Vienna Christkindlmarkt

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

A holiday time bucket list trip to experience two of Europe's most magical places for Christmas Markets -- Vienna, Austria and to beautiful Strasbourg, France in the Alsace Region of France. Strasbourg is known as the "Capital of Christmas," with Strasbourg's Christkindelmarik being Europe's oldest Christmas Market dating back to 1570.

What a memorable Christmas Markets trip this will be!

We'll spend the first three nights based in Vienna, combining our stay...

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• With our local historian guide we'll take a morning introduction to Vienna walking tour... seeing Vienna's top landmarks... learning about the many of layers of Viennese history over the centuries - from its ancient Celtic roots to the grandeur of the Roman era to the legacy of the Babenbergs to the opulence of the Habsburgs... and discussing Viennese culture - what drew artists, musicians, and authors to Vienna. The tour will include walking along the Danube Canal, through the First District with its astonishing architectural, and visiting Stephansdom, (St. Stephen's Cathedral,) Vienna’s cathedral, an architectural marvel of Gothic design and an icon of the city’s centuries of survival. 

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• With our local historian guide we'll visit Schönbrunn Palace, the stunning 1500 rooms summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty, where we'll walk through the labyrinth of residential and ceremonial rooms, and learn about the Habsburg Monarchy and its historical importance for Europe.

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• We'll take a Vienna Christmas Markets food tour led by a local culinary expert... learning about Christmas traditions and indulging in an assortment of festive treats. The markets offer a wide selection of savory dishes, and the main tastings will include a selection of roast potatoes or potato specialties, roast chestnuts, soup, or sausages – enough to sate large appetites or share with friends or family. We'll sip warm beverages like punch or Glühwein (mulled wine) while nibbling gingerbread, Christmas cookies, and various sweets. There will also be pastry specialties like Baurenkrapfen, Langos, Baumkuchen, or Schneebälle (based on availability and preference) to taste.

Mid-week we'll travel by high-speed TGV train, traveling 1st-class from Vienna to Strasbourg where we'll stay the next four nights in the majestic Alsatian city known as the "Capital of Christmas." Strasbourg's Christkindelmarik is Europe's oldest Christmas Market dating back to 1570.

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Strasbourg is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, with two UNSECO World Heritage Sites protected city with historic storybook architecture, including the magnificent Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral,) constructed from 1176-1439, that rises from the center of the city and is the sixth tallest church in the world. 

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Also known as an European gastronomic capital, Strasbourg has many wonderful restaurants offering delicious Alsatian, German and French cuisine.

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We'll spend three nights in Strasbourg's old town on Le Petite France, combining our stay to include...

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• An introduction to Strasbourg -- taking a boat ride on the Ill River, viewing the magnificent half-timbered houses in the Le Petite France district, the district has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988 ... discovering the imperial German district, also known as Neustadt, built by the Germans after the annexation of Alsace in 1871, the district has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2017.

• With our local historian guide we'll meander through the town squares in Strasbourg's old town where Christmas markets are located, including -- Place de la Cathédrale, Place du Château, Place de la Grande Boucherie, Place du Marché aux Poissons, and rue du Palais Rohan. We'll seethe colorful decorated huge Christmas tree (among Europe's tallest) in Place Kléber and marvel at the city's historic buildings with their festive decorations and beautiful lights

• There will be personal time for guests to... explore the 300-plus outdoor wooden market stalls filled with Christmas artisan goods, decorations and local products... marvel at the historic buildings with their festive decorations and beautiful lights... taste Alsatian holiday food delicacies, sipping hot chocolate and having Strasbourg's famous mulled wine.

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• We'll take a day trip to visit Colmar, France, home of Alsace's 2nd largest Christmas Market. Colmar's wood framed building, picturesque streets, succession of stalls, Christmas decorations and lights will sweep you up in the magic of the Christmas season. Colmar is truly the place to be for a genuinely exceptional Christmas experience!

The Vienna-Alsace Christmas Markets Holiday Time Tour Is Designed To Provide:

• A fabulous pre-Christmas vacation visiting world-renowned Christmas Markets and staying in two extraordinary European cities.

• A friendly and fun small group environment. 

• Many activities -- including tours with local guides in Vienna, Strasbourg and Colmar... and free time for personal  sightseeing, exploring, Christmas Markets shopping. 

• Recommendations of local restaurants and cafes to explore on your own... yet everyone is invited to join local cuisine group meals (at own expense) at personal-selected restaurants.

• Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

What's Included:

• 7 Days / 6 nights, in personally-selected premiere/signature hotels.​​​

• Daily hotel breakfasts.

• Vienna Activities:​

  • Welcome reception/dinner with traditional Viennese cuisine for guests to meet everyone and review the week's itinerary. 

  • Introduction to Vienna Tour with a local historian guide

  • Schönbrunn Palace Tour with a local historian guide

  • Vienna Christmas Markets Food Tour with a local food expert

  • Free time for personal exploring, sightseeing and Christmas Markets shopping

• Strasbourg Activities:

  • Introduction to Strasbourg - boat ride on the Ill River, city tour of the Neustadt district. visit to Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. 

  • Strasbourg Christmas Markets Tour with local historian guide.

  • Colmar Christmas Markets Tour with local guide

  • Free time for personal exploring, sightseeing, and Christmas Markets shopping.

  • Farewell dinner at a traditional Alsace winstub

• Palace, cathedral, museum and garden entrance fees for all group activities and day trips.

• TGV Train 1st-Class Transportation - high-speed train from Vienna to Strasbourg

• Train Station Hotel Transfers – transfer from Vienna hotel to Vienna train station and from Strasbourg train station to Strasbourg hotel.

• Concierge service & support.

Arrival/Departure Cities: 

Arrival City: Vienna, Austria

Departure City: Strasbourg, France

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Trip Cost:  

• $6,975 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.

• Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - $1,975

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Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!

Small Group Tour. Limited to 15 Guests.