Christmas Markets of Central Europe: Berlin to Vienna

Arrive in Berlin at any time. Most international flights land with enough time to settle into your hotel and head out for an initial look at the city. The first evening is best used for a low-key dinner and getting your bearings before the real exploration begins on day two.

A full day in Berlin starts with a walk through its layered history. A logical route covers the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the cluster of institutions on Museum Island. For lunch, a classic Bratwurst or Currywurst from a vendor in Alexanderplatz is standard practice. The day ends at the Christmas market in Gendarmenmarkt square, a collection of stalls where you can find handmade souvenirs and warm up with a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine).

The morning begins with a 2.5 to 3-hour train journey south to Nuremberg. The main objective here is the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. It’s a dense scene of wooden stalls and old-fashioned carousels; be sure to try the local gingerbread, Nuremberg Lebkuchen. In the late afternoon, an overland journey of about two hours brings you to Munich, your base for the night.

The morning is free to explore Munich. For a panoramic view of the city, climb the tower of Old St. Peter's Church. In winter, ice skating is often available at Karlsplatz, and the Nymphenburg Schlosskanal may be frozen for curling. In the afternoon, a two-hour road transfer heads southeast towards Austria, stopping at a local Christmas market en route. The evening is free to begin exploring the markets of Salzburg.

Use the morning to see Salzburg's key sites. A walk through the historic squares of the Old Town is a good start. From there, you can climb Festungsberg Hill to the Hohensalzburg Castle or visit Mozart's birthplace and museum. The afternoon is dedicated to the overland journey to Vienna. The drive takes about six hours, factoring in stops at local Christmas markets along the way. Arrive in the capital with the evening free for initial explorations.

A full day to take in Vienna. An orientation walk helps get your bearings in the city center. No visit is complete without stopping for coffee and cake in one of the famous Viennese coffee houses; some operate as social enterprises. The afternoon is for wandering through Vienna's sprawling Christmas markets for a final mug of Glühwein. The rest of the day is open to visit landmarks like the Vienna State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, or Vienna City Hall.

The trip concludes in Vienna. After a final breakfast, pack up and depart at any time. There are no scheduled activities, allowing for flexible travel arrangements out of the city.