✓ Small, personal experience, with no more than 20 people
✓ Return international airfares with world-renowned Emirates
✓ Arrival airport transfers
✓ 13 nights in convenient, comfortable 4-star accommodation
✓ Daily breakfast
✓ Escorted by an expert, English-speaking guide
✓ Enjoy private guided walking tours in the cities of Vienna, Salzburg and Zurich
✓ Private guided tour to magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace by coach
✓ Free time to enjoy each iconic, magical Christmas market
✓ All rail tickets as per the itinerary including an unforgettable journey on the Swiss Golden Pass through the Alps
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Willkommen Österreich! On arrival at Vienna Airport, your tour leader will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Vienna is, quite simply, a beautiful city. The art and architecture is mind-blowing. Located on the banks of the Danube, the capital of Austria has a lot to admire.
Peckish? While you’re here, perhaps you could relax in one of the many traditional coffee houses and taste some Viennese cakes. Hofzuckerbäckerei Demel – fondly known as the Demel – is the oldest cafe and bakery in Vienna and a lovely experience. With mouthwatering cakes and pastries made from centuries-old recipes, it’s the perfect spot for a strudel or scone.
You’ll have your fill of gorgeous Christmas markets, but for a foodie experience, head to the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s main food market. There’s also a flea market here early on Saturday morning. For a street food option, enjoy a creamy käsekrainer – a cheese, pork and beef sausage – at one of the many wurstelstands dotted around the city.
PLEASE NOTE: Our transport for this journey will be via Europe’s highly efficient intercity rail system. You will need to be comfortable carrying/wheeling your luggage between the train stations and your hotel. A moderate level of fitness is required and you must be comfortable handling your own luggage where required so we recommend packing a maximum of 15kgs per person.
You’ll explore Vienna today with a guided walking tour. Hear captivating accounts of Vienna’s diverse history, from its Roman roots to its wartime struggles.
Highlights of your two-hour walking tour include St Stephen’s Cathedral – with its colourful roof tiles, an icon of the Vienna skyline – and the Sacher Cafe, famous for its Sachertorte. Austrians love this famous chocolate sponge so much there is even a National Sachertorte Day on December 5.
You’ll see Heroes’ Square, where Adolf Hitler made his 1938 annexation speech during WWII, the Spanish Riding School and Hofburg Imperial Palace.
The Hofburg is arguably the most historically significant of this city’s beautiful palaces. The architecture here represents various periods, from Gothic to Baroque to Renaissance. If you want to explore this palace, it covers 59 acres with 18 groups of buildings.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Vienna further. Near the Hofburg, Vienna’s Museum Quarter is home to restaurants, bars and many renowned museums, like the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Art History. The Natural History Museum, with 39 exhibit halls, is known for its enormous Dinosaur Hall and its Digital Planetarium.
There’s no shortage of beautiful palaces, either. The Belvedere palace complex, a UNESCO site, is home to the Belvedere Museum. The two palaces here, Upper and Lower Belvedere, were constructed in the late 17th and early 18th century and sit at opposite ends of the landscaped gardens. You can tour these Baroque-style palaces, where you’ll see an impressive collection of Austrian art. The Upper Palace is home to the magnificent two-storey Marble Hall, with numerous period sculptures.
You might opt to get a head start on the plethora of Christmas markets – the city boasts more than 10 of these magical markets, all with their own unique charm. Viel spass!
Take in the aroma of Christmas baking, hot punch and toasted almonds. The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that create an enchanting Christmas atmosphere. Today is yours to fully explore Vienna’s famed Christmas markets.
An arched gateway greets visitors at the entrance to City Hall Square for the Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz. The booths at this traditional Christmas market offer gifts, tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats and warming drinks. It’s the biggest Christmas market in Vienna and certainly popular – be prepared for crowds – because it really does have that fairytale, festive atmosphere. There is even an ice rink in the middle.
Not far from here is the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz. Booths offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas are set up here during Advent. Gospel choirs and music groups create a spellbinding pre-Christmas atmosphere. This is the winter wonderland you’d hoped to experience!
There are many more Christmas markets to explore. Take your pick: Art Advent on Karlsplatz and the Christmas markets at Freyung, Am Hof, Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Spittelberg, Riesenradplatz, Michaelerplatz and Stephansplatz.
Art Advent, as the name would suggest, is full of arts and crafts. There are craft tents, workshops and plenty of handicrafts by local artists for sale. All available food and drink is organic and it’s great for children, with rides and a petting zoo.
