A holiday time bucket list trip to experience Europe's most magical places for Christmas Markets -- Vienna, Austria and to beautiful Strasbourg and Colmar 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 wonderful trip this will be!

 

We'll spend the first three nights based in Vienna to include:

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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 and opulence of the Habsburgs... and discussing Viennese culture - what drew artists, musicians, and authors to Vienna. The tour will include walking through the First District with its astonishing architecture, 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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• 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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• Tour of the Imperial Treasury at the Hofburg Palace with our local guide to see the extraordinary Austrian Crown Jewels.

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• Visit inside the world-famous, historic, Renaissance Revival design Vienna State Opera, considered one of Europe's most beautiful opera houses.

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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 Christmas time treats. 

 

Mid-week we'll travel 1st-class by train from Vienna to Strasbourg where we'll stay the next three nights in Strasbourg's old town on Le Petite France. 

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Strasbourg is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that protect the city's 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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Our Strasbourg stay will 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 see the 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 buildings, 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! Plus we'll visit two small and very charming Alsatian villages, Riquewihr and Selestat. Selestat is recognized as the home of the Christmas tree.

 

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.

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

• Farewell dinner at a traditional Alsatian winstub.

• Vienna Activities:​

  • Introduction to Vienna Tour with a local historian guide.

  • Schönbrunn Palace Tour with a local historian guide.

  • Tour of the Imperial Treasury at the Hofburg Palace with a local historian guide

  • Tour inside Vienna State Opera.

  • 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.

  • Day trip to Colmar, Riquewihr and Selestat Christmas Markets. 

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

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

• 1st-Class Train Transportation - Vienna to Strasbourg.

• Train Station Hotel Transfers – transfer departing Vienna hotel to Vienna train station and transfer 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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2024 Tour Cost:  

• $7,975 – 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 - $1,950

 

2025 Tour Cost:  

• $8,975 – 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 - $2,750

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Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!

Small Group Tour. Limited to 15 Guests.