Alpine Christmas Markets

9 Days Munich to Zurich
Alpine Christmas Markets
Alpine Christmas Markets
Alpine Christmas Markets

Overview

Read 10 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 9 Day Alpine Christmas Markets. There is nothing quite like Christmas among the Alps with the festive Munich Christmas Market, Salzburg’s snow-capped spires and an indulgent cup of Glühwein. Your Local Expert brings Mozart’s history to life before a visit to Salzburg's Christmas market. After tasting the festive treats, the culinary delights continue with a traditional dining experience at Swarovski Crystal Worlds. If that is not enough to summon your holiday spirit, a stroll through the medieval cobbled streets of Freiburg read more will certainly do the trick, not to mention the fairytale surroundings of Strasbourg, where the sweet scent of cinnamon is carried on the breeze at the oldest Christmas market in France.
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Trip Length
Trip Length

9 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Munich

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Zurich

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Trip Reviews
10 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.6/5
Trip Style
Trip Style

Winter

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 - 4.5 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

40

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

W550

Itinerary

Welcome to Germany.  Meet your Travel Director this afternoon for an orientation of the city that will show you some of the city's major sights, culminating in the Marienplatz, with its soaring Town Hall and Glockenspiel. Here, the Christkindlmarkt will be in full swing, an entrancing festival of light and music.

In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome dinner with wine. (D) Stay: Munich Marriott

Explore Munich with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert for a foodie walking tour in the city centre. Alternatively, visit the famous Residenz, and see its museum and Treasury.

This afternoon, consider joining an optional experience to explore the romantic royal palaces of the Bavarian Alps. (B)

Travel past Lake Chiemsee, often called the Bavarian Sea, en route to Salzburg. With your Local Expert, stroll through the baroque Old Town and visit Mozart's Birthplace on Getreidegasse. Inside, enjoy a rare musical demonstration on his original pianoforte, a moment that brings Salzburg's most famous son vividly to life.

Afterwards, explore the city's renowned Christmas markets and enjoy a warming Glühwein, a traditional mulled wine dating back to the 15th century, with your Travel Director. Explore the market with your free time where you can browse handcrafted decorations and shop for local delicacies. Continue to Swarovski Crystal World, a visionary museum and art space conceived by André Heller to celebrate the artisanship and creativity of the Swarovski legacy. (B/D) Stay: AC, Innsbruck

Enjoy a horse & carriage ride in the morning. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the Old Town and Christmas Markets, set in front of the Golden Roof, graced by beautifully preserved medieval facades. (B)

Travel through the Alberg tunnel, Austria's longest road tunnel, as you return to Germany and pause in the tiny island-town of Lindau. Walk through the maze of ancient streets down to the harbour. Across the lake, often shrouded in mist, look for the rising silhouette of snow-capped peaks. After time to explore, continue along the shores of the Bodensee to your hotel in the Black Forest. (B/D) Stay: Hotel Stadt Lörrach, Loerrach.

Visit Freiburg in the morning, a lively university city with a charming Christmas atmosphere. Walk from the medieval Münster through the heart of the historic old quarter, past colourful stalls offering a range of festive goodies from the Black Forest. (B)

Cross the Rhine to the region of Alsace, wedged between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. This area has changed nationality four times since 1870! Arrive in Strasbourg, the City at the Crossroads, where the Christmas Market is the oldest and one of the largest in France. Spend time in a cosy neighbourhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings, with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery, warm with fragrant promise. Return to Germany and venture to a local restaurant for a delightful dinner of local specialities, accompanied by wine. (B/D)

Cross the Swiss border and head for Zurich where a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® visit takes you through the streets of Zurich. Enjoy the traditional Christmas Markets in Zurich's Old Town. Toast to the culmination of your Yuletide journey during a festive dinner with wine at a local restaurant with its own microbrewery. (B/D) Stay: Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport

Say a fond farewell to Switzerland and your newfound friends at the end of an unforgettable journey. Your final hotel is located at the airport, just a short walk from the terminal, so there's no need to arrange a transfer. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
  • Salzburg: With a Local Expert, see Mozart's family home and the 500-year-old Christmas market in front of the cathedral. You'll also view the Hohensalzburg fortress and see Residenz Fountain when you spend some time in the Old Town.
  • Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
  • Innsbruck: Step into the wonder of Swarovski Crystal World, conceived by multimedia artist André Heller to mark the centenary of the Swarovski brand. Wander through the Chambers of Wonder, where international artists, designers and architects reinterpret crystal in spellbinding forms, from immersive light shows to kinetic sculptures, celebrating over 125 years of Austrian artisanship and innovation.
  • Innsbruck: Meet your coachman and enjoy a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride, surrounded by the mountains and valleys of Tyrol.
  • Lorrach: Explore the town located on the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland and see the ruins of Rotteln Castle.
  • Lindau: Your Travel Director takes you to the Harbour and Old City Hall. Walk the medieval streets of this island-town and browse the shops on Maximillium Strasse.
  • Freiburg im Breisgau: Enjoy a romantic walk through the medieval cobbled streets of Freiburg and soak in the magic of its Christmas Markets. See the medieval Münster and spend time in the historic old quarter.
  • Strasbourg: Exploring the Christmas markets is like stepping directly into a fairytale, where glittering lights and the scent of cinnamon enchant your senses. Here you visit France's oldest Christmas Markets, set in front of the Cathedral. Spend time in the atmospheric neighbourhood of La Petite France.
  • Zürich: Enjoy the traditional Christmas markets in Zürich's Old Town.
  • Experience a musical demonstration at Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg.
  • Salzburg: Visit the house where Mozart was born in 1756. Enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia, and musical instruments of the great composer, plus a fascinating collection of portraits.

Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Munich: Embark on a culinary walking tour in the heart of the city.
  • Munich: Visit the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria.

  • Zürich: Uncover the old town of Zürich during a fun and educational walking tour. Join Diana and her team who are raising awareness on social issues, such as food insecurity, and supporting the community. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

  • Munich: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine.
  • Salzburg: Taste traditional Glühwein, a spiced wine recipe dating to the 15th century, in Salzburg's Christmas market. With your Travel Director, learn how warming blends of cinnamon, clove and citrus have become a hallmark of Austria's festive season, as you explore one of Europe's oldest Advent markets.
  • Innsbruck: Savour a special dinner at Swarovski Crystal World.
  • Black Forest: Indulge in a delightful dinner of local German specialities, accompanied by wine.
  • Zürich: You'll enjoy good food, wine and a well-laden table with a touch of Grossmünster charm during your cosy dinner.
  • Dining Summary: 5 Dinners (D), 8 Breakfasts (B)

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Insight Vacations
At Insight Vacations we have been creating magical travel experiences for over 40 years, showcasing the most outstanding destinations and curated experiences in Europe and North America.

Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.

Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.

Trip Reviews (10)

Insight Vacations Reviews
Reviews 10 Reviews
Average Rating 4.6 out of 5
5 Star
70%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
1 Star
Excellent Tour   0 , QLD, Australia, Nov 2025
From the begining to the end, booking, touring Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, our tour guide, coach driver, hotels, food, Qatar airlines - it was a wonderful experience with no blips.
An excellent trip with some fantastic sites 3 , NSW, Australia, Nov 2022
The trip was excellent in terms of the locations visited. The markets were great to see but can get rather repetitive after the second or third one. One downside is that there isn't much time for exploring the other sites in the cities. To make the most of the journey I would recommend planning some additional sites to see yourself at each of the destinations.
Well run trip 3 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2019
Well run and organised tour, good pace most days, last two days were fill in and disappointing. Overall a good tour as it snowed up in the Alps on the first day and different places to see each day.
Christmas Markets and Snow 2 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2018
Great accommodation and an excellent Tour Director. We will recommend Insight Vacations to our friends. Georgie at Global Journeys was very helpful.
Festive Christmas Markets Tour 2 , VIC, Australia, Dec 2018
I would definitely book through Global Journeys again - everything was handled extremely well and all my flights were thoughtfully chosen. Juliet contacted me when one of my flights was changed about 3 months before the tour started. Michelle (Tour Director) and Zoltan (Driver) were marvellous: there was one very difficult passenger and Michelle handled read more the situation with courtesy, tact and a minimum of fuss. The market venues were wonderful and we were given plenty of time to browse the areas surrounding the markets.
Alpine Christmas markets 4 , VIC, Australia, Nov 2018
Very good tour most enjoyable. The accommodation was excellent, the food very good and the markets excellent. The tour director Sue Mason was excellent and the flourishes much appreciated.
Highlight trip - made Xmas magical   7 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2017
This was such a great trip! having never done a group tour before - we were blown away with how easy everything was. The itinerary was fantastic and was jam packed with things to do and we saw so many magical Xmas places including snow. Our tour had quite a few older people but I actually think a younger group would have loved it as well as we did so read more much. We also travelled with my parents in law which was the perfect family trip and we could never have done it on our own as the driver navigated cities and icy roads. Would definitely recommend.
Winter wonderland   5 , WA, Australia, Nov 2017
We had booked this trip primarily for the Christmas markets and it certainly didn't disappoint! From the start of the tour to the very end, it is perhaps the best tour I have been on to date. It was the first time travelling with Insight Vacations and our tour director, Sue Mason, and our driver, Paolo, were absolutely fantastic. All the little things read more she did along the way made the trip. We met so many great people on the tour which made it all the more better. We were lucky to have snow for the entire trip but nothing that stopped us doing anything. The most memorable place was Lake Titisee in the Black Forest where our room overlooked the lake in all its winter glory. All in all, a trip full of memories and great fun.
Alpine Christmas market wonderland   6 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2016
Booking through Georgie and Global Journeys is so easy and professional. Thanks! Insight offered a good Christmas market tour, accommodation was comfortable and warm! Starting in Munich I would recommend tours guaranteed to start from Hilton City Munich as it is a great location to access the city on foot. The Alps region is lovely for a European winter read more experience. The optional tour to Lindau Palace and Oberammergau was very good. We saw a light dusting of snow in Innsbruck and through the Austrian Alps. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Strasbourg and Colmar in France were lovely, and not to be missed, but a lot of driving from the location of Lake Titisee. Probably could have been a couple of days longer to allow for more time to relax and enjoy the wintry experience of the towns. Included dinners were a great experience.
Very pleased with this tour 1 , QLD, Australia, Dec 2014
We were very pleased with this tour - the coach, our guide, (there was some beautiful little extras - provided by the guide ) our coach driver, the accommodation, the included tours - our only concerns were the optional extras - 6 in total were listed but we only did 3. We had allowed the extra money, researched the tours and we were looking forward read more to them, but the tour director decided against doing them. Our welcome dinner meal was very poor in quality and so was one of our other included night meals.
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Dates & Pricing USD USD

Tuesday 24 Nov 2026 24 Nov 26 Munich
Wednesday 02 Dec 2026 02 Dec 26 Zurich
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Was: $3,595
US$3,106
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Thursday 26 Nov 2026 26 Nov 26 Munich
Friday 04 Dec 2026 04 Dec 26 Zurich
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Saturday 28 Nov 2026 28 Nov 26 Munich
Sunday 06 Dec 2026 06 Dec 26 Zurich
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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