Christmas market tour – December 2024/2025 Austria Slovenia Croatia Hungary (Vienna IN & OUT)

Day 1: Vienna – Wachau Valley – Salzburg

Arrival to Vienna

Transfer to Wachau valley, 108 km

Panoramic sightseeing of the Wachau valley

The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube located between Melk and Krems, which demonstrates high visual and landscape qualities. It showcases many intact and visible traces of its continuous, organic evolution since prehistoric times, be it in terms of architecture (monasteries, castles, ruins), urban design (towns and villages), or agricultural use (mainly for the cultivation of vines and apricot trees).

Lunch in local restaurant

Transfer to Salzburg, 236 km

Rest of the day free at leisure to enjoy the Salzburg Christmas Market

The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, as it is known today around the world, has existed since 1974. Every year, the market is officially opened with befitting pomp and circumstance on the Thursday preceding the first Sunday in Advent, closing its shutters for the final time on 26 December. Local folk customs and traditional decorations for the Christmas tree, gifts for big and small, incense to help conjure up a festive atmosphere in your own home, all kinds of delectable treats in the form of Austrian specialties, mulled wine and hot punch: At the Christmas market on Salzburg’s Cathedral Square, you will discover practically everything you could possibly wish for. This famous Advent market draws countless visitors every Christmas season, and is also very popular with the locals, too. Not least because of the traditional huts and unique atmosphere, along with specially designed lighting that stretches above the market stands like romantic stars across the night sky.

Transfer to hotel

Accommodation and dinner in hotel

Overnight, Salzburg

Day 2: Salzburg – Hallstatt – Ljubljana

Breakfast at hotel

09.00 – 11.00 Salzburg sightseeing with local guide

Salzburg’s Old Town, known as Altstadt, has a beautiful Alpine setting which has not only been home to Mozart but also the setting for the Sound of Music. The city center has retained it graceful Baroque architecture by avoiding the conflict of The 30 Years War and by suffer only minor damage during WW2. Because it still holds much of its old world charm, Salzburg’s Old Town is one of only 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Austria.

11.00 – 12.30 Transfer to Hallstatt, 73 km

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch in local restaurant

13.30 – 14.30 Photo stop and free time in Hallstatt

The village Hallstatt is such an unbelievably spectacular place that even the Chinese have created a copy of the ancient salt mine village. But only in the original will you discover this truly unique culture with such a history all in a breath-taking mountain setting. The market municipality was already inhabited in the 1st millenium before Christ: during this period – the iron age – the civilization flourished. Two thousand metre-high mountain tops, gentle crests, smooth hilltops, wide plateaus and mountains of all sizes. No matter what direction you look in Dachstein Salzkammergut, towering peaks are feature of the landscape everywhere. The historical “Soleweg” (brine trail) is widely known as one of Austria’s most beautiful trails an other trails. We will take a light 1 hour hike over the roofs of Hallstadt from there we will have a wonderful view onto the tower of the Evangelical church, the ferry dock of the “Markt” district and of course the unique mountain world of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut

14.30 – 18.30 Transfer to Ljubljana, 268 km

Accommodation and dinner in hotel

Overnight, Ljubljana

Day 3: Ljubljana – Postojna – Ljubljana

Breakfast at hotel

8.30 – 9.30 Transfer to Postojna, 52 km

Note: Pick up tickets and audio guides 30 min before entrance

10.00 – 11.30 Postojna cave sightseeing with Chinese audio guide

Postojna Cave is a network of 20 kilometres of passages, galleries and chambers into which experienced guides have accompanied more than 35 million visitors in the last 188 years. It is the largest cave in the “classic karst” and the most vis¬ited show cave in Europe. In 1872 railway lines were laid in the cave; electricity arrived in 1884. Today you begin your visit aboard the cave train; the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, where the geological past is recorded in a unique manner. Visitors to the cave are dazzled by a wealth of speleothems: calcite formations, stalactites and stalagmites abounding in a variety of shapes, colours and age. Some 150 species can be found in the mysterious subterranean world of Postojna Cave, but only one can truly be described as the main event. Call it the Olm, call it the Proteus, call it the Human Fish, call it what you will, but what it is without doubt is one of the most unique creatures on the planet.The constant temperatureinthe caves ranges from 8 to 10° C.

11.30 – 13.00 Lunch in local restaurant

13.00 – 14.00 Transfer back to Ljubljana, 52 km

14.00 – 16.00 Ljubljana sightseeing with local guide

Ljubljana is the capital of a state, but it is small and pretty, easy to get around, and full of surprises. While during winter it is its dreamy central European character that prevails, during summer it has a relaxed Mediterranean feel to it. It is remarkable for its rich tradition, youthful vibrancy, cultural creativity, feel for entertainment, and numerous green spaces.

