Wake up on Christmas Day with a stunning view of Lake Bled
A Christmas holiday filled with breathtaking views, charming cities, festive markets and staying in a centuries-old castle
Imagine waking up on Christmas Day with views across magnificent Lake Bled, located deep in the Slovenian Alps. Explore the old city of Ljubljana and the snow fields of Kranjska Gora, shop at festive Christmas markets in cobblestoned squares, and stay in a 900-year-old Italian Castle!
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Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach
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A complimentary wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners, including a welcome drink in Munich 22 meals including buffet breakfast daily (B), 3 lunches (L) and 8 evening meals (D)
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Free WiFi at most hotels Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available) Lake View rooms at Park Hotel in Lake Bled 11 nights authentic, specially selected hotel accommodation
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Personal audio system whilst on tour (where available) Local guides as described in the itinerary ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
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All excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described, including tickets to the Boxing Day Brass Band Concert Explore the fabulous Christmas Markets in Innsbruck, Bolzano and Ljubljana
Tour itinerary
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Munich
- Day
- 1
Day 1: Munich
Your tour commences this evening in cosmopolitan Munich. Shopping is always excellent in Munich – particularly around the town hall and the decorated wooden Christmas Market stalls - which if you have time prior to the tour commencing, we recommend you visit! Before your Bavarian-style buffet dinner, enjoy a welcome drink in the hotel.
Meals: D
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
Innsbruck
- Days
- 2
- 3
Day 2: Neuschwanstein ‘Fairytale’ Castle, Wieskirche, Oberammergau and Innsbruck
This morning we drive into the Bavarian Alps where our first stop will be in the ‘Passion Play’ village of Oberammergau, with its ornately painted buildings. Our next stop is at the richly decorated Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) with its incredible painted ceilings. Continuing on, we arrive in the tiny village of Hohenschwangau nestled against a backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. What better way to spend the afternoon than a visit to the ‘fairytale’ Neuschwanstein Castle! Perched high on a rocky spur, after an uphill walk you will enjoy a guided tour inside the King’s apartments, staterooms, halls and throne room all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Later this afternoon we drive over the scenic Zirler pass and down into the Inn Valley and the Winter Olympic city of Innsbruck where we will stay the next two nights. Dinner is included tonight, and the Christmas Markets await.
Meals: B,D
Day 3: Swarovski Crystal Worlds and 'My Time' in Innsbruck
Following the spectacular Inn Valley to Wattens we visit the Swarovski ‘Kristallwelten’ (‘Crystal Worlds’)… a weird and wonderful crystal experience. Returning to Innsbruck,your afternoon is free to explore the Old Town and see the famous ‘Golden Roof’ above the medieval town square with its delightful Christmas Markets. Time to do that last minute shopping, indulge in the mulled wine and ginger biscuits and take in the music, fabulously decorated trees and folklore displays. You simply must spoil yourself with a traditional tall aromatic coffee and a calories-busting apfel strudel! Maybe a rich chocolate torten cake? Mmmm!
Meals: B
- Hotel Grauer Bär, Innsbruck
Castelbrando
- Days
- 4
- 5
Day 4: Bolzano, ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’ and CastelBrando
Crossing over the Brenner Pass we stop mid morning in the charming town of Bolzano. You will have time to enjoy the delightful Town Hall square and shop along the covered arcades and arches of Via dei Portici. We have included a visit to the Museum of Archaeology where you can see the mummified remains of Ötzi – the famous Ice Man – along with a fascinating exhibition documenting the Ancient History of Italy’s South Tyrol. This afternoon we follow the Sugano Valley from Trento through the Italian Alps to the superb CastelBrando in the foothills of the Dolomites. On arrival we have included a guided tour of the castle – there is a lot to see – and this will be your home for the next two evocative nights. Located above the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino this 2,000 year old Roman fortress was turned into a sumptuous Noble’s palace in the 13th century.
Meals: B,D
Day 5: Venice sightseeing and 'My Time'
Today we visit nearby Venice – arguably one of the most romantic cities in the world. At Tronchetto we board a boat to take us to St. Mark's Square where we join our expert local guide for a walking tour and to visit St Mark’s Basilica. The rest of the day is yours to shop and explore the myriad of narrow, water lined streets and canals spanned by humped back bridges. Dinner this evening is back in ‘our’ Castle.
Meals: B,D
- Hotel CastelBrando, Cison di Valmarino
Lake Bled
- Days
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Day 6: The dramatic Postojna Caves and glorious Lake Bled
Crossing into Slovenia we reach Postojna where we enjoy a mesmerizing train ride deep into to a stupendous labyrinth of massive caves. Our guided walking tour will then take us along easy, winding walkways amongst gorgeously illuminated, enormous caverns, stalagmites and stalactites. World renowned, the Postojna Caves are an astonishing experience. In the afternoon we enter the Julian Alps and arrive at the natural wonder of Lake Bled where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow-covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. A dramatic place to spend Christmas! Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner with music and a traditional Christmas Turkey lunch is also included.
