7-Nights Christmas Markets of Croatia, Slovenia & Austria - Small Group
Insight Vacations · 7 days
Escorted
From $3,195 per person
Indulge in a winter escapade across Vienna, Ljubljana and Zagreb on this 8-day Christmastime tour. With attractions handpicked by Local Experts at every stop, this festive trip is packed with winter wonderland magic. In Slovenia, enjoy a lush Ljubljana tasting experience, replete with local delicacies and fine wine. In Croatia, shop the Zagreb Christmas Market-always abuzz with excited chatter. Between the festive market stalls in Bratislava, be sure to breathe in the heady aromas of the sweet, cinnamon-infused drinks and sample the Slovakian Christmas delicacies to your heart’s content.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Bratislava: Join your Local Expert for an exploration of the city center. Enjoy the vistas form the Bratislava Castle then take a walk in the charming Old Town among 19th century palaces and see the Slovak National Theater, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall.
- Bratislava: An avid food lover takes you around the market on a Christmas food tour.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Ljubljana: Meet inspiring individuals at Soncek – Cerebral Palsy Association of Slovenia, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities through meaningful employment and community integration. Learn how their Care and Work Center provides guidance, care and adapted jobs, allowing members to create handcrafted souvenirs, artwork and other unique items. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
- Zagreb: Your Local Expert guides you through this two-tiered capital. Explore Donji Grad, the Lower Town, and see Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the cathedral.
- Zagreb: Ride the funicular to Gornji Grad, the medieval Upper Town, to view the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotršcak Tower.
- Postojna Cave: Enter by mini-train into these world-famous cave systems, before walking through an illuminated fairyland of stalactites and stalagmites.
- Ljubljana: Explore this elegant capital with your Local Expert, to see the castle City Hall, Cathedral of St. Nicholas and Triple Bridge.
- Graz: See the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city center on your orientation with your Travel Director.
- Bratislava: Join your Local Expert for an exploration of the city center. Enjoy the vistas form the Bratislava Castle then take a walk in the charming Old Town among 19th century palaces and see the Slovak National Theater, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall.
- Bratislava: An avid food lover takes you around the market on a Christmas food tour.
- Vienna: A guided exploration of Schönbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy.
- Vienna: Join your Local Expert for a city tour that reveals both the renowned sights and hidden gems of Vienna's historic Ringstrasse. See the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Air
Itinerary
Vienna
Excursions
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Vienna's Old Town, 2,5 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
This interesting city walk offers you an initial overview of the history, culture and achitecture of Vienna, taking you through the most beautiful and elegant streets and passing by some of the most famous sights of the city.
At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- The Imperial Palace, residence of the Habsburgs for nearly 650 years (outside)
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna's landmark (outside)
- State Opera House (outside)
- the Ringstrasse ('ring road')
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Mozart in Vienna, 2,5 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
During this city walk "On the Traces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", you discover Vienna's historic old town, passing by some of the most important locations of Mozart's life. This tour also includes a visit of the Mozart House. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Vienna's historic old town and former addresses of Mozart (outdoor)
- Visit of the Mozart House Vienna (indoor visit)
- St. Stephen's Cathedral (outdoor)
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee Mozart House (visit with audio-guide)
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the cruise ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk Imperial Palace, 2,5 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided walking tour through Vienna's historic old town takes you to the Imperial Palace ('Hofburg'), to visit the Imperial Apartments and the fascinating Sisi Museum.
Highlights:
- Visit of the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Apartments (indoor visit)
- Visit of the Sisi Museum (indoor visit)
- Augustinian Church
Tour Duration: 2,5-3 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Imperial Palace (Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum)
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Vienna & Visit of Schoenbrunn Palace, 4 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided tour shows you the major historical sights along the Ringstrasse, before taking you to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Highlights:
- Main sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, Burgtheater, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Schoenbrunn Palace, privately guided tour (indoor visit)
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Schoenbrunn Palace (Highlight Tour)
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Tour Art Nouveau and Viennese Architecture, 4 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
In addition to the familiar Gothic and Baroque buildings, Art Nouveau has a fixed place in Viennese architecture. Naturally, this tour also covers further architecural epoques, such as modernity.
Highlights:
- Architecturally interesting sights along the Ringstrasse: e.g. Imperial Palace, National Museums, State Opera, City Hall, Parliament etc. (outside)
- Visit of the Vienna Secession (inside visit)
- Visit of the Kunst Haus Wien (insde visit)
- St. Charles's Church (outside)
- Hundertwasserhaus (outside)
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Sunday; Morning or Afternoon
(Vienna Secession is closed on Monday!)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Vienna Secession
- Entrance fee for Kunst Haus Wien
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Vienna Shore Excursion: Private City Walk & the Lipizzaner Horses, 5 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
From Tuesday to Friday (9am-1pm, excl. July), this package covers many interesting aspects of Vienna: Starting with a short Vienna Old Town City Walk, you follow your guide through the old town towards the Spanish Riding School, where you attend the Lippizaner's Morning Exercise, allowing an insight into the training of the Lipizzaner Horses and their riders. At the end of this tour, you can continue exploring the city centre on your own.
