Christmas Markets Germany & Austria

Day 1 Overnight flight

Day 2 Frankfurt am Main

Day 3 Frankfurt am Main – Würzburg – Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Following breakfast you will travel to Würzburg, a picturesque and lively university town on the River Main at the heart of the Franconian wine-growing region. The Christmas market in Würzburg has a rich history as it dates back to 1800. There are all kinds of crafts to admire and around the town hall you will find many artists such as blacksmiths, painters and glass blowers. During the weekend a Christmas play takes place around the fortress. Glühwein – Mulled wine, and the décor of beautiful half-timbered houses complete the Christmas atmosphere. After some free time, your journey continues to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Enjoy the scenery as you travel along the ‘Romantic Road’. Rothenburg will be your overnight stay for the upcoming two nights. The town overlooks four ox-bow bends in the Tauber river from its rocky hill. As well as being old, the town is both picturesque and unspoiled.
Overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Day 4 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This morning a local guide will take you on a walking tour through Rothenburg. Learn about the historic city with its medieval structures as well as evidences of the Renaissance. Marvel the winding streets with half-timbered houses and colorful gardens. You will see the town hall, the old Tauber Bridge, the St. Jakob Church and the Baumeisterhaus, a renaissance house where steps on the gables serve as pedestals for dragon motifs. You will continue to the Herrngasse where you can see the mansions of formally well-known personages line this busy street and you will visit the Burggarten with the chapel, which has been turned into a war memorial. Remainder of the day at leisure in this charming town. Do not miss out on the Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas Village, a Christmas shop which is open all year round and has branches all over the world.
Overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Day 5  Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Salzburg  

Today you will leave Germany and travel to Salzburg, Austria via Nuremberg. Nuremberg is décor to the most famous Christmas market of Germany, ‘the Christkindlesmarkt’. Stroll through the castle gardens and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, then walk through a maze of cobblestone alleys down to the central Market Square. Enjoy live music in one of the many churches or at one of the open-air music performances around the Frauenkirche – Church of Our Lady. Before travelling onwards to Salzburg you head to the Fleischbrücke on the River Pegnitz to see the famed largest punch bowl in the world, and sip from the local winter drink, ‘the Feuerzangenbowle’, brewed in this big bubbling pot. Travelling south, you will pass the Danube River, Munich and the Chiemsee before arriving in Salzburg. Especially in wintertime the city looks like coming out of a fairytale, as mostly the spires and domes are covered with snow. Overnight in Salzburg.

Day 6 Salzburg

Following breakfast, you will visit the Advent Magic Christmas market at the courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace. Immerse yourself in an evocative world, complete with an oversized advent calendar, fairytale forest, and real-life reindeer. Afterwards, return to the city centre of Salzburg and enjoy a guided walking tour. Salzburg is also known as “Rome of the North.” Renowned architects and artists worked through the centuries to create architectural masterpieces. During this tour you will stroll through Mirabell Gardens, walk across the Markartsteg pedestrian bridge into the Old Town of Salzburg and you will see Mozart’s birthplace, St. Peter’s Monastery and Residenz Square where scenes of The Sound of Music were filmed. The afternoon is at leisure in the Old Town. Make sure you will stop at one of the Austrian traditional coffeehouses. Typical treasures you can shop for are; handmade Christmas decorations, snow globes,  the iconic chocolate treat, the Mozartkugel, Schnapps, and Cuckoo Clocks at Heimatkunst Lackner. This evening you enjoy a Mozart-themed dinner at the Sankt Peter’s Stiftkeller in Salzburg. Overnight in Salzburg.

Day 7  Salzburg – Munich

This morning you will travel to Munich, Germany. Before visiting the city centre, you will visit  Nymphenburg Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in Europe.The baroque palace was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs and houses several outstanding collections. With its lavishly decorated interior and the famous “Gallery of Beauties” commissioned by Ludwig I, the palace is one of Munich’s favorite attractions. Among the highlights are the lavishly decorated interior, the famous “Gallery of Beauties” and the impressive banquet hall with fine ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann. Afterwards, transfer into Munich city, meet your local guide for a city tour on foot through the old town and take a look into the city’s turbulent 850 years of history. See important sights such as Marienplatz the historic town square, Munich’s oldest church Sankt Peter, the Viktualienmarkt the colourful open-air market, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Bavarian State Chancellery, the Siegestor the Bavarian Arch of Triumph, the Field Marshall’s Hall, and the beautiful Hofgarten. Remainder of the afternoon free for independent activities. This evening you will have your farewell dinner together at the famous Hofbräuhaus. Overnight in Munich.

Day 8 Departure

After breakfast departure to Munich Airport, for you flights back home.