Christmas in the Slovenian Alps

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

This morning we drive into the Bavarian Alps where our first stop will be in the ‘Passion Play' village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings. Our next stop is at the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings.

Continuing on, we arrive in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau nestled against a backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. What better way to spend the afternoon than a visit to the ‘fairytale' Neuschwanstein Castle! Perched high on a rocky spur, after an uphill walk you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King's apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga.

Later this afternoon we drive over the scenic Zirler pass and down into the Inn Valley and the Winter Olympic city of Innsbruck where we will stay the next two nights. Dinner is included tonight, and the Christmas Markets await. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Grauer Bär, Innsbruck

Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten' (‘Crystal Worlds')… a weird and wonderful crystal experience. Returning to Innsbruck,your afternoon is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof' above the medieval town square with its delightful Christmas Markets.

Time to do that last minute shopping, indulge in the mulled wine and ginger biscuits and take in the music, fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. You simply must spoil yourself with a traditional tall aromatic coffee and a calories-busting apfel strudel! Maybe a rich chocolate torten cake? Mmmm! (B) Stay: Hotel Grauer Bär, Innsbruck

Crossing over the Brenner Pass we stop mid morning in the charming town of Bolzano. You will have time to enjoy the delightful Town Hall square and shop along the covered arcades and arches of Via dei Portici. We have included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi – the famous Ice Man – along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the Ancient History of Italy's South Tyrol.

This afternoon we follow the Sugano Valley from Trento through the Italian Alps to the superb CastelBrando in the foothills of the Dolomites.

On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see – and this will be your home for the next two evocative nights. Located above the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous Noble's palace in the 13th century. (B/D) Stay: Hotel CastelBrando, Cison di Valmarino

Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St. Mark's Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour and to visit the pink and white marble Doges Palace. The rest of the day is yours to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Dinner this evening is back in ‘our' castle. (B/D) Stay: Hotel CastelBrando, Cison di Valmarino

Crossing into Slovenia we reach Postojna where we enjoy a mesmerizing train ride deep into to a stupendous labyrinth of massive caves. Our guided walking tour will then take us along easy, winding walkways amongst gorgeously illuminated, enormous caverns, stalagmites and stalactites. World renowned, the Postojna Caves are an astonishing experience.

In the afternoon we enter the Julian Alps and arrive at the natural wonder of Lake Bled where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow-covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. A dramatic place to spend Christmas! Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner with music and a traditional Christmas Turkey lunch is also included. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia

After a leisurely start we visit the quaint, walled town of Radovljica. After time to explore we enjoy a gingerbread baking demonstration, before settling in for lunch in a historic restaurant right in the heart of town.

Later, with our local guide, we visit Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved' in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is literally filled to capacity with baroque churches, palaces, museums and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town overflow with café tables and street entertainers. We return to Bled early evening. (B/L) Stay: Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia

There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! First activity of the day will be a relaxing horse and carriage ride along the shores of Lake Bled. Now it is time to drive deep down the Bohinj Valley which stretches through the Triglav National Park to visit the beautiful Lake Bohinj.

Following the pretty shore, we reach the far side and board a cable car which whisks us up the mountain to the ski resort of Vogel. Time to relax and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain restaurants and marinate yourself in the views down across the lake and across the snowy peaks. Before dinner make sure you wander through the lively, colourful Bled Christmas Markets. Romantically set along the lakeside, with a backdrop of Bled Castle strikingly illuminated high on the cliffs, you'll certainly be having a Christmas to remember.

This evening enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner with live music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass, will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia

This morning we will enjoy a visit to the cliff top, medieval Bled Castle dramatically perched 130 metres above the lake. Dating back 1,000 years it is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia.

Following that we board a traditional ‘Pletna' boat to cross the placid lake waters to the picturesque Church of the Assumption on the small island. A traditional Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed by all. Your afternoon is your Christmas 'My Time' relaxing on the shores of Lake Bled and enjoying the magnificent scenery and excellent hotel facilities.

In the evening we gather on the lakeside to witness the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes'.

Tonight enjoy a live band playing in a nearby local hotel. What a way to spend Christmas! (B/L/D) Stay: Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia

Driving north into the breath taking Zgornjesavska Valley we enjoy a morning stop in the vibrant ski resort town of Kranjska Gora, famous for the Ski World Cup competitions.

Later we also visit the Planica Nordic centre to see the array of 8 different sized ski jumps. 7 of them are 'normal' but one is monstrous. Considerably longer than a standard Olympic jump, here they practice Ski ‘flying. Next, we drive up a little, wooded valley to Jesna and to take in some small, incredibly picturesque lakes. After time for a walk around them, we enjoy a special lunch in one of the local restaurants. Returning to Bled the remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure. (B/L) Stay: Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia

Driving north we cross back into Austria and reach Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we are joined by a local guide for a city walking tour.

Afterwards enjoy lunch at leisure in the old town centre. Mozart's Birthplace makes a fascinating visit. Mid afternoon we depart Salzburg and arrive into Munich for our last evening together. Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local German restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany

Your Christmas tour is now complete, and it is time to say farewell . (B)