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Christmas Markets of Bavaria & Austria

Pricing starts at
$6,550.00
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Overview

Overview
Christmas market tour

17th Annual John Gormley Newstalk Listeners Tour

Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Rothenburg Christmas market with the largest selection of German Christmas decorations in the world; Munich where over 30 different Christmas markets reside; Nuremberg's Christmas market considered one of the oldest and famous of markets; and Vienna with its impressive Christmas markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner, to name a few. Sparkling lights, festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols, enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages, and sweet treats of every kind, and timeless wonders are a feast for all your senses.

calendar icon 13 Days    location icon 1 Countries     meal icon 21 Meals

Itinerary

Itinerary

Christmas market tour map

 

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 - Frankfurt

Welcome to Frankfurt! After being transferred to the hotel spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure stroll through the Christmas Markets, do some shopping and take in the sights. Later this evening, join the rest of the group for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 - Frankfurt

Today enjoy a City Tour of Frankfurt am Main. See the historic old city sites of Römerberg and Kaiserdom, as well as the finance and banking district. The skyscrapers here are among the highest in Europe, which is why the city has been given the nickname ‘Mainhattan’. The afternoon will be at your leisure, with more time to check out the Christmas Markets and do some last-minute shopping.

Day 3 - Frankfurt to Wurzburg

This morning, make your way to Würzburg, enjoy a City Tour and revel in the opulent baroque and rococo architecture of this beautiful city. Once the great seat of power for the Prince-Bishops of Germany. No visit to Würzburg is complete without a guided tour of one of Europe’s most renowned baroque castles – the UNESCO World Heritage Site Würzburg Residence. This colossal palace, with its over 300 rooms, illustrates the grand power of the ancient regional rulers. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to visit the Christmas Markets before our included dinner.

Day 4 - Rothenburg O.D.T

Today is spent in Rothenburg, a picturesque town famous for its ‘Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt’. The name originates from a Germanic legend that refers to a lucky figure who brings joy to all people through his visit. Have a chance to taste the famous ‘fried snowball’! Afterwards, some free time to do some shopping at the Christmas Market where you will find the largest selection of German Christmas decorations in the world.

Day 5 - Wurzburg to Nuremberg

This morning we depart Wurzburg for Nuremberg and enjoy a walking City Tour, viewing its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle. Later, we arrive at the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg where we taste some famous Nuremberg Gingerbread! The rest of your afternoon will be spent on your own browsing the spruce stalls. Perhaps you may want to sample some favourite Bavarian fare – from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights.

 

Day 6 - Nuremberg to Munich

This morning, take a journey along the famous Romantic Road, dotted with 29 medieval towns. Stop along the way at Nördlingen, with fully intact city walls and magnificent medieval, and renaissance house. Originating in the 15th century, Augsburg, known for its medieval square, fills up with one of the oldest Christmas Markets. Upon arrival in Munich, the remainder of the day is yours to explore.

Day 7 - Munich

During a walking City Tour, see Munich’s most intriguing sights like the Victual’s Market, Marienplatz, Sendlinger Gate, Palace of Justice, and New Court. To warm up, enjoy a cup of hot mulled wine at the famous Marienplatz Christmas Market. After, go Christmas Market hopping to check out some of the 30 plus different markets that Munich has to offers. Later this evening, enjoy an included dinner.

Day 8 - Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Palace

Today is spent discovering the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most photographed in the world, and Linderhof Palace, the only building, out of three, King Ludwig II saw to completion. On route, stop at the picturesque village of Oberammergau where you can wander through the lanes of this quant village nestled in the German Alps.

Day 10 - Innsbruck to Salzburg

On route to Salzburg, we stop at Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. Here we visit one of the largest Salt Mines in Europe, operating since 1517. Wooden slides take you down to that “white gold”, once the most important currency. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at Lake Köenigssee and marvel at the beautiful landscape. Continuing to Salzburg, enjoy an evening at leisure in a city brimming with Baroque architecture and located in an area of panoramic beauty.

