Feel the holiday cheer, immersed in the Christmas spirit, from Bucharest all the way to Vienna. This tour will take you, and a few other enthusiasts, through the Christmas Markets of four European capitals while passing through the winter wonderland of the Carpathians, discovering Transylvania’s jolly side, bartering for snow globes on the shore of the Danube in Budapest and posing with the statues in Bratislava.

This is a shared small group tour; the number of participants will be between 6 and 12.

This tour is being held only once every year, starting on the 19th of December (Day 1 of the tour).

The tour includes:

– The company and expenses of an experienced, licensed and knowledgeable tour guide, fluent in English, throughout the tour;

– Private chauffeured airport transfers;

– Transport in minibus and all transport-related expenses;

– 5 nights accommodation in 4* centrally-located hotels;

– All breakfasts;

– All entrance fees.

The tour does not include:

– Airfare to Romania;

– Lunches and dinners;

– Gratuities for accompanying staff (only if satisfied and entirely up to your discretion).

6 Days. Christmas Markets from Bucharest to Vienna

START END
Arrival 4
Day 1

Arrival

4

Private chauffeured transfer from the Bucharest airport/border to your downtown hotel.

Day 2

Bucharest

Along with your tour guide, you will discover Bucharest’s wide squares and avenues, bordered by 19th century art nouveau French-inspired architecture, which during the age earned the city the nickname “Little Paris”. The political struggles of the last century have changed the city landscape, leaving behind a remarkable diversity, ranging from the palaces and concert halls of old to the worker neighborhoods and megalomaniacal projects of the communist decades, who’s ultimate expression is the largest parliament building in the world. The colorful pedestrian Old Town offers a variety of choices for leisure, with its beehive of activity around its restaurants, bars and coffee shops. In the evening, discover the Bucharest Christmas Market.

  • Highlights:
  • Walking tour of Bucharest Old Town;
  • Visit of the three most representative buildings of the city (Palace of the Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum and the Private Residence of the Ceausescu's);
  • Village Museum;
  • Bucharest Christmas Market.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the biggest Parliament building in the world
    Bucharest 69
    To Sibiu 70
    Day 3

    To Sibiu

    Leave Bucharest behind and head towards the mythical Transylvania. Cross the Carpathians through the scenic Olt river gorge. Admire it from the terrace of the 14th century Cozia Monastery. In the afternoon, reach Sibiu. The streets of this German-looking town lie under the watchful “eyes” of the roof dormers. Despite its relatively small population (some 150.000), the city is one of the most culturally active in the country, especially since 2007, when it was the European capital of culture. After arrival and check in, go on a city tour that will reveal the remaining guild towers and defense walls, the main squares and the Central-European architecture of its streets. In the evening, join the bustling Christmas Market, the oldest one in Romania, and probably the loveliest.

    • Highlights:
  • Scenic views of the Carpathians;
  • Cozia Monastery;
  • Walking tour of Sibiu;
  • Sibiu Christmas Market.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of Sibiu. One of Europe’s most picturesque cities
    Day 4

    To Timisoara

    Start your day with a stroll through the bustling old market where the locals sell their produce every morning. Further into the land, you discover Alba Iulia; ex-capital of Transylvania, surrounded by an impressive and wonderfully restored 18th century Vauban (star-shaped) fortification, home of the purpose built complex that hosted the celebration of the union of Transylvania to the rest of the country, a hundred years ago. Along with the thousand-year old Catholic cathedral and the Roman ruins, it provides the perfect background for the frequently performed battle reenactments. Continuing our journey, reach the city of Hunedoara. Once home to powerful kings and mighty knights; later becoming a textbook communist utopian planned city and heart of an abundant coal mining area, as well as a several steel mills until a few decades ago. All of these changes have been witnessed through the centuries by the Huniady Castle. It is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture and also one of Europe’s largest. End the day in Timisoara, which expects you with its own Christmas Market.

    • Highlights:
  • Sibiu daily farmers' market;
  • Walking tour of Alba Iulia’s Vauban fortified city center;
  • Corvin (Huniady) Castle;
  • Timisoara Christmas Market.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Visit of the recently restored, fortified city center of Alba Iulia
    To Timisoara 71
    To Budapest 72
    Day 5

    To Budapest

    Admire the Habsburg looking palaces that border the central walk of the West-most major city in the country. Settled in the middle ages, it changed hands between Hungary, the Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarian empire, before becoming, in 1884, the first city with electrified street lighting in Europe, and its 2021 capital of culture. Cross the nearby border into Hungary and continue to its capital, Budapest. One of the continents iconic cities allows the Danube to pass through its center, separating the old Buda quarters on the one side from St.Stephan’s Basilica and one of the most recognizable parliament buildings (both of whom, in spite of having surpassed a century since their completion, continue to tie for tallest building of the city) on the other side. This wonderful city hosts not one, but two Christmas Markets. One of them is right in front of the Basilica, which also proves to be an adequate screen for 3D light shows several times every evening, while the other, a mere 10 minute stroll towards the river, has its stalls brimming with local delicacies and seasonal handcrafts.

    • Highlights:
  • Walking tour of Timisoara;
  • Walking tour of Budapest;
  • Budapest Christmas Market.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Tour of Budapest, the most visited Easter European city
    Day 6

    To Vienna

    Following the Danube on our way north-west towards Vienna, stop and tour the city of Bratislava. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary for over 250 years before really coming into its own during the 18th century Austrian rule of Maria Theresa, and finally becoming the capital of Slovakia since the country’s establishment in the early 90’s. Conclude our journey one hour after departing, in Vienna. With Christmas markets sprinkled all across its center, the “city of music” will be the perfect end of the line, with holiday cheer galore.

    • Highlights:
  • Bratislava Christmas Market;
  • Vienna drop-off.
  • CENTERPIECE :
    Walking tour of the city center of Bratislava and its Christmas Market
    To Vienna 73
    Pasarani Street no.5, Bucharest
    District 2, Romania


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