Exploring the Christmas markets of Austria and Bavaria

by | 18 Oct 2019

Fairy-tale streets lined with scrumptious goodies and wholesome beverages await you in Europe this holiday season.

From the snow-topped mountains of Bavaria, to musical Salzburg and striking Neuschwanstein castle, Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s own castle, prepare for the festive season in the merriest of ways this winter.

To inspire your holiday, below are some exciting experiences included on our Christmas Markets of Austria and Bavaria trip – enjoy.

WHAT TO DO

Christmas market in Vienna © Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

With a charming focus on tradition, Munich, Vienna and Salzburg all offer beautiful Christmas markets. From mulled wine and carol singers, to the wooden ornaments you can buy to decorate your own home, these old-worldly events are truly wholesome affairs.

Austria: Take a dreamy ride through Tyrol’s picturesque countryside on your horse-drawn Fiaker.

Austria: In Vienna visit the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, with its decadent interiors and exquisite gardens. Your Local Expert will bring to life the story of the Habsburgs during your tour of the royal grounds.

Austria: Witness beautiful Salzburg at this wintry time, when the spires and domes of the city’s old town are often draped with snow. Walk with your Local Expert to see Mozart’s family home on the Getreidegasse, beautifully decorated at this time of year.

Germany: Head to picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle with a Local Expert. Built high in the Bavarian Alps, King Ludwig II’s fairy-tale masterpiece is rumored to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle.

Germany: Visit Oberammergau, the home of the Passion Play. Walk through the town’s quaint streets to see the immense theatre and the colorfuly painted chalets.

WHAT TO EAT

Tyrol, Austria © Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash

Austria: Indulge on a medieval banquet in Tyrol. Appropriately located in a 700-year-old building, you’ll indulge on a historic banquet of Austrian specialities and wine.

Vienna: Meet a local stallholder at the Christmas market and sample a delightful Viennese winter dessert, complimented perfectly with a traditional fragrant glass of Glühwein.

Related trip: Christmas Markets of Austria and Bavaria 

I'm Alex, Editor of Insightful. I have over 10 years' experience as a travel writer and editor, and have been lucky enough to visit some incredible destinations in that time. Canada, Italy and Iceland are (so far) my favorite places on Earth, but at the top of my wish list for future adventures is India. I'm fascinated by indigenous cultures and traditions, have a hearty appetite for history (but a poor memory for dates), and feel most at home in wild, unpopulated landscapes.

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