December - for many the favorite part of the year when all the cities worldwide get the new outfit. Christmas markets are very famous all around Europe and Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, got the prestigious award for the best Christmas market in Europe for the past two years. However, Vienna and Budapest Christmas markets have much longer tradition and are must-see places when it comes to Christmas time. Explore European cities with our European Christmas Story and experience Europe in a totally different outfit - Christmas outfit. Highlights Visit best European Christmas Market in Zagreb Get a chance to see Vienna and Budapest, European highlights when it comes to history, romance, and charm Explore the wonders of Dubrovnik s Old City Centre, a UNESCO heritage Experience frozen waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park Learn how to make Croatian Christmas cookies in a local cooking class This is just a sample itinerary highlighting all the best European Christmas markets in Europe. Vienna, Budapest, and Zagreb and the best-known ones but Split and Dubrovnik are growing and nice add-ons.
Day 1 Arrival to Vienna, from mid-november to Christmas, Vienna s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas bakery items and hot punch creates a pre- Christmas atmosphere. Private transfer to your hotel. After a long trip hotel amenities will help you to relax and rejuvenate. One of the most well-known Christmas Markets is the traditional "Vienna Magic of Advent", which turns the City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) into a shining fairytale land. Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks are awaiting you as well as a carousel and craft fun Christmas Workshops for kids. The trees of the surrounding City Hall park are festively decorated and radiate in a sea of lights - a Viennese experience, you'll definitely don't want to miss! Overnight in Vienna. Day 2 After breakfast meeting with your local guide for your Christmas walking tour of Vienna City center. You will get a true feel for the glory and sheer size of Imperial Vienna once the center of the powerful Habsburg Empire, and visit the most important sights: St. Stephen s cathedral, Graben Street, Kohlmarkt, Opera, Hofburg palace. After the tour you will have some time at leisure to enjoy the festive Advent atmosphere in Vienna and its famous Christmas markets. Visit the biggest and the oldest Christmas Market of Vienna in front of Vienna City Hall. Enjoy in live music, tastefully lit trees, holiday arts and crafts and Viennese culinary delicacies. Shop for traditional Christmas tree decorations and souvenirs, or just enjoy the festive atmosphere and join the locals to taste a mug of mulled wine and some roasted chestnuts. Advent in Austria would not be the same without the reflective harmonies of the traditional advent songs and classical music. We suggest your visit a performance in one of the concert venues or churches. Vienna deserves its title as capital of music. At the weekends the "International Advensingen" is staged in the Rathaus where 90 local and international choirs perform traditional Advent and Christmas songs. You will be able to hear many of these choirs again at the various Christmas Markets. We will be pleased to organize tickets of your choice. Overnight in Vienna. Day 3 Breakfast in hotel and departure to Schenbrunn Palace once Habsburg summer residence, and today one of the most important cultural monuments in Vienna. During our panoramic drive through Ring- circular road you will see the most beautiful buildings in Vienna: Opera, Parlament, City Hall, Museums, University, and famous Giant Ferris Wheel landmark of Vienna.Enjoy visit to Schonbrunn Palace and explore the Vienna s most scenic Christmas Market in front of the
Palace. With daily concerts, the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread in the air, and the beautiful Christmas tree to admire, you can t help being in a festive mood. Afternoon at leisure to explore city or go shopping on elegant Kartner Strasse and Graben. Buy yourself something wonderful like a piece of Augarten porcelain or a piece of crystal at world famous Swarovski. Indulge in glühwein, sausages, and freshly baked pastries at Vienna s ubiquitous Christkindlmarkts; go ice skating on Rathausplatz; pay a visit to the Snow Globe Museum in the 17th District; or attend one of the legendary Christmas concerts held in the city s sumptuous churches during this time of year. Overnight in Vienna. Day 4 Today departure to Budapest. We will stop in Bratislava capital of Slovakia. Time at leisure for exploring Bratislava Christmas Market, taste Slovakian food and enjoy historical Old Town before we continue to Budapest. Every night the Basilica, Budapest, is illuminated with colorful lights, and vendors of special Christmas gifts are setting up their stands in the heart of the city. In the fairytale huts on Saint Stephen's Square visitors can browse through the remarkable products of almost eighty craftsmen, and will find unique, hand-crafted works of folk and applied art, textile and leather goods, pottery and jewelry along with designer clothes and accessories, or works of photographers and graphic artists. This year again, the fair will offer a spectacular visual experience: a new, monumental 3-dimensional video mapping will charm the admirers of the festive Christmas atmosphere. Luckily, the location of the Basilica Christmas Fair is very close to the oldest and most well-known Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square, so you can easily visit two of the biggest and most popular Xmas fairs of Budapest during the Christmas holidays. Overnight in Budapest. Day 5 Breakfast in hotel and departure to Gellert Hill to enjoy breathtaking panorama of Budapest from Citadella Fortress. Than we proceed to Castle district the city s ancient heart, where fine old houses cluster around Matthias Church and a wealth of palatial buildings and majestic statues are found. Now enjoy another spectacular view from picturesque Fisherman s Bastion. The rest of the day is free to stroll among Christmas stalls, buy something unique for your loved ones and enjoy some of cultural programs on the outdoor stage. Overnight in Budapest.
