German Fairytale Christmas Tour
10 Romantic Days
- Stay 5 nights in the heart of Bavaria
- Stay in authentic, character style hotels
- Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
- Guaranteed 'My Time'
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
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Small group size - now capped at 28!
Tour Overview
Imagine a festive Christmas in an ancient village nestled in the foot of the Bavarian Alps. Visit traditional Christmas Markets, take the Tegelberg Cable Car high up in the mountains, relax on a horse drawn carriage ride and explore King Ludwig’s extravagant castles.
Highlights
- Celebrate Christmas over 5 nights in the historical Bavarian town of Füssen
- Savour the fabulous Christmas Markets in Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nürnberg and Munich
- Enjoy a Christmas Eve lunch overlooking Lake Hopfensee, a traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day Turkey lunch and Swiss Folklore Show with dinner in Luzern’s Stadtkeller
- Stay 2 nights in the cobble stoned streets of Rothenburg barely 100 metres from perhaps the most romantic of all Christmas Markets and enjoy a Nightwatchman walking tour
- Visit the baroque Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road’ plus Nürnberg, UNESCO World Heritage listed Bamberg and Munich
- Explore picturesque Füssen, take the Tegelberg Cable Car high up the mountains and relax on a horse drawn carriage ride
- Enjoy visits to Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and extravagant Linderhof Palace
- Enjoy a farewell night in the lovely lakeside town of Luzern
The German Fairytale Christmas Tour is just one of many you can enjoy in Austria, Germany or Switzerland. Visit each destination page for more information for our other amazing tours!
Hear about this tour first hand from an Albatross traveller - read about John and Suzanne's experience on this tour.
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:
D
Hotel:
Maritim Hotel
Day 2: Würzburg Christmas Markets, ‘My Time’ in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber
We soon reach the baroque city of Würzburg, starting point of the ‘Romantic Road’, where we explore the Altstadt (old town) with its Christmas markets scattered amongst the historic buildings. We then continue to nearby Rothenburg, possibly the finest medieval city in all of Europe, where we stay two nights. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the delightful cobblestoned streets, ramparts and turrets of picture perfect Rothenburg. A ‘must do’ is a visit to the famous ‘Christmas Shop’ known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets, set in the narrow alleys, 50 yards from your hotel, 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:
B
D
Hotel:
Tilman Riemenschneider
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. We return to Rothenburg early evening.
Meals:
B
Hotel:
Tilman Riemenschneider
Day 4: Munich Christmas Markets and delightful Füssen
Travelling south we reach Munich, capital of Bavaria, late morning. 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 final Christmas shopping (and yes there are Christmas Markets all around the old Town Hall). Mid afternoon we continue to the picturesque town of Fussen where we stay the next five nights. Füssen is delightful! Stretches of the original Roman defensive walls are still in place, and the town’s historic character is particularly evident along the cobbled Reichenstrasse. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg dominates the town. All dinners, including traditional Christmas Eve dinner, ‘Farewell to Bavaria’ dinner, and two lunches are included over the next five nights.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Hirsch
Day 5: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle visits
What better way to start the day than a visit to the ‘fairytale’ Neuschwanstein Castle! After a brisk walk uphill you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. This afternoon we will also visit the neo-Gothic Hohenschwangau Castle. Rich in history, you will find the interior typical of the Castles of the Knights of the Middle Ages, with its ‘Hall of Heroes’, paintings and suits of armour.
Meals:
B
L
D
Hotel:
Hotel Hirsch
Day 6: ‘My Time’ in Füssen and Wieskirche
Your morning is at leisure in delightful Füssen. Take time to walk through the very picturesque and historic part of the town with its Christmas decorations and shops. (Shops open until lunchtime). This afternoon we visit the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Tonight enjoy a traditional Christmas Eve dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Hirsch
Day 7: Christmas Day – Tegelberg cable car & horse drawn carriage
Christmas as it should be - relaxing, eating, drinking and definitely no Indiana Jones repeats, washing up and unwelcome long-lost relatives! A highlight today will be a cable car ride up to Tegelberg to take in the breathtaking views down onto the majestic Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles far below. Time to take those ‘perfect’ photos. Enjoy a Christmas Day lunch at your hotel and this afternoon we relax and enjoy a ride in a horse drawn carriage through the local countryside.
Meals:
B
L
D
Hotel:
Hotel Hirsch
Day 8: Linderhof Palace, ‘My Time’ in Garmisch & Oberammergau
First stop of the day will be a visit to Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace – yet another of King Ludwig’s amazing creations. Lunchtime is in Germany’s premiere ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Before ‘My Time’ in town, we will visit the mesmerising, enormous ski-jump and stadium, made famous in the film ‘Eddie the Eagle’. In the afternoon we stop in the pretty ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, famous for its ornately painted houses and shops.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Hirsch
Day 9: Vaduz and ‘My Time’ in lakeside Luzern
Driving across the mountains and valleys of Western Austria we soon reach the city of Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a tiny country on the border of Switzerland. Soon afterwards we head into Switzerland and spend the afternoon in the lovely lakeside town of Luzern with its covered wooden bridges. Your farewell dinner tonight promises to be an unforgettable experience as we dine in a local Swiss Restaurant. Relax and soak up the unique atmosphere as you enjoy traditional Swiss fare and a Folklore show.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Schweizerhof
Day 10: Luzern
Sadly your Christmas tour is now complete, and it is time to bid farewell. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours that begin in Munich or Milan, the good news is, we have arranged complimentary Group transfers.
Meals:
B
Incredible Value Inclusions
- All excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
- Fully escorted by ourexperienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class airconditioned touring coach
- 9 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation as described
- Hotel porterage (1 suitcase pp)
- Welcome drink in Frankfurt
- 19 Meals – Buffet breakfast daily (B), 2 lunches (L) and 8 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 in the itinerary
- Personal audio system whilst on tour
- Free WiFi at hotels
- End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides
Your Hotels
Maritim Hotel, Frankfurt - 1 Night
This first class hotel is in a superb location near the city centre.
Tilman Riemenschneider, Rothenburg – 2 Nights
This splendid old half timbered hotel is superbly located inside the old medieval walls barely 50 paces from the central market square.
Hotel Hirsch, Fussen - 5 Nights
This superbly located hotel, in the town of Füssen, was built in the ‘Art Nouveau’ style and has been owned by the same family for four generations.
Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern - 1 Night
This 5 star hotel located on the banks of the Lake, in the heart of Luzern’s old town, is one of Switzerland’s finest hotels.
Tour Reviews
The tour and inclusions were excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Many thanks to our tour manager who was amazing with her extensive knowledge of all areas visited. It was a pleasure to be on her tour.
Peter
A well organised tour. Everything organised for you with flexibility. Our tour manager had good knowledge of the history generally and, in particular, the places we visited.
Warren
This tour would rate as possibly the best I have ever attended. Our tour director Ernst was in simple terms AMAZING and an absolute credit to himself and a superb representation of Albatross Tours. We, (my wife and I) enjoyed every moment of the tour. The Christmas Eve church service in Fussen was a real highlight. Well done Albatross!
Andrew
What a great way to spend Christmas and see the beauty of Germany. The pace of the tour was perfect. We had enough spare time and was sufficiently occupied for the rest of the time with interesting and eye opening activities. Our tour manager, Ernst was amazing. He was attentive and made sure the stories kept alive the experience. Driver Jean was brilliant.
Christine & Andrew
An absolutely fantastic holiday - meet all our expectations and more! Would highly recommend and look forward to doing other tours with Albatross in the future. Thank you.
Kathryn