There is nothing quite like Advent in Germany and Austria, when the weeks before Christmas are celebrated with equal parts exuberance and quiet tradition. Town squares glow beneath strings of lights, music drifts through the crisp winter air, and the scent of cinnamon, cloves and woodsmoke mingles with roasting chestnuts, gingerbread, warm pretzels and sausages. Wrap your hands around a mug of spiced mulled wine and, magically, the cold disappears.
This journey deliberately seeks out smaller, more authentic markets – the places locals love, where there is still room to wander, linger over handmade ornaments and regional crafts, talk with the people who make them, and simply take in the extraordinary beauty of the season.
We begin in Salzburg with the historic city’s Baroque Advent setting, the fairy-tale market at Hellbrunn Palace and a day in traditional and Bavarian Berchtesgaden. First-class rail then carries us through the Alps to experience Tyrolean Christmas traditions and a private visit to Riedel, before continuing to Lindau on Lake Constance. Here, Christmas spills onto the waterfront, and a festive Christmas Ship carries us across the lake to Bregenz, Austria.
Our hotels are part of the experience, too, beautifully dressed for the season in lights, garlands, evergreens and decorated trees. Wonderful wellness facilities offer plenty of opportunities to warm up, slow down and relax between our winter adventures.
This is Advent as it was meant to be: joyful and contemplative, delicious and beautiful, and filled with the kind of Christmas magic you thought existed only in pictures.
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Merry Christmas In Germany & Austria
We gather you at the pre-tour hotel in Munich and travel by private coach to Salzburg, as the city gives way to Bavarian countryside and the Alps rise ahead. Our first stop is Salzburg's historic center, where Advent unfolds against a spectacular Baroque backdrop.
Beneath the cathedral towers and elegant facades of Mozart's hometown, wooden market stalls glow with lights while choirs, brass ensembles and traditional Advent music fill the squares. Browse handcrafted ornaments and gifts, take in the festive atmosphere and warm your hands around a first mug of spiced mulled wine.
We slip into a traditional Salzburg coffeehouse for a light lunch, excellent Austrian coffee and something irresistible from the pastry case. Later, it's a short drive to Anif, a peaceful village beneath the mountains and our home for three nights. Our family-run hotel embraces Christmas with decorated evergreens, candlelight and sparkling trees throughout. After settling in, we gather in the hotel's cozy tavern for a warm welcome dinner. Consider this your warm-up - the Christmas market adventure is just heating up!
Hotel FriesacherAnif, Austria
The Hotel Friesacher lies in Anif on the edge of Salzburg, in green, peaceful surroundings only 5 kilometers from Salzburg’s historic city center. The Friesacher family has owned and run the hotel for six generations, so the luxury and service come with a distinctly homely touch. The beautifully appointed guest rooms, restaurants, and large spa area await you.
Royal & Festive - Hellbrunn Palace Advent Magic
After a leisurely start - and one of the best hotel breakfasts we've ever encountered - we make our way to 400-year-old Hellbrunn Palace, built as a pleasure palace for entertaining, celebrating and escaping court life.Before entering the Advent market, we stop at the famous glass gazebo from The Sound of Music. Then Christmas takes over: more than 700 evergreens sparkle with thousands of lights and red ornaments, while the palace's 24 windows become a giant Advent calendar.
Wander among stalls of handmade ornaments, ceramics, felted crafts and woven goods while the aromas of toasted nuts and Christmas spices fill the grounds. Lunch is included today.
We return to our hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the fire or in the spa. Tonight is intentionally left open, giving you the freedom to return to a favorite spot, try another local restaurant or simply enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel.
A Bavarian Christmas In Berchtesgaden
Indulge in another sumptuous Christmas breakfast, where the buffet tempts with Austrian favorites - Sachertorte, marbled Bundt cakes and warm apple strudel. Soon thereafter we're off to neighboring Bavaria and the mountain town of Berchtesgaden.
Beneath the snowy gaze of the watchful Watzmann, some 50 decorated wooden stalls wind through the historic center around the Royal Palace and centuries-old townhouses. This is an especially traditional market, rooted in Alpine craftsmanship and Bavarian customs.
Look for hand-carved nativity figures and wooden ornaments, local leatherwork and other crafts made in the surrounding region. Food is equally local, with smoked sausages, wild-game jerky, pâtés and plenty of other market specialties to discover. Lunch is on your own today, which is ideal for grazing your way through the market.
Later, we return to our cozy nest with time to unwind before dressing for a special evening. Tonight, we dine at our hotel's award-winning restaurant where seasonal Austrian cuisine is served in beautiful, traditional wood-paneled dining rooms.
First-Class Seats & Handblown Crystal
After one final show-stopping breakfast, we're whisked to Salzburg's main station and settle into first class for our journey west through the Alps. From the warmth of your seat, watch snow-dusted peaks, dark forests and frozen fields slide past the windows as we travel into Tyrol.
In Kufstein, our private van takes us to our wonderfully quirky inn beneath the town's medieval fortress. After lunch, we visit Riedel for a private look behind the scenes at one of Austria's most celebrated names in crystal stemware. Watch skilled glass artisans transform glowing molten glass into elegant wine glasses and decanters.