Ljubljana has preserved evidence of all the five millennia of its history, including, among others, the remains of the Roman city of Emona and the old city centre with its medieval castle and beautiful buildings with Baroque façades, decorative portals and uneven roofs. Other significant bits in the mosaic of Ljubljana are its picturesque bridges across the river Ljubljanica and its vast Tivoli park, stretching into the very city centre. In the second half of the 20th century, it was the world famous architect Jože Plečnik that put an indelible personal stamp on his native city, and the so called Plečnik’s Ljubljana ranks among the 20th century’s most prominent total works of art.

Free time at leisure and enjoy Ljubljana Christmas Market

Accommodation and dinner at hotel

Overnight, Ljubljana

Day 4: Ljubljana – Bled – Bohinj – Ljubljana

Breakfast at hotel

9.00 – 10.30 Transfer to Bohinj, 83 km

10.30 – 12.00 Bohinj sightseeing with local guide (take the cable car to Vogel Mountain)

You will see beatiful Bohinj lakes, have opportunity to explore paths that are surrounding it, as well as ride on Vogel Cable car and enjoy some amazing views on Triglav National Park

About 8-kilometres long valley beneath Mount Triglav has been praised as one of the most beautiful parts of the Julian Alps since the beginning of mountaineering. With its little lakes and ponds, this karstified valley is a photographer’s paradise. Lake Bohinj is the largest natural lake in Slovenia. Nested in the heart of the Julian Alps, this jewel is a precious natural resource and at the same time offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

The natural conditions — the normal ski season lasts from December to the first of May — put Vogel in firstplace among Slovene ski resorts for reliable snow conditions. Because Vogel lies on the first mountain barrier above the Adriatic Sea, substantially more snow falls here than anywhere else of similar altitude in the Alps. The high mountain setting and the extraordinary panoramas over the surrounding area — the ski center lies in Triglav National Park above Lake Bohinj — give Vogel a special attraction. In spite of its majestic setting, the ski center is suitable for all skill levels. The abundant sun, outstanding views, and attractive, well-groomed trails are certain to bring many beautiful moments. In good weather and suitable conditions, experts will relish the opportunities for off-piste skiing.

12.00 – 12.45 Transfer to Bled, 30 km

12.45 – 14.00 Lunch in local restaurant

14.00 – 16.00 Bled lake sightseeing with local guide

Slovenia has only one island but its uniqueness makes it more attractive than many an archipelago. Sheltered by picturesque mountains, the island reigns in the middle of an Alpine lake. Its charm has made it a symbol for centuries of a town to which guests from all over the world love to return. This town, which has already existed for a thousand years, is Bled.  The town, already famous at the beginning of the 20th century as the most beautiful health spa of the then Austrian empire, attracted the European aristocratic elite. After WWII, one of the most attractive state residences of the former regime was located in Bled. Many of the world’s most important people thus enjoyed the beauties of Bled. And now, for decades already, the pilgrims of the new age have been discovering this town.

16.00 – 17.00 Transfer to Ljubljana, 54 km

Accommodation and dinner at hotel

Overnight, Ljubljana

Day 5: Ljubljana – Zagreb

Breakfast at hotel

8.00 – 9.30 Transfer to Dolenjske Toplice, 75 km

9.30 – 12.00 Free time for leisure and sauna

12.00-13.30 Lunch in local restaurant

13.30 – 15.30 Transfer to Zagreb, 93 km

Free time to enjoy Zagreb Christmas Market 

Zagreb Advent has been voted the best Christmas Market in Europe 3 years in a row. Zagreb Advent raises the bar every year with new events and experiences. By far the best thing is, it is designed to be easily experienced on foot, offering great fun for everyone. During the day we recommend visiting Zagreb popular attractions, such as Ice Park at King Tomislav Square, Fooling Around at Strossmayer square, Zagreb Christmas Tale at Central Ban Jelačić Square etc. As the night falls the Zagreb Christmas Market lights up. Zagreb is filled with Christmas booths and live music in its hotspots. Enjoy, sausages, mulled wine and schnaps bars. They are all here to stimulate the senses and keep you warm during Zagreb in winter. 

Accommodation and dinner at hotel

Overnight, Zagreb

Day 6: Zagreb – Plitvice Lakes NP – Zagreb

Breakfast at hotel

08.00 – 10.30 Transfer to Plitvice Lakes, 137 km

10.30 – 12.30 Plitvice lakes NP sightseeing with local guide

The area of Plitvička jezera, declared to be National park in 1949., is considered one of the the prettiest natural notability of Europe. It is forested mountain area throughout which, one under another, line sixteen beautiful lakes and ponds of crystal blue-green colour. They are filled with water from many streams and brooks, inteconnected with foamy cascades and murmuring waterfalls. Throughout the ages water from these lakes was breaking, corroding and melting the rocks and beds thorugh which they have flown. Through sedimenatation of calcium carbonate from the flow and through interference of special algae and mosses, spongy kind of rock, sedra or travertin, has been and still is created. Near the lakes there are a cuople of caves, and there were even discoveries from ancient history. The national park covers the area of 29.482 hectars in size, most of which falls of on woods, then grasslands with village spaces and waters. This natural resource is rich with diverse flora and fauna. In the park alongside many kinds of birds (around 161 different kinds), butterflies, there is also some small game, followed by large game, bears, wolves, boars and wild cats. Flora of the park is made from about 1200 herb sorts, of which 55 sorts are in the orchid family.

