Christina Ernst
VIP Alpine Tours and VIP Travel
2025 Alpine Holiday Traditions Christmas Market Tour Dec. 6 - Dec. 14
Dec 6, 2025 to Dec 14, 2025
GERMANY
Welcome! We look forward to you joining us on our magical Alpine Adventure this holiday season!
What's included in this trip:
- Guided Vacation By air-conditioned luxury motorcoaches, minibus or 4x4 vehicles, trains, cruises, ferries and intra-trip flights including light aircraft as described in the respective itinerary. Please note on some regional trips, transfers and sightseeing trips smaller motorcoaches without toilet facilities may be used and toilets on our coach may be closed if the weather is too cold since the water may freeze. In these circumstances, additional rest breaks will be incorporated into the itinerary.
- Accommodation Prices are per person, based on two persons sharing a room with private bath or shower. Single rooms are also available. Please let us know if you are interested in an upgraded room such as a suite and we will check additional pricing. Every effort has been made to reserve two-bed rooms; however, on some occasions, rooms with one double bed may be the only option available. These rooms will be allocated to solo travelers and couples first; other rooms may feature a single bed and rollaway bed, murphy bed or sleeper sofa. A limited number of double room rooms are available with our shared rooming service on certain trips. Trafalgar shall not be responsible or liable for any claims or issues arising out of the shared rooming. Special room requests (adjacent, connecting or lower-floor rooms, as examples) must be made at time of booking. Special room requests are not guaranteed and are based on availability at time of check-in. Many hotels, lodges and luxury tented camps are 100% smokefree, including all guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms and public spaces. Smoking in a non-smoking room will result in a fine. Substitute accommodation may be used sometimes. We try to use those of similar standard. Please note that hotel room sizes, standards, facilities and services provided may vary from country to country and region to region and are often local in style and may not have air-conditioning. Accommodations outside of the USA may not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not have wheelchair accessibility.
- Travel Director Guided vacations are conducted by VIP Alpine Tours owner, Christina Ernst. She speaks German and has been conducting tours in the Alps since 1996. Christina lives in Georgia and travels over for the tours. Should there be any type of emergency and Christina cannot travel she will hire a professional Travel Director or Driver Guide.
- Meals Some meals are included as detailed on trip itineraries.
- Sightseeing Experiences, entrance fees and an English-speaking Local Specialist (when required) are included as detailed in the itinerary pages. Some included activities (marked on the day-by-day itinerary descriptions) require a signed liability waiver; participation in those included activities is at your own risk.
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Porterage Luggage handling of one suitcase per person, at each guided vacation hotel and porter service at airports for intra-air inclusive guided vacations, is included in the price . Luggage Allowances Due to limited motorcoach capacity, two bags are allowed and weight not exceeding 50 lbs./23kg. Please keep our bus driver and tour guide in mind with your heavy luggage since this gets very heavy for them to shift when changing hotels. Carry-on/hand luggage handling is the responsibility of each guest and must be taken on and off the coach by you each day of the guided vacation. Please be advised that stricter luggage allowances may be in place for other methods of transportation such as safari vehicles, flights and cruises.
- Gratuities Many gratuities are included for services on your guided vacation. Included gratuities cover all services provided by dining-room waiters, housekeeping staff and porters at hotels. Please note gratuities are not included to your Motorcoach Driver and Travel Director.
What's not included:
- Meals and attraction entry fees not mentioned in itinerary
- Extras at the hotels are not included such as minibar and spa treatments.
- Round-trip airfare from the USA (contact us for booking airfare and pre or post stays) as well as visa fees if needed.
- Gratuities to our guides and drivers.
- Travel insurance is mandatory, Contact us for rates and more information. This is to protect you in case of any unforeseen incidents and many hospitals are now requiring proof of international insurance. We work with a few different companies. Here is a video explaining travel insurance. https://youtu.be/wpzkvwW8BrU
- Leaving the trip early. The price does not cover costs and expenses, including your return home, if you leave the trip whether of your own volition, our decision based on behavior that disrupts the trip, due to illness, action by any government or other reason.
- Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Saturday December 6,
Depart by 10am from Munich, Germany. We will travel to Chiemsee and
take a short boat ride to the island of Fraueninsel. The island’s magical
Christmas market is situated around a Benedictine monastery and is
the perfect way to begin our adventure! Afterwards we will continue
to the charming spa village of Bad Ischl, Austria. Relax or explore
the Christmas market from our hotel right in the center of town.
Enjoy the next six nights in Bad Ischl. (D)
Day 2 - Sunday, December 7
Today we will head down a road less traveled of the Salzkammergut
Region and visit a magical Christmas market in the forest. This
enchanting Christmas market truly takes you back in time as you
Stroll around the old wooden huts and alongside locals dressed in
traditional costumes selling beautiful handicrafts or enjoy a regional
dish honoring old Austrian traditions. Optional evening visit to
nearby village to watch one of the largest KRAMPUS runs in the region.
Overnight Bad Ischl. (B)
Day 3 - Monday December 8
A fun day awaits us as we follow the footsteps of the legendary
film "Sound of Music!" All roads lead to Salzburg.
