Austria, Slovenia And Christmas In Croatia

Day 1

Depart Brisbane
Today you will be transferred to Brisbane Airport for your flight to Vienna.

Day 2

Arrive Vienna
On arrival into Vienna, you will be transferred to our hotel for the next three nights. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 3

Vienna Welcome
Your tour commences this evening in the Imperial city of Vienna, a wonderful city at this time of year with so much to see and do. Dinner tonight is included, but first enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow Christmas travellers.

Day 4

Vienna sightseeing, Schönbrunn Palace and Christmas Markets
This morning we are joined by a local guide for a panoramic city drive past all the sights, gardens and monuments of this Imperial City, from the State Opera House to the Hofburg Palace. We have included entrance and a guided tour through the State Apartments of the magnificent Royal summer residence – Schönbrunn Palace. Afterwards you have time to explore the Christmas markets in the Palace courtyard. Your afternoon is completely free. Relax and enjoy this enchanting city of museums and style. You simply must indulge in the world of the raditional Viennese coffee houses. How about a tall aromatic coffee and a calorie-busting apfel strudel? Maybe a rich chocolate torte n cake? Mmmm! The Christmas shopping is excellent under the beautiful illuminations of the broad, pedestrian mall. Try the excellent Christmas markets outside the Town Hall where you will find mulled wine, ginger biscuits, music, stunningly decorated trees and folklore displays.

Day 5

Graz
Arriving into Graz, capital of Styria, late morning we have included a funicular ride to the castle complex on top of the Schlossberg Hill.This was once the most formidable fortress in Europe, before being razed by Napoleon. The views from the Stallbastei bastion down over the medieval city are tremendous. The Bell Tower dates from the 16th century, the Türkenbrunnen (Turkish well) is 94 metres deep. This afternoon we have included a guided tour of the Landeszeughaus, the Styrian Armoury - the world’s largest historic armoury. Your beautiful Schloss Hotel is in the heart of this UNESCO World heritage listed city, and your afternoon is at leisure in the medieval town. The Christmas markets, rated as one of the very best in Austria, are in the Hauptplatz (main square) surrounding the Archduke Johann fountain.

Day 6

Pyramidenkogel viewing tower and Bled Castle
A highlight of today will be a visit to the astonishing Pyramidenkogel viewing observation tower. Situated on top of the 850-metre-high Pyramidenkogel mountain, near Klagenfurt in Carinthia, it is the highest wooden tower in the world. 100m high this wonderfully designed, helix-shaped tower is an amazing feat of structural engineering. Yes, there is a lift, and the views are spectacular – from the Hohe Tauern in the north, across picturesque lake valleys, to the neighbouring countries of Italy and Slovenia in the south. For those wanting to descend quickly, there is also Europe’s longest covered slide which, with a total length of 120 metres, wraps around the tower’s central core! In the afternoon we enter the Julian Alps and arrive at the natural wonder of Lake Bled, in Slovenia, where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive snow-covered peaks and overlooked by the imposing castle. On arrival we will visit 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. We stay here in Bled in lake view rooms, right beside the lake, in the heart of town for the next three nights. Dinner is included tonight in the hotel.

Day 7

Horse and Carriage ride, Pletna Boat and Gingerbread Baking
First activity of the day will be a relaxing horse and carriage ride along the shores of Lake Bled. Next, we board a traditional ‘Pletna’ boat to cross the placid lake waters to the picturesque Church of the Assumption on the small island. Then it is time at your leisure. Mid-afternoon we visit the nearby quaint, walled town of Radovljica. After time to explore we enjoy a gingerbread baking demonstration, before settling in for a dinner of regional specialties in a historic restaurant right in the heart of town.

Day 8

Lake Bohinj, Vogel Ski Lift and Bled Cake
After a leisurely start, drive into the Bohinj Valley, which stretches through the Triglav National Park, to reach the beautiful Lake Bohinj. Board a cable car which whisks us up the mountain to the ski resort of Vogel where there will be time to relax and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain restaurants. Later, back in Bled, in the classic, lakeside Kavarna Café, we have included a coffee and cake - Kremna Rezina – known simply as ‘Bled Cake’. Your evening is at leisure. Make sure you wander through the lively, colourful Bled Christmas markets romantically set on your doorstep, along the lakeside, with a backdrop of Bled Castle strikingly illuminated high on the cliffs.

Day 9

Ljubljana and Zagreb
This morning we are joined by a local guide to visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is filled with baroque churches, palaces, museums, and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Enjoy some free time before continuing on to Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, where we stay the next two nights. Our hotel is in the heart of town on the main square filled with Christmas trees, entertainment and Christmas Markets that spin off into the smaller back streets.

Day 10

Zagreb Christmas Markets
This morning we are joined by a local guide who will take us on a walking tour through this vibrant city. Your afternoon and evening will be at your leisure. The shopping is excellent, and Zagreb’s Christmas markets have consistently been voted Europe’s very best! Not only is there a mass of markets in the main square, but nearby there are also three giant town squares set in a line, each with its own Christmas market theme and style. One with entertainment, one devoted to food and drink and one which is a monstrous ice rink.