At any time during the year, Schönbrunn Palace is a spectacular sight. This former summer residence of the imperial family is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a beautiful park-like setting with its expansive, elaborate gardens. During the Advent period, it’s especially lovely as the forecourt transforms into an elegant Christmas market.
After dark, the illuminated palace makes a regal, imposing backdrop. It’s not a huge market, but it’s a lovely experience, with high-quality goods to peruse and purchase. You’ll find many handmade arts and crafts here, like hand-carved wooden decorations and pottery. Of course, there’s gourmet food to purchase and an array of food and drink options. Enjoy an Austrian delicacy like kaiserschmarren, a sugared pancake with raisins, and wash it down with a punch or mulled wine.
PLEASE NOTE: Optional tours are conducted on a shared basis. Larger group sizes will apply when selecting optional day tours.
We’ll leave for Salzburg today. With your tour leader, use local transit to get to the train station in Vienna, to then board your train to Salzburg. It’s a two and a half hours train journey westbound into Salzburgerland. Once in Salzburg it’s only a short distance to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore Salzburg. This picturesque city is a tourist drawcard for Mozart and The Sound of Music fans but there is much more to do and admire.
You’ll see a lot of this charming city on your walking tour tomorrow, but today perhaps you could explore Hohensalzburg Fortress, a fascinating piece of history. The imposing castle sits on top of the Festungsberg Hill and can be reached by walking or cable car. You’ll see lovely, far-reaching views over Salzburg.
The old town centre, a UNESCO site, is beautifully preserved and full of stunning Baroque architecture. You could easily spend the day wandering these narrow streets, taking in the interesting architecture, famous squares and quaint wrought-iron shop signs.
After breakfast, we’ll start exploring the city of Mozart and The Sound of Music on a two-hour guided walking tour. We’ll start at Mirabell Gardens and Palace, immortalised in the iconic film. Wander through the elaborate Italian Baroque-style palace gardens, famous for its mythology-themed statues, the Pegasus Fountain and the Rose Garden. You’ll have a beautiful view of Hohensalzburg Fortress. From here, cross the River Salzach and wander into Salzburg’s Baroque old town.
See where the city’s world-famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and learn about his life in Salzburg. Then stroll down Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s elegant shopping street, and admire the picturesque streets and hidden alleyways of the old town. Stop at Salzburg Cathedral and St Peter’s Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in Austria. It’s home to one of the oldest restaurants in the world, dating back to the year 803 – it’s rumoured that Mozart ate here.
You’ll explore the Salzburg Christmas Market, one of the oldest of its kind. In the centre of the UNESCO listed old town, this famous Advent market is popular with tourists and locals alike and has a magical atmosphere. It’s all here – the enormous Christmas tree, twinkling lights, carols (on Tuesdays there is a sing-along choir!), mulled wine and about 100 stalls to peruse. This market is open daily from the end of November until Christmas, from morning until evening.
PLEASE NOTE: Optional tours are conducted on a shared basis. Larger group sizes will apply when selecting optional day tours.
We’ll head to Munich today by making the short journey to the Salzburg central station. The two-hour train journey takes you through some amazing scenery and across the border from Austria to Germany. Once in Munich, you’ll use the local transit system, together with your tour leader, to get to your hotel.
You can spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. There are plenty of parks, museums and palaces in this interesting city. Perhaps you could wander the Old Town, entering the city wall gates that date back to medieval times. It’s compact and easy to get around on foot.
For an incredible view of the city, head to St Peter’s Church where, from the 56 metre-high observation deck, you’ll even be able to see over to the Alps on a clear day. You can also climb the south tower of Frauenkirche, a 15th-century church, for beautiful views across Munich. The church’s two domes are a distinctive, iconic part of the Munich skyline.
Although well known for its famous beer festival, Oktoberfest, there’s a lot more to this city beyond its beer halls. But of course, a visit to one is an excellent idea. For classic Bavarian hospitality, the famous Hofbräuhaus – a state-run beer hall – is the quintessential German beer hall experience.
In the solitude of the Bavarian Alps, King Ludwig II built two of his dream castles: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. You’ll head to the Bavarian heartland today on a guided full-day tour of these two architectural masterpieces, as well as the beautiful surroundings.
First we’ll drive to Hohenschwangau village. You’ll take great pictures at Marienbrücke before walking to Neuschwanstein for a tour inside. Then we’ll see the picturesque village of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play held once every decade. Next stop is Linderhof Palace, with time for you to explore the formal gardens and Moorish Kiosk.
We’ll return to Munich in the evening.
