Christmas In Austria, New Year In Switzerland

Itinerary

2021 Itinerary

• Dec 22

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

• Dec 23

  Travel through Germany to reach Niederau in the Austrian Tyrol for four nights.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Eve - Innsbruck

  Join our included excursion to the capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck where you can take in the city’s charming Old Town with its lovely arcaded streets.

  Alternatively, why not combine your visit to Innsbruck with a trip on board the Nordkettenbahn (at additional cost). You will be transported high into the mountain terrain up to the Hungerburg mountain station where you can hopefully enjoy breathtaking views of the city. A cable car then takes you further up the mountain to an altitude of 1905 metres above sea level, where views stretch over the Middle Inn Valley, the Stubai and Zillertal Valley Alps and the Wipptal Valley over the Italian border. If you wish to venture even higher, you can join the cable car to the Hafelekar, the highest viewpoint at 2256 metres.

  Tonight, we enjoy a Christmas Gala Dinner.

  Please note that Christmas Eve in Austria is a traditional religious festival and in many areas is still celebrated as such. This may mean that facilities in towns, villages and hotels may close early.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Christmas Day - Free time or Kitzbuhel and Pinzgau Railway

  Enjoy Christmas Day at leisure or join our optional excursion to the world-famous ski resort of Kitzbuhel. Home to a stunning historical centre, which is full of character and charm, Kitzbuhel was founded in the 9th century and was originally a copper and silver mining centre. Today it is a fashionable and prosperous winter resort. After free time we travel to the town of Mittersill to join the Pinzgau train for a nostalgic ride to Zell am See. The train dates back to 1898 and the journey takes us through some superb mountain scenery at the relaxed pace of a bygone era. This evening we enjoy a turkey dinner at our hotel
  
  Please note: The Pinzgau Railway may feature a diesel engine.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Boxing Day - Kufstein

  We travel to medieval Kufstein this morning on our included excursion. Set at the foot of the great Kaiser mountain range on the Tyrol-Bavarian border, the town is known as the ‘Pearl of the Tyrol’ and has a 30,000-year history and rich cultural roots. Its mighty fortress was an important defence over the centuries against invading Bavarians. It dates from the 13th century and overlooks the green, Inn River. Take the panoramic gondola (additional cost) up to the fortress, which now houses a museum of local history as well as the Heroes’ Organ. It is the largest open-air organ in the world and is played daily at midday.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 27

  We leave Austria and head into Switzerland for six nights in the Swiss capital, Bern.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 28 - Interlaken & Spiez

  Join us as we travel to the famous holiday resort of Interlaken on our included excursion, surrounded by outstanding scenery, and impressively situated between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

  There will be time for you to explore the town before we continue to the pretty lakeside town of Spiez.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 29 - Montreux

  We travel to the lakeside resort of Montreux on our included excursion today. Set on the shores of Lake Geneva, the town has a lovely location surrounded by vineyards complemented by a picturesque Alpine backdrop. Perhaps take a stroll along the peaceful lakeshore or wander the Old Town with its array of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s easy to see why the area has attracted so many artists and writers over the years, including Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Dec 30 - Day at Leisure

  Enjoy a day at leisure in Bern. Take time to explore the captivating capital city, whose old town is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the sheltered medieval shopping arcades (there are 6 kilometres to explore!), visit one of the many museums or simply relax in a cosy café or bar.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Eve - Lucerne

  Included excursion to the lakeside town of Lucerne, surrounded by breath-taking alpine scenery. Lucerne has long since charmed its visitors, on account of this beautiful setting and its many historic places of interest.

  Explore the delightful old town and take time to walk across the 14th century Chapel Bridge. During the day an optional cruise on the lake will be available.

  We return to our hotel this afternoon allowing time for to prepare for our gala evening meal and entertainment as we welcome the New Year!

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• New Year's Day - Jungfrau Region Railway

  Happy New Year!

  Enjoy an unforgettable mountain experience as we enjoy an included ride aboard the Jungfrau Region Railway. We board the railway in the village of Lauterbrunnen and travel up through the spectacular scenery to the Kleine Scheidegg Mountain pass, at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Wall.

  From Kleine Scheidegg we take the train and descend to the picturesque mountain village of Grindelwald where you will have time at leisure to explore, and weather permitting, enjoy the magnificent views of the famous Eiger Mountain.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Jan 2

  Head to the Paris area, where we stay for two nights.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Jan 3 - Paris

  Included excursion to Paris. Join our optional guided tour to see the highlights, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Jan 4

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

For Christmas, you will stay for four nights at the 4-star Hotel Café-Zillertal, or similar, the hotel offers a bar, restaurant, and lift; all rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, T.V., safe, and telephone.<_o3a_p>

For New Year, you’ll stay for six nights at the 4-star family run Hotel Zum Alpbach, in the town of Meiringen located in the heart of the Hasliberg hiking region or similar. The hotel boasts a bar, restaurant, lift and a wellness/spa area.

You will also stay for two nights in the Paris area. Overnight stay in Belgium in a city-style hotel.