Itinerary
Welcome to Germany. From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. Transfers are available from Frankfurt airport to your Mainz hotel. Mainz has been a bustling and important town since the time of the Romans. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a walk through the Cathedral Quarter to witness the magnificent architecture of the city's Dom. At a local restaurant, enjoy an evening of good food and wine during your dinner.
Head to fortified Rothenburg ob der Tauber, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Once through the medieval walls, you are immediately transported back into the 16th century, as cobblestone streets lead you to the medieval market square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider's ‘Holy Blood' altarpiece in St. Jakob's Church or pop into the Christmas shop where you'll find the festive spirit all year round? Follow parts of the Romantic Road to fun-loving Munich.
During your orientation you will see Victory Arch and the university, concluding in the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall and colourful Glockenspiel. Join a Local Expert on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to discover lost and forgotten Advent traditions.
The rest of the day is at leisure. Why not try a foaming stein of beer at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus?
Travel alongside the beautiful Lake Chiemsee and cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, ‘alive with the Sound of Music'. Walk with your Local Expert through the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and admire the city skyline, crowned by the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. Cross the Salzach River to see Mozart's birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with charming wrought-iron signs. Visit Mozart's birthplace to learn more about his life, and enjoy a musical interlude performed on his original pianoforte.
For those arriving before Christmas, visit the festive Christmas market and meet a local stallholder for a taste of traditional Lebkuchen and a fragrant cup of Glühwein. Follow the narrow lanes of the Old Town to the domed cathedral and the splendid Residenz Fountain, before having time at leisure to enjoy as you please.
In the evening, perhaps visit an Austrian chalet for dinner, drinks and the opportunity to learn about life in the countryside.
In the morning, a scenic journey takes you through snow-capped mountains to Innsbruck. See the magnificent Golden Roof in the Old Town, then loose yourself in the festive atmosphere as you spend some time exploring Innsbruck's magical Christmas markets. The giant Christmas tree dominates the square and is adorned in lights and decorations. Browse the market stalls, selling handmade trinkets that make perfect gifts for friends and family, along with delicious local treats of home-made biscuits, jams and delicious, soul-warming Glühwein.
Next, delight in a visit to the magical world of Swarovski Crystal, followed by a dinner.
Meet your coachman and take in the delightful scenery and pure fresh air on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Next, depart for Lucerne travelling through delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe's smallest countries.
Cross the Swiss border and continue to lakeside Lucerne. Your Travel Director will show you the covered wooden Chapel Bridge and you'll learn about the poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches or delicious chocolate.
Start the day with a spectacular cable car ride with incredible views up Mount Pilatus. Back in Lucerne, you are free to admire the superb baroque Jesuit Church, stroll along lakeside promenades, or explore the old walls and watch towers of the medieval fortifications. Perhaps join a cruise along Lake Lucerne.
Stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Cross the German border and venture deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, set on the banks of the River Neckar and dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town with your Travel Director. Perhaps see the old Student Prison.
In the evening, you will toast to your penultimate day in the company of your newfound friends at dinner accompanied by wine.
Your festive exploration comes to an end as you are transferred to Frankfurt airport.
Trip Inclusions
- Mainz: Witness half-timbered houses and Baroque buildings surrounding the magnificent Dom Cathedral.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Fortified by ancient walls, picturesque and unspoiled, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fairytale town, where half-timbered houses and festive market stalls create a magical winter scene. It dazzles in December, with its 500-year-old Reiterlesmarkt lending a festive air to the cobbled streets and medieval buildings.
- 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.
- Munich: Stop to taste seasonal treats as you discover the lost and forgotten Advent traditions that play a significant role in regional cultural revitalisation.
- Salzburg: With a Local Specialist, 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.
- Vaduz: Admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital and is surrounded by year-round snow-peaked mountains.
- Lucerne: See the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
- Mount Pilatus: Enjoy a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Pilatus to witness a panorama of snow-capped peaks as you take in the pristine mountain air.
- Rhine Falls: Visit Europe's largest waterfall, where 600,000 litres of water plunge every second.
- Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during your orientation with your Travel Director.
- 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.
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- 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 a local specialty representing the destination.
- Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
- Mainz: Enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers as you savour a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.
- 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.
- Heidelberg: Toast the culmination of your travels at a rousing dinner.
- Dining Summary: 4 Dinners (D), 8 Breakfasts (B)
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Trip Reviews (5)
Its called a 9 day tour, its really only 7 days the first and last days do not read more contribute to the tour very much at all.
The tour director and driver were very good, helpful, talkative and we always felt safe. I suspect that the tour directors each have their own interest/expertise, ours was history and while we learnt a lot about historical events, we would have liked a bit more information about our surroundings at the time.
The included dinners were poor quality, the welcome meal at the Sheraton Hotel was particularly bad and we actually complained about it at the time. The 'Highlight Dinner' was very average, more like a pub meal and I wont mention the very poor (house) red wine served! This was inconsistent with the 'Business Class' touring style Insight portray.
The Sheraton & Hilton hotel experiences were very good, probably better than expected actually, whereas we stayed at a couple of other hotels that were quite disappointing, surly and unhelpful staff and small/hot/noisey rooms.
The coach was very airy and spacious and quiet, with plenty of legroom (I'm 6' 4')and the driver managed it extremely well particularly in tight spaces/parking.
The tour pace was very good, casual and generally unrushed with the optional tours generally well recieved by everybody on board.
We were disapointed by the cancellation of our chairlift ride up into the mountains in Lucerne (due to poor weather, high winds) and can accept that these things happen, however, there was no alternative offerred, not even a drive up into the mountain villages. Hence we had way too much time in Lucerne just shopping/walking around and felt that there should have been a backup plan for bad weather.
The exposure to the Christmas markets was very good, every one was different in its own way.
A general observation we made (not just on this tour, but everywhere we went in UK/Europe) was that visiting popular places at weekends is to be avoided! We could not believe the crowds, and Valerie actually felt claustrophobic battling our way through the christmas markets on Sat/Sun (she is 5' 2').
Global Journeys (Yvonne) was very supportive and helpful (and patient with all my questions!), particularly when our tour date was cancelled while we were already travelling, she managed to make the new arrangements quite painless for us.
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Trafalgar Worldwide Tours (2027-28)
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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 Trafalgar. 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.
