Christmas in a Swiss Spa Resort - 18 December Departure
Number of days: 11 Days
Departs from: Munich
Avg distance travelled / day: 132km
The Matterhorn, Switzerland
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.
D
Your Munich Hotel – Maritim
Day 2: 19 December - Fuschl
A leisurely start as we cross into Austria to spend lunchtime in Lake Mondsee and visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film the 'Sound of Music'. Later we drive deep into the Lakes District and visit Hallstatt. Set on a rocky terrace jutting into the quiet dark water of the lake surrounded by towering peaks, this is considered the oldest inhabited village in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful in Austria. Afterwards, passing Wolfgangsee (lake), we soon reach Fuschl - the tiny country village on Lake Fuschl. Only 30 minutes from Salzburg this is our home for the next two nights. This evening join in a torchlit village walk followed by a hot drink.
B D
Your Fuschl Hotel - The Seerose Hotel
Located directly on the shore of picturesque Lake Fuschl, this charming hotel offers four-star service. All rooms have balconies, offering enchanting views across the lake or the magnificent local mountain landscape. Leisure facilities include sauna, spa and panorama indoor pool. To really appreciate this hotel go to - www.hotel-seerose.at/en/
Day 3: 20 December - Fuschl
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 onto Salzburg – the Baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortess). A walking 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. Maybe take time to visit the huge castle which is fascinating, and don't forget to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.
B D
Day 4: 21 December - Appenzell
A leisurely day as we follow the spectacular Inn Valley across the Tyrol we reach the Winter Olympic resort of Innsbruck mid morning. You will have plenty of time to explore the old town with its famous Golden Roof and Christmas Markets. After lunchtime we continue past St Anton and through The Arlberg Tunnel into the Appenzell Region of Switzerland. Surrounded by undulating fields, hills and mountains, Appenzell is old fashioned even by Swiss standards being full of well-preserved 16th-century buildings, including some delightfully painted wooden houses. We stay here two nights.
B D
Your Appenzell Hotel - the 4 star Romantik Hotel Santis
Its colourful façade stands directly on the historic Landsgemeinde square, with a wonderful view of the surrounding hills and mountains. Traditional, charming, elegant, excellent food and family run. Hospitality is alive and well at Romantik Hotel Santis.
Day 5: 22 December - Appenzell
This morning we make our way to the German border and to the banks of Lake Bodensee (Constance). Here we stop at the beautifully preserved island town of Lindau, Germany’s southern most city, complete with medieval lighthouses and cobbled stone streets. This afternoon we will go to Neu St Johann to enjoy a delightful horse drawn sleigh ride followed by dinner in your hotel.
B D
Day 6: 23 December - Leukerbad
At Chur we board the famous Glacier Express train which takes us along the ‘Valais’ through Switzerland’s finest mountain scenery to Brig. Ranked as one of the world’s top train trips you will cross some of the 291 bridges, the 2,033 metre Oberalp Pass and go through some of the 91 tunnels. We have reserved Premium Seats in the panoramic carriages. Re-boarding our coach we drive up the winding Alpine road as it climbs through ravines and frozen waterfalls to reach our Christmas destination – The Spa Town of Leukerbad. Set in a hidden valley at an altitude of 4,600 feet your Christmas Village is surrounded by towering, jagged peaks. Hot, therapeutic, natural thermal water springs out from these mountains - an astonishing 3.9 million litres per day. Two of the next three days over Christmas are completely at leisure. This evening is free.
B
Your Christmas Hotel – The Lindner Hotel and Alpentherme
A very different experience! Located on the main town square your hotel spans 3 buildings connected by private, underground walkways. There are restaurants, lounges and a Piano Bar, plus Thermal baths (indoor and hot outdoor pools), sauna and steam room. You have free access to all these facilities. Robes are provided in each room for your use. Directly connected to the hotel is the Lindner Alpentherme Wellness Centre- the largest selection of Alpine baths in Europe! (Entrance to these separate pools/baths is at a small additional cost). To fully appreciate this hotel look up www.lindner.de/en/MB
Day 7 and 8: 24 and 25 December - Leukerbad
Christmas as it should be - simply relax, take in the hotel spa and pampering treatments or ski on the slopes high above town. Take each day as you wish. Breakfasts and dinners are included both days. On Christmas Eve we have included a Gala Dinner in your hotel and on Christmas Day you also enjoy a special Christmas dinner. Time to enjoy the twice daily included aqua aerobics sessions in the hotels facilities. For those that wish to spend a few days being perfumed and pampered there are numerous specialist beauty services at your fingertips from Thalasso treatments to Fango Mud packs.
B D
Day 9: 26 December - Leukerbad
A special day today! We return to the Valais (the broad “Valley” that cuts through the high Alps) and drive up to Tasch, where we catch a cog railway train up to the world-famous alpine resort of Zermatt. Set at an altitude of 5,315 ft, the village is surrounded by a dozen huge peaks and dominating all is the mighty Matterhorn. Petrol-driven vehicles are banned from the village and as such the peace and quiet enhances the wooden chalets and small winding village streets. Stunning! Relax in the crisp clean air or perhaps take the Gornergrat funicular train to the highest open air railway station in Europe. At 10,170 feet the view from the top across the Alps is beyond belief. Returning to Leukerbad your evening is free.
B
Day 10: 27 December - Luzern
Driving to Montreux on Lake Geneva, we have included entrance and a guided tour through the beautifully preserved Chateau Chillon. Later we journey on to the lovely lake-side town of Luzern with its covered wooden bridges. Your farewell dinner tonight promises to be an unforgettable experience as we dine in a local Swiss Restaurant and enjoy traditional Swiss fare and a Folklore show.
B D
Your Luzern Hotel - Hotel Schweizerhof
This 5 star hotel located on the banks of the Lake, in the heart of Luzern's old town, is one of Switzerland's finest hotels. The stunning interior reflects the brilliance of the grand era of the 19th Century.You will be charmed by the rooms which are discreetly elegant whilst being equipped with all the modern facilities required to ensure your comfort.
Day 11: 28 December - Luzern
Sadly your Christmas tour comes to a close and it is time to say farewell. Maybe you will be joining one of our exciting New Year Tours?
B
Come share our love of Europe
