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Christmas in Austria, Twixmas Cruising on the Rhine & New Year in Ypres
A fantastic festive period awaits as we split our time over the Christmas holiday between Austria, Germany and Belgium. Enjoy Christmas in Austria taking in the Tyrol and the delights it has to offer, such as the charming Innsbruck Christmas Markets and delightful rail rides. Board the Twixmas river cruise as we set sail along the Rhine on the MS Rhine Princess. And then, complete your holiday in style, as we head to Belgium over the New Year visiting the likes of Bruges, Ypres and Brussels.
Tour Includes
- 9 nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast
- 8 evening meals (1 brunch on New Years Day)
- 2 nights full board cruising on the Rhine Princess
- Convenient local joining points
- Travel by Silver Service coach
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 12 day itinerary
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Travel through Germany to the Austrian Tyrol for four nights.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Join us today on a wonderful included excursion to Innsbruck and Rattenberg. We begin in the tiny town of Rattenberg with its interesting name 'Ratte' meaning rat. This small town is famous for its glass blowing and stunning glass art as well as local attractions such as the Augustine Museum and its ski slopes. Here we see the manufacturers finely craft and engrave glassware on our visit to one of the glass factories. Then we continue to the capital of the Tyrol which is Innsbruck to enjoy the Christmas markets and explore the city's charming old town. Innsbruck is located on the River Inn and at the foot of the Karwendel Alps, and is the fifth largest city in Austria. This beautiful city is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and steeped in history. Innsbruck was host to the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and again in 1976. During your free time you can explore the array of Christmas stalls with the traditional market-taking place in the heart of the historic Old Town and overlooked by the famous Golden Roof. Here visitors from all over the world come together to enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. There are over 70 stalls filled with tree decorations, arts and crafts and a few curiosities! A cup of Glühwein will keep you warm whilst you mingle with the locals. Be sure to wander down Innsbruck’s main shopping street the Maria-Theresien-Straße. Here you will be dazzled by lights, glass and crystal whilst browsing the modern stalls selling international Christmas products. Please note that Christmas Eve in Austria is a traditional religious festival and in many areas is still celebrated as such. This may mean that facilities in towns, villages and hotels may close early.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Enjoy our included excursion to the world-famous ski resort of Kitzbühel. Kitzbuhel is situated between the Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbuhler Horn mountains. Kitzbuhel is the home of the annual ski races, including the circuit’s most important event, the downhill race, which takes place on the famous Streif Slope. Why not opt to ride the gondola up the majestic Hahnenkamm Mountain for some breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks. We return to the hotel for tonight's turkey Christmas dinner.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We travel to Mayrhofen in the Ziller Valley on our included excursion. Mayrhofen is situated in the upper Zillertal and is in the heart of the Tirol and Austria's scenic valley. The town is known as the 'flagship' of Austrian Alphine tourism. The striking peaks of the Zillertal valley and the Tux Alps is a fantastic backdrop to this beautiful area. While in this stunning area of natural beauty why not enjoy an optional ride on the Ziller Valley Railway between Mayrhofen and Fugen*. The Ziller Valley railway runs a total of 32 km between Jenbach and Mayrhofen. This train ride offers you a experience for all the senses taking you back in time to the early 1900's as well as enjoynig the views and sounds of the locomotive as it making its way along the track you can also enjoy a treat from the on board buffet carriage. *Please note that the route and/or engine may change without prior notice.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
We leave Austria and head into Germany to reach Andernach and our cruise ship, the MS Rhine Princess, for a two-night cruise.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
We cruise from Andernach to Oberwesel, then after lunch, travel by coach to Rüdesheim. Explore the bustling Drosselgasse, visit the lively atmosphere, cosy wine taverns and narrow, romantic streets. We then continue by coach to Koblenz, and rejoin our cruise ship. Enjoy the lively festive spirit of this town, which lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We cruise to Cologne. Explore the capital of the Rhineland, with its main focal point being the huge Dom (cathedral) which is a Gothic style church that they started building in 1248 but didn't fully completed till 1880. While in Cologne why not have a look at some of the stunning attractions such as the Cologne City Hall which was once a medieval house still used today for official business, or the Museum Ludwig that features modern art including one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe and the relaxing water front and bridges which has helped build Cologne through the ages to the city we know today. Enjoy the many bustling shopping streets such as Schildergasse or Hohestrasse before departing this afternoon for Ypres for our four night stay.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Included excursion, which takes us to historic Bruges, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval towns. Spend time exploring the town, strolling the cobbled lanes and crossing pretty canals. The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage site and a joy to explore. We then return to the hotel in the early evening so why not walk into Ypres centre. Spend time at leisure exploring the town centre. See the market square, dominated by the huge Cloth Hall, with its magnificent belfry. This evening pause at the Menin Gate, where the last post ceremony is performed daily. The Menin Gate is a memorial dedicated to the missing and bears the names of 54,896 officers and men who died between 1914 and 15 August 1917. Every evening since 11 November 1929, buglers have sounded the emotive Last Post at 8pm beneath the archway.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
A day at leisure or why not join our optional excursion to the beautiful French town of Lille? Once an important merchant town, Lille is now a central hub and bustling university town. Enjoy free time exploring its historic centre with the many 17th century brick town houses and cobbled streets. Be sure to see the Grand Place and the Belfry before we return to the hotel for tonight’s New Year festivities, which include a special New Year’s Eve buffet, disco and a glass of champagne at midnight.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).
Today we travel to Belgium’s capital, Brussels, on our included excursion. Enjoy free time exploring the impressive Grand Place, a square surrounded by Guild Houses and elegant café’s. Just a short walk from the Grand Place is the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the ‘irreverent spirit’ of Brussels.
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
| Cabin Upgrades (per person) | Twin |
| Middle Deck Cabin | £15 |
| Middle Deck Superior Cabin | £20 |
| Upper Deck Cabin | £25 |
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at a minimum 3-star hotel in the Austrian Tyrol, such as the Hotel Zillertal in Strass. The hotel has a restaurant and bar. You will spend two nights cruising on board the MS Rhine Princess. Cabins are located on three decks and all have twin beds and air-conditioning.
For New Year, you will stay for four nights at the 3-star Novotel, located in the centre of Ypres. The hotel has a lift, restaurant and bar.
Overnight stay in Belgium will be in a city-style hotel.
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