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ALPINE CHRISTMAS MARKETS November 28 - December 6, 2022

Festive Revelry: A 9-Day Guided Tour of France, Germany and Austria’s Christmas Markets

There is nothing quite like Christmas among the Alps with the festive Munich Christmas Market, Salzburg’s snowcapped spires and an indulgent cup of Glühwein in Innsbruck. Your Local Expert brings Mozart’s history to life ahead of an indulgent Salzburg market tasting, with samples of traditional, hand baked gingerbread. After tasting these festive treats, the culinary delights continue with a traditional Innsbruck dining experience, set against the backdrop of a local Tyrolean folk show. If that is not enough to summon your holiday spirit, a stroll through the medieval cobbled streets of Freiburg will certainly do the trick, not to mention the fairytale surrounds of Strasbourg, where the sweet scent of cinnamon treats is carried on the breeze at the oldest Christmas market in France.

For questions about the itinerary or payment details, please feel free to contact Jennifer Barnard from Endless Routes Travel.

Reserve Today!

2 nights Munich | 2 nights Innsbruck | 3 nights Black Forest | 1 night Zurich

Package Details

Embrace the magic of Christmas time in Europe. Select departures will allow you to have time to explore local markets. Learn about the landmarks, history and culture that makes your destination special.

DAY 1: Arrive in Munich - Nov 28

Welcome to Germany. Transfers leave Munich airport for your hotel at 10:00 and 13:00. Meet your Travel Director at 15:00 for an orientation of the city that will show you all the city’s major sights, culminating in the Marienplatz, with its soaring Town Hall and Glockenspiel. Here, the Christkindlmarkt will be in full swing, an entrancing festival of light and music. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner with wine. The next day is at leisure.

Hotel: Munich Marriott Hotel

Perfectly located for your 2 night stay, away from the hustle and bustle and with direct access to the city centre, the Munich Marriott Hotel features modern designed rooms with comfortable furnishings.

Hotel Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Concierge
  • Room Service
  • Gym
  • Pool
  • Wi-Fi

DAY 2: Free Time in the Bavarian Capital

Have a breakfast at your hotel before enjoying the vibrant festive markets that abound in this city. Munich embraces the holiday season with a particular zeal, so the day is all yours to spend. On crisp winter days, organ music and carols ring out from the ancient churches. If snow has fallen, the vast English Garden provides lovely winter vistas. Another option is to experience the romantic royal palaces of the Bavarian Alps.

Overnight in Munich

Day 3: Lake Chiemsee, Salzburg and Innsbruck

Travel alongside the tranquil waters of Lake Chiemsee on your way to Salzburg in Austria, where the spires and domes of the Old Town are often draped in snow come December. A walk with your Local Expert will show you Mozart’s family home and the rosy hues of the 500-year-old Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. Your Travel Director will introduce you to one of the market stallholders for a taste of traditional Bavarian Lebkuchen and a fragrant cup of Glühwein. Head through the mountains to your Innsbruck hotel. This evening, enjoy a traditional meal accompanied by local Tyrolean entertainment.

Overnight in Innsbruck

Hotel: AC Hotel Innsbruck

The AC Hotel Innsbruck is centrally located and just a few minutes walk from the Old Town. It was originally built in 1972 for the Winter Olympic games and has since been completely refurbished and upgraded to offer comfortable, sleek-designed rooms, each with views of the surrounding Alps.

Hotel Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Gym
  • Business Centre
  • Wi-Fi

Day 4: Innsbruck at Leisure

Enjoy a relaxed start and spend the morning at leisure. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of the Old Town and Christmas Markets, set in front of the Golden Roof, graced by beautifully preserved medieval facades. Explore Innsbruck with an excursion of your choice: Choose between a horse & carriage ride or visit the magical world of Swarovski Crystal.

Overnight in Innsbruck

Day 5: The Black Forest via Lindau

Travel through the Alberg tunnel, Austria’s longest road tunnel, as you return to Germany and pause in the tiny island-town of Lindau. Walk through the maze of ancient streets down to the harbor. Across the lake, often shrouded in mist, look for the rising silhouette of snow-capped peaks. After time to explore, continue along the shores of the Bodensee to your hotel in the Black Forest for three fabulous nights.

Hotel: Steigenberger Hotel Stadt Lörrach

The Steigenberger Hotel Stadt Lörrach is perfectly set at the heart of Lörrach, within Germany's Black Forest region. Furnishings throughout the hotel are contemporary and welcoming, ensuring your stay is relaxed and comfortable. Your spacious room is the perfect retreat after a day of sightseeing and complimentary WiFi means you'll be connected to friends and family back home during your stay.

