Christmas in the Slovenian Alps Tour

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.

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 Zirlerpass 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.
 

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!
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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 café tables and street entertainers. This evening enjoy a specialdinner with Zither Music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return.
 

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!
 

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. This evening we’ve included tickets to Bled’s annual Boxing Day Brass Band concert.
 

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.