Christmas in the Slovenian Alps
Number of days: 11 Days
Departs from: Munich
Avg distance travelled / day: 147km
Enjoy Christmas by Lake Bled
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: 18 December - Munich
Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich - particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls. Before your Bavarian style buffet dinner enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.
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Your Munich Hotel – Maritim
This First Class elegant hotel is in a superb location in the city centre just a few minutes from the Deutches Theatre and the main pedestrian shopping mall. The hotel boasts excellent facilities from the Piano Bar and restaurant to the sauna, solarium, massage, fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.
Day 2: 19 December - Innsbruck
Joining our touring coach we drive into the Bavarian Alps. First stop will be in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau to visit to the famous fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle of 'Mad' King Ludwig. We’ve included a horse and carriage ride to take you up the wooded road to enjoy a tour through the Wagner inspired state rooms. After your tour enjoy a light lunch at the Muller hotel before our next stop at the richly decorated Weiskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Continuing on a short distance to the Passion Play village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings. Later this afternoon we drive over the scenic Fern Pass and down into the Inn Valley and the Winter Olympic city of Innsbruck where we will stay the next two nights. Dinner is included tonight and the Christmas Markets await.
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Your Innsbruck Hotel - Grauer Baer
Superb location just 200 metres from the historic city centre. A hotel with style and tradition, a restaurant, bar, sauna, steam-bath, solarium and a gym. 91 rooms, with private facilities, TV, radio, hairdryer.
Day 3: 20 December - Innsbruck
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 lays within. Back to Innsbruck your afternoon is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’ above the medieval town square with its 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. You simply must spoil yourself with a traditional tall aromatic coffee and a calories-busting apfelstrudel! Maybe a rich chocolate torte cake? Mmmm!
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Day 4: 21 December - Castelbrando
Crossing over the Brenner Pass we stop mid morning in the charming town of Bolzano. You’ll have time to enjoy the delightful Town Hall square and shop along the covered arcades and arches of Via dei Portici. We’ve also included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi – the famous Ice Man - along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the Ancient History of Italy’s South Tyrol. This afternoon we follow the Sugano Valley from Trento through the Italian Alps to the superb CastelBrando in the foothills of the Dolomites. On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see - and this will be your home for the next two evocative nights. Located above the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous noble’s palace in the 13th Century.
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Your Castle Hotel – CastelBrando
Skillful restoration and sensitive modernization have brought the original magnificence back to life. Guelph style decorative battlements, stone cellars, tapestries, swords and suits of armour set the scene for the elegant halls, dining rooms, manicured gardens and terraces overlooking the valley. Amongst the leisure facilities there is an indoor pool, health spa and Turkish baths.
Day 5: 22 December - Castelbrando
Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St Marc’s Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour. The rest of the day is free to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Dinner this evening is back in ‘our’ castle.
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Day 6: 23 December - Glorious Lake Bled
Before crossing the Slovenian border we duck into Austria and visit the old town of Villach with its main square (Hauptplatz) surrounded by fine 16th-century houses. Entering the Julian Alps we reach the natural wonder of Lake Bled where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. A dramatic place to spend Christmas! Your afternoon is at leisure to take a walk around the lake or visit the castle. Over the next four nights all dinners are included. Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner with music and a traditional Christmas Turkey lunch is also included.
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Your Slovenian Christmas hotel - The Golf Hotel
This 4 star hotel is in the heart of Bled, with a surrounding of majestic ancient trees and full views across the lake, the island, the castle and the towering peaks of the Julian and Karavanke Alps. This hotel has been completely renovated with the addition of a modern wellness centre. We have upgraded all our rooms to have lake views.
Day 7: 24 December - Glorious Lake Bled
This morning we join our local guide and visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is literally filled to capacity with Baroque churches, palaces, museums and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town overflow with cafe tables and street entertainers. This evening enjoy a special dinner with Zither Music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return.
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Day 8: 25 December - Glorious Lake Bled
Spend Christmas relaxing on the shores of Lake Bled and enjoying the magnificent scenery and excellent hotel facilities. A traditional Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed by all. In the evening we gather on the lakeside to witness the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes’. Tonight enjoy a live band playing in a local hotel. What a way to spend Christmas!
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Day 9: 26 December - Glorious Lake Bled
There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! Joined by our local guide we drive through the Bohinj Valley which stretches through the Triglav National Park to visit the beautiful Lake Bohinj. We then continue our drive north to the breathtaking Zgornjesavska Valley and reach the resort town of Kranjska Gora, famed for it's Ski World Cup competitions and Ski 'flights' on the giant ski-jump in Planica. There are so many choices for you to enjoy yourself. Rent a toboggan? Go snow walking? Or take a chair lift to the top of the mountains for views that go on forever. Alternatively explore this vibrant ski resort packed with shops and restaurants. This evening we’ve included tickets to Bled’s annual Boxing Day Brass Band concert.
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Day 10: 27 December - Munich
Driving north we cross back into Austria and reach Salzburg - the Baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we are joined by a local guide for a city walking tour. Afterwards enjoy lunch at leisure in the old town centre. Mozart’s Birthplace makes a fascinating visit. Mid afternoon we depart Salzburg and arrive into Munich for our last evening together. Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local German restaurant.
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Your Munich Hotel - Maritim
Day 11: 28 December - Munich
Sadly your Christmas tour is now complete, and its time to bid farewell. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours, we have arranged a transfer to Luzern arriving late afternoon.
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