We will enjoy free time at the Christmas market, which dates
back to 1491. Enjoy shopping, sightseeing and exploring the
Old Town. Afterwards we will continue on to the fairy-tale
advent market of Hellbrunn Palace which is one of Christina's
favorites. Evening return to Bad Ischl. (B)
Day 4 - Tuesday December 9
Awake to the sound of church bells in Bad Ischl. After breakfast,
we will head to the magical village of Hallstatt, which is one of
the most photographed places in Austria. You will have some
time to explore the lakeside village or take the funicular train
up the steep mountain slopes for magnificent views overlooking
the Alps. There will be free time to explore Hallstatt before returning
to Bad Ischl. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
You will have plenty of time to explore the town and Christmas
market, go shopping and even thrifting or set up spa treatments. (B)
Day 5 - Wednesday December 10
A delightful day awaits. We will visit a beautiful Christmas market
on the shores of Lake Wolfgang. We will continue by boat to Saint
Wolfgang. The Christmas markets here are truly beautiful with the
backdrops of the lakes and mountains. We will enjoy a local
farmer's dinner before returning to Bad Ischl. (B,D)
Day 6 - Thursday December 11
Today we have an unforgettable day of sightseeing as we explore
the scenic countryside and mountains of Germany. We will stop briefly
at the wayside church of Ramsau before heading to Berchtesgaden.
The Berchtesgadener Advent takes place right in the historical center
of town. This beautiful Christmas market is known for its traditional
handicrafts. As daylight fades and twilight begins, we will have an
opportunity to see St. Nikolaus and the Krampus. Knecht Ruprecht
and numerous angels going around the town. Overnight Bad Ischl. (B)
Day 7 Friday December 12
Today we will depart for Altotting. For over 1250 years, this town has
been the spiritual center of Bavaria and for over 500 years, the most
significant pilgrimage destination in Germany. Afterwards, we will continue
on to the Bavarian village of Freising for our next two nights. (B)
Day 8 Saturday December 13
After a hearty breakfast we will depart for Regensburg. The town has
numerous postcard - worthy views and lots of historical beauty. It is
known as the best preserved medieval city in Germany. You will have time to
shop and explore. Also do not forget to visit the romantic Thurn and
Taxis Christmas Market and other sights. If you need to purchase luggage,
Christina will gladly take you to TK (TJ) Maxx where they have been
accustomed to seeing her groups year after year! Evening return to
Freising for our Bavarian farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 9 Sunday December 14
Sadly we must say "Auf Weidersehen" (good bye) as your wonderful
Alpine adventure ends. We will head to Munich airport early in the
morning. Happy Holidays and we hope to see you on another
VIP Alpine Tour real soon!
OPTIONAL PRE AND POST TOURS AVAILABLE. Start or end your stay
with additional time in Munich or combine with another city
or even a river cruise! Our travel team can assist with making
this an unforgettable vacation. The options are endless!
Cancellations and refunds policy:
Cancelation by Traveler
Travel arrangements for any member of the party may be canceled at any time by written notice by the person who made the booking. If notice of cancelation is received by the Provider before final payment is due (see Table), the deposit will be retained along with the Travel Protection payment. If cancelation is made after final payment is due cancelation fees will apply (see Table). Please also refer to Air Changes or Cancelation Section with your airline tickets.
Notice of cancelation must be made in writing directly to the Provider or through your Travel Agent. Also refer to your travel protection.
If a person in a party cancels and there is a room change caused by this cancelation (such as a double room to Single, or Triple to double room), charges for the new room type will be the responsibility of the remaining party.
If a guest fails to join the trip on the day of arrival, cancelation fees will be 100% (unless the guest notifies us of the delay and joins the trip later at their own expense). We will do our best to get you to the first destination but please note the expenses to get there will be on your own. Please refer to your travel protection regarding this scenario.
Cancelation fees as per the Table apply to additional accommodation and/or chargeable transfers prior to and after the trip, itinerary extensions or cruise reserved through the Provider.
Cancelation fees and charges will include any amounts that we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover (for example payments made or due to airlines, hotels and bus company).
All cancelation fees as per the Table are additional to any cancelation fees or other charges that may be levied by your Travel Agent.
Travel Protection Plan premiums are non-refundable.
If the reason for your cancelation is covered under your insurance, you may be able to reclaim these charges from your insurer. You are responsible to make the claim to your insurer.
Cancelation by the Provider
The Provider reserves the right, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation, in-destination activity or arrangement, (definite or not), at any time.
Cancelation due to Failure to Pay
If full payment is not received by the due date (see Table), The Provider has the right to cancel your reservation and no refund will be made. The Provider will not be responsible for lost reservations.
Cancelation due to Force Majeure Events
If the Provider cancels a trip as a result of a Force Majeure Event, a future travel credit (FTC) to the value of funds paid to date less any third-party costs incurred will be provided. All Future Travel Credits (FTCs) are available for you to book and travel before 31 December 2026. Discounts of up to $150 from your original reservation will only be carried forward if a new trip is booked before December 31, 2026.
Where a trip is terminated mid-trip due to a Force Majeure event, if we provide you with any alternative services or assistance (such as hotels or travel) then you agree to pay for these costs.
Cancelation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events
If the cancelation by the Provider is not as a result of a Force Majeure Event, the Provider will provide an alternative comparable trip (if available), if an alternative is not available then a refund will be made. The Provider is not liable for any cancelation or change cost or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air travel, that may be affected thereby. The Provider is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside the Provider and which are affected by our cancelations.
Early Return, Illness or Absence
Early return expenses are the guest’s responsibility. There is no refund for absence or early departure from a trip, including but not limited to missed hotels, transfers, meals or sightseeing cruises or optional extensions. The Provider urges you to purchase travel insurance which covers such circumstances. The Provider makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursement, scope of coverage, or other aspects of any travel insurance policy or claim.