German Fairytale Christmas
Number of days: 10 Days
Departs from: Frankfurt
Avg distance travelled / day: 127km
Hotel Muller
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: 19 December - Frankfurt
Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Frankfurt. There is so much to see and do in the city centre. Dinner tonight in included in your hotel but first, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel bar. This is an ideal chance to get to meet your fellow travellers.
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Your Frankfurt Hotel – The Hilton Frankfurt
This First Class hotel is in a superb location near the city centre. All rooms have private facilities, telephone, TV, mini bar, hair dryer etc.
Day 2: 20 December - Rothenburg O.D.T.
We soon reach the Baroque city of Wurzburg, starting point of the Romantic Road, to explore the Altstadt (old town) with its Christmas markets scattered amongst the historic buildings. We then continue to nearby Rothenburg, possibly the finest medieval city in all Europe, where we stay two nights. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the delightful cobbled stone streets, ramparts and turrets of picture perfect Rothenburg. Make a point of walking through the famous 'Christmas Shop' known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets, set in the narrow alleys, 50 yards from your hotel, are perhaps the quaintest you will ever see. This evening, after dinner in your hotel, we have included a special treat - a torchlight tour with the Night Watchman through the beautifully preserved ramparts and winding streets.
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Your Rothenburg Hotel - Tilman Riemenschneider
This splendid old half timbered hotel is superbly located inside the old medieval walls barely 50 paces from the central market square. The hotel offers restaurants traditionally decorated with original paintings and wooden carvings and rooms with individually painted alpine-inspired furniture, private facilities, cable TV and hair dryers. On the Web? Have a look at the hotel on http://www.tilman-riemenschneider.de
Day 3: 21 December - Rothenburg O.D.T.
We have included a full day excursion. First stop is the nearby World Heritage city of Bamberg which boasts hundreds of buildings, mansions and palaces displaying the various stages of architecture dating back 1,000 years. Famous for its unique ‘smoked’ beer and antique shops - Bamberg is one of Germany’s best kept secrets. In the afternoon we continue to the massive stone towers and gates of medieval Nurnberg. Once the setting for enormous Nazi rallies and the War Crimes trials, Nurnberg now boasts extensive pedestrian walkways and the most splendid Christmas Markets in Europe. This huge market has a unique law that only traditional Christmas artefacts are allowed for sale. As dusk approaches the music and singing, Christmas lights and smell of mulled wine and roasting sausages, chestnuts and sweets fill the air. Fantastic! We return to Rothenburg early evening.
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Day 4: 22 December - Bavarian Alps
Travelling south we reach Munich, capital of Bavaria, late morning. Rebuilt since the war, the central walking precinct is a mass of people and activity. The shopping is excellent. Perhaps take lunch in one of the numerous cafes or a giant Beer Hall? A perfect place for some final Christmas shopping (and yes there are Christmas Markets all around the old Town Hall). Mid afternoon we drive on to the mountains and our Christmas hotel where we stay the next five nights. What a setting for your Christmas stay in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau. On one hill overlooking the village you have the neo-Gothic Castle of Hohenschwangau and on the other side above the village is a wooded mountain spur and Neuschwanstein - the Fairytale Castle of ‘mad’ King Ludwig. To complete the picture there’s a beautiful lake not far from the hotel doorstep. All dinners, including traditional Christmas Eve dinner, farewell dinner, and three lunches are included over the next five nights.
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Your Bavarian Christmas Hotel - The Hotel Müller
Your First Class hotel is in the most enchanting of settings. Old-style wood panelling, octagonal restaurant and Wintergarden both with castle views, verandah with open fireplace and views of Castle Hohenschwangau, Coachman’s Room, cocktail lounge - the list goes on. Rooms have private facilities, telephone, TV. On the Web? Have a look at the hotel on http://www.hotelmueller.de/indexen.htm
Day 5: 23 December - Bavarian Alps
What better way to start the day than a horse and buggy ride up through the wooded road to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. On arrival you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Later we drive up into the mountains to have lunch in the former Royal Hunting Lodge at Bleckenau. In the afternoon we will also visit the neo-Gothic Hohenschwangau Castle. Rich in history, you will find the interior typical of the Castles of the Knights of the Middle Ages, with its 'Hall of Heroes', paintings and suits of armour.
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Day 6: 24 December - Bavarian Alps
We spend the morning at the beginning of the Romantic Road - in the town of Füssen. Take time to walk through the very picturesque and historic part of the town with its Christmas decorations and shops. (Shops open until lunchtime). Nearby Hopfen, where we take lunch, is actually part of Füssen and on the Lake Hopfensee. Perhaps take a walk along the lakeside, the views of the mountains are excellent. We return to your hotel mid afternoon and give you ample time to be ready for a special evening. The warm glow will continue - Bavarian Style - as you enjoy a glass of champagne with your hosts and a traditional festive Christmas Eve dinner with music.
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Day 7: 25 December - Bavarian Alps
Christmas as it should be - relaxing, eating, drinking and definitely no Indiana Jones repeats, washing up and unwelcome long-lost relatives! Perhaps go for a walk around the lake? Highlight of the morning will be a visit to nearby Schwangau and your ride in a horse-drawn sleigh through the local countryside. Christmas lunch will be taken in the hotel and later in the afternoon we will take a cable car ride up to Tegelberg to take in the excellent views down onto the Fairytale Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and your hotel far below. Time to take those ‘perfect’ photo shots.
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Day 8: 26 December - Bavarian Alps
A day in the mountains with Rococo! Our first stop this morning is at the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Later we drive through the Passion Play village of Oberammergau and stop at Kloster Ettal. This monastery in a lovely shaded valley dates back over 700 years and is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. In the afternoon we return via nearby Linderhof, an extravagant French Rococo Palace - yet another of King Ludwig's amazing creations. (entrances all included). And tonight, back at our hotel, we enjoy our "Farewell to Bavaria" dinner.
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Day 9: 27 December - Luzern
Driving across the mountains and valleys of Western Austria we soon reach the city of Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a tiny country on the border of Switzerland. Soon afterwards we head into Switzerland and spend the afternoon in the lovely lakeside 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. Relax and soak up the unique atmosphere as you enjoy traditional Swiss fare and a Folklore show.
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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 10: 28 December - Luzern
Sadly your Christmas tour is now complete, and it’s time to bid farewell. Maybe you will be joining one of our exciting New Year programmes.
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