For 2023 all small group tours will be available as private custom-made trips.
For more information do not hesitate to get in touch with us: info@localwonderstravel.com
8 days
Small groups
10 maximum
Local Leader
Tour departs with 4 participants*
Language: English
from €2,245.00
Description
Christmas magic is in the air— this year, live the magic and explore some of the best Christmas markets of Europe. From Northern Italy to Austria and Germany, you’ll feel the spirit of the holidays through the smells, colors, lights, sounds of choirs, and joyful Christmas atmosphere in the air. Admire local handmade treasures, warm up with a hot glass of Glὔwein (mulled wine), and taste delicious gingerbread.
Join our small group of 10 travelers and expert local leader as we go in search of a special Christmas escape.
Start: Verona
End: Munich
Age: Min 12
*In the rare event the minimum number is not reached, and only if the tour is cancelled by LocalWonders Travel, you can opt for one of the following options:
– chose a new departure at no additional cost
– have the tour turned into a private tailor-made tour (itinerary or price modifications might occur)
– the amount paid can be fully refund.
LocalWonders Travel can decide to run the tour even if the minimum number is not reached. In this case the traveller cannot ask for a refund or to turn the tour into a tailor-made tour.
What makes this tour a unique experience?
- Explore Verona, Bolzano, Innsbruck and Munich Christmas Markets. Your local leader will take you on “Like a Local” walks where you’ll see the unmatched beauty and mystery of these cities from an authentic (local) point of view.
- Day trip to Val Sarentino, one of the most picturesque and less touristy area of the Dolomites
- Neuschwanstein Castle visit
- Our accommodations are centrally located, high-quality and comfortable
All our LocalWonders Travel tours include a passionate expert local leader who will become your “local friend”, opening for you the most authentic side of the places visited. Our local leaders are professional, knowledgeable and take pride in providing hassle-free experiences for our guests.
Is this the tour I want?
Though no specific training or fitness level is required for this tour, there are a few things we suggest considering when choosing your LocalWonders Travel experience.
Traveling by train is 1 of the best and fastest methods to get around Italy (trains reach speeds of up to 300km an hour here— whoa). By train, you’ll get where you’re going quickly while also relaxing, having fun, socializing, and taking in the natural beauty of the Italian landscape.
We do lots of our traveling by train, which means that our guests must carry their luggage both on and off the train. Upon arrival in a new destination city, a taxi will take you to your next hotel.
At LocalWonders Travel, we pride ourselves on providing tours that allow you to explore cities by foot. Why? Because we believe that exploring a city on foot is the best way to get an authentic Italian experience.
Sometimes we explore for up to 3 hours at a time. We do this at a relaxed, comfortable pace, stopping to rest once in a while to enjoy an espresso or gelato. We promise that you’ll have a wonderful time, but you should note that walking is a big part of our trips.
On our trips, we always stay in carefully selected, high-quality, and comfortable accommodations. Single travelers will stay in an ensuite twin room shared with a fellow traveler of the same sex. However, if you’d prefer a single room to enjoy during your trip, you can do so by purchasing a Single Supplement— your own room, your own way.
Our expert local professionals aim to provide an informal, friendly style while upholding our professional and high-quality standards. If an authentic but top-quality experience is what you’re after, you’re in safe hands with us.
Book your authentic experiences and discover the real Italy!
What is included:
- The assistance of a professional local leader for the entire trip
- Accommodation: comfortable and high-quality “3-Star Superior” boutique hotels
- “Like a Local” walk of Verona, Bolzano, Innsbruck, Munich including Christmas Markets’ visit
- Day trip to Val Sarentino
- Neuschwanstein Castle visit
- Several meals, including:
– 7 breakfasts
– 2 dinners - All trains and busses between cities
- All hotel daily city taxes
What’s extra?
The following items are not included in the tour cost:
- Flights
- Single Supplement” (but you can add this!)
- Anything that is not specified to be included
Book your authentic experiences and discover the real Italy!
