German & Austrian Christmas Markets Tour
10 Festive Days
- Longer stays with no 1 night stops
- Stay in authentic, character style hotels
- Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
- Guaranteed 'My Time'
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
- Personal group sizes up to 40
Tour Overview
Highlights
- Savour the fabulous Christmas Markets in Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nürnberg, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich
- Stay 2 nights in the cobble stoned streets of Rothenburg barely 50 metres from perhaps the most romantic of all Christmas Markets and enjoy a Nightwatchman walking tour
- Visit the baroque town of Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road’ plus ancient Nürnberg, UNESCO World Heritage listed Bamberg and Munich
- Explore medieval Innsbruck and see the ‘Golden Roof’ surrounded by wonderful Christmas Markets
- Relax over 3 nights in the Passion Play town of Oberammergau, experience the incredible funicular and cable car rides up to the summit of the massive Zugspitze mountain and take in the views across 400 snow covered mountain peaks
- Stay 2 nights in the centre of Salzburg and enjoy a walking tour of the old town through to the Christmas Markets
- Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, extravagant Linderhof Palace, and explore the Oberammergau Passion Play theatre and picturesque Füssen
The German and Austrian Christmas Markets Tour is just one of many you can enjoy in Austria or Germany. Visit each destination page for more information for our other amazing tours!
Hear about this tour first hand from an Albatross traveller - read about Julia's experience on this tour.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Frankfurt
city centre. Dinner tonight is included in your hotel, but first enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.
Day 2: Würzburg Christmas Markets, ‘My Time’ in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber and a Night Watchman torchlit walk
We arrive into the baroque city of Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road’, mid morning. You will have plenty of free time to explore the enchanting Christmas Markets
in the Altstadt (old town). We arrive mid afternoon in nearby Rothenburg, the finest medieval city in all of Europe.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the delightful cobblestoned streets, ramparts and turrets of picture postcard Rothenburg. Make a point of walking through the famous ‘Christmas Shop’ known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets, set in the 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.
Day 3: Bamberg and Nürnberg Christmas Markets
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. Fantastic! We return to Rothenburg early evening.
Day 4: Romantic Road to Fussen, Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau
Travelling south we reach Bavaria late morning and spend lunchtime at the end of the ‘Romantic Road’– in the town of Füssen. Take time to walk through the very picturesque and
historic town. Our afternoon visit is to the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. After a brisk walk uphill you will enjoy a visit to one of the most inspiring and famous castles in the
world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. At the Castle you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent
of a Wagner operatic saga. Later we continue to the historic village of Oberammergau – famed for its ‘Passion Play’ performances which have been staged every 10 years since the 1600’s. Oberammergau is set in the picturesque Ammer Valley beneath snow capped mountains. The town itself is also famous for its beautifully painted houses and chalets.
Day 5: The mighty Zugspitze
Driving to nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen we board a funicular train which takes us across snow laden fields to the base of the mighty Zugspitze. At this point the train enters
the mountain and tunnels its way up to Zugspitzeplatt station at an altitude of 2,600 metres. Here you can be entertained by the alpine hustle and bustle and marvel at the acrobatic
stunts of the free skiers and snowboarders in Terrain Park Zugspitze. There is also a marvellous SonnAlpin Glacier Restaurant to enjoy a relaxing brunch.
Later we will catch the cable car to the summit of the Zugspitze mountain, Germany’s highest peak. At an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres the views are quite stupendous. Take in the unmatched 360° panorama with a view of more than 400 peaks in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Germany, or enjoy lunch in the Gipfelalm rustic summit lodge. We then catch the Eibsee cable car all the way down to the lakeside where our coach meets us and takes us back to our hotel.
Day 6: Linderhof Palace, Kloster Ettal, Oberammergau’s Passion Play theatre and ‘My Time’
Day 7: ‘My Time’ in Innsbruck and to Salzburg
Day 8: Salzburg sightseeing and ‘My Time’
Day 9: Munich and ‘My Time’
Travelling north we cross into Germany and arrive into Munich for our last night together. 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 Christmas shopping (and yes there are Christmas Markets all around the old Town Hall). Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local restaurant.
Day 10: Munich
Sadly your tour is now complete, and it is time to bid farewell.
