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Insight - Winter Wonderland - Small Group, Winter 2023 2024 (11/2023 - 11/2023) (SW600ZN18)

9 Days From Frankfurt to Frankfurt 
Tour Style: Regional Discovery
Insight Brochure Price from $2,825.00
Brochures: Europe Winter 2022-2023, Europe Winter 2023-2024 v2
Visits: Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland

Experience the winter wonderlands of Europe like never before with stunning views of Lake Lucerne from the peak of Mt Pilatus and all immersive tours of Munich, and Salzburg. An Insight Choice experience in Innsbruck lets you choose between a horse drawn carriage ride through the Alpine scenery or a visit to the world of Swarovski Crystal. The Austrian adventure continues with an exclusive Salzburg market tasting experience, where a locals serve goblets of Glühwein and fresh from the oven Lebkuchen—fragrant with ginger and cocoa. Across the border in Germany, Rothenburg alongside the River Tauber serves up lashings of 16th century charm and in Munich, foaming steins of beer beckon at the city's famous beer halls.
Choice Highlights
  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Innsbruck: Meet your coachman and enjoy a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride, surrounded by the mountains and valleys of Tyrol.
  • Innsbruck: Visit the magical Swarovski Crystal Worlds. This attraction features installations by international artists, designers and architects who have interpreted the crystals in their own ways.

Well-being
  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Director
  • : "Guests are always amazed and intrigued by the vast amount of beautifully decorated sweet treats on offer in Germany during the festive period."
  • : "Munich is the capital of beer, so taking guests into the famous Hofbräuhaus, at any time of year, gives them a small idea of what it’s like to attend Oktoberfest."
  • : "It's magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that's happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable."

Top Rated Highlights
  • Mainz: Witness half-timbered houses and Baroque buildings surrounding the magnificent Dom Cathedral.
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Fortified by ancient walls, picturesque and unspoiled, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fairytale come true at any time of year. It dazzles in December, with its 500-year-old Reiterlesmarkt lending a festive air to the cobbled streets and medieval buildings.
  • Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
  • Salzburg: With a Local Expert, see Mozart's family home and the 500-year-old Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. You'll also view the Hohensalzburg fortress and see Residenz Fountain when you spend some time in the Old Town.
  • Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town, with your Travel Director, learn about its history and admire the Baroque and Gothic architecture.
  • Innsbruck: Meet your coachman and enjoy a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride, surrounded by the mountains and valleys of Tyrol.
  • Innsbruck: Visit the magical Swarovski Crystal Worlds. This attraction features installations by international artists, designers and architects who have interpreted the crystals in their own ways.
  • Vaduz: Admire the Royal family's residence, Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the capital and is surrounded by year-round snow peaked mountains.
  • Lucerne: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the emotive Lion Monument, Jesuit Church and Chapel Bridge.
  • Mount Pilatus: Enjoy a spectacular journey to the summit of Mount Pilatus to witness a panorama of snow-capped peaks as you take in the pristine mountain air.
  • Rhine Falls: Visit these spectacular falls.
  • Heidelberg: Explore one of Germany's most enchanting cities during your orientation with your Travel Director.

Authentic Dining
  • Mainz: Enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers as you savour a delicious Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant.
  • Salzburg: At the Christmas Market, meet a local stallholder and taste the delicious gingerbread with a fragrant cup of Glühwein.
  • Innsbruck: Savour a traditional meal accompanied by local Tyrolean music and entertainment.
  • Heidelberg: Toast the culmination of your travels at a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine.
  • Dining Summary: 4 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 8 Breakfast (B)

Insight Experiences
  • Salzburg: Visit the house where Mozart was born in 1756. Enjoy a pianoforte demonstration and examine letters, memorabilia, and musical instruments of the great composer, plus a fascinating collection of portraits.

Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1Frankfurt and on to Mainz
Welcome to Germany. From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. Transfers from Frankfurt airport to your Mainz hotel depart at 09:30 and 12:30. Mainz has been a bustling and important town since the time of the Romans. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at 18:00, for a walk through the Cathedral Quarter to witness the magnificent architecture of the city’s Dom. At a local restaurant, enjoy a pleasant evening of good food and wine during your Welcome Dinner.
Visits: Frankfurt, Mainz
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Hilton Mainz.
Day 2Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Romantic Road to Munich
Head to fortified Rothenburg ob der Tauber, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Once through the medieval walls, you are immediately transported back into the 16th century, as cobblestone streets lead you to the medieval Market Square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider’s ‘Holy Blood’ altarpiece in St Jakob’s Church or pop into the Christmas shop where you’ll find the festive spirit all year round? Follow parts of the Romantic Road to fun-loving Munich.
Visits: Mainz, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Westin Grand Munich.
Day 3The Bavarian Capital of Munich Relaxed Start
During your orientation you will see Victory Arch and the university, concluding in the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall and colourful Glockenspiel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Why not try a foaming stein of beer at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus?
Visits: Munich
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Westin Grand Munich.
Day 4Lake Chiemsee to Salzburg Relaxed Start
Travel alongside the beautiful Lake Chiemsee and cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, ‘alive with the Sound of Music.’ Walk with your Local Expert through the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and admire the city skyline, crowned by the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. Cross the Salzach River to see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with charming wrought-iron signs. Visit Mozart's birthplace to learn more about his life, and enjoy a musical interlude performed on his original pianoforte. For those arriving before Christmas, visit the festive Christmas Market and meet a local stallholder for a taste of traditional Lebkuchen and a fragrant cup of Glühwein. Follow the narrow lanes of the Old Town to the domed cathedral and the splendid Residenz Fountain, before having time at leisure to enjoy as you please. In the evening, perhaps visit an Austrian chalet for dinner, drinks and the opportunity to learn about life in the countryside?
Visits: Munich, Salzburg, Chiemsee
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ARCOTEL Castellani, Salzburg.
Day 5Innsbruck
In the morning, a scenic journey takes you through snow-capped mountains to Innsbruck. See the magnificent Golden Roof in the Old Town, then loose yourself in the festive atmosphere as you spend some time exploring Innsbruck's magical Christmas Markets. The giant Christmas tree dominates the square and is adorned in lights and decorations. Browse the market stalls, selling handmade trinkets that make perfect gifts for friends and family, along with delicious local treats of home-made biscuits, jams and delicious, soul-warming Glühwein. Explore Innsburck with Insight Choice. Choose to either meet your coachman and take in the delightful scenery and pure fresh air on a horse-drawn carriage ride, known as a Fiaker. Alternatively, visit the magical world of Swarovski Crystal. In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal accompanied by local Tyrolean entertainment and music.
Visits: Salzburg, Innsbruck
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: AC Hotel Innsbruck.
Day 6Liechtenstein and Lucerne by the Lake Relaxed Start
This morning depart for Lucerne travelling through delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries. Cross the Swiss border and continue to lakeside Lucerne. Your Travel Director will show you the covered wooden Chapel Bridge and you’ll learn about the poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches or delicious chocolate.
Visits: Innsbruck, Vaduz, Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Day 7Lovely Lucerne
Start the day with a spectacular cable car ride with incredible views up Mount Pilatus. Back in Lucerne, you are free to admire the superb baroque Jesuit Church, stroll along lakeside promenades, or explore the old walls and watch towers of the medieval fortifications.
Visits: Lucerne, Mount Pilatus
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.
Day 8Heidelberg
Stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Cross the German border and venture deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, set on the banks of the river Neckar and dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town with your Travel Director. Perhaps see the old Student Prison? In the evening, enjoy good food, wine and company at your Celebration Dinner.
Visits: Lucerne, Rhine Falls, Heidelberg
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel Heidelberg.
Day 9Depart Frankfurt Airport
A transfer to Frankfurt airport’s Terminal 1 arrives at 09:00 and Terminal 2 at 09:15.
Visits: Heidelberg, Frankfurt
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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