Christmas Markets of Central Europe
Fastest selling tour for 2022! Europe’s Christmas Markets Shine Bright: A 13-Day Guided Tour of Austria, Slovakia & Germany.
Members from: $4,535 P.P Twin ShareNon-members from: $4,625 P.P Twin Share
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
United Kingdom & Europe
Supplier
Insight Vacations
Booking Code
IVCMCE
Departs
24 November 2022
1 December 2022
Classic group size
12 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners with Wine
Great food is at the heart of every journey with us. Sip, savour and sense the local flair with every meal.
Stay at highly rated hotels in desirable locations offering superb service, superior rooms with comfy beds to rest in.
Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
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.
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.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Add some one-of-a-kind gems to your gift list at the Christmas markets in Vienna, Munich and Ljubljana. This 13-day Christmas shopping extravaganza takes in the 500-year-old Salzburg Christmas Market, Mozart’s family home and a mouthwatering array of Viennese desserts. Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, reputed to have been the inspiration for a certain spin off at Disneyworld, and dine out in Vienna with lashings of Austrian specialties filling the table at a Restaurant Dinner. In Ljubljana, follow your Travel Director on an eye-opening tour of the Slovenian capital before tasting some truly scrumptious, Slovenian Christmas delicacies. From Zagreb take a funicular to the idyllic town of Gornji Grad and board a cave train in Postojna to explore a stunning underground world.
Viennese Waltz Dance Lesson
Listen to the musical masterpiece of Mozart and learn the Viennese Waltz, in an inclusive workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Unique to Insight Guests, ‘Dancing without Barriers’ takes place in the dark, in a specially designed sensory studio, and will be a unique experience for all your senses. This specifically designed workshop focuses on inclusion and education around the topic of visual impairment. Through their foundation the organisation supports children from disadvantaged family and children with a visual impairment.
This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Alternatively, tour Schönbrunn Palace and marvel at its frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments.
Meet a Local Artist in Ljubljana
The magic of Christmas comes to life as you meet Urban Modic, the esteemed artist who designs Ljubljana's Christmas lights. Learn what it takes to light up the city and enthral the crowds.
Day 1 Welcome to Zagreb
Welcome to Zagreb
Transfers to your hotel depart from Zagreb airport at 11:30 and 14:00. Relax and settle in or perhaps head for the nearby King Tomislav Square and try ice skating. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening with wine.
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel
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Included Meals
Dinner with Wine
Day 2 Zagreb Sightseeing
Zagreb Sightseeing
Join your Local Expert to explore the two-tiered capital of Croatia. Drive through the squares of the Lower Town, Donji Grad, designed to give a sense of grandeur. See the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square and continue to Ban Josip Jelacic Square en route to the cathedral. Board the city's funicular to the medieval Upper Town, Gornji Grad. It's a network of little streets, stretching between the Kaptol and Gradec hills. View the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower. The afternoon is at leisure. Discover the city’s Christmas markets or perhaps take an Optional Experience to the Zagorje region to learn about the local traditions and visit the house of Marshall Tito?
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Christmas market in Zagreb, Croatia
Top Rated Highlights
Your Local Expert guides you this two-tiered capital. Explore Donji Grad, the Lower Town, and see the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the cathedral.
Day 3 The Postojna Caves and Ljubljana
The Postojna Caves and Ljubljana
Leave the Croatian capital and head to neighbouring Slovenia and visit the world-famous Postojna Caves. Step aboard the cave train and descend into a subterranean world of stunning stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains. Marvel at the five-metre tall Brilliant, the cave's most beautiful stalagmite. Later, arrive to charming Ljubljana and tonight enjoy a dinner of Slovenian specialities with wine.
Hotel Lev Ljubljana
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Included Meals
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4 Ljubljana Sightseeing
Ljubljana Sightseeing
Your Local Expert will reveal the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The medieval castle stands as an ancient guardian, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafes and restaurants. Spend time at the Christmas markets, rich with the heady aromas of sweet treats and drinks.Meet Urban Modic, the local artist who designs Ljubljana's Christmas lights, for an insight into the city's famous decorations. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Hotel Lev Ljubljana
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Day 5 The Slovakian Capital of Bratislava
Bratislava Sightseeing and Vienna
Bratislava might be one of the smaller capitals in Europe but it has a long and rich history influenced by various cultures and nations. Explore Bratislava with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert to see the main sights of the city. Enjoy the vistas form the Bratislava Castle then take a walk in the charming Old Town among 19th century palaces and see the Slovak National Theatre, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall. Alternatively, an avid foodie takes you around the market on a Christmas food tour. Enjoy time at leisure and maybe try some of the Slovakian dishes for lunch before travelling to nearby imperial Vienna.