Day 11

Truffles and Plitvice’s snowbound waterfalls
On our way to Plitvice today, we first visit a truffle shop, and then stop briefly in Rastoke where the little village houses are split and surrounded by numerous tiers of small waterfalls spilling and tumbling right through town. Later we arrive at Plitvice, famous for its majestic, grand cascades and enormous waterfalls set in a stunning, scenic gorge. Your afternoon is at leisure walking along the riverside boardwalks, in and amongst the pretty cascades. Depending on the weather, quite often the cascades and waterfalls are frozen in motion.

Day 12

Rijeka Shopping, Trsat Castle lights and Opatija ‘Gonks’
A leisurely start before heading to the coast. Enjoy time at your leisure in Rijeka for some last-minute Christmas shopping over lunchtime. Later, high above Opatija, we will make a stop at Trsat Castle, a 13th century fortress which overlooks the city. The whole castle has been magically draped by a 12-kilometre chain of half a million lights, and it feels like the scene of a fairy tale. Next stop, Opatija, where we stay three magical nights over Christmas. Opatija’s ‘Belle Époque’ (Beautiful Age) is attested by its seaside parks and promenade gardens, and its grand style architecture dotted with Habsburg-era villas. Along the boardwalk is an enchanting 12km sea front promenade called the Lungomare, which snakes its way past little inlets and coves. Your excellent 5-star hotel is set in a brilliant location right in the heart of town, beside the Lungomare and the small Christmas markets. With the seafront promenade directly in front, the extensive parklands on one side are gorgeously illuminated with Christmas decorations and displays, brightly lit trees and even an old-style bandstand with live music and entertainment. Make sure you follow the meandering pathways through the woods filled with redand white ‘Gonks’ – gnome like Christmas decorated characters hiding amongst the trees and bushes.

Day 13

Christmas Eve - A breakfast to remember and chocolate heaven
Make sure you take your cameras to breakfast! Displayed in a white walled, grand style palatial room with painted ceilings, the extensive buffet breakfast is extravagantly enhanced with tables of Christmas cakes, Christmas snacks, Christmas flans and puddings, and yummy Christmassy sweets. To start, maybe help yourself to a glass of champagne laced with pomegranate seeds. Take your time as today is mostly free. Late afternoon we will gather at Gastro World for you to see exhibits of what can actually be created out of chocolate! You will have a demonstration of chocolate making, chocolate art, and of course an extensive tasting. This is Christmas Eve and tonight we have included a special dinner in your grand hotel.

Day 14

Christmas Day and Rovinj on the Istrian Peninsula
A leisurely start before jumping on the coach and travelling across the Istrian Peninsula to the Adriatic Sea. Our destination is the gorgeous fishing port and old town of Rovinj. Standing on a headland, the cobbled streets and alleys wind their way up to the hilltop church of St Euphema. Lunchtime will be at leisure here in this delightful, picturesque harbour town. Back in Opatija your evening is free.

Day 15

Boxing Day, Postojna Caves, Predjama Castle and Trieste
An early start today as we have an incredible day planned for you! Crossing back into Slovenia we reach Postojna where we enjoy a train ride deep into a stupendous labyrinth of massive caves. Our guided walking tour will then take us along easy, winding walkways amongst illuminated, enormous caverns, stalagmites and stalactites. World renowned, the Postojna Cavesare is an astonishing experience. Afterwards we also visit one of the most extraordinary castles in the world. Predjama Castle is set dramatically in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a 123m cliff. Later we reach the coastal city of Trieste, for an orientation drive, including a stop on San Giusto Hill. The first inhabitants here go back as far as prehistoric times, and here you will see the medieval castle and ruins of an ancient Roman basilica sitting next to a 14th century cathedral. We stay our last two nights in Trieste in a grand old-style hotel right on Trieste’s waterfront. The main city square of Piazza Unità d’Italia (the Unity of Italy Square) is just one block away and the remainder of your afternoon and evening is at leisure. This huge square overlooking the sea is surrounded by truly grand buildings and cafes. Connected to the square, Trieste’s large Christmas markets are still alive and bustling and the wide canal that cuts through the pedestrian streets is lined with numerous Italian restaurants.

Day 16

Castello di Miramare and farewell dinner
A leisurely start as we travel just outside of Trieste to visit the delightful Castello di Miramare. Set in a spectacular location on a rocky spur jutting out into the Gulf of Trieste. Miramare is not really a castle, but rather a fantastic example of a magnificent, princely residence of the 19th century. ‘Maximilian’s Rooms’ include the archduke’s bedroom designed and furnished like a ship’s cabin, and the ‘Throne Room’. The ‘castle’ is set in a large Italian-English-style garden, with sculptures and plants and trees collected by Maximillian on his travels. Your afternoon will be free back in Trieste, and this evening we have arranged a farewell dinner.

Day 17

To Venice
Your Christmas tour comes to a close and it is time to say farewell to our fellow travellers. After some free-time, we will transfer to Venice Airport, where we will check in for our flight back to Brisbane.

Day 18

Arrive Brisbane
Upon arrival into Brisbane, you will clear customs and be met by our staff who will have your transfers arranged.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner