MUNICH, TYROL REGION & CESKY KRUMLOV - Visiting historic Christmas markets, held in cities, towns and villages throughout Austria is becoming increasingly popular. With a stunning backdrop of the snow-covered Alps it’s a magical time of year to explore the cities of Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna. Taste local schnapps, visit the Andechs Monastery, where local beer has been brewed since the Middle Ages, and enjoy a gala dinner and concert in Vienna, the world’s capital of classical music.
Tour Inclusions
-
9 nights in charming accommodation
-
Back-Roads driver/guide
-
Mini-coach transportation
-
European breakfast daily
-
4 x evening meals
-
1 x Sound of Vienna dining experience & concert
-
1 x schnapps tasting
Included Entrance Fees
-
Andechs Monastery
-
Linderhof Palace
-
Zugspitze (Cogwheel Train)
-
Bergisel Ski Jump lift
-
Swarovski Crystal World
-
Mint Museum
-
Salt Mines in Berchtesageden
-
Mozart’s Birthplace
-
Hohensalzburg Castle
-
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
-
Schonbrunn Palace
-
Melk Abbey
SALZBURG CHRISTMAS MARKET
The tradition and ambiance of Salzburg’s Christmas Market is the perfect start to the Christmas season. Salzburg’s Christmas Market is a feast for all the senses and is one of the most famous advent markets in Europe. Sample regional delicacies such as hot punch and home-made pastries and shop for locally crafted wares amid the delicious scent of mulled wine as Salzburg choirs entertain the crowds. There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit.
A visit to this market will be included on 11th and 18th Dec 2013.
VIENNA CHRISTMAS MARKETS
The Christmas markets in Vienna truly are an age-old tradition; the Vienna Christmas Market in City Hall Square is the most popular and features beautifully decorated Christmas trees and an ice-skating rink. The market sells lovely trinkets and hand-made goods, cakes, biscuits and Vienna’s traditional Christmas drink: aromatic berry punch. Wander around the small wooden market stalls tasting the local treats and admiring the hand crafted Austrian artefacts.
A visit to these markets will be included on 14th and 21st Dec 2013.
Countries Visited
- Germany
- Austria
- Czech Republic
Day 1 Munich
Arrive in Munich at your leisure, then meet the group this evening for a delicious welcome dinner. (D)
Overnight: Hotel Praesident, Munich or similar
Day 2 Munich – Innsbruck
This morning we travel along the Bavarian country roads to Andechs Monastery, which has been a site of pilgrimage and beer culture since the Middle Ages. After your brewery tour, we continue to Linderhof Palace, Ludwig II’s smallest but most extravagant palace. This afternoon we drive to Innsbruck in the Tyrol region of Austria. This evening visit the Innsbruck Christmas Market at your leisure. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck or similar
Day 3 Innsbruck – Bergisel – Innsbruck
This morning walk through Innsbruck’s Old Town to see the famous Golden Roof, the Old Town Hall and St. James Cathedral. We then continue to the Bergisel Ski Jump, which was designed by top architect Zaha Hadid in 2001, for wonderful views of Innsbruck. At Wattens we visit the famous Swarovski Crystal World, where the fairy-tale winter landscape is made up of thousands of crystals. On the way back to Innsbruck we visit the Mint Museum to discover the birth place of the modern-day Dollar. Dinner this evening will be in a local restaurant. (B, D)
Overnight: Hotel Innsbruck, Innsbruck or similar
Day 4 Innsbruck – Zell am See – Salzburg
Today we drive to Kitzbuhel, an internationally renowned ski resort. After exploring its charming medieval centre we continue to Zell am See, where we will see the 11th century parish church and the 16th century Castle Rosenberg. This evening is at leisure in Salzburg. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Stadtkrug, Salzburg or similar
Day 5 Salzburg – Koenigssee - Salzburg
This morning we tour the salt mines in Berchtesgaden on a wooden train, which takes you deep underground to see how the mine works. We stop at Koenigssee, a picturesque emerald-green lake surrounded by high mountains and parkland, before visiting Oberndorf village, the birthplace of the carol Silent Night. Before returning to Salzburg we explore the Groedig Christmas market, which is very popular with local residents. (B, D)
Overnight: Hotel Stadtkrug, Salzburg or similar
Day 6 Salzburg
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Salzburg’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the magnificent Hohensalzburg Castle, which stands high above the city, and visit Mozart’s Birthplace. This afternoon visit the Salzburg Christmas Market. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Stadtkrug, Salzburg or similar
Day 7 Salzburg – Cesky Krumlov
Today we travel to Cesky Krumlov, stopping en route in Mondsee, one of the prettiest towns in Austria, located on the stunningly beautiful Lake Mondsee. Afterwards we visit the salt mine village of Hallstatt, before enjoying dinner together in Cesky Krumlov this evening. (B, D)
Overnight: Hotel Gold, Cesky Krumlov
Day 8 Cesky Krumlov – Vienna
This morning we visit the Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of Vienna. See St. Stephen’s Cathedral - the “heart” of Vienna and the Schonbrunn Palace, one of Austria’s most significant cultural monuments and home of various Habsburg rulers. (B)
Overnight: TBC, Vienna or similar
Day 9 Vienna
During advent Vienna hosts a number of Christmas markets. Today is a free day for you to visit as many of these markets as you wish. Our time in the city would not be complete without experiencing what Vienna is best known for – music. This evening we enjoy dinner and a concert with music including the most beautiful works written by Mozart and Strauss.
(B, D)
Overnight: TBC, Vienna or similar
Day 10 Vienna
This morning we visit Vienna’s Central Cemetery. We then continue to the Old Vienna Schnaps Museum, for an insight in to the production of schnapps and Austrian liqueurs, in a distillery that has remained unchanged since 1870. After the tour, enjoy a taste of the finished product and perhaps buy a bottle as a souvenir. Your tour ends in Vienna this afternoon. (B)
