Best of Europes Christmas Markets Tour

Dec. 5-13 2008, Best of Europe's Christmas Markets Tour to Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland. (9 Days 8 Nights) Visits to Oberammergau - Innsbruck - Munich - Bavarian Castles - Black Forest - Strasbourg - Bern - Lucerne Celebrate the Christmas season--festive lights, music in old churches, cuisine, and international shopping ?as we meander the quaint and picturesque streets of Old Europe decorated in their finest glory. Treat yourself to a trip back in time, as we browse the famous holiday Christmas Markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. The Bavarian Alps revel in a true Old World setting with sleigh bells ringing, picturesque chalets warmly twinkling, and tables laden with holiday foods and a vast array of hand make treasures and decorations. The European Christmas Markets -- outdoor paths in fairytale towns and villages lined with stalls filled with Christmas trinkets, hand-crafted gifts, home-cooked foods, festive lights, and lots of cheer, folly and music !! Our tour takes you to four, fairytale, Old World Europe countries where Christmas is celebrated as the highpoint of the year. Christmas Markets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland - The traditions of the Christmas markets date back to the middle ages and turn German, Swiss, Austrian, and French towns and cities into festive fairy tale type scenes. Christmas markets are held during the four weeks of Advent and include booths and stalls set up in town centers with plenty of great Christmas decorations and entertainment. Huge Christmas trees are erected and the shops sell Christmas decorations, ornaments, wooden toys, nutcrackers, figurines, gifts, clothing, candles, foods, local arts and crafts and a lot more. Bands and choral groups entertain shoppers with favorite Christmas carols and hymns. You can buy fresh gingerbread, or a whole gingerbread house, delight in the smells of mulled wine, spices and roasted chestnuts and almonds and sausages as well as a wide array of other foods and drinks. Each German Christmas Market has its own personality and you are sure to find plenty of Christmas treasures to bring home as well as be able to revel in the Christmas atmosphere that Germany offers. Somewhere in the center of town, often around an old church, little wooden booths are set up and vendors sell all kinds of good things: Christmas decorations, candles, and handmade crafts. You'll also find yummy food...like chocolate or wurst with bread or warm drinks like Glühwein (a warm red wine with spices). Often, markets also have music performers or ice skating. The market is typically open daily through December and it is especially lovely in the evenings Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France -- This is one of the largest Christmas markets in France, and the setting in front of Strasbourg Cathedral is breathtaking. In its 431st year, this market in Alsace is the oldest Christmas market in France. Be sure to visit La Petite France, a cozy neighborhood of timbered fairy-tale buildings with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery. is knows for having the finest Marche de Noel in France for good reason. It's so large that it takes up blocks of the city and seems to spout new roots in some of the most beautiful locations in the center of the Strasbourg - which is so lovely that the entire city has been deemed a World Heritage Site. HIGHLIGHTS * Enjoy one of Strasbourg's finest restaurants while visiting France. * Explore European Christmas markets in Innsbruck, Strasbourg and Bern. * Experience the holiday spirit in four different countries. * Shop for the famous woodcarvings in Oberammergau. * Enjoy a traditional cheese fondue dinner while in Switzerland. TICKETS and FULL ITINERARY =========================================== LAND ONLY COST for this 9 Day holiday tour is: $1,728 * ** LAND & AIR COST for this 9 Day holiday tour is: $2,866 * ** * double room accommodations (Private room is an additional $375) ** additional 5% Service Charge (2% if paying by check)