Compare Europe Christmas Markets: Munich to Budapest by Intrepid Travel vs Alpine Adventure 2024 by Tauck

Day 1 Munich

Willkommen! Welcome to Munich, Germany. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. In the evening, head out for an included dinner with the rest of the group. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend the meeting. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 2 Munich

In the morning after breakfast, venture out with your leader for an orientation walk of Munich. This cosmopolitan metropolis houses an extraordinary array of sights for travellers more interested in art, architecture, history, music and, of course, Christmas markets. There are 20 different Christmas markets in Munich and you'll be introduced to the best of them. From the Kripperlmarkt, which has all you need to create an authentic manger, to the Tollwood Christmas Market, Munich's vibrant ethnic festival. Music lovers will be able to get into the festive spirit with a special alpine Christmas Market concert from the balcony of Munich's town hall, which takes places Sunday to Thursday while the Christmas markets are on. Sip on a mug of gluehwein, grab a grilled sausage and browse the markets full of toys, wood carvings, candles etc.

Day 3 Salzburg

Travel south-east into Austria by train to Salzburg today, which should take around one hour and forty five minutes. Built on the fortune of its famous salt mines, Salzburg is the birthplace of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves legend, home to the hills from the Sound of Music and purveyor of absolutely everything Mozart. 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, as well as its cobblestone lanes, bubbling river and charmingly kitsch atmosphere. In the late afternoon, visit the atmospheric Christmas market in Cathedral Square. The smells of gluhwein, roasted chestnuts, toasted almonds and cinnamon brushed baked apples waft through the marketplace, while the sounds of traditional Salzburg choirs fill the air. Here your leader will take you on food crawl that may include such classics as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Kasnock´n (cheese gnocchi), Bratwurst (sausage), Mozartkugel (marzipan-covered nougat in dark chocolate cover), Schwarzbrot (sourdough bread). Later on, jump in to a cable car and reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the city’s most visible landmark. This fully preserved castle hosts very small, intimate Christmas market and if you’re lucky, a Christmas themed live music.

Day 4 Salzburg

Today is free to explore Salzburg and the surrounding areas. Perhaps make your way to the salt mine in Berchtesgaden, situated in the German Alps. Otherwise, you may want to experience the life of the von Trapp family from the Sound of Music and visit movie scenes of the Mirabell Gardens and Pegasus Fountain, Leopoldskron Palace and Hellbrunn Palace. In the evening, why not head back to the Christmas markets to soak up even more of the blissful atmosphere?

Day 5 Vienna

Board a train bound for Vienna today (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, embark on a leader-led walking tour of Vienna, passing grand buildings and parks. You'll see many monuments dedicated to famous composers and historical figures. In your free time, perhaps visit the striking Hofburg Palace, the Leopold Museum or seek out exceptional city views on the Prater Ferris Wheel. Later in the afternoon, head to the Christmas markets in front of the City Hall. Browse the markets, sip on Christmas punch and snack on some freshly baked cinnamon biscuits.

Day 6 Vienna

You'll have the whole day to explore Vienna, so perhaps head to Schoenbrunn Palace, which was designed by Empress Maria Theresa herself. The gardens are free to all visitors but there is a charge for entrance and tours of the palace. Avoid long queues by pre-booking your tickets at schoenbrunn.at. Also, with over 12 Christmas markets to visit in the city, you'll be sure to find the perfect Christmas present.

Day 7 Budapest

Travel east from Vienna to Budapest by train (approximately 3 hours). Known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', Budapest's grand architecture and boulevards evoke a time gone by. With so much to see and do, hiring a bicycle is a great way to move between sights and attractions. After a short orientation walk around the city, it's time to visit the Christmas markets. With the main Christmas market being located in Vorosmarty Square, every street light, tree and market stall lit up it gives the area a real Christmas feel. There are plenty of stalls offering different Hungarian foods to try and buy. Experience these great markets of Budapest with a glass of mulled wine or shot of traditional Hungarian palinka. The combination of market cheer and Neo-Renaissance architecture is a charming one.

Day 8 Budapest

Your Christmas Market adventure comes to an end today. There are no more activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after you check-out.

