A Medieval Bohemian Christmas Tour

Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Frankfurt: a city of contrasts – from modern skyscrapers to beautifully maintained old buildings. There is so much to see and do in the city centre. Dinner tonight is included in your hotel but first, enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.
 

We arrive into the baroque city of Würzburg, starting point of the Romantic Road, mid morning. You will have plenty of free time in the Altstadt (old town) amongst the Christmas Market stalls before we continue to nearby Rothenburg… one of the finest medieval cities in all of Europe. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the delightful cobblestoned streets, ramparts and turrets of this picture perfect town. A ‘must do’ is a visit to the famous ‘Christmas Shop’ known for its stunning displays. The Christmas Markets set in narrow alleys nearby your hotel, are perhaps the quaintest you will ever see. This evening after dinner, we have included a special treat – a torchlight tour with the Night Watchman through the beautifully preserved ramparts and winding streets.
 

Today we visit medieval Nürnberg with its massive stone towers and gates, which was once the setting for enormous Nazi rallies and the War Crimes trials. Nürnberg now boasts extensive pedestrian walkways and the most splendid Christmas Markets in Europe. A truly magical European Christmas atmosphere where local choirs sing and the smell of mulled wine, roasting sausages, chestnuts and sweets fill the air. We return to Rothenburg mid afternoon and the rest of your day is free.
 

Crossing into the Czech Republic we arrive into Prague early afternoon. The central ‘old town’ is full of romantic, colourful shop fronts built into the historical buildings. Your hotel for the next two nights is excellently located near Wenceslas Square.
 

This morning we have included a local guide for a tour through this fascinating city to the Hradcany – Prague Castle to visit St Vitus Cathedral. Entrances are included. Prague Castle covers over 7 hectares and is the largest ancient castle in the world. We also visit Zlatá Ulièka (the Golden Lane) with its tiny colourful houses built right into the arches of the Castle walls and named after the goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century. The whole afternoon and evening is free to explore the laneways, churches and bridges of this beautiful city. Prague is the city of ‘Good King Wenceslas’ so naturally the best Christmas markets are in Wenceslas Square and the Old Town. Time to sip medovina – a warm honey liquor.
 

Driving south we reach the imperial city of Vienna around lunchtime. This afternoon we enjoy a panoramic drive along the Ringstrasse lined with the grand monuments and buildings of the once great Hapsburg Empire. We also take a guided tour through the State Apartments and ‘Hall of Mirrors’ in the magnificent Royal summer residence – Schönbrunn Palace. As a special treat, at dusk we enjoy a visit to the picturesque Christmas markets located in the Palace forecourt.
 

A completely free day to relax and enjoy this enchanting city of museums and style which boasts so many grand sights from the State Opera House and Hofburg Palace to the spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Christmas shopping? Try the excellent Christmas Market outside the Town Hall with its fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. Dinner tonight is a special treat as we have reserved tables at the nearby Griechenbeisl Inn. A ‘mere’ 500 years old this beautifully preserved Inn has been a social gathering point of so many famous historical figures from Beethoven and Schubert to Wagner and Mark Twain (who have autographed the walls!).
 

Joining the Danube at Melk, we take a privately guided tour through the astonishing monastery – an enormous baroque creation with an old library of antique books and a beautifully painted cathedral ceiling. Your lunchtime will be free in the charming village of Melk. Near Linz we turn north over the Danube and soon enter the Czech Republic to reach the perfectly preserved 13th century town of Cesky Krumlov. Originally built as a hamlet around the impressive castle, the wealth from the silver and gold mining, plus a population of Catholic aristocrats seeking refuge during the Reformation, made Cesky Krumlov the most important city in southern Bohemia.

This city is an extraordinary time capsule and a fantastic place to spend your Christmas. UNESCO World Heritage listed, we will stay the next three nights in the very heart of the delightful old town. On arrival we have included the services of a local guide to bring to life the history and background of this extraordinary town and castle. Dinner tonight will be in probably the most unusual restaurant you have ever dined in – the Catacombs under the central town square. Accessed by a small spiral staircase we walk deep underground through nooks and crannies with low, vaulted ceilings and rough hewn stone walls to enjoy a typical Czech meats and fish grill.
 

Your morning is at leisure in Cesky Krumlov. We spend this afternoon with a local guide in nearby Cesky Budejovice (often known as Budweis and famous for Budweiser beer) with its large, ornate town square and old town hall with murals and bronze gargoyles. Traditions are important in the Czech Republic and Christmas Eve is the most important time of Christmas. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink before a five course typical Czech Christmas Dinner. Those interested can attend midnight mass in the massive cathedral right next to the hotel.
 

Your day is free amongst the narrow cobblestoned alleys, winding streets, wooden bridges and quaint lanes. We have included a Turkey lunch and your afternoon is free to relax in the spectacular setting of your hotel, before dinner.
 

We arrive into Salzburg around lunch time, the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress). After time at leisure for lunch, you will meet your expert local guide for an afternoon walking city tour who will introduce this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. This evening we have included a farewell dinner in the Pitter Keller – Salzburg's oldest beer cellar.
 

This morning your tour ends with a transfer to Munich, to arrive around midday. 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.