Austrian Christmas Holiday
8 Magical Days
- Leisurely 7 nights in the Austrian Tyrol
- Stay in an authentic, character style hotel
- Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
- Guaranteed 'My Time'
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
- Personal group sizes up to 40
Tour Overview
Imagine a festive Christmas staying in a charming chalet style hotel in the enchanting Austrian Alps. Visit the fabulous Salzburg Christmas Markets, the Silent Night Chapel and the ornate Linderhof Palace. Indulge in a horse drawn carriage ride in the Austrian countryside.
Highlights
- Celebrate Christmas over 7 nights in a first class chalet style hotel in the enchanting Austrian Tyrol
- Enjoy daily included excursions to the Christmas Markets and wonderful towns and villages of the Tyrol and the Bavarian Alps
- Visit ‘The Sound of Music’ Salzburg and enjoy a hot drink and biscuits in Austria’s oldest restaurant
- Visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds and the famous ‘Silent Night’ Chapel
- Experience Christmas shopping in medieval Innsbruck, visit the chic ski resort of Mayrhofen
- Cross into the Bavarian Alps and visit Linderhof Palace, the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau and the lovely Kloster Ettal Monastery
- Relax on a horse drawn carriage ride in the Austrian countryside
- All breakfasts, dinners, traditional Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch are included
The Austrian Christmas Holiday Tour is just one of many you can enjoy in Austria or Germany. Visit each destination page for more information for our other amazing tours!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Munich, ‘My Time’ in Kitzbuhel and Kirchberg in the Tyrol
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. Continental buffet breakfast and sumptuous dinners are served daily. Highlight will be a traditional Austrian dinner on Christmas Eve.
Meals:
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 2: Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau and Kloster Ettal
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.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 3: The Silent Night Chapel, Salzburg, ‘My Time’ and Christmas Markets
We have included a full day excursion today. Enroute to Salzburg our first stop is at the nearby village of Oberndorf where we visit the famous ‘Silent Night Chapel’ on the site where the Christmas carol was first performed. We then continue on to Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress). A walking city tour with an expert local guide will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. As a finalé you will gather 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 a hot drink 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. This evening join in a
torchlit village walk followed by mulled wine. Meals: B,D
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 4: Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Innsbruck ‘My Time’ and Christmas Markets
Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (‘Crystal Worlds’)… a weird and wonderful crystal experience. 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 apfelstrudel!
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 5: Christmas Eve in the mountains and a horse drawn carriage ride
There is nothing quite like a day in the mountains! The highlight of today will be your ride in a horse drawn carriage 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 traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 6: Christmas Day in a winter paradise
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, and dinner tonight.
Meals:
B
L
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 7: Berchtesgaden, Salt Mines and beautiful Lake Königssee
Heading deep into the Bavarian mountains we visit the old Salt Mines near Berchtesgaden. After dressing up in a salt miner’s uniform, we enjoy a fun filled ride on a small train deep underground, take wooden slides (or steps) and then float on a barge across a crystal clear underground lake, beautifully illuminated by a light show. Lunchtime will be spent amongst the cobblestoned streets of Berchtesgaden. Later we visit perhaps the most beautiful lake of all, Königssee - famous the world over for its steep cliffs and fjord-like lake.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Sonnalp
Day 8: To Munich
This morning it is time to say farewell as your tour ends with a transfer to Munich, to arrive around midday. We will make stops at the central railway station, Maritim Hotel and Munich Airport. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 3pm today. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours that begin in Luzern or Milan, the good news is, we have arranged complimentary Group transfers on 28 December.
Meals:
B
Incredible Value Inclusions
- All excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
- Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class air conditioned touring coach
- 7 nights accommodation in an authentic, specially selected, chalet style hotel
- Hotel porterage (1 suitcase pp)
- Welcome drink in Kirchberg
- 15 Meals – Buffet breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L) and 7 evening dinners (D)
- A complimentary wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners
- Tea and coffee with all included dinners
- Local guides as described in the itinerary
- Personal audio system whilst on tour
- Free WiFi on most coaches and at hotels
- End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides
- Albatross Tours Travel App
Your Hotels
Hotel Sonnalp, Kirchenberg - 7 Nights
This excellent chalet style 4 star hotel is 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?Tour Reviews
Our tour guide coped well with such a varied group of people. Her knowledge of the area is exceptional and if she has a flaw, it is that she gives too much information for one to absorb quickly. She is very caring of her passengers and that is the most important thing to me. We had an excellent driver, as well as being friendly and helpful.
Trish
The facilities, service and amenities of the SonnAlp Hotel were excellent.We thought our coach driver was very good and friendly, and had great local knowledge. Sandra was a great tour manager, knowledgeable and proactive with information. Sandra also added some thoughtful touches highlighting birthdays, organising a Kris Kringle and letting us taste some local treats. The meals in the hotel were consistently good and plentiful - the chef is obviously high quality. We really enjoyed the tour - thank you!
Barry and Kathy
Our tour manager was very professional and caring - I would recommend him highly. A very enjoyable trip and overall a great Christmas experience.
Anthony
I enjoyed staying in the one place. The hotel staff were every good and it felt like coming home at the end of each day - there was always a warm welcome! While we had no snow, it made getting around very easy. Nice crisp, clear days. Highlight for me was Salzburg - beautiful city and wonderful Christmas markets!
Christine
Dates and Prices
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No Additional 'On Tour' Costs
Over $100 value of extras per day are already included. There are no additional 'on tour' costs - even your end of tour tips are included!