Austrian White Christmas Tour

This morning we take a delightful drive winding up through the Vienna Woods to the ‘Hellental’ for a guided tour through the Heiligenkreuz Monastery. Returning to the old city for lunchtime, our panoramic city tour will bring to life all the sights, gardens and monuments of this Imperial City, from the State Opera House and the Hofburg Palace to the spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Later this afternoon we have included entrance and a guided tour through the State Apartments of the magnificent Royal summer residence – the Schönbrunn Palace. We have timed this day so that it is dusk when you complete the Palace tour – perfect for the Christmas Markets in the main courtyard. This evening is at leisure.
 

Joining the Danube at Melk, we have included entrance and a privately guided tour through the enormous Melk Monastery – an astonishing baroque creation. Later we continue to the Salzkammergut – a land of clear alpine air and blue mountain lakes which formed the stunning back drop to the famous film ‘The Sound of Music’. We stop here in the village of Mondsee, on Lake Mondsee, for a relaxing lunchtime and to visit the
film’s ‘wedding church’. In the afternoon we drive deep into the Salzburgerland Mountains to Leogang – a picturesque little village near to Zell-am-See, where we stay four nights and enjoy a truly festive Christmas. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink. All dinners, traditional Christmas Eve dinner plus Christmas Day turkey lunch are included.
 

There is nothing quite like a day in the mountains! First stop this morning is the fashionable ski resort of Kitzbuhel. Dating back hundreds of years the main streets still maintain all their old charm with beautifully painted houses, overhanging roofs and ornate gables. Perfect for that last minute Christmas shopping. Later we continue on through the steep hills and mountains to the year round lake side resort of Zell-am-See. Here you may wish to enjoy a stunning cable car ride (not included) up to the lofty heights of the Smittenhöhe which towers 6,450 feet over the township. The view from the top is considered one of the finest in the Alps. Later, back in the comfort of your hotel, the warm glow will continue through this evening as we enjoy a festive Christmas Eve dinner.

We depart our Christmas hotel and follow the spectacular Inn Valley. We will soon stop for a break in the village of Rattenberg - a medieval gem and a perfect place to take morning tea amongst the old cobbled streets. Before arriving in the winter resort of Innsbruck we visit Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (Crystal Worlds)... a weird and wonderful crystal experience. After checking into our centrally located hotel the rest of the day is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’.
 

Your Christmas tour is now complete, and it is time to say farewell. For those of you joining one of our wonderful New Year Tours that begin in Munich or Milan, the good news is, we have arranged complimentary Group transfers.