Highlights:
- Overview of the history, culture and architecture of Vienna
- Vienna's historic old town (outside)
- Attendance of the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School (inside visit)
- Coffee break at the famous Café Central
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 1pm (excluding July)
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up at the landing stage of the cruise ship in Vienna
- One way transfer in private car from the pier to the city centre
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for the Morning Exercise at the Spanish Riding School
- Coffee break at Café Demel (1 hot drink, 1 piece of cake)
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
- Return transfer to the ship (optional service upon extra charge)
Bratislava
Excursions
Bratislava Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Bratislava, 4 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
Enjoy a lovely guided city walk within the historic centre of Bratislava, followed by an interesting city tour and ride up the city hill to the Bratislava Castle, built in the 9th century - still today one of Bratislava's landmarks.
Highlights:
- City Walk within the historic centre of Bratislava
- Main sights and spots, e.g. Old Town Hall, Main Square, St. Martin Cathedral etc.
- Visit of the Bratislava Castle premises and the Slovak National Museum
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Half Day
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Bratislava
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Slovak National Museum in Bratislava Castle
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances, other than stated above
Bratislava Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Tour Bratislava & Devin Castle, 8 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
Enjoy a lovely guided Bratislava City Walk and City Tour, including a visit of it's landmark, the Bratislava Castle - and rounded up by an excursion to one of the oldest castles in Slovakia, the Devin Castle (located at the confluence of the Danube and Moravia rivers, close to the Austrian border).
Highlights:
- City Walk within the historic centre of Bratislava
- Main sights and spots, e.g. Old Town Hall, Main Square, St. Martin Cathedral etc.
- Visit of the Bratislava Castle premises and the Slovak National Museum
- Excursion to Devin Castle, located 10km from Bratislava
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Full Day
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Bratislava
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fee for Slovak National Museum in Bratislava Castle
- Entrance fee for Devin Castle
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances, other than stated above
Ljubljana
Excursions
Ljubljana tour with visit to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
— Optional Private Excursions
You will meet Your personal English speaking guide and driver in the Koper harbor for Your unique tour – sightseeing of city Ljubljana and visit to Postojna cave and Predjama Castle
Today Your tour will start with easy walk to the Preseren Square from where You will go on a relaxed walking journey around downtown. Afterwards You will cross the Three Bridges and the farmer’s market and take cable car to visit Ljubljana Castle. After the sightseeing of Ljubljana You will continue on to Postojna cave and Castle.
Discover underground world of Postojna Cave, most popular karst cave in Slovenia. This guided tour will consist of a ride by electrical train and followed by a walk through beautiful passages and chambers with spectacular drop stones, pillars, limestone curtains and other unforgettable forms. You will continue to idyllic village of Predjama where you will be amazed by fairy tale medieval Predjama castle with dramatic setting in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a hillside.
Highlights:
- Postojna cave
- Predjama Castle
- Personal guide
- Round transfer
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Tickets
- Round transfers
Not Included:
- Lunch
- Tips
Zagreb
Excursions
Zagreb uncovered: WWII and communist era walking tour
— Optional Private Excursions
Upon meeting with your private guide prepare yourself to learn the fascinating and intriguing history of Croatia's capital city of Zagreb during WWII and under the communist regime. The Zagreb WWII and Communism Tour takes you on a historical journey through Zagreb's turbulent 20th century. Explore the city’s key landmarks while learning about the impact of World War II and the communist era in Yugoslavia. The tour covers events like the Nazi occupation, the rise of Tito's Partisans, and the shaping of post-war communist rule. You'll visit memorials, underground bunkers, and significant sites that highlight Croatia’s complex past, giving you a deeper understanding of the resilience and transformation of the city and its people.
Highlights:
- Unique historical experience
- Visit to underground tunnel
- Private guide
Tour can operate: Morning and afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Gric tunnel visit
- Gratuities and items purchased for personal use
- Tips
- Food & drinks
A visit to ethno village Kumrovec and monastery Olimje
— Optional Private Excursions
Today’s adventure will take you to the Ethno village Kumrovec where Marshal Tito, former President of Yugoslavia, was born. You will be able to observe how the peasants' and their families' everyday lives were like as well as some traditional crafts. After an interesting little sightseeing of Ethno village, you will head to Olimje, a 16th-century castle, which was turned into a monastery with a baroque church. One of its most intriguing features is an antique pharmacy inside the monastery that is decorated with lovely murals. There, you may get a variety of herbal remedies for almost every disease or health issue. The last stop of this interesting tour is reserved for lunch.
Highlights:
- Unique experience
- Private guide
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Tickets for Kumrovec and Olimje
- Lunch
- Gratuities and items purchased for personal use
- Tips
- Additional food and drinks
Zagreb sightseeing with funicular ride and Museum of lost tales
— Optional Private Excursions
Explore Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital, on a tour of its historic Upper and Lower Towns, rich in architecture and lush parks dating back to the Austro-Hungarian era. With a private guide, ride the funicular up to the Upper Town to see landmarks like the Croatian Parliament, notable for its unique roof. Stroll through the city to visit the Cathedral, Stone Gate, National Theatre, Zrinjevac Park, and more. You will then visit the Museum of Lost Tales, a magical space of Croatian folklore created by multimedia artist Zdenko Basic. Through six themed rooms, you’ll journey among scenes filled with mythical figures—fairies, dragons, witches, and other creatures. Become an explorer and part of this enchanting story that brings Croatia’s forgotten heritage to life.
Duration: approx. 4h
Inclusions: guide, funicular ride, museum tickets
Exclusions: food, drinks, gratuities, items purchased for personal use
Available Dates
| From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $3,195 |
Terms & Additional Information
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.