Christmas in the Austrian Tyrol

Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich – particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls - which if you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit! Before your Bavarian-style buffet dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel. (D) Stay: Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany

First stop of the day will be at the beautiful lake Chiemsee where we enjoy a boat ride across the lake to visit King Ludwig’s stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace. Lunchtime will be back in the lakeside town of Prien and Chiemsee.

In the afternoon we drive into Austria, to enjoy a stop in the pretty town of Mondsee, by Lake Mondsee. Make sure you visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film ‘The Sound of Music’. We will stay the next three nights in charming Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart, sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress). (B/D) Stay: Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg

This morning an expert local guide joins us for a walking tour to show you all the major sites. As a finalé you will gather amongst the fir trees in the small stone courtyard of the St Peter’s Keller, dating back to the 1500’s and Salzburg’s oldest restaurant, for a hot drink and biscuits.

The rest of your day is entirely at leisure for you to enjoy this marvellous city with its winding cobblestoned streets, churches, Christmas decorations and shops. Take time to visit the huge castle for a fascinating view and don’t forget to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets. (B) Stay: Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg

Driving south, we stop at the ski resort of Filzmoos where we board a horse drawn carriage to enjoy a ride through this winter wonderland. Passing through the snowy woods, and surrounded by majestic mountains, we reach the remote Oberhofalm alpine hut which provides a perfect lunchtime stop. Dinner tonight is in the St Peter Stiftskeller – Austria’s oldest restaurant which dates back 1200 years! Be enchanted as we step back in time to the late 18th century. (B/D) Stay: Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg

Driving deep into the Bavarian Mountains we stop to explore the famous, historical town of Berchtesgaden and later, enjoy a fun filled ride deep into the old Salt Mines. After dressing up in a salt miner’s uniform, we ride on a small train deep underground, take wooden slides (or steps) and then float on a barge across a crystal clear underground lake, beautifully illuminated by a light show.

Later we follow the spectacular Inn Valley through the Tyrol to the town of Wattens where we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (Crystal World) - a weird and wonderful crystal experience. After crossing the Europabrücke (Europe’s second highest bridge) we enter the glorious Stubai Valley.

This is a winter playground with villages lining the valley floor whilst mountains soar up to 3,000 metres either side. Our home for the next five nights is in the Tyrolean village of Neustift. What a magnificent location to enjoy Christmas! (B/D) Stay: Sportpension Elisabeth, Neustift

This morning we drive down the valley to Innsbruck. Our first stop is to visit the massive ski jump at Bergisel. Taking a funicular train to the top you will find a café, ski jump memorabilia and a viewing platform where you can look right down the steep take off run. Amazing! Later spend time exploring Innsbruck’s Old Town. Make sure you enjoy the picture perfect Christmas markets in the old medieval square beneath the famous ‘Golden Roof’.

In the afternoon we visit Hall, the oldest town in the Tyrol and also considered perhaps the prettiest. You will discover unspoiled, narrow medieval alleys, period townhouses and even a castle. And in the centre at dusk, the picturesque Christmas Markets! Back in Neustift, dinner is in a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Sportpension Elisabeth, Neustift

Your day is free to explore and enjoy! Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there is so much to enjoy. All along the length of the valley there are numerous forested ‘winter walks’ which often double as Nordic or CrossCountry ski paths. In your village there is a small ice skating rink and the longest natural tobogganing track in the Tyrol. And on several evenings a week there is also night-time tobogganing along forested tracks lit with lanterns! (B) Stay: Sportpension Elisabeth, Neustift

Your day is free to explore and enjoy. The huge peaks all around are easily accessible by cable cars and mountain gondolas and at all ‘drop off’ points there are large restaurants, cafés and restroom facilities – usually with panoramic views. On the Stubai Glacier, the Mutterberg gondola stops at an altitude of 3,333 metres where there is a restaurant and an observation platform called the ‘Top of the Tyrol’. The views are enormous, spanning across the jagged Alps, one way to Italy and the other into Germany. Paragliding is also available for the adventurous and the skiing is of course, fabulous.

Tonight, your special Christmas Eve dinner is in a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Sportpension Elisabeth, Neustift

Spend Christmas morning relaxing in Neustift.

This afternoon, do we have a huge adventure planned for you! We visit the ski resort of Igls and the incredible Olympic bobsleigh run. Standing there as bobsleighs zoom right past you is an amazing experience! And yes, for those who want to, we have included a thrilling run for you in a 5-man Bob Raft! About the size of a bobsleigh, it is a big foam rubber, padded cell that runs on 20 cm wide runners.

Completely stable, you will start at the very top of the run and hurtle down the icy track reaching speeds of up to 90 kms an hour. You will take all 14 turns of the Olympic bobsleigh run, including the famous 270 degree, steeply embanked ‘Kreisel’ turn! Amazing fun. Please Note: the Bob Raft rules state it is only for people aged 10 years and over. Ensure your Travel Insurance covers you for this exciting activity. (B) Stay: Sportpension Elisabeth, Neustift

Driving up over the beautiful Fern Pass we enter Southern Bavaria and visit the tiny village of Hohenschwangau.

After a brisk walk uphill you enjoy a guided tour of one of the most inspiring and famous castles in the world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. The staterooms, halls and throne room are all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga.

Later we continue to the nearby picturesque town of Füssen where we will be staying tonight. Füssen is delightful! Stretches of the original Roman defensive walls are still in place, and the town’s historic character is particularly evident along the cobblestoned Reichenstrasse. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg dominates the town.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner in your hotel. Please note: Hotel Hirsch does not offer porterage. (B/D) Stay: Best Western Plus Hotel Füssen

This morning your tour comes to an end with a transfer to Munich, to arrive mid morning. We will make stops at the central railway station, Maritim Hotel and Munich airport. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 2pm today. (B)