Day 11 - Salzburg

Today we set out on a walking City Tour of this remarkable metropolis, admiring the beautiful towers, domes, and interior of the Salzburg Cathedral, built in the Baroque style and home to many priceless artifacts. Afterwards enjoy some free time for a stroll around the Christmas Market.

Day 12 - Salzburg to Vienna

Departing Salzburg, we head towards Vienna. On route, high on a rocky outcrop, lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Continue towards Vienna for an evening at leisure.

Day 13 - Vienna

Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace Complex – the winder residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Vienna Christmas Market or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café. Later this evening, enjoy an included Farewell Dinner.

Day 14 - Vienna to Home City

Transfer to the Vienna airport and bid farewell to all your newfound friends.

Dates & Pricing

Dates & Pricing
Date and Price Content
December 03, 2024 - December 16, 2024
Space Available

Double Occupancy

$6,550.00

Single Occupancy

$7,650

All prices are per person, land only and include all taxes and fees. Prices are in CAD.

Not included in price:

  • International airfare
  • Airline baggage fees for additional or over-sized luggage
  • Airline fuel surcharges if there is a change in fuel prices
  • Gratuities for Tour Director and Driver
  • Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
  • Any personal expenses
  • Travel Insurance
  • Pre or post tour arrangements

*Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date and must contain sufficient blank pages for entry and exit endorsements.
*An ETIAS authorization is mandatory for every Canadian Citizen entering the Schengen Area. Please ask your Travel Agent for more information.

Tour Highlights

Tour Highlights

Multi-Night Stays in Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Munich, Salzburg & Vienna

Sometimes a day just isn't enough to take in all a place has to offer.

City Tours of Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

Enjoy an indepth guided City Tour of Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

Christmas Markets of Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremburg, Augsburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna

Christmas time is here! Explore the many Christmas Markets in Germany, drink hot mulled wine as you browse the many different Germanic ornanments, view the towering Christmas trees and shop around for some of the many original Christmas gifts. Enjoy access to the Christmas Markets of Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremburg, Augsburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Wurzburg Residence

Unlike many Palaces, the Wurzburg Residence was built in its entirety, with short interruptions, almost within a single generation. The architects drew their insirpation from an area extending from Vienna to Paris and from Genoa and Venice to Amsterdam. The building emobides the attainments of Western architecture of its day, French chateau architecture, Viennese baroque and the religious and secular architecture of northern Italy and is a synthesis of the arts of astonishing universality. 

Tasting of a Rothenburg Fried Snowball, Nuremberg Gingerbread, and Munich Hot Mulled Wine

You will have the opportunity to taste a Fried Snowball in Rothenburg, otherwise known as a Schneeball. It is a pastry made from shortcrust pastry traditionally decorated with white confectioner's sugar. 

In Germany, when you think of Christmas, you think of Nuremberg Lubkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been baked for more than 600 years and are loved by young and old alike. 

While in Munich before you explore the Christmas Markets, you will be given the chance to taste some Hot Mulled Wine, a spiced wine made up of red wine along with various different spices and is served warm.

Romantic Road of Bavaria

The name Romantic Road gives expression to the feelings experienced by many people when they see the medieval towns or the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein. The Romantic Road reveals the wealth of European history, art and culture awaiting travellers. 

Medieval Towns of Nordlingen, Augsburg & Oberammergau

Nordlingen with its wholly intact city walls with their turrets and gatehouses, and magnificent Medieval and Renaissance houses. Augsburg with its grandeur buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo eras. Oberammergau, well known for its long tradition of woodcarving craftsmen and the Bavarian themes, fairy tales and religious scenes carved into the many homes and buildings. There are many attractions throughout these German towns that will catch your eye.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace

Neuschwanstein Castle is considered to be the most popular castle in Europe, in part because of the faiy tale architecture that make this castle. The castle illustrates the ideals and longings of King Ludwig II more vividly than any of his other buildings. The castle was not designed for royal representation, but as a place of retreat. Here, King Ludwig II escaped into a dream world - the poetic world of the Middle Ages. 