Meals: B,D
Day 7: Gingerbread, Radovljica lunch, Ljubljana sightseeing
After a leisurely start we visit the quaint, walled town of Radovljica. After time to explore we enjoy a gingerbread baking demonstration, before settling in for lunch in a historic restaurant right in the heart of town. Later, with our local guide, we visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is literally filled to capacity with baroque churches, palaces, museums and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town overflow with café tables and street entertainers. We return to Bled early evening.
Meals: B,L
Day 8: Christmas Eve – Horse and Carriage ride, Lake Bohinj, mountain cable car
There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! First activity of the day will be a relaxing horse and carriage ride along the shores of Lake Bled. Now it is time to drive deep down the Bohinj Valley which stretches through the Triglav National Park to visit the beautiful Lake Bohinj. Following the pretty shore, we reach the far side and board a cable car which whisks us up the mountain to the ski resort of Vogel. Time to relax and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain restaurants and marinate yourself in the views down across the lake and across the snowy peaks. Before dinner make sure you wander through the lively, colourful Bled Christmas Markets. Romantically set along the lakeside, with a backdrop of Bled Castle strikingly illuminated high on the cliffs, you'll certainly be having a Christmas to remember. This evening enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner with live music. Those wishing to make their own way to attend midnight mass, will enjoy pastries and a hot drink on their return.
Meals: B,D
Day 9: Christmas Day – Bled Castle, Pletna boat ride, 'My Time' and 'Sinking of the Bells' ceremony
This morning we will enjoy a visit to the cliff top, medieval Bled Castle dramatically perched 130 metres above the lake. Dating back 1,000 years it is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia. Following that we board a traditional ‘Pletna’ boat to cross the placid lake waters to the picturesque Church of the Assumption on the small island. A traditional Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed by all. Your afternoon is your Christmas 'My Time’ relaxing on the shores of Lake Bled and enjoying the magnificent scenery and excellent hotel facilities. In the evening we gather on the lakeside to witness the local ceremony of the ‘Sinking of the Bells of Wishes’. Tonight enjoy a live band playing in a nearby local hotel. What a way to spend Christmas!
Meals: B,L,D
Day 10: Kranjska Gora, Planica ski jump and a Jesna Lakes lunch
Driving north into the breath taking Zgornjesavska Valley we enjoy a morning stop in the vibrant ski resort town of Kranjska Gora, famous for the Ski World Cup competitions. Later we also visit the Planica Nordic centre to see the array of 8 different sized ski jumps. 7 of them are 'normal’ but one is monstrous. Considerably longer than a standard Olympic jump, here they practice Ski ‘flying. Next, we drive up a little, wooded valley to Jesna and to take in some small, incredibly picturesque lakes. After time for a walk around them, we enjoy a special lunch in one of the local restaurants. Returning to Bled the remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Meals: B,L
- Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia
Munich
- Day
- 11
Day 11: Salzburg sightseeing and 'My Time', farewell dinner in Munich
Driving north we cross back into Austria and reach Salzburg – the baroque city of Mozart sitting beneath its enormous Festung (Fortress) where we are joined by a local guide for a city walking tour. Afterwards enjoy lunch at leisure in the old town centre. Mozart’s Birthplace makes a fascinating visit.
Mid afternoon we depart Salzburg and arrive into Munich for our last evening together. Your farewell dinner tonight will be enjoyed in a local German restaurant.
Meals: B,D
Day 12: Munich
Your Christmas tour is now complete, and it is time to say farewell .
Meals: B
- Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
Christmas in the Slovenian Alps
Video Highlights
Hand Selected Experiences
These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.
Dates and Prices
* Dates, prices, itineraries and hotels shown may be subject to change on specific departures. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.
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To register your early interest in our 2026 festive and new year tours, please complete our pre-registration form. We will keep you informed as our tours are developed and released.
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Your Hotels
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Hotel Grauer Bär, Innsbruck
2 Days
Hotel Grauer Bär, Innsbruck
2 Days
Hotel CastelBrando, Cison di Valmarino
2 Days
Hotel CastelBrando, Cison di Valmarino
2 Days
Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia
5 Days
Hotel Park Lake Bled, Slovenia
5 Days
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Maritim Hotel Munich, Germany
1 Days
Tour Suitability
- Our Christmas, New Year and Northern Lights tours travel throughout the European winter months. The weather can get cold, and roads and pathways can be slippery.
- We recommend sturdy waterproof shoes with good grip (hiking shoes, rather than sneakers), thick socks, a woollen beanie, thermal underclothes, gloves and sunglasses. Walking poles can be helpful to give you more confidence, if desired. Layering some light clothes is advisable, as you will often come in from the picturesque cold to warm spaces inside, so layering enables you to adjust to each environment for your optimal comfort. You will also be very comfortable when travelling as your modern touring coach is fitted with heaters and double glazed windows. Once you arrive at your hotel you will be greeted with a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
- Thinking about what to wear? Please read our blog on Wardrobe essentials: https://www.albatrosstours.com.au/news-nest-travel-blog/wardrobe-essentials-for-a-winter-wonderland-tour-in-europe/
Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.
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