Day 6 After breakfast in the hotel meet with a local guide and start a city tour of Budapest to get acquainted with the Queen of the Danube. The tour includes visits on Pest side: Heroes Square with Millenary Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Opera House, the St. Stephen Basilica and grandiose Parliament. Along with a great introduction of Budapest s popular landmarks, experience Hungarian Christmas tradition and visit Budapest biggest Christmas Market in heart of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore festively decorated Budapest and the Christmas markets. Besides the usual Christmas Markets delights you can taste traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes, visit the open kitchens and learn some traditional culinary secrets. Overnight in Budapest. Day 7 Today proceed to Zagreb, Croatia. Voted two times in a row "European Best Christmas Market", the capital of Croatia is for sure the best destination to celebrate Christmas in Europe. During this time of year the magic is everywhere in Zagreb. Come and see for yourself why is the Croatian capital visited by an increasing numbers of tourists during the time of Advent; get to know its idyllic side and partake in themed programs which take place on the streets and squares around the city center. During the time of Advent, Zagreb offers a special atmosphere which simply must be experienced. The city streets and squares invite you to let your hair down and partake in singing, dancing, and other kinds of entertainment with family and friends. You can also sample traditional delicacies alfresco or enjoy themed programs which take you down memory lane. Overnight in Zagreb. Day 8 Zagreb offers a variety of events that will satisfy even the most demanding visitors. Plenty of fun, excellent food, unique events, art, but also a genuine Christmas atmosphere, await you on the streets of Croatia's capital. Don't wait for Santa sitting by your fireplace, find him in the city! Make sure you polish your boots before you go because we have in store for you a number of pleasant surprises, including the musical program which will make you want to dance all night long! Ready, set... Advent in Zagreb! Follow our licensed tour guide on Advent Walking Tour down the streets of Zagreb, and you will find out a lot of details from Zagreb s history. A heart of tradition beats in Zagreb on the Ban Josip Jelačić Square, with children's performances, art and cultural events every day, and also in the streets surrounding the square with the traditional Christmas Fair. Taste the traditional cuisine of Zagreb, pasta squares with cabbage, sausages, fried apples or baked štrukle,
and warm up with hot chocolate or mulled wine to the rhythm of live music at the old music pavilion in Zrinjevac. The souvenir and Christmas decoration market on European Square will leave you breathless. You will have the opportunity to see a live Nativity scene staged on Kaptol and experience the atmosphere of the event that changed the course of history. Zagreb got another Advent attraction A Christmas Carol in a tunnel told in a very different way. 3D installations on the ceiling, selected music in a glorious acoustic space and video projections which all together create an extraordinary atmosphere. Do not miss to become a part of that good energy and joy all around you. After you finish sightseeing go ice skating in one of Zagreb s most beautiful parks, King Tomislav Square a magical winter idyll on ice or simply Fool around the funicular at Fuliranje, the hipster open air holiday market. Overnight in Zagreb. Day 9 Today try yourself in making decorations for your home, at this workshop we will use food and spices to make fragrant and delicious gifts. With this workshops we are bringing back that retro tradition and we want to bring back, in a new way, all of those tastes and fragrances! We will paint some walnuts or almonds in gold after all it s Christmas! It can t all be natural. In the afternoon you will get lost in the idyllic Christmas atmosphere on the 60.000 square meter property in Cazma where every plant, tree, bridge, object is decorated and where shapes of characters, animals, decorations are made from lights and lamps. The owner of the property, Zlatko Salaj, decorated his first tree 20 years ago, and then decorated a few more trees each Christmas. His love and passion for the lights and a vibrant Christmas experience resulted in him starting the Christmas story project at Čazma in 2003, which has become a tourist brand of the Čazma area. During the festive season, the property is lit up by the lights of a hundred thousand colored lamps which creates a vibrant experience and idyll for every visitor. At night, the Christmas stable and nativity, as well as the entire garden area with the multi-colored Christmas lights and decorations offer you the unforgettable experience of a true Croatian Christmas story. Overnight in Zagreb. Day 10 After breakfast departure to NP Plitvice Lakes, a Frozen Paradise - experience the ice beauty of frozen waterfalls and see the nature in its full glow. One of the top tourist attractions and an absolute must see destination in Croatia is Plitvice Lakes National Park, its mother nature at her best. Meeting with the local guide and NP Plitvice Lakes sightseeing. The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. Take a walk through this heaven on earth. Enjoy scenery of beautiful frozen waterfalls and untouched nature. And don t forget to
