Austrian Christmas Break

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: 20 December - Munich to Kirchberg

Your tour commences this morning at 10am from the Maritim Hotel in Munich. After meeting your Tour Manager, who will be with you for the next eight days, we drive south into the snow clad Tyrol region and Austria’s most popular winter resort of Kitzbuhel. Still retaining the atmosphere of a Tyrolean village in its historic centre, old-style houses with projecting gables and painted exteriors compete for attention with shops selling Europe’s most exclusive brand names. For lunch maybe take the cable car up the Kitzbuheler Horn and visit one of the 23 mountain restaurants. Mid afternoon we continue to Kirchberg which will be your home over the next seven nights. Located 10 kms from Kitzbuhel, Kirchberg is an excellent ski resort in its own right. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and take the opportunity to get to meet your fellow Christmas travellers. Cold buffet breakfasts and 4 course dinners with salad buffet and choice of menu are served daily. Highlight will be a Candlelit dinner, Christmas Eve Gala celebration dinner with live music, and Christmas Day Turkey lunch. During your stay your hosts will also take you on a guided torchlight village walk.

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Your Tyrolean Hotel – The Sonnalp Hotel
An excellent, chalet style 4 star hotel located just on the edge of Kirchberg village. The atmosphere is charming with that traditional Austrian wooden décor, rooms are spacious with balconies and the dining is excellent! We have also included free access to their excellent indoor pool, steam room and sauna. Located in a dramatic setting of snow covered Alps - where else would you want to stay for Christmas? For more information see http://www.hotelsonnalp.info/index.html.

Day 2: 21 December - Kirchberg

Driving over the mountains of Southern Bavaria we pass Mittenwald and visit Linderhof Palace to take a guided tour through King Ludwig’s grand summer residence. Our next stop is the Passion Play village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings where we have time for lunch. In the afternoon we stop at Kloster Ettal Monastery with its incredible painted ceilings. Dating back over 700 years this is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. 

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Day 3: 22 December - Kirchberg

We have included a full day excursion today. En route to Salzburg our first stop is at the nearby village of Oberndorf where we visit the famous ‘Silent Night Chapel’ on the site the Christmas carol was first performed. We then continue on to Salzburg – the Baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortess).  A walking city tour with an expert local guide will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film 'Sound of Music'.  As a finale you will assemble amongst the fir trees in the small stone courtyard of the St Peter's Keller, dating back to the 1500's and Salzburg's oldest restaurant, for some hot chocolate and biscuits. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the city. The huge castle makes a fascinating visit and don't forget to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.

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Day 4: 23 December - Kirchberg

Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (‘Crystal Worlds’ - entrance included). Built into a small hill the entrance is through the mouth of a Goblin with huge crystal eyes. A weird and wonderful crystal experience lies within. Later we continue to the nearby winter resort city of Innsbruck where we spend the rest of the day exploring the Old Town with its famous ’Golden Roof’ above the medieval town square and delightful Christmas Markets. Time to do that last minute shopping, indulge in the mulled wine and ginger biscuits and take in the music, fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. Spoil yourself with a traditional tall aromatic coffee and a calorie-busting apfel strudel!  (B, D)

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Day 5: 24 December - Kirchberg

Christmas Eve – There is nothing quite like a day in the mountains! The highlight of today will be your ride in a horse-drawn sleigh through the local countryside, suitably warmed with some mulled wine while enjoying the dramatic, snow laden mountains and breathtaking scenery surrounding you. Afterwards maybe take a ‘winter walk’, hire skis or a toboggan and play in the snow.  Tonight, enjoy a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner.

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Day 6: 25 December - Kirchberg

Christmas Day as it should be….in a wonderful location – relaxing, eating, drinking and some fun in the snow! Your day is at leisure to relax and savour the delights of Kirchberg. A two course lunch has been included today, before enjoying a traditional Turkey roast dinner in your hotel.

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Day 7: 26 December - Kirchberg

Boxing Day - an exciting day! At nearby Jenbach we catch the historical Zillertalbahn steam locomotive to the chic ski resort of Mayrhofen. Relax in the old wooden carriages as the train puffs its way up through the conifers and snow covered meadows along the full length of the Ziller Valley. Arriving at midday you can relax, shop and take lunch amongst the numerous mountain view restaurants or perhaps catch the stunning cable car ride up to the lofty heights (cable car ride not included). The views are excellent.

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Day 8: 27 December - Kirchberg to Munich

Sadly your Christmas tour is now complete, and its time to bid farewell as we make the morning transfer to Munich to arrive around midday. Maybe you will be joining one of our exciting New Year programmes which start in Luzern, Switzerland.

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