Incredible Value Inclusions
- All excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
- Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class air conditioned touring coach
- 9 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation
- Hotel porterage (1 suitcase pp)
- Welcome drink in Frankfurt
- 15 Meals – Buffet breakfast daily (B) and 6 evening dinners (D)
- A complimentary wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners
- Tea and coffee with all included dinners
- Local guides as described
- Free WiFi on most coaches and at hotels
- End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides
- Albatross Tours travel App
Your Hotels
Tilman Riemenschneider, Rothenburg – 2 Nights
This splendid old half timbered hotel is superbly located inside the old medieval walls barely 50 metres from the central market square. The hotel offers restaurants traditionally decorated with original paintings and wooden carvings and rooms with individually painted alpine-inspired furniture, private facilities, cable TV and hair dryers.
Hotel Wittelsbach Oberammergau – 3 Nights
This 3 star family run hotel is located within easy walking distance of the centre of town and the mountain lifts.
The Stadtkruf Hotel, Salzburg – 2 Nights
This 4 star hotel is located in a quite area of the old town centre of Salzburg. From here it is just a few minutes’ walk to all the notable sights of town.Tour Reviews
I would like to highly commend our Tour Manager. This man, larger than life and with a personality to match, was outstanding. He catered for the needs of all on our group and was not afraid to also take people to task when they were being foolish during walkabouts. You have found a true treasure in Victor and I congratulate your company on using such a man, with his knowledge, expertise and language capabilities on this tour. Well done Albatross and well done Victor. This man will remain in my memory for many years to come.
Catherine
The whole tour was awesome. Loved the locations/hotels, the slower pace and free time we had. The group were great and most joined in the fun.
The Tour Guide was very nice but would have been good to have ear pieces to be able to hear him better when walking the streets. Think the final evening dinner would have been better at the hotel or very much closer - having to bus then walk in the rain and then into a huge restaurant where we all got seperated was not ideal. The hotel location was very handy to the railway station but the area was a bit dodgy. These negatives are really minor and hopefully constructive should not detract from a fabulous time and tour.
Michael
This tour gave me more than I expected, and the mark excellent is many instances is not enough - especially where Gina and the driver were concerned. Their care and experience were outstanding.
Hubert
All in all, an excellent tour which I enjoyed immensely. The style of the hotels were authentic European and definitely added to the atmosphere of being in Europe over Christmas. I hadn't been to any of the places we toured so the highlight for me was just being there.
I loved the markets, but loved the townships more. The places we saw via the coach, cable car, cog train and walking were just magical and the amazing weather we had just made it that much more magical.
Thank you Albatross, the research you put into creating your tours is very much appreciated because they are faultless! I have now experienced a Summer and a Christmas tour so there is plenty more for me to explore!
Prisca our tour manager was an absolute delight. Her sense of humour was almost 'Australian'. She was so much fun!
Deb
Every aspect of our tour has exceed our expectations. The attention to detail by our tour manager ensured a trouble free journey. We always felt safe and secure with our coach driver behind the wheel. We considered the funicular and cable car - Garmisch to Zugspitze to be the highlight of our tour. We have no reservation in recommending 'Albatross Tours' to family and friends. The pace of the tour is relaxed and suited to our needs.
Garry and Helen
This was an excellent tour! Having previously travelled with other companies such as Insight, I was sick of the money hungry approach and all those 'optional extra' tours that aren't optional at all. That's why I chose Albatross Tours and I was right to do so. Smaller groups and a mix of singles and couples was good too. Well done!
Kris
Our tour manager and coach driver were great. There was very little I could fault with this tour. Good length, great inclusions and an excellent taster of Germany and Austria.
Jane
What this tour has shown me are places I would like to re-visit and a taste of what else can be done. I will be recommending this tour to my friends also. Great for first time visitors. Safe and well organised. Love the inclusions.
Angela
Dates and Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Price Per Person | Guaranteed to Depart | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2018 | 10 Dec 2018 | NZD $3,919 | Closed | |||
| 8 Dec 2018 | 17 Dec 2018 | NZD $3,919 | Closed | |||
| 14 Dec 2018 | 23 Dec 2018 | NZD $3,919 | Closed | |||
| 30 Nov 2019 | 9 Dec 2019 | Space Available | ||||
| 5 Dec 2019 | 14 Dec 2019 | Space Available | ||||
| 9 Dec 2019 | 18 Dec 2019 | Space Available |
Book with Confidence
If you book and deposit on any of our tours, as long as there are just 10 or more people travelling on your designated group departure, we guarantee it will travel.
Club Albatross
Have you travelled with Albatross Tours previously? Save $200 on our European Summer and Oberammergau tours (over 8 days) or $100 on our Festive tours.
No Additional 'On Tour' Costs
Over $100 value of extras per day are already included. There are no additional 'on tour' costs - even your end of tour tips are included!