A Medieval Bohemian Christmas

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, including the Christmas market on the Römerberg, which has traditionally been the centrepiece of the Advent season in Frankfurt.  If you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit them!  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. We have included a stop to take in the Zeppelinfeld (Zeppelin Field) where Hitler’s held his massive pollical rallies, plus we have included entrance to the Documentation Centre which focuses on those pivotal Nazi rallies between 1933 and 1938.
Later we enjoy ‘My Time’ in Nürnberg old town which now boasts extensive pedestrian shopping walkways, and their famous, splendid Christmas Markets. A truly magical European Christmas atmosphere where local choirs sing and the smell of mulled wine, roasting sausages, chestnuts and sweets fill the air. As we drive out of Nürnberg we will pass the Palace of Justice where the famous Nurenberg War Trials were held.
We return to Rothenburg late afternoon and the rest of your day and evening 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.  

This morning your Tour Manager will take you on an orientation walk from your hotel to the spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and along the pedestrian heart of the city to the Plague Column.
The rest of your day is free 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. Maybe visit one of the excellent museums such as for the Crown Jewels or the topical Sissi exhibition. Christmas shopping? In the afternoon or evening make sure you visit the excellent Christmas Markets outside the Town Hall with its fabulously decorated trees, illuminated gardens and folklore displays.

Joining the Danube at Melk, we take a guided tour through the astonishing Melk Abbey – 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 a local restaurant.

Your morning is at leisure in Český Krumlov. The bustling Christmas Markets in the central square are less than 100 metres from your hotel and the whole city with its decorated narrow alleys and cobbed stone streets are a delight.
We spend this afternoon in nearby Ceske 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. Your visit begins with a short guided walking tour, followed by free time for you to explore on your own.
Traditions are important in the Czech Republic and Christmas Eve is the most important time of Christmas. Tonight enjoy a pre-dinner 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. It is such a pleasure to explore this historic jewel box of a medieval town without the masses of tourists. 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 your hotel.

This morning, your tour ends with a transfer to Munich, to arrive around midday. We will make stops at the central railway station, Maritim Hotel and Munich Airport.
We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 3 pm today.