Christmas Market Tour

Everyone has their own idea about how Christmas should look, but if you asked a small child to describe the North Pole at Christmas it would probably be Switzerland.

From the snow capped Alps to the quaint small villages, Switzerland is the ideal country to get you in the holiday spirit.

Europe is known for their Christmas Markets filled with traditional foods, gifts, and local art.  Each booth in the outdoor markets are constructed to depict small chalets, housing a wide variety of trinkets and goodies.

On this tour we will visit some of the best markets in Switzerland and Southern Germany.  We will also take in some local Swiss Culture by attending several Christmas concerts filled with yodeling, alphorns, and dancing.

It wouldn't be a Swiss vacation without going up an Alp or two, we will take a cable car ride up two Alps for some amazing views.

And let's not forget a night of sledding for those who are feeling a little more adventurous!

Spend your days soaking up the Christmas atmosphere and your nights sipping hot cocoa in your chalet apartment.

If you have been a bit of a scrooge the past few years, let this tour bring back your Christmas spirit.

9 Day Itinerary

Day 1 – You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Zürich.  After checking into the hotel we will spend the remainder of the day in Zürich.  We take in Europe’s largest indoor Christmas Market after which we will tour the historic heart of Zürich. Then it’s off to dinner and our group orientation. D
                    

                                                                 Zurich, Switzerland                                     

Day 2 – We will hop on a train and head to Switzerland third largest city Basel. Basel borders both Germany and France with the beautiful Rhine River crossing through the city. Basel’s Christmas Market will have a noticeable French and German influence. We will spend much of our day in Basel’s old marketplace and visit the nearby cathedral. BD  

                   
                                                                   Basel, Switzerland

Day 3 -  Today we will leave the country of Switzerland for the day and head to Konstanz, Germany.  This beautiful city is nestled along the lakeshores of Lake Konstanz.  The large outdoor Christmas Market will be sure to take your breath away.  We will stroll through the market and take the sounds, sights, and smells of this traditional German Christmas Market.  In the evening we will head back to Zurich for the night.  BD

                                                                  Konstanz, Germany

Day 4 – Say goodbye to Zürich and hello to the spectacular Berner Oberlands. We check into our hotel or chalet and spend the day visiting the charming villages of Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen. From Interlaken we will travel to Lauterbrunnen Valley, known for its 72 cascading waterfalls off the valley cliff sides. We will board the Wengernalpbahn train up the mountain side. Our first stop will take us the village of Wengen. This car-free village is perched atop the cliffside offering commanding views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We will then head back down the moutain to Lauterbrunnen and take the train back to our village of Widerswil. BD

                       Interlaken, Switzerland                                              Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland

Day 5 –  Today we head to the capital of Switzerland to the city of Bern.  Here we will take in the incredible sights of the this medieval city.  With its sandstone cover arcades and towering  cathedrals you feel as though you walked back in time.  We will see the Parliament Building, Zytglock Clock Tower, and 3 different Christmas Markets.  On the train ride back to our village we will stop in city of Thun and see a majestic middle age castle. BD

                                                                        Bern, Switzerland
         
Day 6 – We climb aboard one of Switzerland classic scenic trains, the GoldenPass Line.  This 2-hour train ride along Lake Brienz and the surrounding alps will be one of the most amazing train ride you will ever have.  Our final destination will be the city of Luzern, nestled beneath the Alps and along the shores of Lake Luzern.  We will explore the Christmas Market along with several cathedrals, the wooden bridges, and the famous Lion’s Monument. BD

                                                                  Luzern, Switzerland

Day 7 – A trip to Switzerland would not be complete without visiting the majestic Matterhorn.  We will stroll through the car-free village of Zermatt with its chalet lined streets that bolster every type of shop you could imagine.  Here you could imagine Santa setting up a workshop and preparing for Christmas. BD

                                                                    Zermatt, Switzerland