Magical Christmas Markets: Munich to Budapest

Arrive in Munich and check into your hotel. Enjoy some free time to explore the city’s famous landmarks, including Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, and the Englischer Garten. In the evening, meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Start your day with a visit to the Frauenkirche, Munich’s iconic cathedral, to kick off your orientation walk of this famed town. Explore the city’s famous Christmas markets including the Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz and the medieval market at Wittelsbacher Platz. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch and explore the markets at your own apce. In the evening, take a walk through the Schwabing neighborhood and enjoy some local food and drinks.

Travel southeast into Austria to Salzburg today. On arrival, check in to your hotel and then head out into the city for an orientation walk with your leader. The city will captivate with its history, cobblestone lanes, bubbling river and charmingly kitsch atmosphere. In the late afternoon, visit the atmospheric Christmas market in Cathedral Square, where the smells of gluehwein, roasted chestnuts, toasted almonds and cinnamon brushed baked apples waft through the marketplace and traditional Salzburg choirs fill the air. Later on, jump in to a cable car and reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the city’s most visible landmark. This fully preserved castle hosts a small, intimate Christmas market and if you’re lucky, Christmas themed live music.

Today is a day for you to freely explore Salzburg and its nearby regions. You may consider taking a trip to the salt mine located in Berchtesgaden, which can be found in the German Alps. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the world of the von Trapp family from the classic film “The Sound of Music” by visiting the famous filming locations such as Mirabell Gardens, Pegasus Fountain, Leopoldskron Palace, and Hellbrunn Palace. In the evening, you could return to the bustling Christmas markets to revel in the festive ambiance a bit longer.

Once you arrive in Vienna today, take part in a guided walking tour led by your guide. During the tour, you will get to see magnificent buildings, parks, and monuments that pay homage to celebrated composers and notable historical figures. During your leisure time, consider visiting the stunning Hofburg Palace or the Leopold Museum, or you can take in stunning city views from the top of the Prater Ferris Wheel. Later in the day, make your way to the Christmas markets located in front of the City Hall. There, you can peruse the various stalls, indulge in some delicious freshly baked cinnamon biscuits, and enjoy a warm cup of Christmas punch.

You have a full day to spend exploring Vienna, so why not consider visiting Schoenbrunn Palace, personally designed by Empress Maria Theresa? After the Palace visit, return to the sparkling Christmas markets, with more than 12 Christmas markets scattered throughout the city, you’re bound to discover the perfect holiday gift!

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava today, where you’ll have a few hours to explore the Slovakian capital on your own. Stroll along the Danube promenade, visit the Bratislava Castle, or try some traditional Slovakian food. In the afternoon, continue on to Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. After a short orientation walk around the city, it’s time to visit the Christmas markets.

Check out of your accommodation and say goodbye to your fellow travelers. If you have some extra time, you may want to visit some of Budapest’s other attractions, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion or the Hungarian National Museum. Alternatively, you could head back to the Christmas markets to pick up any last-minute souvenirs or indulge in some more traditional Hungarian food and drink. When it’s time to depart, your tour leader will be on hand to offer any assistance with transport arrangements or recommendations for further travel in the region.