The Christmas in the Alps Adventure begins today in Munich, capital of the German state of Bavaria. Since travelers arrive throughout the day, our first group activity is a pleasant walk from our hotel through old Munich on our way to a welcome orientation and dinner in the heart of this historic city. We look forward to imbibing the special yuletide ambiance of southern Germany and Austria together!

We explore Munich this morning on a 2-hour guided coach tour taking us by such Munich icons as Nymphenburg Palace, Olympic Park, BMW World, and Prinzregenten street.

Later this morning, a walking tour with our local guide focuses on old Munich, passing the Viktualienmarkt (food market), Hofbräuhaus, St Peter’s Church, and finishing at the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz.

The balance of the day is free to enjoy on your own: browse Christmas markets, take in the ice rink scene at Karlsplatz, or people watch while you stroll the main pedestrian street.

Following a relaxing, hour-long train ride from Munich, the spirit of Noel greets us in Nuremberg, Germany.

Bavaria’s second largest city hosts one of Germany’s most popular Christmas markets. Enticing smells of mulled wine and rum punch, roasted almonds, local bratwurst and gingerbread fill the air. On our walking tour, we visit the heart of the city with its unique market square, half-timbered houses, beautiful fountains, and gothic style churches, all located within the medieval city walls. In fact, the entire town lies in the shadow of the towering imperial castle, a favored residence of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.

A combination of guided activities and free time concludes with a train ride back to Munich.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a classic sight linked forever with Bavaria and King Ludwig II.

We’ve explored the castle often in summer, but we now experience this iconic landmark during a wintertime visit!

Following the castle tour, and time for lunch and an afternoon exploration in the nearby village of Füssen, we return to Mittelberg through lovely pre-alpine countryside, bedecked with venerable villages, each boasting its own statuesque, onion-domed church

Abtenau, Austria Walk ~ 8 km, rated 2B

This morning, we drive an hour south of Salzburg for a delightful walk through Lammertal Valley from the quiet alpine town of Abtenau.

Following free time for lunch in Berchtesgaden, Germany, an area known for its rich salt deposits and equally rich Bavarian heritage, we return to lovely Salzburg, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the city’s many delights.

Consider joining us for an optional culinary and musical delight this evening at the majestic Salzburg Fortress. Taking a funicular high above the city, we enjoy an exquisite candlelit dinner in the panorama restaurant, followed by a one-of-a-kind Christmas concert in the historic great hall of the 900-year-old fortress.  ~Estimated Price: 65 EURO.

Salzburg—city of music, birthplace of Mozart in 1756, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 21^st century!

We explore the city on foot this morning, visiting renowned sites like Mirabell Gardens—the best place to view the green copper domes and church towers of the old city; picturesque Getreidegasse shopping street with its medieval-era wrought-iron signs; and St. Peter’s Monastery.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to discover more of the many charms of Salzburg, including its wonderful Christmas markets.

This evening’s dinner takes place in one of the oldest restaurants in Europe, the Peterskeller, a Benedictine monastery where Emperor Charlemagne is said to have dined in the year AD 803.

Our final morning in the “City of Mozart” starts with a guided Sound of Music coach tour.

The beloved story of the von Trapp family combines historic Salzburg, the breathtaking scenery of the Salzkammergut region, the stately Church of Mondsee, and renowned Salzburg musical and cultural centers such as Nonnberg Abbey, the Palace of Leopoldskron, and Hellbrunn Palace.

Our tour takes on a decidedly Christmas theme this afternoon as we drive north to the village of Oberndorf. The iconic Silent Night Chapel is famous as the setting where the beloved Christmas carol Silent Night was first performed in 1818.

From Oberndorf, we say farewell to Austria and drive to the town of Freising, near the Munich Airport, where you may make final preparations for tomorrow’s flight, or consider a final Bavarian experience with an optional dinner at Weihenstephan, said to be the oldest brewery in the world.

We bid Bavaria adieu this morning with a short taxi transfer to the Munich airport. Our Christmas celebrations at home will forever be impacted by the spirit of Christmas in the Alps.

With help from local experts and walking guides, these itineraries are hand-crafted with the help of trusted in-country partners to tailor itineraries to WAI specifications.

When planning Classic Curated Tours, our objective is to capture the essence of a destination–the history, culture, and natural wonders unique to that part of the world. We then build activities and walks that take us inside these characteristics.

Yes, these tours are educational, but they are also interactive and immersive; walking gets us off the bus and penetrates local cultures to not only see but touch, smell, and feel these special spaces.

Along the way, local walking guides amplify the experience by sharing insights into the magic of that particular location.

We generally walk at a pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour. Walks that are oriented more towards education may take longer due to stops for guide commentary. Nature walks, on the other hand, generally continue at a steadier pace because we’re stopping less to talk.In most cases, we are not “strolling.” We are walking at a relaxed but steady pace. Your experience will be significantly affected by your level of physical fitness. If not walking regularly at home, we strongly recommend that you make a priority of “training” beforehand to both enjoy the trip and avoid medical issues due to overexertion.

If you have questions about your ability to participate, please contact our office at [email protected].

We have adopted a walk difficulty rating system which contains a numeric indicator for trail incline and an alpha indicator for trail terrain. The explanation for this system is presented on the table below:

INCLINE

1. Minimal hills or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: <200 feet.
2. Some moderate hills and stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 200-1000 feet.
3. Some significant hill or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 1000-2000 feet.

TERRAIN

A. Almost entirely on pavement.
B. A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles.
C. A significant part of the route is on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky / rooted paths or soft sand).

• Focus on health before the tour so you start healthy.
• Pace yourself while on tour; travel is inherently stimulating and can produce adrenalin boosts that mask energy drain. Guard your energy reserves and consider the length of the trip and whether to opt out of some activities and/or walks.
• Be self-aware. If you feel yourself tiring or feel a bug coming on, take precautions to block it (e.g. extra rest, extra doses of vitamin C, etc).
• If you feel a bug coming on or if you take ill, distance yourself from others when possible.
• If you feel ill, isolate yourself towards the back of the bus and away from others and please wear a mask.

Click WAI Wellness on Tour Policy to view the WAI policy on Wellness on Tour.