Christmas in the Slovenian Alps Tour
11 Glorious Days
- Leisurely 2 and 4 night stays
- Stay in authentic, character style hotels
- Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
- Guaranteed 'My Time'
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
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Small group size - now capped at 28!
Tour Overview
Imagine waking up on Christmas Day with views across magnificent Lake Bled located deep in the Slovenian Alps. Explore the old city of Ljubljana, the snow fields of Kranjska Gora, shop at festive Christmas markets in cobblestoned squares, and stay in a 900 year old Italian Castle!
Highlights
- Celebrate Christmas over 4 nights on the shores of magnificent Lake Bled in Slovenia
- Savour the fabulous Christmas Markets in Munich, Innsbruck, Bolzano and Ljubljana
- Enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner with music, Christmas Day Turkey lunch, and the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes’
- Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the extraordinary Wieskirche and the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau
- Stay 2 nights in medieval Innsbruck and visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds
- Stay 2 nights in a glorious Italian Castle and visit the canals and hump backed bridges of Venice
- In Bolzano, see Otzi - the mummified mountain man
- Visit Villach, the old city of Ljubljana and beautiful Lake Bohinj on the way to the snow fields of Kranjska Gora in the Julian Alps
- Visit Mozart’s Salzburg before enjoying a farewell meal in Munich
The Christmas in the Slovenian Alps Tour is just one of many you can enjoy in Austria, Germany, Italy or Slovenia. Visit each destination page for more information for our other amazing tours!
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Munich
Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan 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.
Meals:
D
Hotel:
Maritim Hotel
Day 2: Neuschwanstein Castle, Wieskirche, Oberammergau and Innsbruck
This morning we drive into the Bavarian Alps. First stop will be in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau to visit to the famous fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle of ‘Mad’ King Ludwig. After a brisk walk uphill you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Our next stop is at the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Continuing on a short distance we arrive in the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings. Later this afternoon we drive over the scenic Zirler pass and down into the Inn Valley and the Winter Olympic city of Innsbruck where we will stay the next two nights. Dinner is included tonight and the Christmas Markets await.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Grauer Bär Hotel
Day 3: Swarovski Crystal Worlds and ‘My Time’ in Innsbruck
Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (‘Crystal Worlds’)… a weird and wonderful crystal experience. Returning to Innsbruck,your afternoon is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’ above the medieval town square with its 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. You simply must spoil yourself with a traditional tall aromatic coffee and a calories-busting apfel strudel! Maybe a rich chocolate torten cake? Mmmm!
Meals:
B
Hotel:
Grauer Bär Hotel
Day 4: Bolzano, ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’ and CastelBrando
Crossing over the Brenner Pass we stop mid morning in the charming town of Bolzano. You will have time to enjoy the delightful Town Hall square and shop along the covered arcades and arches of Via dei Portici. We have included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi – the famous Ice Man – along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the Ancient History of Italy’s South Tyrol. This afternoon we follow the Sugano Valley from Trento through the Italian Alps to the superb CastelBrando in the foothills of the Dolomites. On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see – and this will be your home for the next two evocative nights. Located above the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous Noble’s palace in the 13th century.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
CastelBrando
Day 5: Venice sightseeing and ‘My Time’
Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St. Mark's Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour. The rest of the day is yours to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Dinner this evening is back in ‘our’ Castle.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
CastelBrando
Day 6: ‘My Time’ in Villach and glorious Lake Bled
Before crossing the Slovenian border we visit the picturesque Austrian town of Villach with its main square (Hauptplatz)surrounded by fine 16th-century houses. Entering the Julian Alps we reach the natural wonder of Lake Bled where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. A dramatic place to spend Christmas! On arrival in Bled, we have included a boat trip to visit the picturesque Church of the Assumption on the island. Over the next four nights all dinners are included. Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner with music and a traditional Christmas Turkey lunch is also included.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Rikli Balance Hotel
Day 7: Ljubljana sightseeing and ‘My Time’
This morning we join our local guide and visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is literally filled to capacity with baroque churches, palaces, museums and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town overflow with cafe tables and street entertainers. This evening enjoy a special dinner with Zither Music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Rikli Balance Hotel
Day 8: Christmas Day – ‘My Time’ in Bled and ‘Sinking of the Bells’ ceremony
Spend Christmas relaxing on the shores of Lake Bled and enjoying the magnificent scenery and excellent hotel facilities. A traditional Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed by all. In the evening we gather on the lakeside to witness the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes’. Tonight enjoy a live band playing in a nearby local hotel. What a way to spend Christmas!
Meals:
B
L
D
Hotel:
Rikli Balance Hotel
Day 9: Lake Bohinj and Kranska Gora ski jump
There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! Joined by our local guide we drive through the Bohinj Valley which stretches through the Triglav National Park to visit the beautiful Lake Bohinj. We then continue our drive north to the breathtaking Zgornjesavska Valley and reach the resort town of Kranjska Gora, famous for the Ski World Cup competitions and Ski ‘flights’ on the giant ski-jump in Planica. Maybe take a chair lift to the top of the mountains for views that go on forever. Alternatively explore this vibrant ski resort packed with shops and restaurants.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Rikli Balance Hotel
Day 10: Salzburg sightseeing and ‘My Time’, farewell dinner in Munich
Driving north we cross back into Austria and reach Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we are joined by a local guide for a city walking tour. Afterwards enjoy lunch at leisure in the old town centre. Mozart’s Birthplace makes a fascinating visit. Mid afternoon we depart Salzburg and arrive into Munich for our last evening together. Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local German restaurant.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Maritim Hotel
Day 11: Munich
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 Luzern or Milan, the good news is, we have arranged complimentary Group transfers.
