Christmas in an Italian Castle

Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich – particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls - which if you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit!  Before your Bavarian-style buffet dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.

A leisurely start as we cross into Austria to spend lunchtime in Mondsee on Lake Mondsee, and visit the church made famous in the wedding scene of the film ‘The Sound of Music’. Later we drive deep into the lakes district and visit Hallstatt. Set on a rocky terrace jutting into the quiet dark water of the lake surrounded by towering peaks, this is considered the oldest inhabited village in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful in Austria. Afterwards, passing Wolfgangsee (lake), we soon reach Fuschl - the tiny country village on Lake Fuschl.  Only 30 minutes from Salzburg this is our home for the next two nights.  This evening join in a torchlight village walk followed by mulled wine.

Today includes a full day excursion to Salzburg. Our first stop is at the nearby village of Oberndorf where we visit the famous ‘Silent Night’ Chapel on the site where the Christmas carol was first performed. We then continue on to Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress).  A walking city tour with an expert local guide will introduce you to this enchanting city, including several locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’. As a finale you will gather amongst the fir trees in the small stone courtyard of the St Peter’s Keller, dating back to the 1500’s and Salzburg’s oldest restaurant, for a hot drink and biscuits. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the city. Maybe take time to visit the huge castle for a fascinating view or savour the atmosphere of the famous Salzburg Christmas Markets.

This morning we follow the spectacular Inn Valley through  the Tyrol to Wattens to visit Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (Crystal Worlds)... a weird and wonderful crystal experience. We continue the short distance to the winter resort of Innsbruck. After checking into our centrally located hotel you will have plenty of time to explore the Old Town on your doorstep.  Make sure you enjoy the picture perfect Christmas Markets in the old medieval square beneath the famous ‘Golden Roof’.

Driving up over the beautiful Fern Pass we enter Southern Bavaria and visit the tiny village of Hohenschwangau.  After a brisk walk uphill you enjoy a guided tour of one of  the most inspiring and famous castles in the world – ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s romantic Neuschwanstein Castle.  The staterooms, halls and throne room are all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. In the afternoon we also visit the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings and stop at Kloster Ettal Monastery with its incredible painted ceilings. Dating back over 700 years this is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. Your evening is at leisure.

Today we cross into Italy via the Brenner Pass and visit Bolzano, capital of Alto Adige region. Intricately carved gables, painted timber façades and an elegant arcaded main street illustrate the influence of both Tyrolean and Italian cultures. We have included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi – the famous Ice Man – along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the Ancient History of Italy’s South Tyrol. At Trento we cut across the scenic Valsugana and reach the foothills of the Dolomites and our superb CastelBrando. Located above the village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous Noble’s palace in the 13th century. On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see – and this will be your home for the next four evocative nights.

Christmas Eve! Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St Mark’s Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour and to visit the pink and white marble Doges Palace. The rest of the day is free to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Tonight we enjoy Christmas Eve with dinner back in ‘our’ castle.

Christmas Day as it should be…in a wonderful location - relaxing, eating and drinking. A day to savour the delights  of your castle. Maybe take the hotel funicular to the village below, have a ‘winter walk’ or warm yourself on one of the castle’s sun terraces. Highlight of your day will be the exceptional 5 course Christmas lunch accompanied by a welcome cocktail and a selection of local wines. A Christmas to remember!

Boxing Day! Time to have some fun in the snow as we drive north into the spectacular Dolomites to visit the chic Italian ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. ‘My Time’ to shop and enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the dramatic, snow laden peaks surrounding you, or perhaps take the cable car (not included) up the mountain.

Leaving our castle we head for the shores of Lake Garda where we take a morning break in the incredibly picturesque town of Sirmione with its tiny harbour surrounded by cobblestoned walkways and cafés. Later we continue to the stylish city of Milan for time at leisure before enjoying a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Your Christmas tour ends this morning in Milan.