As daylight fades, we head to Kufstein's intimate Advent market. Browse Tyrolean crafts including soft sheepskin goods, embroidered textiles and fragrant beeswax candles, and sample hearty local specialties beneath the illuminated fortress. Tonight, we return to our cozy inn for Austrian specialties, good wine and dinner surrounded by centuries of Tyrolean character.
Auracher LochlKufstein, Austria
A family-run boutique hotel, the Auracher Lochl in Kufstein, offers 43 individually designed suites and rooms, which are either modeled on a world metropolis or feature stylishly integrated elements of the historic Kufstein town wall. Each room combines modern comfort with Tyrolean old wood, fine textiles, and unique details. Enjoy restful nights in comfortable beds and immerse yourself in the unique ambiance. The new relaxation area has breathtaking views that are ideal for relaxation and well being in the middle of Austria’s smallest old town.
Christmas On The Lake
After a generous breakfast, we return to first class and complete our journey west through Tyrol, following broad Alpine valleys before descending toward Lake Constance. The railway carries us right onto the island of Lindau, surrounded by the lake and the peaks of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Our yacht-inspired hotel overlooking the harbor is just steps away.
After settling in, we step straight into Lindau's Harbor Christmas. Wooden stalls glow along the waterfront while lights shimmer across the dark winter lake and the medieval old town dresses for the season. This is a wonderful place to browse - and to graze: warm crepes and waffles, cones of freshly roasted almonds and a glass of sparkling Riesling make delicious companions while shopping for artisan soaps, woven textiles, ornaments and gifts.
Later, warm up in our hotel's wellness facilities. Dinner is on your own tonight, with Lindau's old town and waterfront restaurants right outside the door.
YachtHotel HelvetiaLindau, Germany
Guests find themselves in seventh heaven in this design-loving boutique hotel in Lindau on Lake Constance. With a private spa, sun-drenched lakeside terrace, the property has a Mediterranean flair. Each suite is lovingly furnished and uniquely special. The hotel is situated in the charming old town, directly on the lakeside promenade of Lindau Harbour. It boasts panoramic views of Lake Constance and the Alps.
Christmas Ship to Bregenz, Austria
Today, we trade rails for water and board the Christmas Ship for a festive voyage across Lake Constance to Austria. Wander through its whimsical Christmas forest, admire handmade Nativity scenes and watch a 30-foot model railway wind through its miniature world as the winter shoreline slips past the windows.
We dock in Bregenz, capital of Austria's Vorarlberg region. From the decorated harbor, it's an easy walk to the Christmas market at Corn Market Square, where Saturday brings extra energy and live music. Alongside regional crafts and foods, discover colorful jewelry, fragrant soaps, incense and spice blends. We also explore Bregenz's medieval Upper Town and its Advent artisan market before sailing back across the lake to Lindau.
Tonight, we gather for dinner after a day that has carried us from one country to another by Christmas Ship.
Lake Constance, Your Way
After several festive days on the move, today unfolds at an easier pace. We begin with a hands-on lesson in one of Austria's most beloved traditions: Apfelstrudel. We'll learn the secrets behind the famously thin pastry, prepare the apple filling, roll and bake our strudels to enjoy.
The rest of the day is yours. Linger over lunch, return to Lindau's Christmas market for the handcrafted ornament or woven scarf you've been thinking about, wander the island's medieval lanes, or retreat to the hotel's wellness facilities for a blissfully unhurried afternoon. Still feeling adventurous? Our private van and guide are available to explore a nearby market or holiday concert. How much, or how little, you do is entirely up to you.
Tonight, we put on our Christmas finery and gather for a festive farewell dinner. After a week of winter scenery, glowing markets, Christmas music, wonderful food and more than a little holiday cheer, we celebrate our final evening together—with bells on!
Auf Wiedersehen - Depart To Zürich
After breakfast, we say goodbye to Lake Constance and travel by private transfer to Zürich, just over an hour away. We stop first at our recommended post-tour hotel in Zürich for guests extending their stay, then continue directly to Zürich Airport for departing flights.
Thank you for joining us on this special journey through the Christmas markets and Advent traditions of Germany and Austria. We hope you return home with wonderful memories, a few treasures tucked into your suitcase and, most of all, a lot of magic, joy and spirit of Christmas to share with loved ones.
Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary due to weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these or the order visited should the need arise.
8 Days
Nov 29-Dec 6, 2027
Dec 6-13, 2027
From $6,895 Per Person
First one reserved:$395
Additional:$895
See single supplement policy below.
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Call for pricing: 1-800-941-8010 or email [email protected]
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A single supplement is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations, subject to availability.
Single Supplement for Scheduled Group Departures. If you reserve at least 120 days prior to departure, you may be eligible for a reduced or free single supplement. This is generally limited to the first one or two solo travelers to reserve, and the reduction is outlined in the pricing for each trip. Free or reduced single supplements are not combinable with other offers or promotions.