Day 6: Freiburg Sightseeing

Visit Freiburg in the morning, a lively university city with a charming Christmas atmosphere. Walk from the medieval Münster through the heart of the historic old quarter, past colorful stalls offering a range of festive goodies from the Black Forest.

Overnight in the Black Forest

Day 7: Strasbourg and Alsace Experience

Cross the Rhine to the region of Alsace, wedged between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. This area has changed nationality four times since 1870! Arrive in Strasbourg, the City at the Crossroads, where the Christmas Market is the oldest and one of the largest in France. Spend time in a cozy neighborhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings, with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery, warm with fragrant promise. Return to Germany and venture to a local restaurant for a delightful dinner of local specialties, accompanied by wine.

Overnight in the Black Forest

Day 8: The Swiss City of Zürich

Cross the Swiss border and head for Zürich where sightseeing includes the imposing Grossmünster, elegant Fraumünster, and winding alleys of the Old Town alongside the River Limmat. A highlight is Europe’s biggest indoor Christmas extravaganza held in the main railway station, with over 160 wooden chalets and a three-storey Christmas tree, draped with Swarovski crystals. Toast to the culmination of your Yuletide journey during a festive Celebration Dinner with wine at a local restaurant with its own microbrewery.

Hotel: Mövenpick Hotel Zürich-Airport

Mövenpick Hotel Zürich-Airport showcases colourful, modern interiors and comfortable rooms with a trendy design. Zürich Airport is just a 5 minute drive and the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle that departs every 15 minutes.

Hotel Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Business Centre
  • Room Service
  • Gym
  • Foreign Currency Exchange
  • 24-hour Front Desk
  • Wi-Fi

Day 9: Depart Zürich - Dec 6

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out. Complimentary transfers to the airport, by hotel shuttle, depart every 15 minutes.

Pricing Details

$2,446 per person (double occupancy)

solo travelers (with shared room) $2446 | single room supplement +$706 | Young Traveler Reduction - $210

$100 savings for active or retired military

What's Included:

  • 8 hotel nights (2 nights Munich | 2 nights Innsbruck | 3 nights Black Forest | 1 night Zurich)
  • 8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners with Wine
  • Excursions/Activities listed in itinerary
  • Transportation in a luxury motorcoach with twice the legroom.
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard luxury motorcoach
  • Travel Director who can personalize your journey with recommendations for your free time
  • 5 mornings with relaxed start times
  • Luggage handling - We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
  • All taxes and porterage charges at hotels
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency
  • Arrival transfer from Munich airport at 10am & 1pm
  • Departing transfer to Zurich airport (via hotel shuttle)
  • All tips have been included for services on tour by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.
  • Gratuities to Travel Director, Coach Drivers and local Experts. ($100pp)

What's Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Early check in and late check out
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Optional excursions purchased during the tour: Linderhof and Oberammergau, Bavarian Dinner, Nordkette Alps & Heritage, Tyrolean Evening, Colmar Excursion)
  • REQUIRED Travel Insurance - all guests are required to have travel insurance that includes trip interruption, trip delay & medical expense coverage resulting from illness related to a pandemic event, such as COVID-19, covering all applicable dates of travel. The tour operator and Endless Routes Travel will not be held liable for any costs incurred by the guest resulting from their failure to obtain adequate travel insurance. Purchasing travel insurance is a condition you must fulfill to participate on your trip. The choice of insurer is yours. The minimum coverage levels are listed here. Cancel for any reason is also offered through the tour operator. However, you can also opt for a third party insurance - get an immediate insurance quote.

Payment Schedule

  • Deposit : $200 per person
  • Final payment due: Sept 1st

Reserve your spot

Are you in? Don't miss out on some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. Complete this form to receive a detailed quote.

Reserve today!

Subject to availability! Spots are extremely limited!

Important Details

Here are some of the nitty gritty details to help answer all of your questions.

What is the process to reserving my spot?

Once you have decided you would like to join in on the fun, make sure you complete the form to reserve your spot and submit credit card info. Your card will not be charged until space and availability has been confirmed. Watch your email for follow-up and confirmation details.

Can I bring children on this trip?

Children (5 and up) are welcome to come on this trip, but it is important to know that triple rooms are the largest room type available and subject to availability for each hotel. When three people travel together and share one room, each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price.

*Suitable for two adults and one child (three adults may find rooms too small as they often have one double and one foldaway bed and limited suitcase space). Triple rooms are limited on cruises and not available on all tours.

Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. * Must be aged 5–17 at time of travel and accompanied by at least one adult sharing a twin room. This discount is limited to one per room and is noted in the price panel of tours where available.

What is the price for a solo traveler?

If you plan to travel solo, you have a choice to be matched up with another solo traveler and pay the standard double occupancy rate. Or you can also of course select to have a room to yourself for an additional cost of approximately $706. Please contact Endless Routes Travel for latest pricing and availability.