Meals:
B
Incredible Value Inclusions
- All excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described, including tickets to the Boxing Day Brass Band Concert
- Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class air conditioned touring coach
- 10 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation
- Upgrade to Lake View rooms at Rikli Balance Hotel in Lake Bled
- Hotel porterage (1 suitcase pp)
- Welcome drink in Munich
- 20 Meals – Buffet breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L) and 9 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
- Personal audio system whilst on tour
- Free WiFi at most hotels
- End of tour tips to Tour Manager and Driver, tips for local guides
Your Hotels
Grauer Baer Hotel, Innsbruck - 2 Nights
Superbly located just 200 metres from the historic city centre, this hotel has 196 rooms with private facilities. The hotel boasts style and tradition and features a restaurant, bar, sauna, steam-bath, solarium and a gym.
CastelBrando, Cison Di Valmarino - 2 Nights
A beautifully restored castle with sensitive modernisation has brought the original magnificence back to life. Guelph style decorative battlements, stone cellars, tapestries, swords and suits of armour set the scene for the elegant halls, dining rooms, manicured gardens and terraces overlooking the valley.
Rikli Balance Hotel, Lake Bled – 4 Nights
This 4-star hotel is in the heart of Bled, with a surrounding of majestic ancient trees and full views across the lake, the island, the castle and the towering peaks of the Julian and Karavanke Alps.
Maritim Hotel, Munich - 2 Nights
This 4 star hotel is in a superb location in the city centre just a few minutes' walk from the main pedestrian shopping mall.
Tour Reviews
This Christmas tour was amazing and spending 4 nights in Slovenia over the Christmas period was magical. Our tour guide, Luis, did an excellent job, especially considering that he was called in at the last minute due to illness of the original tour guide and the fact that he had not done that tour or even been to Slovenia before then. We appreciated him giving up his family Christmas plans to make our stay so special! The use of local guides in most places was also a great idea as it gives you more of a personal insight into that particular area.
Our driver, Ricky, did a great job and we always felt safe and comfortable in the bus. It is nice that Luis and Ricky mixed with everyone during the meals instead of sitting together away from the group like on some tours (even though I fully understand that guides and drivers also need their 'down' time).
The hotels we stayed in and the meals were of a high standard and a lovely way to start and finish the day with several very nice unexpected extras like the Welcome Drinks at Castel Brando and, in Lake Bled, the "Santa Claus" visit, Christmas stocking on our room door and champagne at breakfast on Christmas Day. Every hotel location was very good and close to the main attractions in the area.
Thank you Albatross for the lovely little gift of the Christmas decoration.....little touches like that really make a difference and will take pride of place (and bring back great memories) at our future Christmas celebrations.
It is hard to choose tour highlights (as everything was a highlight in its own way) but Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj would have to be top of the list followed closely by the castle stay in Castel Brando and the stop in the Hohenschwangau/Neuschwanstein Castle area (my third visit to this area and it never disappoints).
Thank you also Albatross for the pre-tour service from your staff. I phoned the Brisbane office a couple of times before the tour to ask questions and the staff could not have been more helpful or pleasant and were always able to assist straight away. Service like this gave me confidence that we had picked the right tour for our European Christmas experience.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Albatross Tours and we hope to be able to travel on more of your tours in the future. I feel that the big difference between Albatross and a lot of other tours is the combination of different, and not necessarily mainstream, tour experiences (like Christmas spent in Slovenia and staying in the castle), the stays of 2 nights or more and the smaller group size.
Wonderful experience Albatross.......Christmas will never be the same again!
Annette - December 2018
I would highly recommend this tour to our family and friends. We had a magical outstanding experience from beginning to end!
Thank you for such an unforgettable and magical experience!
Heather & Jason
We were impressed with the tour, accommodation was great, the meals were good and enjoyed the complimentary wine. Appreciated all the inclusions.
Sallyann
A great tour full of a variety of sights and things to do. Congratulations Albatross! This has been our fourth holiday with you and it keeps getting better.
Maree, travelled December 2014
Sibila was by far the best tour guide we have ever had and Rick the best driver. We absolutely loved this trip.
Frank & Judith
I loved our tour leader Sibila, she was full of interesting information, extensive knowledge of EVERYTHING and was consistently delightful! I really enjoyed my time in Italy and Slovenia. The snowy visit to Neuschwanstein Castle was also amazing. Overall a great tour.
Anna
A wonderful tour which catered for all 'White Christmas' expectations. Sibila was an excellent tour manager - exceeding her role. She is very kind and patient, and her local knowledge was very good. The way in which she shared it was interesting and informative. The sinking of the bells was the highlight for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Rick was an excellent driver and was very friendly.
Cherie