Day 1 Arrive Zurich and on to Engelberg

Tour Begins: 6:00 PM, Kempinski Palace Engelberg. Welcome to the Swiss Alps! A transfer is included from Zurich International Airport to Kempinski Palace Engelberg. Tonight, join us for a private Tauck Bridges welcome reception and dinner at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg. 

MEALS : D

LODGING : Kempinski Palace Engelberg

PORTOFCALL : Engelberg Switzerland

Day 2 Zip Lining on Mount Titlis

Get a closer look at the Alpine wonderland that surrounds you today as you ride to the top of Mount Titlis aboard a cable car for lunch and an exciting zip-line adventure. Descend down the mountain and join your Tauck Director for an orientation walk of Lucerne followed by free time to discover spires, covered bridges, fountains and more before a dinner cruise on glacial Lake Lucerne.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kempinski Palace Engelberg

PORTOFCALL : Engelberg Switzerland

Day 3 A Lake Cruise & The Glacier Express

Feast your eyes on some of the world's greatest scenery today... aboard the famous Glacier Express for what many call the most scenic rail trip in Europe – winding its way through lush Alpine valleys dotted with little villages... the real Switzerland! Arrive in the popular resort town of St. Moritz for a two-night stay in the Engadine Valley.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz

PORTOFCALL : St. Moritz, Switzerland

Day 4 Engadine Valley: Cable Car & Ropes

Start another exciting day in the Alps by climbing up Piz Diavolezza via cable car; you won't believe the views of the Engadine Valley and its many lakes stretching out below you... plus, you'll have a chance to try the highest virtual reality experience in the world! Then it's off to the Morteratsch Glacier for guided mountain hiking*, rock climbing* and abseiling* (descending via ropes)... a visit to an Alpine cheesery for lunch in a meadow and a look at cheesemaking... and a few surprises!* If you wish, hop aboard a mountain bicycle* for a ride back through the Engadine Valley to St. Moritz, where your evening is free to enjoy as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz

PORTOFCALL : St. Moritz, Switzerland

Day 5 Water Wows & An Aqua Dome

After crossing the border from Switzerland to Austria this morning, get wet and wild in Austria's Ötztal Valley today on a trip to Area 47, one of the largest adventure parks in the Alps, and Europe's ultimate outdoor playground. Jump into a neoprene suit and helmet, and head out on a whitewater-rafting adventure*; then do some swimming or try out the slides and other attractions of one of the newest and biggest water parks on the Continent, and enjoy lunch at the park. Arrive late afternoon at your Alpine spa hotel in Längenfeld – the AQUA DOME – offering more aquatic fun for the whole family with a pool, waterslides, spa, sauna, thermal baths and fitness center.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : AQUA DOME – Tirol Therme Längenfeld

PORTOFCALL : Langenfeld Austria

Day 6 An Emperor & Ski Jumpers

This morning, head to Innsbruck – the 15th-century capital of Emperor Maximilian I's Habsburg Empire, and more recently the host of two Winter Olympic Games in the 20th century – and visit the high-tech Bergisel ski-jump complex, designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, for a demonstration of the difficult and daring art of ski jumping. Later, join your local guide in old Innsbruck for a walking tour of this idyllic Alpine city, during which you just might "meet" old Emperor Max and his wives. Following a free afternoon, enjoy an after-hours private visit to Ötzi-Dorf, an open-air museum and archaeological site in the Oetzi Valley, interpreting village life during the time of "Oetzi" – the Neolithic Age of about 5,000 years ago. Dinner tonight in a rustic restaurant includes a memorable evening of Tyrolean fun, games and activities!

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : AQUA DOME – Tirol Therme Längenfeld

PORTOFCALL : Langenfeld Austria

Day 7 Bavarian fun in Munich

Depart Austria, cross the German border into Bavaria, and continue on to Munich, Bavaria's capital city for a city tour followed by time to explore as you please. Cap your memorable family Alpine vacation with tonight's farewell dinner in the historic Palais Keller – once a 15th-century salt store – beneath your landmark hotel in the heart of the city, the Bayerischer Hof.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Bayerischer Hof

PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany

Day 8 Auf Wiedersehen – Journey Home

Trip ends: Munich. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from the Bayerischer Hof to Munich Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for your flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Munich, Germany