European Christmas Markets Singles Vacation
Germany - Austria - Switzerland
December 1 - December 10, 2011
$2525

 Christmas shopping with a difference - A Singles Vacation with a twist!
This Three Countries Christmas Markets trip combines the perfect opportunity to take a well deserved vacation with the chance to buy unusual gifts not available at home. Shop while meeting new travel friends, soaking in local customs, enjoying traditional holiday music and of course tasting the local cuisine.
A great way to combine fun, culture and shopping!!

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Christmas Markets Singles Vacation Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Home

Your vacation begins when you board your overnight flight to Munich, Germany (MUC). Please remember you will be flying home from Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH)

Day 2 - Arrive Munich, Germany

Today arrive at the Munich airport and take the  pre-arranged shuttle to our hotel. The Tryp München hotel is located in the heart of the city, very near the Stachus business district, next to the Theresienwiese - site of the world-famous Oktoberfest, and just a short distance from the Deutsches Theater theatre.

Your singles hostess will meet you in the hotel lobby at 7:00 pm for an optional dinner. 

Day 3 - Munich, Germany

This morning discover the highlights of Munich on our guided city tour. See Gothic churches, including the great onion-domed cathedral, elegant Maximilianstrasse, the Bavarian State Opera house and the site of the 1972 Olympic Park. Stroll through the Christmas Markets clustered around historic Munich "Old Town" - from the Sendlinger Tor old medieval city gate, through the central market on Marienplatz, and on to the "Christmas village" in the palace courtyard of the royal Residenz and finishing at the popular "Medieval Market" near Odeonsplatz.

After the tour, visit the Christmas markets of Munich, and discover the festive fun of the Christmas season as celebrated in the Bavarian capital. Enjoy free time to explore the magical Christmas Markets. Whichever you choose to visit you are assured a wonderful, fascinating time.

Start showing off all your new buys tonight at our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 - Munich, Germany - Salzburg, Austria

A free morning for a late breakfast or another chance to visit the Munich Christmas Markets before we check out of hotel and board our bus for a short drive to Salzburg.

Check into our hotel, the Mercure Kapuzinerberg in time for a short walk to the pedestrian zone or old town with fortress and Getreidegasse.

Salzburg is a baroque city dominated by its historic castle and set against a magical backdrop of spectacular mountains. Not surprisingly as the home of Mozart, Salzburg’s Christmas markets, held in many locations throughout the city, are full of music. Hear a choral singing from the cathedral steps, ‘Turmblasen’ wind instrument bands in Residenz Square and nativity exhibits in the Residenz courtyard.

Day 5 - Salzburg, Austria

Our morning guided tour will take us by the Old Town, the fortress, castles and all the famous squares around Salzburg. Each have their own wintertime charm. Visit Mirabell gardens, see the fountains, the long archway and steps used in the "Do, Re, Mi" song, and some of the statues used in "Sound of Music".

Then it is time to shop the markets. Visit the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, the traditional highlight. Enjoy choirs, musicians, the sweet smell of roasted almonds, hot chestnuts, mulled wine ("Glühwein") and glogg ("Punsch"). In specially designed wooden market stalls at the Dom Square and Residenz Square, artisans, confectioners and other merchants offer gingerbread, sweets, figurines for nativity scenes, toys, warm pullovers and other specialities.

The market at Hellbrunn Castle offers fantastic scenery with the reindeer, sheep and goats, the double spruce and the crafts are the biggest highlights. Catch a glimpse of the oversized Advent calendar consisting of exactly 24 windows of the castle′s facade. There are also Christmas Markets in front of Mirabell Castle, at the Salzburg Fortress and in front of the railway station.
Day 6 - Salzburg - Innsbruck, Austria

We depart for Innsbruck, set amidst the Alps. The magnificent view of the mountains covered with snow in the background will be visible from every part of the city, peeping out from the spires of churches and the black slated roofs.

