Europe Christmas Markets: Munich to Budapest

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Description

Summary

Starts
Munich
Duration
8 days
Languages
English

Description

Embark on a magical multi-day tour through the heart of Europe, exploring the festive charm of Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. This enchanting journey begins in Munich, where you'll be welcomed with a traditional Bavarian dinner. Wander through Munich's vibrant Christmas markets, then travel to Salzburg to experience its historic charm and festive food delights. Continue to Vienna, where grand architecture and numerous Christmas markets await. Finally, conclude your adventure in Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube,' with its stunning Neo-Renaissance architecture and lively Christmas markets. Each day is filled with guided tours, free time for personal exploration, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and holiday spirit. Accommodation is provided in comfortable hotels (or similar) throughout the tour, ensuring a cozy retreat after each day's adventures.

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Included

7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat

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All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative.

Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

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Munich - Welcome Dinner

Munich - Gluehwein (Mulled Wine) Tasting

Munich - Christmas Market Visit

Salzburg - Christmas Market Visit

Salzburg - Hohensalzburg Fortress Visit

Salzburg - Hohensalzburg Cable Car

Salzburg- Christmas Market small tasting

Vienna - Christmas Market Visit

Budapest - Christmas Market Visit

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OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS:

Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME:

Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:

If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES:

Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Hotel (7 nights)

hotel: 7 night(s);

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TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:

Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.

TRAINS:

The main mode of transportation on this trip is by train. European trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning. Toilets are always available. Some of the trains have snack bars (or vending machines) and power points next to the seats but that cannot be guaranteed on every journey. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre.

Train , Metro

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Destinations

Hallein - city in AustriaHallein
Budapest - city in HungaryBudapest
Austria, Rainbow over Salzburg castleSalzburg
Aerial view on Marienplatz town hall and Frauenkirche in Munich, Germany.Munich
Church Heiliger Franz of Assisi at Mexikoplatz, Vienna, Austria.Vienna

Map

Attractions

photo of Munich Residenz, Munich, Germany.Munich Residence
Salzburg Cathedral, Altstadt, Salzburg, AustriaSalzburg Cathedral
Photo of aerial view of Schonbrunn Palace is a major tourist attraction in Vienna, Austria.Schönbrunn Palace
Sound of Music Pavilion, Hellbrunn, Salzburg, AustriaSound of Music Pavilion
photo of view of The Musikverein concert hall in Vienna,Vienna Austria.Vienna Music Society
Photo of entrance of the Budapest Zoo, Budapest, Hungary.Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Munich

  • Munich - Arrival day
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Willkommen! Welcome to Munich, Germany. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. In the evening, head out for an included dinner with the rest of the group. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend the meeting. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Munich

  • Munich
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  • New Town Hall
  • Victuals Market
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In the morning after breakfast, venture out with your leader for an orientation walk of Munich. This cosmopolitan metropolis houses an extraordinary array of sights for travelers more interested in art, architecture, history, music, and, of course, Christmas markets. There are 20 different Christmas markets in Munich and you'll be introduced to the best of them. From the Kripperlmarkt, which has all you need to create an authentic manger, to the Tollwood Christmas Market, Munich's vibrant ethnic festival. Music lovers will be able to get into the festive spirit with a special alpine Christmas Market concert from the balcony of Munich's town hall, which takes place Sunday to Thursday while the Christmas markets are on. Sip on a mug of gluehwein, grab a grilled sausage, and browse the markets full of toys, wood carvings, candles, and more. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Munich to Salzburg

  • Salzburg
  • Munich
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  • Salzburg Cathedral
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Travel south-east into Austria by train to Salzburg today, which should take around one hour and forty-five minutes. Built on the fortune of its famous salt mines, Salzburg is the birthplace of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves legend, home to the hills from the Sound of Music, and purveyor of absolutely everything Mozart. On arrival, check in to your hotel and then head out into the city for an orientation walk with your leader. The city will captivate with its history, as well as its cobblestone lanes, bubbling river, and charmingly kitsch atmosphere. In the late afternoon, visit the atmospheric Christmas market in Cathedral Square. The smells of gluhwein, roasted chestnuts, toasted almonds, and cinnamon-brushed baked apples waft through the marketplace, while the sounds of traditional Salzburg choirs fill the air. Here your leader will take you on a food crawl that may include such classics as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Kasnock'n (cheese gnocchi), Bratwurst (sausage), Mozartkugel (marzipan-covered nougat in dark chocolate cover), Schwarzbrot (sourdough bread). Later on, jump into a cable car and reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the city’s most visible landmark. This fully preserved castle hosts a very small, intimate Christmas market and if you’re lucky, a Christmas-themed live music. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Salzburg

  • Salzburg
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  • Mirabell Palace
  • Hellbrunn Palace
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Today is free to explore Salzburg and the surrounding areas. Perhaps make your way to the salt mine in Berchtesgaden, situated in the German Alps. Otherwise, you may want to experience the life of the von Trapp family from the Sound of Music and visit movie scenes of the Mirabell Gardens and Pegasus Fountain, Leopoldskron Palace, and Hellbrunn Palace. In the evening, why not head back to the Christmas markets to soak up even more of the blissful atmosphere? Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Salzburg to Vienna

  • Vienna
  • Hallein
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  • Leopold Museum
  • Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel
  • Schönbrunn Palace
  • Vienna Music Society
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Board a train bound for Vienna today (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, embark on a leader-led walking tour of Vienna, passing grand buildings and parks. You'll see many monuments dedicated to famous composers and historical figures. In your free time, perhaps visit the striking Hofburg Palace, the Leopold Museum, or seek out exceptional city views on the Prater Ferris Wheel. Later in the afternoon, head to the Christmas markets in front of the City Hall. Browse the markets, sip on Christmas punch, and snack on some freshly baked cinnamon biscuits. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Vienna

  • Vienna
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  • Schönbrunn Palace
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You'll have the whole day to explore Vienna, so perhaps head to Schoenbrunn Palace, which was designed by Empress Maria Theresa herself. The gardens are free to all visitors but there is a charge for entrance and tours of the palace. Avoid long queues by pre-booking your tickets at schoenbrunn.at. Also, with over 12 Christmas markets to visit in the city, you'll be sure to find the perfect Christmas present. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Vienna to Budapest

  • Budapest
  • Vienna
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  • Vörösmarty tér
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Travel east from Vienna to Budapest by train (approximately 3 hours). Known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', Budapest's grand architecture and boulevards evoke a time gone by. With so much to see and do, hiring a bicycle is a great way to move between sights and attractions. After a short orientation walk around the city, it's time to visit the Christmas markets. With the main Christmas market being located in Vorosmarty Square, every street light, tree, and market stall lit up gives the area a real Christmas feel. There are plenty of stalls offering different Hungarian foods to try and buy. Experience these great markets of Budapest with a glass of mulled wine or shot of traditional Hungarian palinka. The combination of market cheer and Neo-Renaissance architecture is a charming one. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar)

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Budapest

  • Budapest - Departure day
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Your Christmas Market adventure comes to an end today. There are no more activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after you check-out.

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