Europe Christmas Markets: Budapest to Zagreb
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating multi-day tour through the heart of Central Europe, where festive markets, historical sites, and breathtaking landscapes await. From the enchanting streets of Budapest to the alpine beauty of Bled, each day offers a unique blend of cultural exploration and winter wonder. Delight in the flavors of local cuisine, immerse yourself in vibrant traditions, and create lasting memories in some of Europe's most picturesque destinations. Join us for an unforgettable journey filled with holiday cheer and magical moments.
Included
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
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.
Train , Public bus , Taxi
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.
Hotel (7 nights)
hotel: 7 night(s);
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.
Budapest - Christmas Snacks and Mulled Wine Tasting
Budapest - Leader-led orientation walk
Budapest - Christmas Market
Graz - Christmas Market Visit
Graz - Schlosberg Castle Visit and Funicular Ride
Ljubljana - Christmas Market
Bled - Day Trip to Lake Bled
Zagreb - Walking Tour of Christmas Markets with Local Guide
Zagreb - Cable car to Sljeme
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
- Budapest - Arrival day
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- Dunapart
- Fisherman's Bastion
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Welcome to the enchanting city of Budapest, where your festive journey begins. Arrive at your hotel (Hilton or similar) and prepare for an evening welcome meeting at 6 pm. As the city glows under the winter lights, take a leisurely stroll to soak in the architectural wonders, from Roman to Gothic influences. Visit the fairy-tale-like Fishermen's Bastion for panoramic views of the city. Conclude your evening with a delightful dinner and a scenic night walk along the illuminated Danube River.
Day 2 – Day 2: Budapest's Festive Charm
- Budapest
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- Vajdahunyad Castle
- City Park
- Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden
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Start your day with an orientation walk through Budapest, culminating at the renowned Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square. Delight in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the market, where local crafts and culinary delights await. Enjoy a food tasting and a warm glass of mulled wine. Spend your afternoon exploring further, perhaps visiting smaller markets or ice skating at City Park, with the stunning Vajdahunyad Castle as your backdrop. End your day with a relaxing soak in the city's famous thermal baths.
Day 3 – Day 3: Graz's Christmas Magic
- Graz
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- Freiheitsplatz Graz
- Schlossbergbahn
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Travel to Graz, Austria's charming second-largest city, and immerse yourself in its festive spirit. Begin at Hauptplatz Square, where the main Christmas market offers a blend of traditional crafts and treats. Ascend to Schlosberg Castle via a funicular ride for breathtaking views and unique high-altitude markets. For the adventurous, descend via the world's tallest indoor slide. As night falls, witness the town hall's advent calendar projection and explore more of the city's 14 markets, all within walking distance.
Day 4 – Day 4: Ljubljana's Winter Wonderland
- Ljubljana
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- Metelkova Art Center
- Ljubljana Castle
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Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia's picturesque capital, nestled among lakes and mountains. Explore the city's main Christmas market along the Ljubljanica River, where the festive atmosphere is truly captivating. In the evening, venture to Metelkova Mesto to experience the vibrant local nightlife, a cultural hub that offers a unique blend of art and entertainment.
Day 5 – Day 5: Bled's Fairy Tale Scenery
- Ljubljana
- Bled
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- Bled Castle
- Love bench - Ojstrica
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Journey to the enchanting town of Bled, renowned for its stunning alpine beauty. Explore the 11th-century Bled Castle perched on a cliff, or take a scenic walk around the lake. For breathtaking vistas, hike to the Ojstrica Viewpoint. Warm up with a slice of the famous Bled cream cake before returning to Ljubljana for the evening.
Day 6 – Day 6: Zagreb's Festive Splendor
- Zagreb
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- Zagreb Central Mosque
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Arrive in Zagreb, Croatia's vibrant capital, transformed into a winter wonderland during the Advent festival. Explore the city's renowned Christmas market, a dazzling display of lights, trees, and festive stalls. Join an evening walking tour to learn about Croatian Christmas traditions and enjoy the city's illuminated beauty.
Day 7 – Day 7: Snowy Peaks of Sljeme
- Zagreb
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- Ski resort Sljeme
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Ascend to Sljeme, the summit of Medvednica Mountain, for a true winter wonderland experience. Enjoy a short walk amidst snow-covered landscapes, followed by a traditional Croatian lunch featuring local specialties. Return to Zagreb for your final night, reflecting on the magical journey you've experienced.
Day 8 – Day 8: Farewell to Festivities
- Zagreb - Departure day
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Conclude your festive adventure in Zagreb with a hearty breakfast. With no planned activities, take the opportunity to explore the city at your leisure or prepare for your onward journey. Reflect on the unforgettable experiences and memories made during this enchanting multi-day tour.
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