11 days/10 nights
What a combination!
DAY 1 - 18 DECEMBER
MUNICH
Your tour commences this evening in wonderful Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich - particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls. Before your Bavarian style buffet dinner enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel. (D) Your Munich Hotel - Maritim.
DAY 2 - 19 DECEMBER
INNSBRUCK
Joining our touring coach we drive into the Bavarian Alps to visit the famous fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle of ‘Mad’ King Ludwig. Your horse and carriage awaits to take you up the wooded road to enjoy a guided tour through the Wagner inspired state rooms. Next stop will be at the Passion Play village of Oberammergau with colourfully painted houses before we continue to Kloster Ettal Monastery. This edifice, in a lovely shaded valley, dates back over 700 years and is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in existence. The Abbey has an incredible painted ceiling. Dinner is included tonight and the Christmas Markets await. (B, D) Your Innsbruck Hotel - Grauer Bauer.
DAY 3 - 20 DECEMBER
INNSBRUCK
Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (‘Crystal Worlds’ - entrance included). Built into a small hill the entrance is through the mouth of a Goblin with huge crystal eyes. A wonderful crystal experience lies within. Back to Innsbruck your afternoon is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’ above the medieval town square with its delightful Christmas Markets. Time to do that last minute shopping, indulge in mulled wine and ginger biscuits and take in the music, fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. You simply must spoil yourself with a traditional aromatic coffee and a calorie-busting “apfel strudel”! Maybe a rich chocolate torten cake? Mmmm! (B)
DAY 4 - 21 DECEMBER
CASTELBRANDO
Crossing over the Brenner Pass, through Bolzano we soon reach picture perfect Lake Garda and Romeo and Juliet’s Verona where we stop for lunch. The rest of the day is free to visit the massive Roman amphitheatre, the charming town centre and, naturally, the famous balcony where Shakespeare’s tragic couple pledged a love that has spanned the centuries. Later we drive the short distance to the foothills of the Dolomites and the superb Castel Brando. 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 two evocative nights. Located above the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous noble’s palace in the 13th Century. (B, D) Your Castle Hotel – Castel Brando.
DAY 5 - 22 DECEMBER
CASTELBRANDO
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. 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. Dinner this evening is back in ‘our’ castle. (B, D)
DAY 6 - 23 DECEMBER
GLORIOUS LAKE BLED
Before crossing the Slovenian border we duck into Austria and visit the old town of Villach with its main square (Hauptplatz) surrounded by fine 16th-century houses. Entering the Julian Alps we reach the natural wonder of Lake Bled where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. A dramatic place to spend Christmas! Your afternoon is at leisure to take a walk around the lake or visit the castle. Over the next four nights all dinners are included. Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner with music and a traditional Christmas Turkey lunch is also included. (B, D) Your Slovenian Christmas hotel - The Golf Hotel.
DAY 7 - 24 DECEMBER
GLORIOUS LAKE BLED
This morning we join our local guide and visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is literally filled to capacity with Baroque churches, palaces, museums and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town overflow with cafe tables and street entertainers. This evening enjoy a special dinner with Zither Music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return. (B, D)
DAY 8 - 25 DECEMBER
GLORIOUS LAKE BLED
Spend Christmas relaxing on the shores of Lake Bled and enjoying the magnificent scenery and excellent hotel facilities. A traditional Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed by all. In the evening we gather on the lakeside to witness the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes’. Tonight enjoy a live band playing in your hotel. What a way to spend Christmas! (B, L, D)
DAY 9 - 26 DECEMBER
GLORIOUS LAKE BLED
There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! Joined by our local guide we drive north to the breathtaking Zgornjesavska Valley and reach the resort town of Kranjska Gora, famed for its Ski World Cup competitions and Ski ‘flights’ on the giant ski-jump in Planica. There are so many choices for you to enjoy yourself. Rent a toboggan? Go snow walking? Hire a snowmobile (there’s a course you can follow) or take a chair lift to the top of the mountains for views that go on forever. Alternatively explore this vibrant ski resort packed with shops and restaurants. We also drive through the Bohinj Valley which stretches through the Triglav National Park to visit the beautiful Lake Bohinj. This evening we’ve included tickets to Bled’s annual Boxing Day Brass Band concert. (B, D)
DAY 10 - 27 DECEMBER
MUNICH
Driving north we cross back into Austria and reach Salzburg - the Baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we enjoy a leisurely lunch time in the old town centre. Mozart’s Birthplace makes a fascinating visit. Mid afternoon we depart Salzburg and arrive into Munich for our last evening together. Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local German restaurant. (B, D) Your Munich Hotel - Maritim.
DAY 11 - 28 DECEMBER
MUNICH
Sadly your Christmas tour is now complete, and it’s time to bid farewell. (B)
All the sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions described in the itinerary
Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
Luxury touring coach
Tips to Tour Manager, drivers and guides
Hotel porterage
(1 bag per person)
10 nights First Class selected accommodation
Upgrade to lake view rooms,
Lake Bled
Buffet breakfasts daily
9 Dinners including Christmas Eve Dinner with Zither Music and Special Farewell Dinner
Christmas Day Turkey Lunch
Tea and coffee with all dinners
Welcome drink Munich and
Lake Bled
Entrance and Horse and Buggy ride Neuschwanstein, return waterbus Venice
Local guides – Neuschwanstein Castle, Venice, Ljubljana and Kranjska Gora
Tickets to the Boxing Day Brass Band Concert
AUD $3,889
pp twin share
Single Supplement $589
ReservationsContact Beyond Slovenia Team
Beyond Slovenia
PO BOX 230
Round Corner NSW 2158 Australia
Phone + 61 2 9651 3177
Fax + 61 2 9651 2363
Phone Australia Wide 1300 55 75 01