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender. If you reserve at least 120 days ahead and request a roommate but one is not available, you will receive a $500 reduction from the standard single supplement (unless otherwise noted in the detailed itinerary for your specific trip).
Single Supplement for Custom Tours. Custom Tour prices are generally based on two or more participants; therefore, single supplements for “solo” Custom Tours will vary and are available upon request.
Christmas markets are not simply places to shop. They are seasonal gathering places where friends and families meet after work, musicians perform, children ride carousels, craftspeople sell their work and everyone seems to have something warm in hand. Part of the pleasure is simply wandering without an agenda.You can eat, drink, shop and be entertained at every market, but each has its own personality. Salzburg's grand Baroque setting feels very different from traditional Berchtesgaden, intimate Kufstein, Lindau's waterfront market or Bregenz across the lake. Foods, drinks, crafts and traditions also shift from region to region, giving each stop its own character and ambiance.
We deliberately favor smaller, more authentic markets over the largest and most crowded Christmas-market destinations. That means more room to browse, more opportunities to meet local makers and a better chance to experience Advent as locals do. Expect handmade ornaments, woodcarvings, ceramics, textiles, candles and edible gifts alongside regional specialties, live music and seasonal atmosphere.Many markets use reusable ceramic mugs for mulled wine and other hot drinks. A small deposit is typically charged with the first drink; return the mug for the deposit or keep it as a souvenir. Market purchases, snacks and drinks beyond the meals specifically included in the itinerary are at your own expense.
Late November and December in Salzburg, Tyrol and Lake Constance are unmistakably winter. Expect cold days and colder evenings, with temperatures often hovering from the upper 20s into the low 40s F (-2 to 6C). Snow is possible, especially around Salzburg and Kufstein, but so are rain, sleet, fog and damp conditions near Lake Constance. Because much of the Christmas-market experience takes place outdoors - often after dark - warmth and weather protection matter more than dressing up.
Pack warm layers that can be added or removed easily: a winter coat, sweaters or fleece, hat, gloves and scarf. Waterproof, comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction are especially important for cobblestones, wet pavement and the possibility of snow or ice. Warm socks and a compact umbrella are also useful. Hotels and trains will be well heated, so lighter layers underneath make it easier to move comfortably between indoors and out.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (High/Low F)
SALZBURG / ANIF 43/32 F (late November) 41/30 F (early December)KUFSTEIN 42/30 F (late November) 40/28 F (early December)LINDAU 45/35 F (late November) 43/33 F (early December)
Food is an integral part of Advent, and this journey mixes included restaurant meals with opportunities to sample the markets on your own. All breakfasts are included. Dinners are included except on Days 2, 5 and 8, and lunches are included except on Days 3, 7 and 8.
Expect abundant hotel breakfasts, Austrian coffeehouse culture, regional restaurant meals and the irresistible grazing that happens naturally at Christmas markets. Depending on where we are, that might mean sausages, pretzels, roasted nuts, pastries, dumplings, game specialties, gingerbread, sparkling wine or steaming mugs of mulled wine. The foods change as we travel, and tasting those regional differences is part of the experience.
Our hotels are chosen not simply as places to sleep, but as part of the Christmas experience. Expect independent properties with alpine charm, warm hospitality and locations that make it easy to enjoy each destination. In Anif, our family-run hotel is richly decorated for the season and provides a peaceful base just outside Salzburg. In Kufstein, we stay in a character-filled historic inn beneath the fortress. In Lindau, our harbor hotel puts us steps from the Christmas market and offers wellness facilities for warming up after a winter day outdoors.
Our hotels are an important part of the experience, particularly at the beginning and end of the journey. For six of our seven nights, we stay at properties with excellent wellness facilities - a welcome luxury after cold afternoons and evenings at the Christmas markets. Hotel Friesacher in Anif offers a year-round heated outdoor pool, sauna, steam bath and relaxation room, with optional massage and beauty treatments available by appointment. Our harbor hotel in Lindau also has extensive wellness facilities, with pools, saunas, steam and relaxation areas, as well as optional treatments such as massage. Spa facilities are included with your stay; specialized treatments are booked separately.
This journey combines private transfers, first-class rail and the Christmas Ship on Lake Constance. We begin with a private coach from Munich into the Salzburg region, travel first class by train from Salzburg to Kufstein and onward to Lindau, and use local private transportation where it adds comfort and flexibility. On Lake Constance, the Christmas Ship becomes part of the experience itself, carrying us from Germany to Austria for a day in Bregenz. The journey concludes with a private transfer from Lindau to Zurich.
With a Boundless Journeys guide, your experience is that of friend and local adventurer. We believe strongly in working with local guides, experts in the areas to which we travel, and they hold the keys to unlocking the hidden delights of your chosen destination. Although you will never know they are at work—the mark of a truly great leader—our guides make magical things happen and add a dimension to your trip that you could not experience on your own. Over the years we have forged bonds with some of the best guides in the world, and we typically work with a small team of guides in each region. You will be informed of the guide for your trip one month prior to your departure.
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