German & Austrian Christmas Markets Tour

10 Festive Days

Leisurely 2 and 3 night stays
Small group size from just 10 to 28
Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs

Guaranteed 'My Time'
Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
Stay in authentic, character style hotels

Tour Overview

Imagine exploring Europe’s greatest and most nostalgic Christmas Markets stirring in anticipation of the festivities ahead. Enjoy visits to Neuschwanstein Castle and the extravagant Linderhof Palace, take in the views from the summit of the massive Zugspitze and savour the warm, local hospitality.

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.

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German & Austrian Christmas Markets

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Frankfurt

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 meet your fellow travellers.

Meals:

Hotel:

Maritim Hotel

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 picturepostcard 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.

Meals:

Hotel:

Tilman Riemenschneider

Day 3: Nürnberg ‘My Time’ and Christmas Markets

Today we 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. This huge market has a unique law that only traditional Christmas artifacts are allowed for sale. We return to Rothenburg mid afternoon and the rest of your day is free.

Meals:

Hotel:

Tilman Riemenschneider

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.

Meals:

Hotel:

Parkhotel Sonnenhof

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.

Meals:

Hotel:

Parkhotel Sonnenhof

Day 6: Linderhof Palace, Kloster Ettal, Oberammergau’s Passion Play theatre and ‘My Time’

This morning we visit nearby Linderhof for a guided tour of the extravagant French Rococo Palace – yet another of King Ludwig’s amazing creations. Later we stop at Kloster Ettal. This monastery in a lovely shaded valley dates back over 700 years and is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. Following a guided visit to the Passion Play Theatre, the rest of your afternoon is free in Oberammergau to wander through the streets of beautifully painted houses and chalets.

Meals:

Hotel:

Parkhotel Sonnenhof

Day 7: ‘My Time’ in Innsbruck and to Salzburg

Departing Bavaria we cross the Garmisch Pass and descend into the spectacular Inn Valley and reach the winter resort of Innsbruck before lunchtime. You have plenty of time to explore the delightful Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’. The Christmas markets are beautifully located in the old city central square. Later we continue to Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we spend two nights.

Meals:

Hotel:

NH Salzburg

Day 8: Salzburg sightseeing and ‘My Time’

This morning we enjoy a walking tour with a local guide who will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. The rest of the day is entirely free for you to enjoy this marvellous city with its winding cobblestoned streets, churches, Christmas decorations and shops – all a short walk away. Take time to visit the huge castle for a fascinating view and don’t forget to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.

Meals:

Hotel:

NH Salzburg

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.

Meals:

Hotel:

Maritim Hotel

Day 10: Munich

This morning it is time to say farewell as your tour ends.

Meals:

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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 at hotels
End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides

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Your Hotels

Maritim Hotel, Frankfurt - 1 Night

This first class hotel is in a superb location near the city centre.

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Tilman Riemenschneider – 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.

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Parkhotel Sonnenhof – 3 Nights

This superior 3-star, family run hotel is built in the wooden Alpine style and is located within an easy walking distance of both the centre of town and the mountain lifts.

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NH Salzburg Hotel, Salzburg - 2 Nights

Just a short walk from Salzburg’s Old Town and Mirabell Palace and Gardens this 4-star hotel offers spacious rooms.

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Maritim Hotel, Munich - 1 Night

This 4 star hotel is in a superb location in the city centre, a few minutes walk to the main pedestrian shopping mall.

Find out more

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

I found the tour to be very professionally arranged, the tour guide very knowledgeable and everything ran like clockwork. I will recommend Albatross Tours to my friends and certainly consider another tour in the future.

Thank you for such a memorable trip!

Beatrix, travelled December 2014

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		Availability
30 Nov 2022	9 Dec 2022	NZD $4,767		Space Available	Book Enquire
8 Dec 2022	17 Dec 2022	NZD $4,767		Space Available	Book Enquire

All 2022 and 2023 dates, prices, itineraries and hotels are tentative and may be subject to change. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.

Is this tour suitable for you?

Our tours require a moderate level of fitness due to the unique places we visit and stay. This tour is not suited to anyone who has mobility issues. Click here to learn more.

What steps are Albatross Tours taking to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of travellers on tour?

Our number one priority is your safety and to ensure that you can travel with confidence on an Albatross tour. Find out more.

What are your booking conditions?

Before booking please ensure you have read our full booking conditions.

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