Christmas in Central Europe, Berlin to Vienna
What to expect
Overview
Europe is filled with timeless cities — but there is one time of year where some of them really twinkle, sparkle, and shine: the holidays. On this seven-day adventure, you’ll tour the historic Christmas markets of not one but five different destinations. You’ll sip some warm Glühwein as you wander through Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin, travel by train to Nuremberg, search for handmade ornaments in Munich, visit local Christmas markets just outside of Salzburg, and get into the festive cheer while you walk through the Viennese Christmas markets. So dig out your best scarves and start practicing your Yuletide carols, because no one does Christmas quite like Europe.
What's Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group, Berlin
- Welcome meeting and group dinner
- Orientation walk in Berlin
- Christmas markets visit Berlin
- Train ride to Nuremberg
- Christmas market visit Nuremberg
- Private transfer to Munich
- Free time in Munich
- Private transfer to Salzburg
- Salzburg Christmas market visits with CEO
- Free time in Salzburg
- Private transfer to Vienna with stops at smaller Christmas markets
- Free time in Vienna
- CEO led orientation walk of Vienna
- Coffee/pastry tasting Vienna
- Mug of Glühwein (mulled wine)
- 24hr transit pack in Berlin and Vienna
Your Itinerary
Arrive at any time. After settling into your hotel, attend a welcome meeting with your CEO before enjoying a local dinner as a group.
Set out on an orientation walk with your CEO to get your bearings. See famous sights like the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the historical Museum Island. Enjoy a Bratwurst/Currywurst tasting and do some shopping in Alexanderplatz.
End your day with visits to the Christmas markets in Gendarmenmarkt square. Search for handmade souvenirs to bring home, and choose to try Glühwein (mulled wine) to warm yourself up as you wander through the little stalls.
Travel by train to Nuremberg this morning to visit one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world and arguably the most famous. Make sure to try some Nuremberg Lebkuchen, a German cake or cookie that is similar to gingerbread, before wandering through this charming winter fairytale filled with wooden stalls, old-fashioned carousels, and if you’re lucky some lazy snowflakes.
In the late afternoon, travel to Munich where you can enjoy more markets with your CEO and then take advantage of free time to explore Bavaria’s capital on your own.
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Munich on your own. View the streets from above with a climb up to the tower of Old St Peter’s Church, give ice skating a try at Karlsplatz, or join a curling match on the Nymphenburg Schlosskanal, which turns into Munich’s longest curling rink in the winter.
Depart for Salzburg in the afternoon and stop at a local Christmas market. In the evening, you’ll have a chance to visit more of Salzburg’s markets with your CEO and group.
In the morning choose to walk the historic squares and quaint little side streets of Salzburg Old town. Climb Festungsberg Hill to visit Hohensalzburg Castle, or check out the birthplace of Mozart and visit the museum there.
Then, the group will depart for Vienna, stopping at some local Christmas markets en route. Once in Vienna take advantage of free time to get acquainted with the city. Opt to explore Schönbrunn Palace which is like the Versailles of Vienna, or climb to the top of St. Stephen’s cathedral in the centre of the city for unparalleled views. In the evening, opt to go for dinner as a group and continue experiencing the capital of Austria.
It’s all about Vienna today. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk around the city. Then, take a break and indulge in some coffee and cake in one of the famous Viennese coffee houses, supporting seniors at risk of old age poverty and social isolation. In the afternoon, wander around Vienna’s Christmas markets with your CEO and sip a warm mug of Glühwein for one last chance to experience the lively atmosphere of this European holiday tradition.
The rest of the day is yours. Choose to visit famous landmarks in the city like, The Vienna State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Vienna City Hall.