CHRISTMAS MARKET - GERMANY & AUSTRIA in 8 days
Salzburg - 2 nights
Reutte - 1 night
Rothenburg - 2 nights
Munich - 2 nights
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$3789 + air
Single Supplement = $680
Christmas Markets pop up all over Europe during the first weeks of December. Each year, we feature a winter wonderland tour to Germany and Austria during the Christmas season. These outdoor markets feature unique decorations, beautifully handcrafted arts, and endless opportunities to sample great food and countless varieties of glüwein, punch, and spiced drinks, served piping hot in souvenir mugs. But there is more to this tour than snow and markets! Enjoy visiting many destinations that, in the busy tourist season, are packed shoulder-to-shoulder with sweaty tourists. Traveling “off-season” means easy access to castles and sights in Salzburg, Schwangau, Rothenburg, Munich, Nürnberg, and more. There has never been a better time to visit Europe’s winter wonderland destinations.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
DAY 1, Sunday: Munich to Austria - Please arrange your flights to arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. local time at the Munich Airport (MUC). Meet your Exploring Europe guide and driver to begin your Christmas Market adventure at the Munich Airport. Enjoy a scenic journey through the beautiful Bavarian countryside en route to Austria. Our first stop is beautiful Mondsee, home of a small Christmas Market and the basilica made famous as the wedding church in the Sound of Music. Later, arrive at your Salzburg hotel, followed by dinner at one of David's favorite Salzburg restaurants. Driving: 3.5 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 2 nights in Salzburg. Dinner.
DAY 2, Monday: Salzburg - This morning, enjoy a drive through the Saltzgammergut countryside visiting several sights made famous by the movie, The Sound of Music. Later, we will return to Salzburg to explore the Christmas Markets, the castle, and the old town. Dinner and entertainment are left up to you tonight. You might consider taking a carriage ride, attending a concert, or simply poking around the old town. Driving: 2.5 hours. Walking: moderate.
DAY 3, Tuesday: Innsbruck and Tirol - Our journey today takes us to the western part of Austria, known as the Tirol. En route, enjoy a visit to Innsbruck for lunch and a look around their Christmas Markets. Continue on a scenic journey to Reutte, where you will have a relaxed evening and a grand gourmet dinner prepared by my friend Hermann at his Tyrolean restaurant. Driving: 5 hours. Walking: light. Sleep 1 night in Reutte. Dinner.
DAY 4, Wednesday: Castle Neuschwanstein and Rothenburg, Germany - After breakfast, we will take a short drive to the village of Schwangau. You will have an opportunity to enjoy the village atmosphere, hike in the spruce woodlands, and enjoy the pristine lakeside. Also, enjoy a guided tour of Schloss Neuschwanstein, famous as the home of "Mad King" Ludwig II of Bavaria. This castle is the model upon which Walt Disney conceived Cinderella's Castle at the Disneyland resort. Then, please sit back and relax as we travel through Bavaria to the picture-perfect village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This village is charming any time of the year, but at Christmas, it is delightful. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the Christmas markets, visiting the shops, and wandering the cobbled lanes. Later, let's meet at our hotel for a fine Rothenburger feast. Driving: 5 hours. Walking: moderate to strenuous. Sleep for 2 nights in Rothenburg. Dinner.
DAY 5, Thursday: Rothenburg - You will have the entire day to do more exploring on your own in Rothenburg. Enjoy a wander in the castle gardens, a walk on the medieval-era town walls, plenty of shopping, wine tasting, and of course, their little Christmas Market located on the town square. No driving. Walking: your choice.
DAY 6, Friday: Nurnberg and Munich- Today, we will travel to nearby Nurnberg, home of Germany's most famous Christmas Market. The entire town square is filled with over 180 wooden stalls, loaded with homemade crafts, local food, mulled wine, and Christmas cheer. Each stall is decorated with red and white cloth and has become the model for all other Christmas markets in Europe. Later, hop on the bus and travel to Munich. Once in the city, enjoy a walking tour of the sights with the remainder of the afternoon and evening to explore the Christmas Markets, churches and pedestrian-friendly shopping areas. Driving: 4 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 2 nights in Munich.
DAY 7, Saturday: Munich - Enjoy an event-free day in town. You may want to visit the markets, Residenz Palace, a museum or take in the holiday atmosphere. Tonight, we'll meet for a festive grand farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. No driving. Walking: your choice. Dinner.
DAY 8, Sunday: So Long, Farewell - Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. Munich's airport and train station are nearby and are easily connected by subway, train, or taxi. Your Exploring Europe tour leader will be available to assist with your transportation needs. Merry Christmas!
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
Transportation by coach and/or minibus from the airport in Munich to your final hotel in Munich.
Seven night's accommodation in traditional hotels, guesthouses, and B&B's. All rooms have private en-suite baths.
A guaranteed Small group with 6-18 travelers.
All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurant, and hotel staff.
Breakfast each morning.
Water is included with all group meals. Sodas, wine, beer, and other drinks are your responsibility.
Four Traditional dinner dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority, and you'll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer.
All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Innsbruck orientation - Rothenburg walking tour and orientation - Castle Neuschwanstein entrance and guided tour - Salzburg orientation and walking tour - Salzgammergut driving tour and notable Sound of Music sights - Munich orientation walking tour - Christmas Markets in Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, Rothenburg and Nurnberg - traditional and fine dining experience in David's top choice restaurants - and much more.
A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the historical and cultural experience of the tour destinations.
David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.
Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.
Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.
$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year
Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.
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Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to provide maximum tour experiences. The basic nature of Europe does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the big cities. To help you plan, we’ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is the key for our walking activity ratings:
Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.
Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.
Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks. There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.
Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.
Now that you've decided to join this tour, we are sure you'll have some questions. Don't worry. We are here to help you through each aspect of your tour from start to finish.
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