Europe’s Christmas Markets

Featuring Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland

December 2 - 9, 2011
9 days • 7 breakfasts • 5 dinners

Day 1: Friday, December 2, 2011 – Overnight Flight
Welcome to Collette’s holiday program featuring the traditional Christmas markets, historic towns and spectacular scenery of Europe.

Day 2: Saturday, December 3, 2011 – Oberammergau, Germany
Your tour begins in the charming town of Oberammergau. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner featuring local delicacies.

Day 3: Sunday, December 4, 2011 – Oberammergau - Innsbruck, Austria
Today, your Tour Manager provides a brief introduction on the origin and history of the local language. Travel through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to Innsbruck, located in the heart of the Alps in the Austrian state of Tyrol. A local guide provides a tour highlighting the city’s rich history, culture, and popular attractions including Maria Theresienstrasse, the Hofburg, and the “Golden Roof,” all set against the backdrop of the majestic Austrian Alps. The remainder of the day is at leisure to shop in the many specialty stores and the Christmas market.

Day 4: Monday, December 5, 2011 – Oberammergau - Munich
This morning, travel to Munich and enjoy a panoramic tour featuring the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and Olympic Park. Enjoy some free time to explore Munich’s historic area. Later, return to Oberammergau for some leisure time in the small town of craftsmen which owes its fame to the internationally-known Passion Play which is performed only once every ten years.

Day 5: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Oberammergau - Black Forest
Today’s highlights include a picture stop at Wies Church, proclaimed as a World Heritage site. You also view perhaps the most famous castle in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein, with its beautiful turrets and pinnacles. Continuing along the scenic route, you traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest, and proceed to the heart of the mysterious Black Forest region - the setting of legends and stories of yore! Don’t forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and wood carvings. Your evening begins with a private choir concert performed in an 850-year-old church and ends with a traditional Black Forest dinner.

Day 6: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 – Black Forest - Strasbourg, France
Travel the picturesque valleys of the Black Forest and the vineyard fields of the Alsace to the provincial capital city of Strasbourg, France where centuries of Roman, French, German and Alsatian influences blend together to lend this city its unique local character. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming old quarter, “Petite France,” featuring the Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered to be one of the noblest achievements of Western architecture. Time is available for you to explore the wonderful Christmas market before dinner at one of Strasbourg’s finest local restaurants.

Day 7: Thursday, December 8, 2011 – Black Forest - Bern, Switzerland
Travel to Bern, one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit and the impressive Cathedral. Afterwards you may explore more of the area or shop for handmade items al the local Christmas market.

Day 8: Friday, December 9, 2011 – Bern - Lucerne
This morning you travel to Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy a scenic walking tour of picturesque Lucerne, highlighted by a walk through the romantic old town. The balance of the day is at leisure to do some last minute shopping or simply enjoy the wonderful setting of this beautiful city on a lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. This evening, after returning to Bern, join your fellow travelers in celebrating the end of a marvelous trip with dinner, complete with the region’s famous cheese fondue, at a popular local restaurant.

Day 9: Saturday, December 10, 2011 – Bern
Tour Ends Your tour ends today in Bern.

Tour Includes

Per Person Rates: Double $2,679; Single $2,829; Triple $2,649

Included in price: Air taxes and fees/surcharges of $280 (subject to increase until paid in full), hotel transfers, round trip air from DFW International

Not included in price: Cancellation waiver and insurance of $175/person

Please Note

Air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates. To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.

Due to tour scheduling flights must arrive prior to 4:00 PM. You may require an early morning departure from the hotel on the last day. Return flights should not be booked prior to 9:30 AM.

Collette air passengers will arrive into the Munich, Germany airport and depart from the Zurich, Switzerland airport. All Collette transfers will depart from/return to these airports.

Due to annual fluctuations on the opening dates of some Christmas Markets and tour scheduling, if one is unavailable on a specific departure, other regional Christmas Markets may be substituted.

For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.

Please note that single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.

This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.