Hilton Vienna Park
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Day 6 Bratislava Sightseeing and Vienna
Bratislava Sightseeing and Vienna
Bratislava might be one of the smaller capitals in Europe but it has a long and rich history influenced by various cultures and nations. Explore Bratislava with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert to see the main sights of the city. Enjoy the vistas form the Bratislava Castle then take a walk in the charming Old Town among 19th century palaces and see the Slovak National Theatre, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall. Alternatively, an avid foodie takes you around the market on a Christmas food tour. Enjoy time at leisure and maybe try some of the Slovakian dishes for lunch before travelling to nearby imperial Vienna.
Hilton Vienna Park
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Day 7 Vienna Sightseeing
Vienna Sightseeing
Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Tour Schönbrunn Palace and marvel at its frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Then ready your camera for a dazzling drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and the Neo Gothic Town Hall. The afternoon is at yours to explore the historic core of the city and the offerings of the many Christmas markets. Tonight, savour a meal of Austrian specialities at a local restaurant.
Hilton Vienna Park
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Included Meals
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8 To Enchanting Salzburg
To Enchanting Salzburg
Journey through the rich farmlands of eastern Austria towards the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut and the enchanting city of Salzburg.
ARCOTEL Castellani
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Included Meals
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9 The City of Mozart
The City of Mozart
Come December, the spires and domes of Salzburg’s old town are often draped in snow. Walk with your Local Expert to see Mozart’s family home on the Getreidegasse, beautifully decorated at this time of year. Visit Mozart's birthplace to learn more about his life, and sit down to a musical demonstration on his original pianoforte. Then head on to the rosy hues of the 500-year-old Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. Culinary delicacies, candied fruits, hot mulled wine and the lovingly decorated stalls invite visitors to stop and browse. Here your Travel Director will introduce you to a market stallholder to enjoy sampling a Viennese winter dessert, complemented perfectly with a traditional fragrant glass of Glühwein.
ARCOTEL Castellani
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Day 10 A Scenic Drive to Innsbruck
A Scenic Drive to Innsbruck
A lovely drive brings you to the Inn Valley and the mountain-ringed Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Explore Innsbruck with Insight Choice, perhaps join a horse & carriage ride or visit the magical world of Swarovski Crystal. In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal accompanied by local Tyrolean entertainment and music.
AC Hotel Innsbruck
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Included Meals
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11 Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau
Travel to the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein, perched on a spectacular Alpine mountainside. With a Local Expert, visit the exuberantly decorated apartments, including the Throne Room, before continuing into the beautiful scenery of the German Alps to visit Oberammergau, home of the Passion Play since 1634. See the immense theatre and admire the colourful painted chalets before driving on to the Bavarian capital of Munich. Please note: Neuschwanstein Castle visits require a good level of mobility due to the number of stairs in the building and uphill, on-foot access to the castle during winter. Those who do not wish to ascend to the castle can enjoy a coffee and cake, while admiring the beautiful castle vista.
Munich Marriott Hotel
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Included Meals
Breakfast
Day 12 Munich
Auf Wiedersehen Munich!
Your departure transfer arrives at Munich Airport at 07:00 and 09:00.
Included Meals
Breakfast
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Your tour will be confirmed after receipt of a non-refundable deposit as detailed in the Summary Booking and Cancellation Terms table. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received. If not received within 7 days of booking, the reservation will automatically be cancelled. On certain departures, deposits may be required at time of booking to hold seats. Air-inclusive bookings may require an additional non-refundable deposit or payment in full at the time of booking, see Air Arrangements section below. We may from time to time offer deposits at a reduced amount (Promotional Deposits) and these may be subject to different terms and conditions as specified by us. Such terms and conditions prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with these Booking Conditions. Final payment for your tour reservation will be due prior to departure no later than as detailed in the Summary Booking and Cancellation Terms table. When making multiple tour bookings, full payment is for all tours according to the scheduled departure date of the first departing tour. Payment in full will be required at time of booking for reservations made later than the final payment due date (see Summary Booking and Cancellation table) prior to the tour departure date. Some special promotions may have different payment deadlines and cancellation terms. Insight reserves the right to cancel the reservation and impose cancellation charges if any payment is not received as detailed within the Summary Booking and Cancellation table. Insight will not be responsible for lost land and/or air reservations. Credit Card Bookings: Insight should be advised of your credit card number when making your reservation directly with us. Your Travel Agent shall hold all monies for each and every person named in the booking until the booking is confirmed at which time your Travel Agent shall provide those monies promptly to us. You consent to us depositing monies received by us as required by law. We will be entitled to keep interest earned on monies.