Transport

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Innsbruck: Meet your coachman and enjoy a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride, surrounded by the mountains and valleys of Tyrol. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

Accommodation

8 nights in hand-picked hotels.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Munich: Embark on a culinary walking tour in the heart of the city. Munich: Visit the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. Experience a musical demonstration at Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg. Salzburg: Visit the house where Mozart was born in 1756. Enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia, and musical instruments of the great composer, plus a fascinating collection of portraits. Zürich: Salzburg: With a Local Expert, see Mozart’s family home and the 500-year-old Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. You’ll also view the Hohensalzburg fortress and see Residenz Fountain when you spend some time in the Old Town. Innsbruck: Visit the magical Swarovski Crystal Worlds. This attraction features installations by international artists, designers and architects who have interpreted the crystals in their own ways. Lorrach: Explore the town located on the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland and see the ruins of Rotteln Castle. Freiburg im Breisgau: Enjoy a romantic walk through the medieval cobbled streets of Freiburg and soak in the magic of its Christmas Markets. See the medieval Münster and spend time in the historic old quarter. Strasbourg: Exploring the Christmas Markets is like stepping directly into a fairytale, where glittering lights and the scent of cinnamon enchant your senses. Here you visit France’s oldest Christmas Markets, set in front of the Cathedral. Spend time in the atmospheric neighbourhood of La Petite France. Zürich: Attend Europe’s biggest indoor Christmas Market. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Meals

5 Dinner with Wine (DW) 8 Breakfast (B) Munich: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine. Salzburg: At the Christmas Market, meet a local stallholder and taste the delicious gingerbread with a fragrant cup of Glühwein. Black Forest: Indulge in a delightful dinner of local German specialties, accompanied by wine. Zürich: You’ll enjoy good food, wine and a well-laden table with a touch of Grossmünster charm during your cosy dinner.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance not included.

Flights

International flights not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter’s Church and the famous Marienplatz. Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture. Lindau: Your Travel Director takes you to the Harbour and Old City Hall. Walk the medieval streets of this island-town and browse the shops on Maximillium Strasse.

Optional

BAVARIAN DINNER Tonight we’ll soak in the lively atmosphere of a popular traditional restaurant. We’ll enjoy traditional Bavarian hospitality and sample delicious regional specialties and local beer. Adult Price: EUR 65.00 LINDERHOF AND OBERAMMERGAU South of Munich, we’ll venture from the magnificence of the Bavarian Alps to the world-renowned passion-play village of Oberammergau. Admire the artistically-decorated architecture of local homes, churches and of Ettal Monastery. Then, we’re on to mad King Ludwig’s baroque fantasy - the rococo splendour of Linderhof Castle, set in beautiful gardens. Adult Price: EUR 47.00 NORDKETTE ALPS & HERITAGE A visit to the Nordkette is an unforgettable experience - a unique combination of relaxation, natural wonder and modern architecture. Space-age stations designed by star architect, Zaha Hadid herald your journey up to Hungerburg. From here the panoramic gondola continues up to the 1,905-metre-high Seegrube, where (weather permitting) you can enjoy tremendous views of the entire Central Inn Valley and across to the Italian border. Back down in the Old Town, join your local expert to explore the heritage of the Golden Roof and the "Black Men" of Emperor Maximilian. Adult Price: EUR 54.00 TYROLEAN EVENING Enjoy a lively evening of traditional entertainment, featuring dancers in national costume, yodelling and entertainment typical of the life, crafts and traditions of the Tyrolean people. Two drinks are included. (This evening may not be available on every departure) Adult Price: EUR 45.00 COLMAR EXCURSION Nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards lies the impossibly quaint little town of Colmar. Our local guide will help you to discover its half timbered bye-ways and Venetian style canals. Afterwards free time to explore the four Christmas markets. Adult Price: EUR 36.00

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive In Munich
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive In Munich