Vaccine requirements

All guests 16 and older are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel on this trip, which may include a booster shot to keep it current and valid pending destination requirements.

If you have guests traveling with children 5 - 15 years old, who are unable to be vaccinated, a verifiable negative Covid-19 test result (electronic or paper showing date and time of test) taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) is required until further notice.

Click here for more COVID-19 FAQs

What is the Cancellation Policy?

Have peace of mind knowing you have the flexibility to change the land portion of your tour to a new destination or date, free of charge until 60 days prior to departure. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, any and all of which are your responsibility*.

If you must cancel your tour, you can keep your deposit as a credit for five years. Travel credits can only be redeemed once per person and a limit of one tour credit applies per booking. Does not apply if you previously received a full refund. We reserve the right to validate past booking status.

89 - 60 days - deposit non-refundable

59 - 16 days - 30%

15 - 8 days - 50%

7- 1 days - 90%

Departure Day/No Show - 100%

What if the tour is suspended due to local travel restrictions and unable to operate?

As the world begins to reopen and in accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, we are reviewing departures on a case-by-case basis. Should your tour be impacted and unable to operate, your booking agent will contact you directly approximately 45-60 days prior to your tour’s planned start date.

Cancelation due to Force Majeure Events:

If Insight cancels a tour as a result of a Force Majeure Event, a future travel credit (FTC) to the value of funds paid to date less any third-party costs incurred will be provided. All FTCs will be valid for 24 months from date of issue.

Where a tour is terminated mid-tour due to a Force Majeure event, if we provide you with any alternative services or assistance (such as hotels or travel) then you agree to pay for these costs.

Cancelation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events:

If the cancelation by Insight is not as a result of a Force Majeure Event, Insight will provide an alternative comparable tour (if available) if an alternative is not available then a refund will be made. Insight is not liable for any cancelation or change cost or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air travel, that may be affected thereby.

Insight is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside Insight and which are affected by our cancelations.

Future Travel Credits can be redeemed with Insight Vacations or any other TTC brand (Luxury Gold, Trafalgar, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises or U by Uniworld River Cruises) on any destination or tour for travel before the expiration.

How long will I spend on a motorcoach?

We seldom travel longer than a couple of hours or so without a photo stop or visit. Some journeys are much shorter. Many times you won't need the coach at all as we often build-in multiple days at leisure. One thing you can be certain is that a journey by coach is much easier and more comfortable than by any other transport means. We take you in limousine comfort door-to-door.

Will I have time to explore on my own?

Planning the perfect tour is our specialty. Not only do we include the 'must see' sights, we carefully balance our itineraries to give you plenty of free time to relax and immerse yourself in the location.

We design each itinerary with the perfect balance of planned activities and personal time to explore. We also give you the opportunity to personalize your tour with a range of Optional Excursions at competitive rates, which allow you to choose how you spend some of your time.

All our guests share a passion for travel, fun, adventure and discovery. Ages range from young to mature with an average of mid-50s, traveling either solo, as couples, families or with friends and join us from all over the English speaking world!

Is Trip Insurance offered?

Yes third party trip insurance is offered (and highly recommended) to give you comprehensive coverage to protect your trip. Trip insurance helps cover you in case of travel delays, trip interruption, medical emergencies, or if you have to cancel due to covered reasons. A covered reason does include military leave being revoked. Also, it is important to note that many U.S. based health insurance plans do not cover medical emergencies outside of the U.S. or it's territories.

For an immediate quote and to purchase insurance prior to departure, please visit this link or email Jennifer@EndlessRoutesTravel.com. Please note this is only valid for US citizens.

What does travel insurance cover?

This is an abbreviated list of the most common covered events for trip cancellation or interruption. For coverage, an event must be unforeseen at the time of purchase. For a full list of events and coverage details, please refer to the policy.

  • Sickness, accidental injury or death
  • Being hijacked, quarantined, subpoenaed, or asked to serve on jury duty
  • Home or destination is made uninhabitable
  • Traffic accident en route to departure
  • Death or hospitalization of host at destination
  • Terrorist attack
  • Revoked military leave
  • Strike
  • Inclement weather
  • Bankruptcy of travel supplier
  • Job loss or lay off
  • Natural disaster at destination
  • Mandatory evacuation
  • You or your traveling companion’s normal pregnancy
  • Extension of school year

Questions?

If you have any unanswered questions, email Jennifer@EndlessRoutesTravel.com

Independent Agent of Cruises and Tours Unlimited | Florida TI#77503 Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578 | California Seller of Travel No. 2090937-50 | Washington UBID No. 603189022 | Iowa Registered Agency #1202
Created By
Jennifer Barnard
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