Salzburg, Munich and Innsbruck Christmas Markets

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Continue to Niederau in the Austrian Tyrol for four nights.

Today we travel to Salzburg, the ‘Sound of Music’ city on our full day included excursion. To make the most of your visit why not join our optional guided walking tour with local English speaking guide?

Afterwards, there will be free time for you to explore the sights at your leisure. Perhaps take a short walk along the Salzach River or take in the panoramic view of the city from the Hohensalzburg Fortress (at own cost). The funicular is a fast and convenient way to get up to the fortress and back down to the Old City. Be sure to saunter along the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most popular shopping mile.

During the Advent season, the largest attraction has to be the Christmas markets which are located on Cathedral and Residenz Square in the heart of the historic city centre. Here you can experience the incredible old Austrian traditions and find the most wonderful Christmas presents for your loved ones at home.

Whilst in Salzburg be sure to spend time in one of the city’s traditional coffee houses set against the backdrop of stunning architecture and busy squares. Order a piece of Mozart cake and a coffee or, if you prefer, relax with a warming Glühwein – the choice is yours!

Our full day excursion takes us to Innsbruck, the ‘capital of the Tyrol’. Located on the River Inn and at the foot of the Karwendel Alps, Innsbruck is the fifth largest city in Austria. This beautiful city is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and steeped in history. Innsbruck was host to the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and again in 1976.

During your free time you can explore the array of Christmas stalls, with the traditional market taking place in the heart of the historic Old Town and overlooked by the famous Golden Roof. A cup of Glühwein will keep you warm whilst you browse the stalls, and be sure to wander down Innsbruck’s main shopping street, the Maria-Theresien-Straße. Here you will be dazzled by lights, glass and crystal whilst browsing the modern stalls selling international gifts and delicious treats.

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the centre, climb aboard the Hungerburgbahn funicular (at own cost) to reach the Hungerburg mountain station where breathtaking views of Innsbruck are guaranteed. From here you can also hop aboard the panoramic cable car and continue on up to the Seegrube, where you can have lunch at the restaurant or go to the highest viewpoint to the Hafelekar at 2,256m.

Our included excursion takes us over the border into Germany and to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and third largest city after Berlin and Hamburg. A perfect way to get the most of your visit is by joining our guide on an optional sightseeing tour of the city. Afterwards there will be free time for you to explore at your leisure.

At the heart of the city is the Marienplatz, a large open square named after the Mariensäule, a Marian column in its centre. The square is dominated by the New Town Hall or Neues Rathaus as it is locally known. Its tower contains the Rathaus-Glockenspeil which dates from 1908.

After some festive shopping, perhaps take a seat in one of Munich’s famous beer halls and try the regional speciality – wheat beer. We return to the hotel later this afternoon, and this evening you will have the chance to join an optional horse and carriage ride through the local countryside.

We leave our hotel after an early breakfast and commence our journey north through Germany and into Belgium to our overnight hotel.