Welcome to Germany. Meet your Travel Director this afternoon for an orientation of the city that will show you some of the city’s major sights, culminating in the Marienplatz, with its soaring Town Hall and Glockenspiel. Here, the Christkindlmarkt will be in full swing, an entrancing festival of light and music. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Day 2 Day 2: Free Time In The Bavarian Capital Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Free Time In The Bavarian Capital Relaxed Start

Munich embraces the holiday season with a particular zeal, so the day is all yours to enjoy the vibrant festive markets that abound in this city. On crisp winter days, organ music and carols ring out from the ancient churches. If snow has fallen, the vast English Garden provides lovely winter vistas. Another option is to experience the romantic royal palaces of the Bavarian Alps.
Day 3 Day 3: Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg And Innsbruck
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg And Innsbruck

Travel alongside the tranquil waters of Lake Chiemsee on your way to Salzburg in Austria, where the spires and domes of the Old Town are often draped in snow in December. Visit Mozart’s birthplace to learn more about his life, and sit down to a musical demonstration on his original pianoforte. Enjoy a visit to Swarovski in the afternoon followed by a highlight dinner. Head through the mountains to your Innsbruck hotel.
Day 4 Day 4: Innsbruck At Leisure Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Innsbruck At Leisure Relaxed Start

Enjoy a horse & carriage ride in the morning. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the Old Town and Christmas Markets, set in front of the Golden Roof, graced by beautifully preserved medieval facades.
Day 5 Day 5: The Black Forest Via Lindau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: The Black Forest Via Lindau

Travel through the Alberg tunnel, Austria’s longest road tunnel, as you return to Germany and pause in the tiny island-town of Lindau. Walk through the maze of ancient streets down to the harbour. Across the lake, often shrouded in mist, look for the rising silhouette of snow-capped peaks. After time to explore, continue along the shores of the Bodensee to your hotel in the Black Forest.
Day 6 Day 6: Freiburg Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Freiburg Sightseeing

Visit Freiburg in the morning, a lively university city with a charming Christmas atmosphere. Walk from the medieval Münster through the heart of the historic old quarter, past colourful stalls offering a range of festive goodies from the Black Forest.
Day 7 Day 7: Strasbourg And Alsace Experience Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Strasbourg And Alsace Experience Relaxed Start

Cross the Rhine to the region of Alsace, wedged between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. This area has changed nationality four times since 1870! Arrive in Strasbourg, the City at the Crossroads, where the Christmas Market is the oldest and one of the largest in France. Spend time in a cosy neighbourhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings, with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery, warm with fragrant promise. Return to Germany and venture to a local restaurant for a delightful dinner of local specialties, accompanied by wine.
Day 8 Day 8: The Swiss City Of Zürich Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: The Swiss City Of Zürich Relaxed Start

Cross the Swiss border and head for Zurich where a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visit takes you through the streets of Zurich. A highlight is Europe’s biggest indoor Christmas extravaganza held in the main railway station, with over 160 wooden chalets. Toast to the culmination of your Yuletide journey during a festive Celebration Dinner with wine at a local restaurant with its own microbrewery.
Day 9 Day 9: Depart Zürich Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Depart Zürich Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out. Transfers are available from your hotel to Zürich Airport.Transfers are available from your hotel to Zurich Airport every 20 minutes between 4:00am and noon and from 4:00pm to 11:30pm.

9 days tour

Alpine Christmas Markets (Classic, 9 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Alpine Christmas Markets (Classic, 9 Days)

Day 1: Arrive In Munich

Day 2: Free Time In The Bavarian Capital Relaxed Start

Day 3: Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg And Innsbruck

Day 4: Innsbruck At Leisure Relaxed Start

Day 5: The Black Forest Via Lindau

Day 6: Freiburg Sightseeing

Day 7: Strasbourg And Alsace Experience Relaxed Start

Day 8: The Swiss City Of Zürich Relaxed Start

Day 9: Depart Zürich Relaxed Start

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