Itinerary
17 December - Vienna
Your driver will take you directly from the airport to your apartment or hotel in the centre of Vienna.
Stroll around the historic inner city and you will be enchanted by Vienna's spectacular architecture, its cosy coffeehouses, atmospheric wine taverns and musical tradition. Visit the Christmas market in front of City Hall to sample your first cup of hot mulled wine. If you are travelling with younger children you will find special Christmas activities and workshops for children offered at this Christmas market.
18 December - Vienna
You have a 2-day pass for all local transport in and around Vienna. Explore the entire city with its Christmas markets, lights and huge Christmas trees at your leisure. Hire ice-skates and skate on the frozen Danube or on the Ice Rink (with hot punch stalls) in front of the baroque historic museum. In the afternoon visit the magnificent baroque Palace Schönbrunn. Stay on afterwards to listen to the choirs singing traditional Austrian Christmas carols in front of the huge Christmas tree at the famous Christmas market in front of the palace.
19 December - Salzburg
The futuristic Railjet train, with its carriages that are the ultimate in comfort and luxury, takes you in under 3 hours to Salzburg. Explore the small, car-free inner city. Visit Mozart’s birthplace, the majestic Cathedral, the Christmas markets and take the funicular cogwheel train up to the fortress overlooking Salzburg.
In the evening take your children to see a performance by the world famous puppeteers of Salzburg in the 'Marionettentheater' or see the 'Sound of Music' musical in the lead-up to your next day's excursion.
20 December - Salzburg
The 4-hour 'Sound of Music' tour takes you to the location where many of the scenes for the movie were filmed. The English speaking guide not only shows you the highlights of the ‘Sound of Music’ but also the historical and architectural landmarks in the city, as well as a part of the picturesque lake district. Explore the beautiful village of Mondsee and taste the best ‘crisp apple strudel’ at Mrs. Brown’s café. Alternatively you can choose to undertake the 'Austrian Lakes and Mountains' tour.
21 - 25 December - Austrian Alps/Bad Hofgastein
In just over one hour your train takes you up 1000m into the winter wonderland of Bad Hofgastein, surrounded by 3500m snow and glacier-covered mountains. In this well-known resort with its historical and rustic houses, ideally suited for a Christmas for families in Europe, you will experience an Austrian Christmas and have 5 days to enjoy the snow and all the snow based activities that you ever wanted. On your first evening you can choose to meet other travellers from the other Christmas tours in Europe for a welcome drink in front of the fireplace in the lounge.
In Bad Hofgastein there is plenty to do and see for skiers and non-skiers alike. Stroll among the stalls of the quaint village Christmas market, just next to your hotel, where local musicians play their 'Alpenhorns' and provide a very festive atmosphere.
Ski downhill or cross country, go tobogganing (for a special thrill go tobogganing after nightfall), snow-shoe hiking, snow boarding or build a snowman/woman/child or snow kangaroo. Experience the iridescent- blue of the frozen waterfalls and go Ice-climbing (beginners to advanced). Take a cable car to the summit of one of the mountains surrounding Bad Hofgastein and gasp at the views of glacier-covered mountain peaks. During a one day excursion to nearby Zell am See you have the opportunity to visit a very picturesque traditional Christmas market.
Or just be cosy and toasty in front of a fireplace in your warm and delightful hotel and look out into a magic winter wonderland. After a day in the snow relax in the hot thermal spa complex of your hotel. Experience several joyful advent festivities that will get you into the ‘Christmas spirit’. One of these is a horse-drawn sleigh ride into the romantic Prossau valley. Every evening indulge in a 4-course meal featuring different Austrian specialties.
Christmas in continental Europe is celebrated on Christmas Eve. Your celebration will start with a Christmas cocktail, followed by Christmas festivities and a grand Christmas dinner. Don your snow-boots just before midnight and walk through the crunching snow to the village chapel for mass. On your short walk you might come across small groups of carol singers. This will be a Christmas you will remember and cherish forever.
26 December - Munich
The afternoon is yours to explore Munich. Visit the 14th Century residence of the Bavarian rulers, the church of St. Michael, Germany's grandest Renaissance church and the neo-Gothic old town hall at the Marienplatz. Or sample one of Bavaria's famous beers at the Hofbräuhaus and listen to an oompah band.
27 December - Munich
Hidden in the seclusion of the Bavarian mountains, King Ludwig II built two of his fairytale castles, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. During your all day trip from Munich you will visit both of these extraordinary castles, the legacy of Bavaria's eccentric King. The tour includes a short stop in Oberammergau, world-famous for its woodcarvers, richly painted houses and Passion Play.
28 December - Munich
Your driver will take you directly from your hotel to your departure terminal at the Munich international airport.
Inclusions for 'Christmas for Families in Europe' Tour
Accommodation
- 11 nights in first class, 4 star centrally located hotels or apartments
Travel
- First class train rides between destinations with seat reservations where required
- Transport by minivan from airport to hotel in Vienna on arrival
- VIP transport between train station and hotel in Bad Hofgastein on arrival and departure
- Transport by chauffeured car from hotel in Munich to airport on departure
Meals
- 11 full breakfasts
- Welcome drink in Bad Hofgastein
- Four 4-course dinners in Bad Hofgastein/Austrian Alps
- 4-course special Christmas evening dinner with Christmas festivities around the Christmas tree
Sightseeing, activities and excursions
- Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg and Bad Hofgastein
- Priority admission tickets to Palace Schönbrunn
- 2-day ticket for all transport in and around Vienna
- 'Sound of Music' tour
- Tickets to the Marionette theatre or the 'Sound of Music' musical. (optional)
- Horse-drawn sleigh ride
- Day excursion to Zell am See
- Guided flame-torch hike at night to rustic mountain hut (If available during your stay)
- Christmas Eve festivities
- Access to hotel thermal spa complex
- Excursion to King Ludwig's castle Neuschwannstein, and Oberammergau
Price for 'Christmas for Families in Europe' Tour
Unlike our other Christmas Tours Europe the price for the Christmas for families in Europe tour is by application. The tour price depends on the number of persons in your family or group, the choice of hotels and age of children under 16.
Return to White Christmas Tours overview
