Willkommen to Germany! Upon arrival to Munich International Airport (MUC), you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, meet with your fellow travellers at 7pm for a welcome meeting and briefing. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.
Arrival & Transfers:
Please book your flights to arrive at Munich International Airport (MUC) by 4pm. Airport transfers are included on the first day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel. Check-in on Day 1 is at 3pm.
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out to explore Munich on a three-hour walking tour. As you navigate the old town, you could see landmarks like Marienplatz, the city’s central square, where a large mechanical clock, the Glockenspiel, animates its figures to depict Bavarian history. Nearby is the imposing Frauenkirche, Munich’s most famous church with its distinctive twin spires, and the grand Residenz – a former royal palace.
In the afternoon, experience the festive atmosphere of Munich’s famous Christmas markets as you weave your way through stalls brimming with handcrafted ornaments, twinkling lights and the aromas of roasted nuts and mulled wine.
As evening falls, experience Bavarian hospitality with a welcome dinner at the 16th-century beer hall, Hofbräuhaus, for a three-course meal paired with a classic German beer.
Christmas market visit
After breakfast, set out for Salzburg nestled along the Salzach River and framed by the snow-capped Alps. Glimpse into the city’s past on a walking tour, passing landmarks like Mozart’s birthplace on Getreidegasse, where the famed composer spent his early years. You might also glimpse the DomQuartier, Saint Peter’s Abbey and the Mirabell Gardens, made famous by The Sound of Music.
In the afternoon, soak up the festive atmosphere at Salzburg’s Christmas markets. The historic Christkindlmarkt in Residenzplatz and Domplatz is one of the oldest in Europe, where wooden stalls overflow with handcrafted ornaments, spiced nuts and steaming cups of Glühwein.
For those seeking an evening of culture, an optional Mozart concert and dinner (surcharges apply) offers the chance to enjoy a gourmet meal set to the sounds of Salzburg’s most famous composer.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 90 minutes
Christmas market visit
Start the day with breakfast at your hotel before a full day’s exploration of the Salzkammergut region, a landscape of pristine lakes, dramatic mountains and villages that have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
As you travel through this scenic area, see the glacial waters of Wolfgangsee, the charming town of Saint Gilgen and the towering peaks that frame the region. In Hallstatt, a lakeside village often called one of the most beautiful in the world, see pastel-coloured houses set on a hillside, a historic salt mine that dates back thousands of years and the reflections of the Alps on Hallstätter See.
Returning to Salzburg in the afternoon, where you may enjoy another visit to the Christmas markets to pick up holiday gifts or indulge in seasonal treats like Kaiserschmarrn.
Salzkammergut day trip
Christmas market visit
After breakfast, travel to Innsbruck, a city set against the Alps. On a tour of this wintry city, enjoy views of the towering Nordkette Alps as you weave past sights like the Golden Roof, a late-medieval balcony decorated with over 2,600 gilded tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I.
In the afternoon, explore Innsbruck’s Christmas markets full of festive stalls against an Alpine backdrop. Traditional wooden chalets offer seasonal treats, handcrafted gifts and warm drinks, making it an ideal place to soak up the holiday atmosphere.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Christmas market visit
Set off on a scenic drive after breakfast to Freiburg im Breisgau, stopping at the small principality of Liechtenstein. Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, this landlocked country is only 25 kilometres long and is known for its medieval heritage and alpine landscapes.
Arrive in Freiburg im Breisgau in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Fuel up with breakfast and enjoy a full day at your leisure in Freiburg. Perhaps stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, or else uncover its history and culture at the Augustiner Museum, showcasing medieval art in a former monastery (at own expense). With the Swiss riverside town of Basel within a 40-minute train ride (at own expense), you may like to explore this medieval town and its world-class art museums.
After breakfast, travel to Strasbourg with a stop in Colmar, a town known for its half-timbered houses, winding canals and winemaking traditions. In the Alsace region, embark on a vineyard tour and wine tasting to learn about the area’s centuries-old viticulture and sample its renowned white wines. As you explore the vineyards, enjoy views of villages and the Vosges mountains in the distance.
Arriving in Strasbourg in the evening, take in the festive atmosphere of the Christkindelsmärik, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, is set against the backdrop of Strasbourg’s medieval cathedral and historic squares.
Travel time: Driving – approx. one hour
Alsace region wine tasting
Christmas market visit
After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Strasbourg’s train station, where you’ll board a first-class train to Paris. Sit back and enjoy the journey as the French countryside passes by.
Upon arrival in Paris, another private transfer will take you directly to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace – perhaps take a stroll along the Seine, visit a nearby cafe for a classic French pastry or simply relax and settle into your surroundings.
Travel time: Train – approx. 2.5 hours
Begin your day with breakfast before enjoying a leisurely day in Paris. With no set schedule, you can explore at your own pace – perhaps wandering through the historic streets of the Marais, browsing the boutiques along the Champs-Élysées or visiting one of the city’s world-class museums.
In the evening, mark the end of your journey with a farewell dinner aboard a Seine River cruise, gliding past the illuminated Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre.
After breakfast, bid a fond au revoir to Paris as you take a private transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) for your onward journey.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 12. Please book your flights to depart from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at any time. Airport transfers are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.