There’s plenty of time for you to enjoy Munich’s Christmas market in the Marienplatz in the city centre today. This square is the heart of this city and its Christmas market still retains its traditional Bavarian character, with a variety of handmade items available for purchase and of course, plenty of food. You’ll find baked apples, gingerbread and more.
In the evening, you can listen to Advent music, a glass of mulled wine in hand. The biggest attraction – literally – is the magnificent Christmas tree in front of the new town hall (Neues Rathaus). Around 2500 candles create a delightful ambience in the square. This market is open daily from the end of November, until Christmas Eve.
PLEASE NOTE: Optional tours are conducted on a shared basis. Larger group sizes will apply when selecting optional day tours.
Bid “Auf Wiedersehen” to Germany and say “Grüezi” to Switzerland today. Your tour leader will escort you to the train station in Munich to board the train for Zurich.
The hotel is a short distance by local transit from central station. After checking in, enjoy time at leisure.
See Switzerland’s largest city with a two-hour walking tour today. Your guide will show you top attractions such as Bahnhofstrasse, the lakefront and Fraumunster Church. Wander through the Altstadt (Old Town) as well as more modern parts of the city. Learn about the rich history, architecture and culture of Zurich.
Stay back in the Old Town to take in the atmosphere of its famed Christmas market. Zurich’s oldest Christmas market is a tiny, charming world of its own, located in the heart of the Niederdorf quarter of the Old Town. Numerous market stalls line the centrally located Niederdorfstrasse and spill onto Hirschenplatz and Rosenhof, so it’s easy to lose track of time when browsing the wares on sale.
Zurich is home to many other Christmas markets. Don’t miss the one at Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, with its 15-metre sparkling Christmas tree, and the one in front of the Opera House. All the Christmas markets here are open from the end of November until Christmas. Nearby Rapperswil and Einsiedeln are also home to Christmas markets if you want to venture out of town – both places can be reached by train within one hour.
PLEASE NOTE: Optional tours are conducted on a shared basis. Larger group sizes will apply when selecting optional day tours.
We’ll head for Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland today. Once again, your tour leader will escort you to the train station, using the local transit system. It’s about two hours to Interlaken, then a short distance to the hotel.
The rest of the day is free to explore this traditional resort town. Interlaken lies between the beautifully-coloured Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is presided over by three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It really is postcard-perfect scenery. During the Advent period, the winter landscape and festive decorations create a magical Christmas spirit. It’s the ideal backdrop for leisurely browsing, as well as some serious Christmas shopping.
Spend the day relaxing in this laidback town. Höheweg, the main promenade of Interlaken, is lovely for a stroll. It runs from Lake Brienz to Lake Thun, with gardens and parks on one side allowing for a view of the Bernese Alps. On the other side you’ll find high-end hotels, boutiques, cafes and the casino.
You might like to ascend the mountain by cable car – at an elevation of 1322 metres you’ll have breathtaking views over the town, flanked by its two turquoise lakes and the mountains.
PLEASE NOTE: Optional tours are conducted on a shared basis. Larger group sizes will apply when selecting optional day tours.
We’ll head for Geneva today, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The train journey there is sure to be one of your tour highlights. It’s just over one hour on a local train from Interlaken to Zweisimmen, then you’ll change here for the iconic Panoramic Golden Pass train that will take you to Montreux.
During this leg it will climb to its highest point, 1279 metres, then wind its way through the valley, quite narrow at times, with beautiful views of Lake Geneva. This train has panoramic windows which means you won’t miss the amazing scenery as the train makes its way through the alpine passes. The journey to Montreux takes about two hours, then you’ll change over for the last hour-long leg before reaching Geneva.
Once in Geneva, if you’re feeling up for it you’ll be able to fit in one last Christmas market at Rue Mont-Blanc.
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your European Christmas adventure comes to an end. Your guide will assist by walking you to the airport express train for your onward flight.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
Inspiring Stays
Inspiring Sights
To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 2 bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 5 options (additional costs listed under 'Optional Tours')
Inspiring Tastes
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $1,500 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
How to extend your stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Please note, a supplement of $150 per person (plus any applicable fare and tax differences) applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free sightseeing experiences of the options listed below. Guests can also purchase the remaining 3 sightseeing experiences:
Optional Tour - The following may also be pre-purchased but is not included as one of your Inspiring Sights:
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a tipping kitty system. At your group meeting at the commencement of your tour, your tour leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,699 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Paired Solo Travellers
Not available.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Australian passport holders do not require a visa for travel to Austria, Germany and Switzerland, for travel less than 90 days.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
8-20 people.
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
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