Rub shoulders with the locals, snack on homemade gingerbread and warm mulled wine at the colourful markets - all the while basking in the rosy glow of a typical European Christmas. Tour Pace: Comfortable Premium Experiences & Dining: Rothenburg, ringed by walls, picturesque and unspoiled, is a fairy tale come true at any time of year, but in December it dazzles - its 500-year-old Reiterlesmarkt lending a festive air to the cobbled streets and buildings. Ride to the ‘dragons’ lair’, the summit Mount Pilatus for expansive mountain views over stunning Lake Lucerne. A Highlight Dinner of Tyrolean cuisine with wine, enjoyed in the best shoe-slapping and yodelling spirit. Toast the culmination of your tour at a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine at a typical local restaurant in Heidelberg. All Christmas markets close from 25 Dec onwards
|
Day 1
DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
|
|
Day 2
EXPLORING FRANKFURT
Welcome to Germany! From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. Your airport shuttle service from Frankfurt Airport to the tour hotel departs at 09:30 and 12:00. Later, an orientation tour shows you Frankfurt's Romerberg Square, St Paul's Church and the birthplace of German novelist, poet and playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with drinks and a light informal meal.(Welcome Reception)
|
|
Day 3
ROTHENBURGH AND THE ROMANTIC ROAD TO MUNICH
Head to fortified Rothenburg, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Once through the medieval walls you are immediately plunged back to the 16th century, as cobblestone streets lead you to the medieval Market Square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider’s ‘Holy Blood’ altarpiece in St Jakob’s Church or pop into the Christmas Shop where you’ll find the festive spirit all year round. Now follow the Romantic Road to fun loving Munich. During your stay an orientation tour shows you the Olympic Stadium, Victory Arch and university concluding in the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall and colourful Glockenspiel. For those arriving before Christmas there is time to shop in the festive Christmas market. Tonight, perhaps join the locals and enjoy a foaming stein of beer at the world famous Hofbräuhaus?(Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)
|
|
Day 5
SALZBURG, CITY OF MOZART
Drive past beautiful Lake Chiemsee and cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, ‘alive with the sound of music’. Walk with your local guide through the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and admire the city skyline, crowned by the massive Hohensalzburg fortress. Then cross the Salzach River to see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with attractive wrought iron signs. Now follow the narrow lanes of the Old Town to the domed Cathedral and the splendid Residenz Fountain in the square. Time now at leisure to enjoy as you please. Tonight, why not visit an Austrian chalet for dinner, drinks and the opportunity to learn about life in the countryside?(Buffet Breakfast)
|
|
Day 6
INNSBRUCK, THE MOUNTAIN-RINGED CAPITAL OF TYROL
A scenic drive takes you through snow capped mountains to Innsbruck. A riot of rococo cherubs and angels greet you inside the Wilten Basilica. Then see the Imperial Palace and delightful Golden Roof in the Old Town. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure among the typical Austrian cafés of the Old Quarter, with its narrow arcades and gabled shop fronts. Tonight enjoy a Highlight Dinner of traditional Tyrolean cuisine!(Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
|
|
Day 7
ILLUSTRIOUS LIECHTENSTEIN AND LUCERNE'S LIONS AND DRAGONS
Delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries. Cross the Swiss border and continue to lake-side Lucerne. Your Tour Director will show you the covered, wooden Chapel Bridge and you’ll learn about the poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches or delicious chocolate. The following morning take a spectacular cable-car ride up into the mountains. In medieval times, it was believed that dragons lived in these rugged clefts, but now the amazing sights are confined to the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks. Back in Lucerne you are at leisure to admire the superb baroque Jesuit church, stroll along lake-side promenades, or explore the old walls and watch towers of the medieval fortifications.(Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
|
|
Day 9
HEIDELBERG, ROMANCE ON THE NECKAR
First stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Now cross the German border and drive deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town or perhaps see the old ‘Student Prison’? This evening enjoy good food, wine and company at an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner.(Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
|
|
Day 10
DEPART FRANKFURT AIRPORT
After breakfast, a transfer to Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 1 arrives at 09:00 and Terminal 2 at 09:15.(Buffet Breakfast)
|
|
|
A Welcome Reception with drinks and a light meal (WR)
8 Buffet breakfasts (BB), 1 Highlight Dinner (HD), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 1 three course table d’hôte dinner, plus tea or coffee (D)
Departures on tour for Christmas & New Year’s Eve, enjoy a festive celebration dinner
Escorted by a professional Tour Director
Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
Insight Traveller Welcome pack
Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 10. (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)
|
|