European Christmas Market Magic with Justine – My Balance Project

Arrive in Munich and make your own way to the joining hotel. At 3pm, meet your host Justine, your guides, and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting before setting out to explore Munich’s festive Christmas markets.

Begin at Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt, where stalls glow beneath the magnificent New Town Hall, then wander through the elegant Residenz Palace Courtyards Market and finish at the Medieval Market at Wittelsbacherplatz – a charming step back in time with traditional foods, crafts, and music. End the evening with a warm Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Mirabell by Maier – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Welcome Dinner

✅ Activities

• Afternoon Welcome Meeting
• Guided Walking Tour of Munich’s Christmas Markets
• Visit Marienplatz, Residenz, and Medieval Markets

After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided excursion to Nuremberg, home to one of Germany’s most famous Christmas markets. Explore the charming Old Town and visit the world-renowned Christkindlesmarkt at the Main Market Square, where stalls overflow with festive treats and handmade gifts.

Marvel at the Schöner Brunnen Fountain and the Gothic beauty of the Church of Our Lady before enjoying time to shop, taste, and explore at your own pace. Return to Munich in the evening with free time for an optional dinner or to revisit your favourite market.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Mirabell by Maier – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Full-Day Guided Excursion to Nuremberg
• Visit Christkindlesmarkt and Main Market Square
• Explore Nuremberg’s Old Town

Today is yours to enjoy Munich at your own pace. Revisit your favourite Christmas markets, relax in a cozy café, or explore more of the city’s cultural treasures. With festive music and warm Glühwein in the air, every corner of Munich sparkles with holiday cheer.

Alternatively, choose an optional day trip to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and nearby Füssen (extra cost). Journey through snow-dusted Bavarian countryside and step into one of Europe’s most enchanting landmarks.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Mirabell by Maier – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Free Day to Explore Munich’s Christmas Markets
• Optional Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Füssen

Take a scenic train journey from Munich to Salzburg, where baroque beauty meets alpine charm. On arrival, set off on a guided city tour visiting Salzburg Cathedral, Mirabell Palace, and the historic Old Town.

Continue to the famous Domplatz and Residenzplatz Christmas Markets, surrounded by the glow of cathedral lights and wooden chalets filled with festive crafts. Sample roasted chestnuts, local sweets, and a warm cup of mulled wine as you wander through the heart of Salzburg.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Andra Salzburg – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Train from Munich to Salzburg
• Guided City Tour of Salzburg
• Visit Domplatz and Residenzplatz Christmas Markets

Relive the timeless charm of The Sound of Music on a guided tour through Salzburg’s most iconic film locations. Wander through Mirabell Gardens where “Do-Re-Mi” was filmed, see Leopoldskron Palace, and visit the famous gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace.

The afternoon is free to enjoy Salzburg at your own pace — revisit your favourite markets, take a carriage ride through Old Town, or visit Hohensalzburg Fortress for sweeping views over the city’s snowy rooftops.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Andra Salzburg – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Sound of Music Themed Guided Tour
• Visit Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron and Hellbrunn Palaces
• Free Afternoon to Explore Salzburg

Board a morning train to Vienna, Austria’s capital of culture and grandeur. Upon arrival, embark on a guided walking tour taking in the Vienna State Opera, Heldenplatz, St. Michael’s Church, and the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Wander through elegant streets lined with lights and festive decorations, then visit St. Rupert’s Church – the city’s oldest – before spending the evening soaking up Vienna’s imperial atmosphere.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Andreas Vienna – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Train from Salzburg to Vienna
• Guided Walking Tour of Vienna
• Visit Vienna State Opera, Heldenplatz and St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Begin your day at Schönbrunn Palace, exploring the lavish rooms and gardens once home to the Habsburg royals. Outside, the Christmas Market fills the air with the scent of roasted almonds and spiced pastries.

Later, join an evening walking tour of Vienna’s most famous Christmas markets, including Rathausplatz and Stephansplatz. The city glows with music, lights, and festive joy – a perfect way to experience the magic of Vienna by night.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Andreas Vienna – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Visit Schönbrunn Palace and Christmas Market
• Evening Walking Tour of Vienna’s Christmas Markets
• Visit Rathausplatz and Stephansplatz

Take a scenic train ride to Budapest, Hungary’s breathtaking capital. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided orientation tour showcasing the city’s highlights and most beloved Christmas markets.

Explore Vörösmarty Square Market, one of Europe’s oldest and most festive, where handmade crafts, folk art, and chimney cakes fill the stalls. The evening is free to explore at leisure – perhaps wander to St. Stephen’s Basilica Market or stroll along the sparkling Danube promenade.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

✅ Activities

• Train from Vienna to Budapest
• Guided Orientation Tour of Budapest
• Visit Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market

Begin your final full day with a relaxing soak in one of Budapest’s famous Thermal Baths, choosing between the Széchenyi or Gellért. It’s the perfect way to unwind and reflect on your journey through Europe’s festive heart.

Spend the afternoon revisiting your favourite markets or doing some last-minute shopping. In the evening, opt for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the glowing streets before joining your group for a Farewell Dinner – a night of celebration, laughter, and festive cheer.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast
• Farewell Dinner

✅ Activities

• Visit Budapest Thermal Baths
• Free Afternoon for Markets or Shopping
• Optional Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (Extra Cost)
• Farewell Dinner at Local Restaurant

Wake to the soft glow of winter sunlight over the Danube and enjoy your final European breakfast surrounded by the scent of fresh pastries and coffee. Take a slow morning stroll through the city’s festive streets, where the last twinkling lights of the Christmas markets still sparkle beneath the grand architecture.

If time allows, stop for one last warm drink at a cozy café, or cross the Chain Bridge for a final view of Buda Castle rising above the river. Reflect on the unforgettable moments shared with your new travel friends – from the glow of Vienna’s markets to the laughter over mulled wine in Munich – before transferring for your onward journey, your heart full of Christmas cheer and memories to last a lifetime.

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 1: Arrival in Munich

Arrive in Munich at your own pace and settle into the rhythm of this vibrant Bavarian city. Spend the day unwinding after your journey or head straight out to explore the charming Old Town, lively beer halls, and beautifully decorated winter streets. Whether you wander Marienplatz or relax in a cozy café, Munich sets the perfect warm and festive welcome before your main tour begins.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Mirabell by Maier – Standard Room (or similar)

Day 2: Munich at Leisure or Foodie Adventure

Enjoy a relaxed morning and a full free day to explore Munich exactly how you like – from Christmas markets and museums to boutique shopping and parks dusted with winter charm. For those craving a flavourful cultural experience, you may choose to join the Munich Food Tour (price TBC), where a local expert leads you on a delicious journey through traditional dishes, artisanal snacks, and hidden foodie gems.

🏨 Accommodation

• Hotel Mirabell by Maier – Standard Room (or similar)

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast

Day 3: Free Morning & Join Group for Main Itinerary

Spend your final free morning revisiting your favourite Christmas markets, collecting last-minute treasures, or soaking up the festive music and mulled wine aromas that fill Munich in December. If you’re craving adventure, you might even venture toward Bavaria’s storybook castles before returning to the city. This afternoon, join the main group at 3pm to officially begin your Christmas adventure.

🍽️ Included Meals

• Breakfast