Christmas in an Italian Castle Tour

Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich - particularly around the town hall and the decorated, wooden, Christmas market stalls. Before your Bavarian style buffet dinner enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.

A leisurely start as we cross into Austria to spend lunchtime in Mondsee on Lake Mondsee, and visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film ‘The Sound of Music’. Later we drive deep into the lakes district and visit Hallstatt. Set on a rocky terrace jutting into the quiet dark water of the lake surrounded by towering peaks, this is considered the oldest inhabited village in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful in Austria. Afterwards, passing Wolfgangsee (lake), we soon reach Fuschl - the tiny country village on Lake Fuschl. Only 30 minutes from Salzburg this is our home for the next two nights. This evening join in a torchlight village walk followed by mulled wine.
 

Driving up over the beautiful Fern Pass we enter Southern Bavaria and visit the tiny village of Hohenschwangau. After a brisk walk uphill you enjoy a guided tour of one of the most inspiring and famous castles in the world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. The staterooms, halls and throne room are all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. In the afternoon we also visit the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings and stop at Kloster Ettal Monastery with its incredible painted ceilings. Dating back over 700 years this is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. Your evening is at leisure.
 

Today we cross into Italy via the Brenner Pass and visit Bolzano, capital of Alto Adige region. Intricately carved gables, painted timber façades and an elegant arcaded main street illustrate the influence of both Tyrolean and Italian cultures. We have included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi, the famous Ice Man, along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the ancient history of Italy’s South Tyrol. At Trento we cut across the scenic Val Sugana and mid afternoon reach the foothills of the Dolomites and our superb CastelBrando.

Located above the village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous Noble’s palace in the 13th century. On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see - and this will be your home for the next four evocative nights.

Christmas Eve! Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St Marc’s Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour. The rest of the day is free to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Tonight we enjoy Christmas Eve with dinner back in ‘our’ castle.

Boxing Day! Time to have some fun in the snow as we drive north into the spectacular Dolomites to visit the chic Italian ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The rest of the day is free to shop and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the dramatic, snow laden peaks surrounding you. For lunch maybe take the cable car (not included) to one of the numerous mountain restaurants.

Leaving our castle we head for the shores of Lake Garda where we take a morning break in the incredibly picturesque town of Sirmione with its tiny harbour surrounded by cobblestoned walkways and cafés. Later we continue to the stylish city of Milan for time at leisure before enjoying a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Your Christmas tour ends this morning in Milan. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours that begin in Luzern today, the good news is, we have arranged a complimentary Group transfer.