Best Christmas Markets of Europe: Bucharest to Budapest

Welcome to Bucharest! At the airport, keep an eye out for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city at your leisure. In the evening, attend a welcome meeting with your fellow travelers to get to know each other and go over the itinerary for the next few days.

After breakfast, take a guided tour of Bucharest to see the city’s main sights, such as the Palace of the Parliament and the National Village Museum. In the afternoon, visit Bucharest’s Christmas markets, such as the one in the Old Town, to sample local food and drink and pick up some souvenirs.

Travel to Cozia Monastery in the morning, an ancient and beautiful Orthodox monastery. After a tour, continue to Sibiu and explore the charming Old Town with a guide, including the famous Christmas market. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and taste local food and drinks.

After enjoying the Christmas market in Sibiu, you will have free time to discover the charming city. Don’t forget to indulge in some traditional Romanian cuisine while you’re here, like sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) or covrigi (soft pretzels). And of course, make sure to sample the local mulled wine, a staple of Christmas markets throughout Transylvania.

Visit the medieval city of Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (also known as Dracula). Take a walking tour of the town, including the Clock Tower Museum, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, travel to Brasov for a city tour and visit the Christmas market in the evening.

Visit the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, and learn about the history and legends associated with it. Return to Brasov for some free time in the afternoon to explore the city or do some Christmas shopping.

Travel to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, a beautiful Neo-Renaissance palace built in the late 1800s. After the tour, return to Bucharest for some final Christmas market shopping and sightseeing.

Are you ready to say goodbye to Romania and fly to Munich, Germany’s third-largest city? Munich is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and world-famous Oktoberfest. Upon arrival enjoy some free time to explore the city’s famous landmarks, including Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, and the Englischer Garten.

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.