make a wish under the largest waterfall as it is supposedly making your wishes come true. After you discover Plitvice we will continue to Split. The holiday season in Split is in the spirit of fun, music and art, all packed in a bursting program of Advent in Split. Visit the grand Christmas fair and enjoy the variety of offers; souvenirs, jewelry, decorations and find a unique present for your loved ones. Pumper your senses with gastronomic delights offered by the charming houses while listening to all the best Christmas hits and use the opportunity for a family get together at the children s program. Come to Split and have great fun during the Advent season, with a reminder not to forget your sunglasses! Overnight in Split. Day 11 Today join a fun traditional Christmas cooking class and learn the secrets of the local cuisine to take home to your family and friends. Pick your ingredients and enjoy preparing it with your hosts. Choose wild spices, dug your fingers into the bread mixture, lick some olive oil and blend it into a rural ambience. Spend the day at a typical country house on the outskirts of Split, and enjoy a welcome drink as you arrive at the house and get equipped with all the tools and instructions you need for the cooking extravaganza. Once prepped, set out to make your delectable dish. The recipes, passed down by word of mouth from one generation to the next, are the most tried and tested in the region, and adored by the locals. When your meals are finished, sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor over some local wine and an epic feast at the country estate. If you have a chance to spend a Christmas in Croatia, one thing is for certain, you won t go hungry. In the evening enjoy Christmas fair, advent in Split is special just like Christmas in Split. Split is a very special tourist destination of many world travelers, the Split in winter is turning into a true magic of the imperial Mediterranean. The famous Split houses on the waterfront and town squares are symbol of good entertainment. At this year s Advent in Split you can expect a number of concerts, exhibitions, various bands and DJ s. On the city squares and along the city streets a Capella singers and various performers entertain the passersby while the church quires traditionally prepare Christmas concerts. Gastro Advent is a unique event for this city under the Marijan hill, the guests of the Gastro Advent come from all around the world, promoting their customs and delicacies in the city of Split. Become a part of this fascinating Christmas story in the city of Split. Overnight in Split.
Day 12 Today you will depart to Dubrovnik, The Pearl of Adriatic. The Mediterranean, tradition, and the warmth of time-honored customs are the main characteristics of Dubrovnik's winter holidays. Stunning light decorations make Dubrovnik s beauty even more magical, the glow of Christmas lights on the cobbled streets, trees dressed in bright lights, and most of all, the Christmas spirit of kindness, peace, and contentment envelop this UNESCO town making it even lovelier. Good evening, we are knocking... are the opening lyrics of the traditional local holiday carol the Dubrovnik Kolenda, the scent of prikle (doughnuts) and hrostule (sweet fritters) drifts from the hearths, mixing with the scent of bay leaf laurels that are draped across entryways as a sign of welcoming, and ripe bitter oranges from the Renaissance gardens. A Christmas market selling souvenirs, gifts, and traditional handicrafts will take place on the most beautiful stage of the city, the magnificent main street of Stradun. In addition to the sales part of the fair, there will be food and drink available in little holiday cottages, offering a variety of sweet and savory delicacies accompanied by music and merriment. Have fun at the theatre, visit galleries and museums, and learn how to make Dubrovnik s traditional sweet delicacies. Overnight in Dubrovnik. Day 13 Today explore the wonders of Dubrovnik s Old City Centre, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most important living historical monuments in this part of Europe. Your expert guide will take you around this magical medieval town full of legends and give you a glimpse of the incredible history that makes Dubrovnik such a unique city. Local guide will take you to the most wonderful and hidden streets of the old part of city of Dubrovnik. Explore Dubrovnik City Walls and enjoy a unique view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik including its narrow streets and small squares. During winter, Dubrovnik s beautiful palaces, and fortresses will be dressed in snowflakes thanks to the special holiday lights. Alongside the whole of Stradun, there are many Advent stalls with a varied offering of food, drinks, souvenirs and sweets. All these events are part of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival, which is held every winter in the city to celebrate the holiday season. After sightseeing tour a workshop will be organized for you. Try yourself in making almonds coated in sugar, sweet way to experience Christmas in Croatia. Every participant will receive a bag of this delicacy as a gift. Overnight in Dubrovnik. Day 14 Private transfer to Dubrovnik airport. Fly out of Croatia.