Linderhof Palace was the first of three buildings King Ludwig II was making plans to build. However neither of the plans King Ludwig II envisaged were ever built. Instead, the new building developed around the forester's house belonging to his father Maximilian II, which was located in the open space in front of the present palace and was used by the king when crown prince on hunting expeditions wit his father. Linderhof Palace was the only large palace King Ludwig II lived to see completed. 

Swarovski Crystal World

Multimedia artist André Heller created a world of wonder to celebrate Swarovski’s hundredth anniversary in 1995. Heller’s thematic centerpiece for Swarovski Crystal Worlds was the shape of the Giant. The realm of the Giant hosts a rich collection of precious items housed in 18 Chambers of Wonder. Here, in a world of fantasy inspired and designed by some of the world’s greatest artists, visitors can believe in miracles for just a moment.

Tyrolean Music & Folk Dancing

Enjoy an included dinner with entertainment! Tyrolean Music and Folk Dancing is mostly associated with Schuhplattler, Landler, polka and waltz. 

Berchtesgaden Salt Mine

Sparkling atmospherically and impressively adventurously, the Salt Mine shines in a new light. It is a world of the local miners, who have been working in the active part of the Salt Mine day-in, day-out, for centuries and whisk the visitors away into their aforementioned world. Highlights, such as the slide or the journey on the Mirror Lake (Spiegelsee) melt with gripping information over the indispensible vital element of salt. An adventure with many unforgettable impressions, which you not only experience during the course of the SaltTimeJourney in Berchtesgaden, but will also experience with all of your senses! 

Take a trip through salt and time in the Salt Mine Berchtesgaden and be a part of the mysterious tour underground, during which you can be astounded by the fascinating, wonderful world of the “white gold”.

Lake Koenigssee

Lake Konigssee lies just a couple of miles south of the town of Berchtesgaden and is Germany's deepest and cleanest lake. Bavarian royalty and the local rulers of Berchtesgaden and Salzburg hunted here centuries ago. The Konigssee is a wonderful example of a crystal-clear apline lake. 

Salzburg Cathedral

Of its numerous churches, the cathedral is Salzburg's most important sacred building. With its mighty dome and two towers, it leaves its own distinctive, and absolutely impressive stamp on the city skyline. Salzburg Cathedral is an imposing tribute to the Early Baroque. Visitors are greeted by the resplendent façade made of Untersberg Marble. Looking down from it are four monumental statues: Apostles Peter and Paul holding a key and a sword, as well as Salzburg's two patron saints, Rupert and Virgil, clasping a salt vessel and a model of the church.

The many treasures of this cathedral include a bronze baptismal font (1311) with lions at its base (1200), in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote the words for "Silent Night!", were both christened. Other highlights include the imposing main organ, the cathedral gates by Schneider-Manzell, Mataré and Manzú, as well as seven bells.

Melk Abbey & Museum

More or less in the middle between Vienna and Linz, a fascinating Baroque building sits on a granite rock overlooking the Danube, visible from afar like a fortress: Melk Abbey. From a distance one can already see the dome of the abbey church and the two towers, with golden ornaments, which look like hands raised towards the sky: the magnificent structure is clearly a sacral building and not a secular palace.

Learn more about Melk abbey’s history and present on a tour that starts in the Prelate’s Courtyard and see the Imperial Staircase and the Imperial Corridor. The abbey museum with the exhibition “The Path from Yesterday to Today” shows the abbey’s historical significance and its current tasks. The Baroque Marble Hall, the former dining hall for imperial guests is the last room you visit in the Imperial Wing. Continue to the balcony with its excellent view of the Danube valley, the town of Melk and the Western façade of the abbey church. The Baroque library leaves a lasting impression because of its harmonious and detailed architecture. The manuscripts and incunabula in the middle showcase bespeak the importance of Melk abbey library then and now.