CHRISTKINDLMARKT

CHRISTKINDLMARKT
December 3 – 11, 2024
Italy – Switzerland – Germany – Austria

9 Day – 4 Countries
Escordet First class Tour

Tour Host from USA
Marijka Helbig

Tour Guide:
Giovanni Borrelli 

Deposit deadline:
$600 per person by
May 20, 2024

MILAN (2) – MITTENWALD (4) – MUNICH (3)

Christkindlmarkt, translated means Christ Child market. Beginning the last week of November, an enticing scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine permeates every town and village. The magical atmosphere of these markets excites our senses and gets visitors in a festive mood for Christmas.  Beautiful wooden decorations, delicious Lebkuchen, gluhwein, bratwurst and much more are found at a traditional Christmas Market.  A most unique highlight for all families!

MILAN – MITTENWALD – MUNICH
plus: St.Moritz, Salzburg, Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Murnau and Zugspitze Ski Lift Ride

Tour Land cost:        $ 3790  Land rate per person in double room
Single supplement:  $ 890
Gratuities:                 $ 120
Arriving:                     Milan
Departing:                  Munich

Included:

• • Airport transfers
  • Centrally located first class hotels
  • Daily breakfast and 7 dinners
  • Welcome wine reception in Milan
  • Farewell dinner in Munich
  • Touring by modern motor coach
  • English-speaking Tour Director
  • Licensed Local Guides
  • Sightseeing tours:  Milan, Salzburg and Munich
  • Ski Lift Ride – Zug Spitze Mt.
  • Admission included where indicated
  • Whisper technology enhanced touring
  • Hotel taxes and service charges

Hotels: TBA

• • MILAN

  • MITTENWALD

  • MUNICH

Not Included:  Airfare (we can assist you in purchasing your airline ticket)

Upon arrival in Milano, you will be met and transferred to group city center hotel. After check-in enjoy the free afternoon until group dinner at hotel.

Milan, located in northern Italy, is known for its designer brands, shopping and outlets, which makes it the perfect destination for Christmas shopping. Visit during December and you can also experience the magical Christmas Markets in Milan, in addition to getting some great Christmas bargains! 

Dinner at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.  Morning guided city tour will include tour of Duomo and

The Last Super by Michelangelo.

Remainder of day on your own.

Traditionally, the first weekend of December marks the beginning of the advent season. Milan’s city center transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and dazzling window displays in the designer stores. Admire the grandeur of the 12 metre tall Christmas tree located in the heart of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, decorated with 1,000 Swarovski crystals. And of course visit the Milan Christmas Markets. 

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, we head north towards Lake Como and Lake Lugano through Sud Tyrol Alps into Switzerland and St. Moritz.  You will have approx. 3 hours for your lunch and shopping 

St. Moritz is a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. It was the proud host to 2 Winter Olympic games (1928 and 1948).   Its charming Christmas market is a favorite of royals, celebrities, and jet-setting skiers. Called Glatschin, the fanciful market includes an ice-skating rink, a gastro village with a confectionery, a mulled wine and punch bar, and stalls with local handicrafts for sale. Don’t miss goldsmith Engadiner Goldschmiede, who makes jewelry out of local stones. While you’re in town, be sure to visit Badrutt’s Palace Hotel to see St. Moritz’s biggest Christmas tree, covered in gold ornaments and lights. And a word to the wise: leave your Christmas sweater at home. The proper attire for this Swiss holiday experience is fur and diamonds!

We will arrive in Mittenwald for dinner at our hotel about 7PM – tonight St Nicholas visits all!

Mittenwald is a town nestled between the Alpine peaks of Bavaria, Germany. It is known for its colorful painted houses and a rich violin-making history, documented in the central Geigenbaumuseum. The 18th-century Roman Catholic church of Sts. Peter and St. Paul is famed for its picturesque frescoes.   After WW II, Mittenwald was one of the largest DP Camps (Displaced Persons) for 5000 refugees from Ukraine.   From 1945 to 1950,  Ukrainians created active communities of education, choirs, workshops and orchestras.  PLAST, Ukrainian Scouting organization, was reborn here.  The first International Plast Jamboree took place in 1947 in Mittenwald with 1300 members attending from surroundinh DP Camps..  We will visit the local cemetery, where you will find many familiar names from the late 1940’s. 

After breakfast we proceed to Salzburg, Austrian city on the border of Germany. Known for the birthplace of W. A. Mozart and the shooting location for “The Sound of Music”.  The city is divided by the Salzach River. Medieval and baroque buildings of the pedestrian Altstadt (Old City) on its left bank face the 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on its right. 

The traditional Salzburg Christkindlmarkt is located in the heart of Salzburg. The historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  A truly special experience!

  Enjoy lunch on your own. We return to Mittenwald at 3-4PM.  Dinner at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel we rejoin our touring coach and travel to Oberammergau. 

Oberammergau is a town in the Bavarian Alps. In 1633, a bubonic plague swept the region and many inhabitants of the village died. The villagers turned to God for help.  If the Lord spared the town, stopping the deaths, the townspeople vowed to perform a passion play once every ten years to express their gratitude.  According to legend, shortly after making their plea, deaths in Oberammergau came to an end.

Oberammergau still performs the Passionsspiele, once every ten years. Over 2,000 actors, singers, musicians and residents of the village take part in the production.

You will see beautiful murals on buildings in Oberammergau called Lüftlmalerei. Alhough this type of art can be found all over Bavaria and northern Austria, Oberammergau has one of the best displays. They are painted in an illusionist style, depicting religious related themes. 

Woodcarvings have been produced in Oberammergau for over 500 years. A cross-section of artworks and hand-crafted objects from the 17th century to the modern day is displayed in the museum, which also features woodcarvings by local artisans.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a German ski resort in Bavaria.  Formed in 1935 when 2 towns united, it is a popular destination for skiing, ice skating and hiking. The town lies near the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, with a  9,718 ft. summit accessed by cogwheel train and cable car. Garmisch is considered the more fashionable section, while Partenkirchen’s cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel.  

Lunch under own arrangements in Garmishcpartenkirchen. Weather permitting, we will go for a ride to the top of The Zugspitze.  It is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains, and the highest mountain in Germany. Definitely the highlight of our day!  (This would be in lieu of the Karwendle Ski lift ride planned for the following day.)

Evening return to Mittenwald for overnight and dinner.

Early breakfast at hotel, and we leave for Munich via Murnau am Staffelsee.  Murnau is a market town in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region of Bavaria, Germany. The market originated in the 12th century around Murnau Castle. Murnau is on the edge of the Bavarian Alps, about 70 kl south of Munich.  It’s a great place to do your Christmas shopping.

Lunch under own arrangements.  Afternoon departure to Munich.  Dinner at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel and a short bus orientation tour of the city.

Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.

Munich Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz square

This traditional market, with roots dating back to the 14th century, is considered the original among Munich’s Christmas markets. Against the romantic backdrop of the neo-Gothic town hall on Marienplatz, the village of stalls enchants visitors with its old Bavarian charm.  This is not only the home of living customs and old crafts, but also of what is probably Germany’s largest Nativity scene market. Here you can find everything needed for a real Nativity scene – from the lantern for the stable to the gifts of the Magi. 

From the town hall balcony, live Bavarian Stubenmusik (traditional folk music), brass bands and choirs set the mood for the holidays.

Lunch on your own. Afternoon free. Tonight we meet in the hotel lobby for our FAREWELL DINNER.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight home.