoids airport fuel charges
- Check car thoroughly - under seats, trunk, glove box, door pockets
- Keep fuel receipt - proof you returned car with full tank
- 2h 50min buffer - very comfortable time for check-in and security
- Last-minute shopping: Airport has duty-free and gift shops
- Snacks for flight: Grab something at airport for journey home
Frohe Weihnachten! 🎄
Merry Christmas & Safe Travels!
May your journey be filled with magical moments and wonderful memories!
Practical Information
Essential Contacts
🏨
Hotel
BestPrice Eschweiler
+49 2403 782 4299
Aachener Str. 147, 52249 Eschweiler
🚨
Emergency
112
Police, Fire, Ambulance
✈️
Airport
CGN
Cologne/Bonn Airport
🚗
Car Rental
WeeGo
At CGN Airport
Flight Details
✈️ Flights
Outbound: FR8768 - Arriving 8:00 PM (Dec 3)
Return: FR5205 - Departing 11:50 AM (Dec 8)
Packing Essentials
Clothing
- Warm winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves
- Waterproof boots/shoes (markets can be wet)
- Layers for indoor/outdoor temperature changes
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm socks