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch in local restaurant

13.30 – 16.00 Transfer back to Zagreb, 137 km

Accommodation and dinner at hotel

Overnight, Zagreb

Day 7: Zagreb 

Breakfast at hotel

10.00 – 12.00 Zagreb sightseeing with local guide

Zagreb has served as the cultural and political focus of the nation since the Middle Ages. The city grew out of two medieval communities, Kaptol to the east and Gradec to the west, each sited on a hill and divided by a (long since dried up) river. Zagreb grew rapidly in the nineteenth century, and many of the city’s buildings are well-preserved, peach-coloured monuments to the self-esteem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Zagreb is more than just a gateway to Central Europe; it is a melting pot. The city incorporates all the benefits of the West with the promising opportunities of the developing regions in South and East Europe, making it an ideal location for your company. A vibrating city on the river Sava, at the heart of a politically and economically stable market, Zagreb has a long history, rich culture, offers high quality life-style, excellent prospects and a highly educated population boasting over 1 million people. The city offers a uniquely vivacious café life and a year-round programme of heavy-duty art exhibitions and at least one genuine cultural flagship in the shape of the recently opened Museum of Contemporary Art. The Croatian capital’s growing reputation for arty fun also extends into its nightlife, with cutting-edge clubs, live gig venues and summer festivals.

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch in Chinesse restaurant

13.00 – 13.45 Transfer to shoping outlet

Free time for shoping

Visit to Croatian National Theatre –possible to add ballet performance 

The Croatian National Theater in Zagreb is the central and oldest theater institution in Croatia, with three ensembles: opera, drama and ballet. At least twelve premieres are performed annually, resulting in more than two hundred and twenty stage performances per season. As a central national house, the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb nurtures a diverse program and, with the performances of works by local authors of different styles and periods, performs works of the classical and contemporary world repertoire. The Croatian National Theater in Zagreb has positioned itself in the last few years as a relevant theater company in European and world contexts, and with three permanent ensembles regularly performs on world stages and hosts foreign productions on its stage. The Croatian National Theater in Zagreb greatly contributes to the cultural life of the metropolis, developing and attracting an increasingly diverse theater audience, resulting in performances sometimes sold out months in advance. For several seasons, the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb is also a producer and / or co-producer of many important international projects, such as the World Theater Festival.

Remark: Dates are not published yet for 2025

Acommodation and dinner in hotel

Overnight, Zagreb

Day 8: Zagreb – Trakošćan – Varaždin – Heviz termal lake – Budapest

Breakfast at hotel

8.00 – 9.30 Transfer to Trakošćan castle, 80 km

9.30 – 10.30 Trakošćan castle sightseeing with local guide

Trakoscan was built in the late 13th century in northwestern Croatian defense system as a small observation fortress for monitoring the road from Ptuj to Bednja Valley. According to legend, Trakoscan was named after the Thracian fortress which allegedly existed in antiquity. Another preserved legend says, it is named after the knights Drachenstein who in the early Middle Ages, ruled the region. Including entrance to Trakošćan castle.

10.30 – 11.30 Transfer to Varaždin, 39 km

11.30 – 12.30 Varaždin sightseeing with local guide

The preserved baroque historic City core is rich in monuments and art heritage and a walk down the City’s streets reveals numerous palaces, villas and the oldest city hall in Europe. Varaždin was built over the centuries and different stylistic influences, varying fashions of certain historical periods and wishes of the investors created an interesting and somewhat unusual harmony of flora and fauna, mythical animals and unusual characters built into the facades of the houses and palaces in the historic City core. Also note on your walk through Varaždin the fantastic bestiary of Varaždin: try to penetrate into its hidden meaning or just enjoy the imagination of the builder.

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch in local restaurant

13.30 – 15.30 Transfer to Heviz termal lake, 122 km

15.30 – 17.00 Entrance to Heviz termal lake

Lake Heviz is the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake, which is able to refresh body and soul alike. The source of the 4.4 ha water surface lake, rich in sulphur, and minerals can be found 38 metres deep in the cave, which due to its high well capacity completely changes in every 72 hours. The water of Lake Hévíz contains an equal proportion of dissolved and gaseous substances, thus unifying the favourable characteristics of thermal waters rich in carbonic acid, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate.

