Austria, Slovenia & Croatia Christmas Markets

Welcome to Vienna! The Austrian capital is an elegant European city with impeccable Baroque architecture and a rich history. Consistently named one of the most liveable cities in the world, Vienna's atmosphere and culture makes for one charming city.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 3.00pm.

We'll join our fellow travellers and our tour director for a brief orientation walk and welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

The best of Vienna is at our fingertips today as we embark on a guided walking tour. We'll make our way through this magnificent city, admiring its Baroque architecture and visit St Stephen's Cathedral. Here, we'll step inside the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral known as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and learn more about its significant history.

Our walking tour will conclude near the Schwedenplatz or “Sweden Square” where we will have free time for snacks and coffee. Make sure to try the Sachertorte, a dense chocolate sponge cake with a layer of apricot Jam – it's a proud symbol of the Austrian Capital!

We'll meet back up in the late afternoon to hop on the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad, one of the most significant and fascinating structures in the world. Offering breathtaking views of the city, the Ferris wheel is a must see for every visitor to Vienna. Next, we visit our first Christmas market of the tour. Take in the enchanting sights of the market – from the lights, the decorations, the stalls and of course, the Christmas tree!

We cross the border into Slovenia today. It may be small, but this enchanted country is packed full of charming cities, stunning architecture and unusual, and often unique experiences, making a visit here truly memorable. Charming and romantic, the country's capital Ljubljana is an idyllic city full of elegant buildings, tree-lined boulevards and welcoming locals.

Upon arriving in Slovenia, our first stop is the small town of Maribor. Here, we'll take a walking tour through the city before making our way to the oldest vine in the world. The vine has remained firmly in the ground of Maribor for more than 450 years. We'll taste some wine before continuing towards Ljubljana.

This evening we'll visit the second Christmas market in Ljubljana. Saunter through the bright decorations and the bustling stalls as we sip on mulled wine, before some free time for dinner.

Ljubljana, an increasingly popular destination for travellers to Europe, is ours to explore today. We'll begin with a morning of sightseeing that allows us to see some of the city's best attractions including the Central Market. We catch a ride on the funicular that takes us from Krek Square to the Ljubljana Castle where we'll enjoy sweeping views over the city below.

Next, it's on to Lake Bled with its serene, sapphire-toned lake, charming villages and alpine fresh air. We'll take a walk around the stunning lake, explore Bled Castle and visit the local Christmas markets before returning to Ljubljana for an evening at leisure.

Today we make our way to Croatia, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean. The blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, preserved ancient towns, a proud heritage, delicious cuisine and more await in this gem of a country. Once a hot spot for the Austro-Hungarian elite during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Croatia's Opatija is today a picture-perfect coastal town on the Adriatic.

This morning we'll make one last stop in Slovenia at the Postojna Cave system, one of the country's most magnificent sights. Thought to be nearly 12 million years old and created by the Pivka River, 19 kilometres of tunnels, caverns and passages create a labyrinth for us to explore.

Upon arrival in Opatija, we'll enjoy an early evening walking tour of the city, including our third Christmas Markets. We will also make a special stop at Choco World for a delicious chocolate tasting.

We are on the move again today as we make our way to Split. From a vibrant restaurant and bar scene to incredible Roman ruins, Croatia's second largest coastal city, Split exemplifies the perfect blend of tradition and modernisation.

First, we'll make our way to Zadar as we continue along the Croatian coast. Here, Roman ruins and medieval churches meet bustling cafes and picturesque views. We have some time to ourselves to have a bite to eat for lunch before a guided sightseeing tour. We'll arrive in Split in the early evening with time to ourselves to get acquainted with the city.

Witness the influence of the Roman Empire as we tour Split today. We'll visit one of the world's most impressive Roman monuments, Diocletian's Palace. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site was built by Emperor Diocletian in the year 305 as a residence, fortified town and military fortress – all of which make up Split's Old Town today. We also pass by Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and St Doimus Cathedral.

Special Experience: Travel to Stella Croatica and enjoy a delicious three-course lunch of Croatian Christmas dishes. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure once we return to Split

The cultural, scientific and economic centre of Croatia, Zagreb is situated between the slopes of the Medvednica Mountains and the northern bank of the Sava River. Zagreb is a delightful capital city with exquisite architecture, charming cobblestone streets and a bustling atmosphere.

We make our way from Split to Zagreb, stopping along the way at Plitvice Lakes National Park. With freezing temperatures that cause the 16 cascading lakes to freeze over, the national park turns into a winter wonderland in the colder months. We'll enjoy a walk of the upper lakes and take in the frozen scenery before lunch at a local restaurant.

We arrive in Zagreb in the evening where the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the surrounds.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Zagreb, and we'll do just that this morning. Our guided tour includes views of St Mark's Church, St Catherine's Church, the Parliament and Government Palace. We'll see Zagreb Cathedral, whose twin Gothic spires stand out against the city skyline.

Special Experience: Discover the craft of Croatian gingerbread making and decorate your own love heart shaped gingerbread in the centre of Zagreb. Inscribed in 2010 on the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Croatia's gingerbread craft is steeped in tradition. After learning about the age-old methods, we'll have some free time to explore more of Zagreb, including the city's charming Christmas markets.

This evening we'll meet back up with our group and enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the charming wonders of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.