Itinerary
DAY 1: VERONA
Benvenuto in Italia! Verona is a beautiful and elegant city, the perfect start for a Christmas adventure. Your tour starts at 6:00pm with a Welcome Meeting where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers. (Upon arrival at the hotel you’ll find a note telling you where this welcome meeting will take place.) Following the meeting, you’ll discover one of Italy’s most famous wonders – the food! The group will enjoy a special welcome dinner at a divine local restaurant.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Hotel Milano&SPA or similar
- Verona daily city tax
- Meal: Dinner
DAY 2: VERONA
After a good breakfast and a real Italian coffee, we’ll set out in the crispy and magical Christmas air. Your tour director will guide you exploring Verona – so many wonders to see – and you will finish the walk at the Verona Christmas Markets. Wander among the stalls, taste chocolate and the local Christmas sweet and find the perfect present among the fine production of the local artisans. The afternoon will be at your leisure and you can decide whether to visit the worldwide famous Arena, the balcony of Juliet who inspired Shakespeare or simply relax. Your tour director will give you plenty of suggestions for organizing your afternoon.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Hotel Milano&SPA or similar
- Verona daily city tax
- “Like a Local” walk of Verona including Verona Christmas Markets visit
- Meal: Breakfast
DAY 3: BOLZANO
Today we will travel on board a comfortable modern train to Bolzano, the capital city of the Italian province of South-Tirol (this trip is approximately 1.5 hour). This Alpine Town is a fascinating place who won the price as Best Quality life in Italy for several years and it is the melting-pot between the Italian and German-Austrian culture. After the check-in, your tour director will take you on a “like a local” walk of Bolzano ending in the picturesque Christmas markets. The evening will be at your leisure.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Mondschein Hotel Luna or similar
- Bolzano daily city tax
- “Like a Local” walk of Bolzano including Bolzano Christmas Markets visit
- Train from Verona to Bolzano
- Meals: Breakfast
How long is the trip today?
Approx. 1.5 hours train ride from Verona to Bolzano.
DAY 4: VAL SARENTINO (night in Bolzano)
Think to the breathtaking mountain landscape of the Dolomites, think to picturesque villages where the time stopped, and century old traditions still survive and think to a layer of soft snow decorating the scene. This is Val Sarentino, a valley where most tourists do not go and where the best artisans of the South Tirol work and live. Val Sarentino is a mountain heaven just 30 minutes public bus ride from Bolzano. In the morning your tour director will escort you here and you will have the chance to walk in the snow – weather permitting – visit unique Christmas Market and see the local artisans working in their workshops. In case you want to relax there will be the chance to reach Merano and indulge in a Spa Thermal experience. You’ll be back to Bolzano in the afternoon and you will have some time at your leisure to keep on hunting for Christmas presents or visiting the Museum of Archaeology, where there is an exhibition on the world-wide famous Ӧtzi, a mummy 5300 year old found together with his clothing and equipment.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Mondschein Hotel Luna or similar
- Bolzano daily city tax
- Day trip to Val Sarentino, including bus return ticket
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: INNSBRUCK
Say goodbye to Italy and get ready to travel to Austria: the next stop of our Christmas adventure will be Innsbruck. This town is over 800 years old and home to many sights reflecting its colorful history, like the fascinating Golden Roof – Emperor Maximilian’s alcove balcony – and the Imperial Palace. You will arrive in Innsbruck at approximately lunch time and after some free time, your tour director will take you for a like a local walk, where you will explore Innsbruck picturesque center and its lively Christmas markets. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Hotel Zach or similar
- Innsbruck daily city tax
- “Like a Local” walk of Innsbruck including Innsbruck Christmas Markets visit
- Train from Bolzano to Innsbruck
- Meals: Breakfast
How long is the trip today?
Approx. 2 hours train ride from Bolzano to Innsbruck.
DAY 6: MUNICH
After Northern Italy and Austria, it is time to reach the country where the tradition of Christmas markets had origin: Germany. Today we will board a train connecting Innsbruck to Munich, where there are some of the biggest and most beautiful Christmas Markets of Europe. After the check-in, your tour director will take you on like a local walk of Munich that will reach soon Marienplatz where you will have plenty of time for exploring the markets and hunt for the perfect Christmas present.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Hotel Blauer Block or similar
- “Like a Local” walk of Munich including Munich Christmas Markets visit
- Train from Innsbruck to Munich
- Meals: Breakfast
How long is the trip today?
Approx. 2 hours train ride from Innsbruck to Munich.
DAY 7: NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE (night in Munich)
Have you ever dreamt of being in a fairytale castle? Today we will take you to the Neuschwanstein Castle, an unbelievable 19-th century Romanesque palace, commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria and that inspired Walt Disney in designing the castles for his fairytales. With the castle perched on the mountain and covered with snow, the scenery you will see will be simply unreal. The name of this castle means “New Swan Castle” and this construction has got the elegance and the beauty of a swan. After the visit to the castle you’ll be back to Munich in the afternoon and, after some time at your leisure, you’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner offered by LocalWonders Travel.
What’s included?
- Accommodation: Hotel Blauer Block or similar
- Train and transport from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and return
- Neuschwanstein Castle visit
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY
Our tour has come to the end. We hope you’ll have had the time of your life! Arrivederci!
What’s included? Important notes for Day 8
- Meal: Breakfast
Important notes for Day 8
Our tour ends with breakfast. There are no activities planned for today. If you need help in organizing your airport transfer or purchasing train tickets, just ask. Your tour director will be happy to help you in making these arrangements. Note: If possible, plan for and purchase transportation to the airport a few days in advance – organizing same-day travel can be difficult.
Book your authentic experiences and discover the real Italy!
The magic of Christmas markets Tour Notes
Click below for the “Tour Notes” – everything you’ll need to know about this tour before you book.