17.00 – 19.30 Transfer to Budapest, 193 km

Accommodation and dinner in hotel

Overnight, Budapest

Day 9: Budapest – Szentendre – Budapest

Breakfast at hotel

9.00 – 12.00 Budapest sightseeing with local guide

The capital of Hungary and considered by many to be the “Paris of the East”, is one of the most culturally important metropolises in Eastern Europe and home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Although humans have lived here since the Stone Age, this beautiful city only formally came into being in 1872 with the amalgamation of three previously independent towns – Old Buda (Óbuda), Buda and Pest – to become the administrative, commercial and industrial center of Hungary. Straddling the River Danube, Budapest is famous for its stunning architecture and its thermal springs, some of which have been used for therapeutic purposes since prehistory.

Today, Budapest attracts more than 20 million visitors annually from across the globe to its countless historical sites, museums and art galleries, as well as its sports halls, stadiums and the Hungaroring Formula 1 racetrack.

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch in Chinese restaurant

13.00 – 14.00 Transfer to Szentendre, 23 km

14.00 – 15.30 Visit Szentendre Marzipan Museum

15.30 – 16.30 Transfer back to Budapest, 32 km

Afternoon at leisure and enjoy the Budaest Christmas Markets

Square of Vörösmarty

Located in the square of Vörösmarty, this market is one of the essential Christmas in Budapest. If you want to enjoy a typical Christmas time atmosphere with the scent of fir trees, mulled wine, cinnamon, and Christmas tree cookies, this market is for you. The winter festival in Vörösmarty tér celebrates 21 years in 2019 from its first edition, and every year exceeds the previous one in terms of size and activities. This Christmas market in Budapest is characterized by many rustic wooden stalls with Christmas decorations, two stages with activities, live Christmas concerts, and dance shows. You can enjoy all kinds of Christmas concerts: folk, jazz, blues, soul, crossover, world music concerts, house dance shows. The performances start at 5:00p.m. from Monday to Friday, and on weekends, they usually perform in the mornings and afternoons.

The St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas market

It is considered the prettiest Christmas market in Budapest, despite being smaller than Vörösmarty tér. This Christmas market has a 200-square-metre ice skating rink and a huge Christmas tree in the centre of the square: the perfect place to take some spectacular photos with the basilica in the background. Apart from this, what is special about this market? The 3D projection light show displayed on the façade of St. Stephen’s Basilica. This show takes place every day from 4:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. at half-hour intervals. In recent years, there are two types of alternating light shows: one “traditional” kind and another one in 3D, to watch with 3D glasses, available at any store in the market. If you go to this Christmas market, you can also enjoy the artisan gift stalls and street food on Zrínyi and Sas Streets (sandwiches, pancakes, soups, lángos, and Christmas sweets).

Accommodation and dinner at hotel

Overnight, Budapest

Day 10: Budapest – Pandorf – Vienna

Breakfast at hotel

8.00 – 10.30 Transfer to pandorf, 197 km

10.30 – 12.30 Free time for shoping

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch in local restaurant

13.30 – 14.00 Transfer to Vienna, 48 km

Free time fro visit Vienna Christmas Market 

From the middle of November until Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking, hot punch and toasted almonds hangs in the air. The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that create a Christmas atmosphere in Vienna.

Accommodation and dinner in hotel

Overnight, Vienna

Day 11: Vienna 

Breakfast at hotel

9.00 – 12.00 Vienna sightseeing with local guide

Few cities can boast the imperial grandeur of Vienna, once the centre of the powerful Habsburg monarchy. Lipizzaner stallions performing elegant equine ballet, the angelic tones of the Vienna Boys’ Choir drifting across a courtyard, outrageously opulent palaces such as Schloss Belvedere and Schloss Schönbrunn, and the monumental Hofburg complex – as a visitor today, you feel grandeur everywhere in Vienna. Vienna is packed with imperial history; at the same time it has exciting contemporary museums, lively eating and nightlife scenes, and many quiet corners to explore.

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch in Chinese restaurant

13.00 – 13.30 Transfer to Schönbrunn palace

13.30 – 16.00 Visit and explore the Schönbrunn gardens

During your visit you can experience the luxurious splendor of the Great Gallery, the Oriental charm of the Chinese Cabinets as well as the astonishingly modest style of decoration in Emperor Franz Joseph’s private suite. The Yellow Salon contains a precious secrataire – the only object at Schöbnrunn that once belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette of France, who was guillotined in 1793. You will also see the magnificent Hall of Ceremonies, the imposing Gobelin Salon with its exquisite Brussels tapestries as well eas the room known on Maria Theresia’s time as the Feketin Room, later renamed the Millions Room on account of its precious panelling of rare rosewood.

16.00 – 17.00 Transfer to airport, 28 km

End of land service