A Magical Christmas & New Year in the Alps

Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Frankfurt: a city of contrasts – from modern skyscrapers to beautifully maintained old buildings. There is so much to see and do in the city centre, including the Christmas markets on the Römerberg, which has traditionally been the centrepiece of the Advent season in Frankfurt. If you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit them!

Dinner tonight is included in your hotel, but first, enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.

We soon reach the baroque city of Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road', where we explore the Altstadt (old town) with its Christmas markets scattered amongst the historic buildings. We then continue to nearby Rothenburg, possibly the finest medieval city in all of Europe, where we stay two nights.

Your afternoon is free to enjoy the delightful cobblestoned streets, ramparts and turrets of picture perfect Rothenburg. A ‘must do' is a visit to the famous ‘Christmas Shop' known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets, set in the narrow alleys, 50 yards from your hotel, are perhaps the quaintest you will ever see.

This evening, after dinner in your hotel, we have included a special treat – a torchlight tour with the Night Watchman through the beautifully preserved ramparts and winding streets.

We have included a full day excursion. First stop is the nearby UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Bamberg, which boasts hundreds of buildings, mansions and palaces displaying the various stages of architecture dating back 1,000 years. Famous for its unique ‘smoked' beer and antique shops – Bamberg is one of Germany's best kept secrets.

In the afternoon we continue to the massive stone towers and gates of medieval Nürnberg. Once the setting for enormous Nazi rallies and the War Crimes trials, Nürnberg now boasts extensive pedestrian walkways and the most splendid Christmas Markets in Europe. This huge market has a unique law that only traditional Christmas artefacts are allowed for sale. As dusk approaches, the music and singing, Christmas lights and smell of mulled wine, roasting sausages, chestnuts and sweets fill the air. We return to Rothenburg early evening.

Travelling south we reach Munich, capital of Bavaria, late morning. Rebuilt since the war, the central walking precinct is a mass of people and activity. The shopping is excellent. Perhaps take lunch in one of the numerous cafés or a giant Beer Hall? A perfect place for some final Christmas shopping (and yes there are Christmas Markets all around the old Town Hall).

Mid afternoon we continue to the picturesque town of Fussen where we stay the next five nights. 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 cobbled Reichenstrasse. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg dominates the town. All dinners, including traditional Christmas Eve dinner, ‘Farewell to Bavaria’ dinner, and two lunches are included over the next five nights.

Please note: Hotel Hirsch does not offer porterage.

What better way to start the day than a visit to the ‘fairytale' Neuschwanstein Castle! After a brisk walk uphill you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King's apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunch is included in a local restaurant.

This afternoon we will also visit the neo-Gothic Hohenschwangau Castle. Rich in history, you will find the interior typical of the Castles of the Knights of the Middle Ages, with its ‘Hall of Heroes', paintings and suits of armour.

Your morning is at leisure in delightful Füssen. Take time to walk through the very picturesque and historic part of the town with its Christmas decorations and shops. (Shops open until lunchtime).

This afternoon we visit the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Tonight enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve dinner in a local restaurant.

Christmas as it should be - relaxing, eating, drinking and definitely no Indiana Jones repeats, washing up and unwelcome long-lost relatives! A highlight today will be a cable car ride up to Tegelberg to take in the breathtaking views down onto the majestic Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles far below. Time to take those ‘perfect' photos. Enjoy a Christmas Day lunch at your hotel and this afternoon we relax and enjoy a ride in a horse drawn carriage through the local countryside.

First stop of the day will be in the pretty ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, famous for its ornately painted houses and shops. Lunchtime is in Germany’s premiere ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Before ‘My Time’ in town, we will visit the mesmerising, enormous ski-jump and stadium, made famous in the film ‘Eddie the Eagle’.

In the afternoon we visit Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace – yet another of King Ludwig’s amazing creations.

Driving across the mountains and valleys of Western Austria we soon reach the city of Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a tiny country on the border of Switzerland. Soon afterwards we head into Switzerland and spend the afternoon in the lovely lakeside town of Luzern with its covered wooden bridges. Your farewell dinner tonight is in your hotel.

After breakfast this morning you'll bid farewell to your new friends, and then you can relax and explore Luzern at leisure. Your next adventure commences this evening with a welcome drink and dinner where you'll meet your fellow travellers and guide.

Your morning is at leisure in Luzern’s old town. Early afternoon we will board the Zentralbahn Panoramic train for an unforgettable journey deep into the Bernese Oberland, to Interlaken. Sitting beside large panoramic windows we pass crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls and cross over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass. After checking in to our hotel, we will enjoy an orientation walk through delightful Interlaken. Nestled between two lakes, and surrounded by soaring peaks, Interlaken makes a great base for our adventures over the next six nights.

Let the adventure begin! Boarding a local train we climb high into the mountains to Kleine Scheidegg. Changing on to the Jungfrau Railway we travel into a tunnel which takes us through the inside of the north face of the Eiger, and up to the Jungfraujoch – the highest rail station in Europe. At 3,454 metres (11,332 ft) the views down onto the Aletsch Glacier are magnificent. You will find several restaurants, an Ice Palace and the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven display. You can also take a lift another 100 metres higher to the dramatic Sphinx lookout point. Your evening is at leisure in lively Interlaken.

Following the lakeside of Thunersee, we reach Bern, Switzerland’s capital city set on a spectacular bend above the River Aare, and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. Here we have ‘My Time’ to explore the medieval cobblestoned streets with their sheltered arcaded shopping ways, and the famous ‘Bärengraben’ bear pits.

In the afternoon we also stop to visit the pretty town of Thun. This evening join us as we celebrate with a traditional New Year’s Eve Chinoise Fondue dinner in our hotel.

Passing through the delightful village of Lauterbrunnen, flanked by 300 metres (1,000 ft) high, sheer cliffs, we take the cable car from Stechelberg up the rockface to the pretty village of Mürren. Here we take the incredible cable car up to the glass floored observation deck of the Birg restaurant. Around the entire peak is the Skyline Thrill Walk – a metal walkway suspended over a sheer drop below. Thrilling indeed!

Then onwards and upwards by cable car to the Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant set on top of the Schilthorn summit. With astonishing 360-degree views we have included a buffet lunch. This was also the setting for the evil Blofeld’s secret mountain hideout in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Make sure you visit Spyworld and the ‘Walk of Fame’ that pays tribute to the cast and behind-the-scenes contributors to the iconic movie.

This evening Interlaken is in festival mode, especially around the ice-skating rink. Make sure you watch the impressive New Year’s Day fireworks display. What a spectacle as fireworks explode against a backdrop of snowy mountains and the explosions echo through the Alps!

A leisurely start. In the picturesque ski village of Wengen, we do snow shoes, split into smaller groups, and enjoy the experience of a guided snow shoe walk into the snow-laden fields.

Later, back in Wengen, we visit the ice-skating rink to try our hand at the fun sport of Ice Curling! Your evening is at leisure in Interlaken.

Another glorious day in the mountains. This time to the world-famous village of Grindelwald by train, and then by cable car up to the First lookout. Time for an incredible experience as we ‘harness up’ for an exhilarating zip line ‘flight’ down the mountain side. It is very easy and so much fun! Later, free time to explore the shops and cafés of this delightful ski resort, and perhaps take a ride on the Männlichen cable car.

Tonight, we celebrate with a farewell glass of schnapps and dinner at our hotel.

This morning, we will transfer you by coach to Zürich Airport and the city centre. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Zürich after 2 pm today.