Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland
8 Days Starting in Vienna, Austria and ending in Zurich, Switzerland
Visiting: Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Zürich
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WCMAZN19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a magical journey through the enchanting Christmas markets of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This festive tour begins in Vienna, where you'll explore iconic landmarks and indulge in the city's Christkindlmarkt. Travel to Salzburg, Munich, and Innsbruck, immersing yourself in the rich culture and festive spirit of each destination. Discover Munich's forgotten advent traditions and savor local treats, then continue to the charming village of Oberammergau and the alpine beauty of Innsbruck. In Lucerne, enjoy a home-cooked meal with the Meyer family and explore the city's vibrant Christmas market. With luxury transportation and cherry-picked accommodations, this tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, cultural experiences, and holiday cheer, culminating in a memorable farewell in Zurich.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Vienna and Salzburg
- Discover Munich, Oberammergau, Innsbruck, Vaduz, and Lucerne
- Visit the Christmas Markets of Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Lucerne and Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein
- View Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, the Marienplatz in Munich, the Golden Roof in Innsbruck and the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne
- See stunning alpine scenery
Make Travel Matter®
Munich: Join a unique exploration of Munich’s old town, away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas markets, to uncover Munich’s forgotten advent traditions. Along the way, get a taste of delicious advent treats from small independent businesses. This experience advances UN Global Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Be My Guest
Lucerne: Visit the Meyer family at Kussnachter Alpenhof and gain insights into the workings of the farm and the animals that live there. Settle into the family's dining room area for a delicious home-cooked meal.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Vienna
Location: Vienna
Accommodation: Hilton Danube Waterfront
Accommodation Name: Imperial Riding School
Meals Included: Dinner
Write your very own Christmas story on a festive foray to some of Europe’s most magical Christmas markets. Our journey begins in Vienna. Take the opportunity to explore on your own before meeting your fellow travelers. Today, your Travel Director will provide an orientation drive of the Austrian capital before dinner.
Day 2: Discover Vienna's Spectacular Christmas Markets
Location: Vienna
Accommodation: Hilton Danube Waterfront
Accommodation Name: Imperial Riding School
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour, from Parliament and City Hall to the grand State Opera House and Hofburg Palace, once the winter palace the Habsburgs, one of the most powerful royal houses of Europe. We feed our Christmas spirit with a visit to the enchanting Christkindlmarkt this afternoon and feast on delicious gingerbread and Glühwein, wandering past wooden stalls piled high with handcrafted toys, seasonal gifts and tasty festive fare.
Day 3: Journey To Munich Dive Into Culture
Location: Munich
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Westpark
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Royal , Holiday Inn Westpark
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Venture to Mozart's beloved Salzburg. Dive Into Culture with a Local Specialist on a walking tour to see the Mirabell Gardens and iconic sights that featured in the filming of the 'Sound of Music'. Later, dramatic vistas accompany your journey as you travel past alpine landscapes to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. This evening, dinner is served at the hotel.
Day 4: Enjoy Bavarian Munich's Magical Christmas Markets
Location: Munich
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Westpark
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Royal
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bundle up warmly and join a Local Specialist on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to discover lost and forgotten Advent traditions. Embrace the festive cheer in Marienplatz with its impressive Town Hall and the ornate Glockenspiel. Then, spend the rest of your day savoring the sights, sounds and smells of Munich’s Christmas market – a dazzling display of twinkling lights, carols and a magnificent Christmas tree. Continue your cultural exploration with an optional visit to enjoy the Gemütlichkeit atmosphere at one of Munich's most traditional restaurants.
Day 5: Off To Innsbruck
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation: Tivoli Innsbruck
Accommodation Name: Tivoli Innsbruck
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Munich behind and travel through the romantic Bavarian countryside en route to Oberammergau, which hosts the poignant Passion Play every ten years. Admire the village’s intricate woodcarvings and elaborate frescoes depicting Bavarian themes before continuing to Innsbruck. Indulge in delicious Kiachl doughnuts at the bustling Christmas market before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 6: Venture To Lucerne
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Astoria
Accommodation Name: Astoria
Meals Included: Breakfast
A winter wonderland beckons as we see the ski jump that towers over Innsbruck before continuing to Vaduz to view its turreted castle, perched perfectly above the Liechtenstein capital. Our final stop today is Lucerne, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Our orientation tour of the city takes us past the Lion of Lucerne and the famous wooden Chapel Bridge.
Day 7: Explore Lucerne's Festive Glittering Lights Connect With Locals
Location: Lucerne
Accommodation: Astoria
Accommodation Name: Astoria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning choose to join your Travel Director for an Optional Experience to the peak of a nearby mountain top. Embrace the Yuletide cheer in true Swiss-style during a visit to Lucerne’s Christmas market at Franziskanerplatz, in the heart of the city’s Old Town. Ramble past traditional wooden stalls, a warm mug of Glühwein in hand, and admire the swirling Christmas carousel, filled with the joyful sounds of happy children. For lunch we celebrate our magical journey together during an exclusive Be My Guest experience filled with Christmas cheer as you Connect With Locals in their home. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure or perhaps join an optional cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Day 8: Journey Home
Location: Zürich
Meals Included: Breakfast
We bid a festive farewell to our travel companions, returning home with magical Christmas memories. Find out more about available airport transfers at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) is included.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are included.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Optional Experiences
Costs of optional experiences are not included.
Dining Summary
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Salzburg: Waltz through Salzburg with your Local Specialist seeing some of the sights that featured in the filming of the 'Sound of Music'.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience in Munich where you explore the city's old town and learn about forgotten advent traditions while tasting advent treats. Additionally, there is a 'Be My Guest' experience in Lucerne where you visit the Meyer family at Kussnachter Alpenhof for a home-cooked meal and insights into farm life.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi available in most countries. Alternative transportation such as rail journeys may also be used.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. There is also a special lunch included as part of the 'Be My Guest' experience.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences available, such as a visit to a traditional restaurant in Munich and an optional cruise on Lake Lucerne.
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What is the accommodation like on this tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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