Our local guide will show us around the historic old town of Innsbruck, surrounded by beautifully preserved medieval facades and home of the traditional Christmas market. Stroll Innsbruck's main shopping street and be dazzled by lights, glass and crystal. New stalls, modern Christmas lighting designs and an exciting range of souvenirs.

After time for lunch we will board the new Nordkettenbahn funicular to get to the “Panoramic Christmas Market”. Once at the top, enjoy breathtaking views of Innsbruck and its surroundings and shop an array of culinary delights and Christmas souvenirs.

Had enough shopping then you might want to hop aboard the newly installed panoramic cable car and continue on up to the Hafelekar at 2,256m. Mountains have never been so close!

Tonight sip a signature cocktail or try your hand at poker in Austria's largest Casino at our hotel, the  Hilton Innsbruck.

Day 7 - Innsbruck, Austria - Zurich, Switzerland

After breakfast we set out for Zurich by way of Hohenschwangau, a village in the municipality of Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany.
Ever dream of pulling up to a castle in a horse drawn carriage, now is your chance!

Hidden in the seclusion of the Bavarian mountains, King Ludwig II built his dream castles and we will stop at Neuschwanstein. Neuschwanstein Castle was built between 1869 and 1886 on the ruins of "Vorder- und Hinterhohenschwangau" in the style of a medieval castle. The castle was not designed for royal representation, but as a place of retreat.

Time to check into the Hotel Glockenhofm a well-run and excellent 4 star superior hotel in the heart of Zurich. Situated only a few minutes from the main railway station, the lake, and the shopping area "Bahnhofstrasse".

Zürich’s new Christmas lighting display known as “Lucy” will lend a special brilliance to the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse street. Thousands of LEDs create moving clouds of light and gentle showers of luminescence.“Night Shopping” is just the beginning of our Christmas shopping enjoyment

Day 8 - Zurich, Switzerland

Eat a hearty breakfast, put on your boots and coats and let's head outdoors for our walking tour of Zurich's narrow and cobbled streets. Our guide will give us an introduction to Swiss history and let us know what the best local products to purchase are.

The afternoon is at leisure to shop the Christmas Markets.

Zurich’s oldest Christmas market is in the middle of the Old Town. The 160 quaintly decorated market stalls transform the immense hall at the Zürich’s Main Railway Station into the “Zurich Christ Child Market”. The Christmas market at Werdmühleplatz square is legendary with its “Singing Christmas Tree.” Choirs of both children and adults take their place on the Christmas tree which towers above the houses, and spread festive cheer with their repertoire of Christmas carols. And at Bellevue, the Sechseläuten square will be transformed into a Christmas market with traditional and top-quality products offered at 15 market stands.

Every Christmas the Circus Salto Natale arrives in Zurich. Tonight is our chance to see the fun. This circus-like event incorporates comedy, dance, drama and acrobatics to create one spectacular performance. Step into the huge illuminated tent and make the holidays even more special. (Circus is optional and not included in price)

Day 9 - Zurich, Switzerland

Sleep late or rise early and shop till you drop. Today is your last opportunity in Switzerland!

Late this afternoon we will meet to go ice skating at the Live on Ice rink in the middle of Zurich. Every year, the ice-skating rink in the courtyard of the Swiss National Museum transforms Zurich into a Christmas wonderland.

Tonight we will walk to the Restaurant Johanniter for a traditional Swiss Farewell Dinner.

Day 10 - Depart Zurich, Switzerland

After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to all you fellow Christmas shoppers as we take the train to the airport and board our international flights home.

European Christmas Markets Singles Vacation December 1 -  December 10 '11 Price $2,525* Includes * 8 Nights Accommodations * Breakfast Daily * 2 Dinners * Guided Tours per itinerary * Best Single Travel Representative * Airport/Hotel Shuttle day 2 * Train to airport day 9 * Admissions and Transportation as stated above * All Taxes and Surcharges Click Here for Hotels *The price per person is for a double room. Best Single Travel provides roommate matching so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $875 Not Included * International Airfare * Tips $10 a day collected on day 2

Deposit - $400 Balance Due October 15, 2011