Swiss Alpine Christmas Markets

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 - which if you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you should definitely visit! Before your Bavarian-style buffet dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.

Driving into the Bavarian Alps we enjoy a brisk walk uphill to visit ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. Our guided tour will take us through the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga.
Later we cross into the Austrian Tyrol and arrive in Hall in Tirol, the oldest town in the Tyrol, and considered perhaps the prettiest, where we stay two nights.

This morning we will visit Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (Crystal Worlds)... a weird and wonderful crystal experience.  This afternoon we visit nearby Innsbruck to explore the picture perfect Christmas Markets in the old medieval square beneath the famous ‘Golden Roof’,
Your evening is free to relax - ‘My Time’ in Hall, with its unspoiled, narrow medieval alleys and period townhouses, Relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the Advent Market, where Advent lights, a mix of stars and Christmas symbols, bathe the city in light, and choirs sing and make music and give the Advent market a festive setting.

Crossing the mountains and valleys of Austria we visit the city of Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a tiny country on the border of Switzerland. Mountains soaring all around us,  we continue to the exclusive ski resort of Klosters, where we stay the next two nights.  

A magnificent day to enjoy ‘My Time’ in the stunning scenery which surrounds you, and do as much, or as little, as you want! Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities you can enjoy, and your Tour Manager will be at hand to assist and advise you. You can easily access all the main peaks by funicular trains, cable cars and chair lifts. At all ‘drop off’ points there are restaurants, cafés and restroom facilities – usually with extraordinary panoramic views. Maybe stroll along snowy winter footpaths or alternatively enjoy your hotel’s indoor pool and spa facilities.  

We will spend the morning in historic Luzern. A local guide will join us for a short walking tour through the old town, with its Christmas Markets and covered wooden bridges. After lunchtime at leisure, we drive over the Brünig mountain pass to Meiringen. Famous for inventing its culinary namesake, we have of course, included some delicious meringue and coffee.  We are now deep in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and as a finale we drive along the shoreline of picturesque Lake Brienz to Interlaken, where we stay the next four nights.

This morning we visit Bern, Switzerland’s capital city set on a spectacular bend above the River Aare, and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. Here we have included a short, guided walking tour through the medieval cobblestoned streets with their sheltered arcaded shopping ways, the Christmas Markets and the famous ‘Bärengraben’ bear pits. Lunchtime is at leisure in Bern. Your afternoon and evening are free back in Interlaken. ‘My Time’. Nestled between two lakes, and surrounded by soaring peaks, Interlaken is an absolute joy during the run up to Christmas. The shopping is excellent.

Passing through the delightful village of Lauterbrunnen, flanked by 300 metre (1,000 ft) high, sheer cliffs, we take the cable car from Stechelberg up the rockface to the pretty village of Mürren. From here we are whisked further up to the glass floored observation deck of the Birg restaurant. Around the entire peak is the Skyline Thrill Walk – a metal walkway suspended over a sheer drop below. Thrilling indeed! Then onwards and upwards by another cable car, suspended between two peaks, to the Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant set on top of the Schilthorn summit. With astonishing 360 degree views we have included a buffet lunch. This was also the setting for the evil Blofeld’s secret mountain hideout in the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Make sure you visit Spyworld and the ‘Walk of Fame’ that pays tribute to the cast and behind-the-scenes contributors to the iconic movie. Your evening is at leisure in Interlaken.  

Following the shoreline of Lake Thun, we reach the old town of historic Thun, with its Christmas markets and excellent shopping. Later we make a photo stop in lake side Spiez before returning to Interlaken. The rest of your afternoon is free - ‘My Time’.  

A special adventure this morning as we board the Golden Pass panoramic train which will take us across the Alps, past the chic ski resorts of Gstaad and Château-d’Oex to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Sitting in the panoramic carriages, the views throughout the journey are spectacular. Lunchtime will be enjoyed in Montreux. The excellent Christmas markets that stretch along the grand lakeside promenade and foreshore are often considered the best in Switzerland. Look out for the statue of Freddie Mercury who spent his last years here. Later we follow the broad, snow laden ‘Valais’ through Switzerland’s finest mountain scenery to Täsch. Here we board a cog railway train that takes us up to the world-famous alpine resort of Zermatt. Set at an altitude of 1,620 metres (5,310 ft), the village is surrounded by dozens of huge Alpine peaks and dominating all is the mighty Matterhorn. Petrol-driven vehicles are banned from the village and as such the peace and quiet enhances the wooden chalets and small winding village streets. Stunning!

This morning we have included a ride on the Gornergrat funicular train (cog railway) up to the highest open air railway station in Europe – the Gornergrat. At 3,100 metres (10,170 ft) the view from the top across the Alps is beyond belief.  We have also included a warming hot drink on the terrace of the Kulmhotel restaurant, surrounded by one of the great vistas of the world – the mighty Matterhorn and the 28 other 4,000 metre high peaks that surround you. The rest of the day is free to relax in the crisp, alpine air. Perhaps play in the mountains, go for a walk on the 70 kilometres of  winter trails along the valley, or explore this fascinating mountain retreat, from its cafés and boutiques to the little winding streets still lined with traditional stone and slate hamlets and cottages.

Crossing over the dramatic Simplon Alpine Pass we enter Italy, and the stylish city of Milan. On arrival there will be time at leisure amongst the fashion shops of the luxurious Golden Triangle and in the square beside the giant Duomo. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local Milanese restaurant.  

Your Christmas Markets tour comes to an end after breakfast and it is time to say farewell.