Christmas in the Austrian Tyrol Tour

This morning an expert local guide joins us for a walking tour to show you all the major sites. 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 your day is entirely at leisure for you to enjoy this marvellous city with its winding cobblestoned streets, churches, Christmas decorations and shops. Take time to visit the huge castle for a fascinating view and don’t forget to soak up the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.
 

Driving deep into the Bavarian Mountains we stop to explore the famous, historical town of Berchtesgaden and later, enjoy a fun filled ride deep into the old Salt Mines. After dressing up in a salt miner’s uniform, we 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. Later we follow the spectacular Inn Valley through the Tyrol to the town of Wattens where we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (Crystal World) - a weird and wonderful crystal experience. After crossing the Europabrucke (Europe’s second highest bridge) we enter the glorious Stubai Valley. This is a winter playground with villages lining the valley floor whilst mountains soar up to 3,000 metres either side. Our home for the next five nights is in the Tyrolean village of Neustift.

This morning we drive down the valley to Innsbruck where we spend the morning exploring the Old Town. Make sure you enjoy the picture perfect Christmas markets in the old medieval square beneath the famous ‘Golden Roof’. In the afternoon we visit Hall, the oldest town in the Tyrol and also considered perhaps the prettiest. You will discover unspoiled, narrow medieval alleys, period townhouses and even a castle. And in the centre at dusk, the picturesque Christmas Markets! Back in Neustift, dinner is in a local restaurant.

What a magnificent location to enjoy Christmas! Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there is so much to enjoy over these days. All along the length of the valley there are numerous forested ‘winter walks’ which often double as Nordic or Cross Country ski paths. In your village there is a small ice skating rink and the longest natural tobogganing track in the Tyrol. And on several evenings a week there is also night-time tobogganing along forested tracks lit with lanterns! Tonight, your special Christmas Eve dinner is in a local restaurant.

Your day is free to explore and enjoy. The huge peaks all around are easily accessible by cable cars and mountain gondolas and at all ‘drop off’ points there are large restaurants, cafés and restroom facilities – usually with panoramic views. On the Stubaier Glacier, the Mutterberg gondola stops at an altitude of 3,333 metres where there is a restaurant and an observation platform called the ‘Top of the Tyrol’. The views are enormous, spanning across the jagged Alps, one way to Italy and the other into Germany. Paragliding is also available for the adventurous and the skiing is of course, fabulous.
 

Boxing Day and do we have a huge adventure planned for you? First stop will be at the ski resort of Igls and the incredible Olympic bobsled run. Standing there as bobsleds zoom right past you is an amazing experience! And yes, for those that want to… we have included a run for you in a 5 man bobsled! You will be happy to know that it is a fully experienced pilot that steers you as you speed at up to 90 kms per hour, hurtling around 10 icy curves, including the famous 270 degree, steeply embanked ‘Kreisel’ turn! (Note: the bobsled rules state it is only for people aged 12 years and older, and at least 130 cm tall. Please also ensure your Travel Insurance covers this exciting activity).

To cap the day off we have also included a visit to the massive ski jump at Bergisel. Taking a funicular train to the top you will find a café, ski jump memorabilia and a viewing platform where you can look right down the steep take off run. Amazing!
 

Driving up over the beautiful Fern Pass we enter Southern Bavaria and visit the tiny village of Hohenschwangau. After a brisk walk uphill you enjoy a guided tour of one of the most inspiring and famous castles in the world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. The staterooms, halls and throne room are all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Later we continue to the nearby picturesque town of Füssen where we will be staying tonight. Füssen is delightful! Stretches of the original Roman defensive walls are still in place, and the town’s historic character is particularly evident along the cobbled Reichenstrasse. High above, the old castle of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg dominates the town.
 

En route to Munich we have included a visit to the glorious Pilgrimage Church of Wieskirche. World famous, this extravagantly painted ‘Church in the Meadows’ is quite stunning. Later, we arrive into Munich around mid-day, where your tour comes to an end. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 3pm today.