Bohemia and Christmas in the Tyrol Tour

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

We arrive into the baroque city of Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road’, mid-morning. You will have plenty of free time in the Altstadt (old town) amongst the Christmas Market stalls before we continue to nearby Rothenburg, one of the finest medieval cities in all of Europe. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the delightful cobblestoned streets, ramparts and turrets of this picture perfect town. A ‘must do’ is a visit to the famous ‘Christmas Shop’ known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets set in narrow alleys 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.

Today the choice is yours!  Enjoy a day at leisure in Rothenburg or join your Tour Manager to visit medieval Nürnberg with its massive stone towers and gates, which was 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. A truly magical European Christmas atmosphere where local choirs sing and the smell of mulled wine, roasting sausages, chestnuts and sweets fill the air. Your evening is at leisure back in Rothenburg.

Crossing into the Czech Republic we arrive into Prague early afternoon. The central ‘old town’ is full of romantic, colourful shop fronts built into the historical buildings. Your hotel for the next two nights is excellently located near the old town.

This morning we have included a local guide for a tour through this fascinating city to the Hradcany – Prague Castle to visit St Vitus Cathedral. Prague Castle covers over 7 hectares and is the largest ancient castle in the world. We also visit Zlatá Ulièka (the Golden Lane) with its tiny colourful houses built right into the arches of the Castle walls and named after the goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century. The whole afternoon and evening is free to explore the laneways, churches and bridges of this beautiful city. Prague is the city of ‘Good King Wenceslas’ so naturally the best Christmas markets are in Wenceslas Square and the Old Town. Time to sip medovina – a warm honey liquor.

After a leisurely start we drive south and reach Brno – the second largest city in the Czech Republic, with its lively café scene. Lunchtime is at leisure with plenty of options to choose from around the main square. Later we continue south to the imperial city of Vienna our home for the next three nights. 

This morning we take a delightful drive winding up through the Vienna Woods to the ‘Hellental’ for a guided tour through the Heiligenkreuz Monastery. Returning to the old city we enjoy a panoramic tour that will bring to life all the sights, gardens and monuments of this city, from the State Opera House and the Hofburg Palace to the spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This afternoon we have included entrance and a guided tour through the State Apartments and ‘Hall of Mirrors’ in the magnificent Royal summer residence – Schönbrunn Palace. As a special treat, at dusk we also enjoy a visit to the picturesque Christmas markets located in the Palace forecourt. This evening is at leisure.

Today is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy this enchanting city of museums and style. Christmas shopping? Try the excellent Christmas Market outside the Town Hall where you will find mulled wine, ginger biscuits, music, fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. Dinner tonight is a special treat as we have reserved tables at the nearby Griechenbeisl Inn. A ‘mere’ 500 years old this beautifully preserved Inn has been a social gathering point of so many famous historical figures from Beethoven and Schubert to Wagner and Mark Twain (who have autographed the walls!).

Joining the Danube at Melk, we take a privately guided tour through the astonishing monastery – an enormous baroque creation with an old library of antique books and a beautifully painted cathedral ceiling. Lunchtime is yours to enjoy the charming village of Melk. Near Linz we turn north over the Danube and soon enter the Czech Republic to reach the perfectly preserved 13th century town of Cesky Krumlov. Originally built as a hamlet around the impressive castle, the wealth from the silver and gold mining, plus a population of Catholic aristocrats seeking refuge during the Reformation, made Cesky Krumlov the most important city in southern Bohemia. This city is an extraordinary time capsule and UNESCO World Heritage listed, we will stay the next two nights in the very heart of the delightful old town.  Tonight dinner is included in the hotel.

This morning we have included the services of a local guide to bring to life the history and background of this extraordinary town. Your afternoon is at leisure in Cesky Krumlov to relax and enjoy the cobbled streets, cafés, winding alleys and the Christmas Markets. Dinner tonight will be in probably the most unusual restaurant you have ever dined in – the Catacombs under the central town square. Accessed by a small spiral staircase we walk deep underground through nooks and crannies with low, vaulted ceilings and rough-hewn stone walls to enjoy a typical Czech meats and fish grill.

Crossing into Austria we reach the pretty town of Mondsee, by Lake Mondsee, before midday. Whilst enjoying free time to get lunch, make sure you visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film ‘The Sound of Music’. Later we continue to Kirchberg which will be your home for the next five nights. Located 10 kms from Kitzbuhel, Kirchberg is an excellent ski resort in its own right.

Today includes a full day excursion to Salzburg. Our first stop is at the village of Oberndorf where we visit the famous Silent Night Chapel on the site where the Christmas carol was first performed. We then continue on to Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortess).  A walking city tour with an expert local guide will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. As a finale you will gather amongst the fir trees in the small stone courtyard of the St Peter’s Keller, dating back to the 1500’s and Salzburg’s oldest restaurant, for a hot drink and biscuits. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city. The huge castle makes a fascinating visit or savour the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.

What a magnificent location to relax over Christmas! Your next two days are free to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery which surrounds you, and do as much, or as little, as you want! Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities you can enjoy. Perhaps enjoy a winter walk on the footpaths which often double as Nordic or Cross Country ski paths. Alternatively jump on a cable car and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain restaurants – usually with extraordinary panoramic views. This evening we enjoy Christmas cookies and Gluhwein before our 4 course, Christmas Eve Gala Dinner.

Christmas Day as it should be – relaxing, eating and drinking in a delightful Alpine location. Perhaps go for a winter walk or take a cable car to the top of the ski fields. A Christmas lunch will also be enjoyed and the highlight of the day will be your ride in a horse drawn carriage through the local countryside.

Boxing Day!  This morning we visit Austria’s most popular winter resort of Kitzbuhel. Still retaining the atmosphere of a Tyrolean village in its historic centre, old-style houses with projecting gables and painted exteriors compete for attention with shops selling Europe’s most exclusive brand names. Take time to explore the town or maybe take the cable car up the Kitzbuheler Horn to enjoy lunch in one of the 23 mountain restaurants. Your afternoon is at leisure in Kirchberg. 

Your Christmas tour is now complete, and it is time to bid farewell as we make a morning transfer to Munich, to arrive around midday. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 3pm today. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours that begin in Luzern or Milan, the good news is, we have arranged complimentary Group transfers on 28 December.