Christmas Markets, Castles & Prosecco, Austria and Italy

Snowy scenes and a lively atmosphere create a spectacular journey through some of Europe’s most impressive scenery in winter.

Private Itinerary
9 Days

Journey Highlights & Signature Inclusions

From festive Vienna to the traditional Christmas Advent markets in Salzkammergut, ice skating in Mozart Square, and Prosecco tasting in Valdobbiadene, staying overnight in a castle, this 9 day itinerary will leave anyone dreaming of a magical white Christmas.

  • 8 nights in exquisite 4 & 5-star hotels
  • 8 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L)
  • Visit some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, including Vienna, Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Villach
  • Guided sightseeing of Vienna, Salzburg, Venice and Schönbrunn Palace
  • Prosecco winery tour and tasting in Italy
  • Stay 2 nights in a spectacular Italian castle
  • Deluxe VIP transportation as indicated
  • Airport transfers on first and last day
  • Note: hotel city taxes, if applicable, are not included

Discover The Itinerary

Explore your itinerary in detail, featuring carefully selected hotels, unique experiences, and premium inclusions designed to elevate your travel experience.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Image from pixabay byJulius Silver

DAY 1: Vienna

Welcome to Vienna! Filled with old-world charm, this city is magical in winter with imperial architecture basked in twinkling lights. Transfer to your beautiful hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Grand Ferdinand

Overnight Hotel / or similar

DAY 2: Vienna

Embark on a private sightseeing tour of Vienna covered in snow! See the major historical sites along the Ringstrasse, including the State Opera, the National Museum, the Imperial Palace, the Parliament, the City Hall, the Burgtheater and the University, before transferring to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. As the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, you will marvel at the majestic Baroque style rooms, one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. Afterwards, enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant and the rest of the day to spend at your leisure.

Grand Ferdinand

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 3: Vienna – Salzkammergut – Salzburg

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Salzburg Lake District, with its clear lakes, legendary villages and impressive mountains. Experience the traditional Advent markets, practiced traditions and Christmas events in Salzkammergut before transferring to Salzburg.

Hotel am Mirabellplatz

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included
Image from Salzburg Tourism by Hellbrunn_Adventmarkt

DAY 4: Salzburg

Discover the historical side of Salzburg with a walking tour of the city’s highlights. Explore Salzburg’s Baroque old town with its beautiful churches and cathedrals and learn about the city’s most famous citizen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. After an enjoyable lunch of typical local food, you may wish to participate in winter activities such as ice-skating in Mozart Square.

Hotel am Mirabellplatz

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 5: Salzburg – Villach – Cison di Valmarino

Depart Salzburg for Villach for free time to explore the Villach Christmas Markets. Enjoy the mountainous scenery before crossing the border into Italy to your magical castle hotel located in the Prosecco area, renowned for sparkling wine production.

CastelBrando

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 6: Cison di Valmarino

Today you have a day of leisure to explore or unwind in the hotels spectacular SPA facilities.

CastelBrando

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 7: Cison di Valmarino – Valdobbiadene – Venice

Visit Valdobbiadene for a delicious lunch in a typical restaurant and tasting at a renowned boutique Prosecco winery. Continue to your hotel in Venice where the evening is at your leisure.

Palazzo Giovanelli

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Meals Included

DAY 8: Venice

Meet your guide for a walking tour of the main Venetian sites including Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, Ponte dei Sospiri, Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal and Saint Mark’s Basilica. The visit will include access to Doge’s Palace’s and rooftop access to Saint Mark’s Basilica for a unique view of Piazza San Marco and the 14th century clock ‘Torre dell ’Orologio’. In the afternoon, you may wish to partake in a Christmas local food cooking class and dinner in a Venetian house.

Palazzo Giovanelli

Overnight Hotel / or similar

Breakfast

Meals Included

DAY 9: Venice

Transfer to Venice airport or train station for your ongoing journey.

Breakfast

Meals Included

Upcoming Departures

Enjoy your private itinerary

Experience the freedom of a private, fully customisable itinerary with Ormina Tours. This itinerary can start on any date, with options to adjust activities, upgrade experiences, and tailor every detail to suit your travel style, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey designed just for you.

  • Depart on any date you choose
  • Fully customisable
  • Unique activities
  • Comfort and privacy
From $8,176 AUD PPFrom price (Private driver)

Upgrade Options

  • Christmas local food cooking class in Venice
  • Bacaro private wine tour with a professional sommelier for a tasting of food and wines from the Veneto region
  • Venice Carnival mask decoration course

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Ormina Tours provide?

Ormina Tours provides land services in Europe. We cover most of Europe and are continually expanding. If your destination is uncommon, please contact us to confirm availability.

We offer Small Group Journeys on set departure dates (max. 10 guests for 2025 and max. 12 guests for 2026), tailored private journeys (full F.I.T. services), and booking and coordination of accommodation. From airport transfers to fully customized European travel, we cover everything, except flights

Where is Ormina Tours based, and do you serve clients worldwide?

We are an Australian company with offices in Sydney and Perth, as well as a team in Europe to ensure seamless service delivery. While based in Australia, we cater to clients globally and partner with over 250 travel agents across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

When is the best time to visit Europe, and do your tours operate year-round?

Europe offers charm year-round. May and September are popular for Australians, while beach destinations are busiest in August. Most Small Group Journeys run between April and October, while private journeys are available year-round. Early planning (at least 6 months) is recommended for busy regions like the Amalfi Coast.

Is travel insurance required?

Yes, we require all clients travelling to have travel insurance as this is a requirement for Tour Operators Insurances, otherwise guests must sign a release and discharge of liability waiver for us to accept the booking. If you need assistance arranging insurance, just ask.

Do you cater to travellers with mobility challenges?

We tailor all journeys to our client’s travel preferences and needs, including any mobility challenges whether it is special vehicles, travel scooters, hotel rooms with accessible showers and hoists. We also have expertise on most attractions and towns to know which are more accessible than others.

With our Small Group Journeys, any significant mobility challenge requires an accompanying minder/helper to attend on the tour as it is not always possible for our Tour Directors, drivers and guides to offer continuous care in a group environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

What is the group size, and what happens if only two people book the tour?

Our Small Group Journeys are designed for a maximum of 10 guests (12 guests in 2026) to ensure an intimate experience. A minimum of 2 guests is required to guarantee departure (4 guests in 2026).

Should fewer than four guests be booked, you will have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy the same itinerary as a private journey at a preferential rate, giving you the confidence and certainty to book in advance. If you do not wish to undertake the small group journey itinerary as a private journey and we advised within the require deadline as disclosed, we will provide you with a full refund.

What is included and excluded in a Small Group Journey?

Our itineraries include accommodation, transportation, guided activities, and meals as marked – B (breakfast), L (lunch), or D (dinner). Exclusions typically include flights, city taxes, personal expenses, and any items not explicitly listed in the itinerary.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is optional but appreciated for exceptional service. After booking you will be provided with some tipping guidelines should you choose to do so.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each guest can bring one standard checked bag and one carry-on. Please inform us if you need to bring extra luggage.

What is a private journey?

Private journeys (named City Breaks and Regional Discoveries) are not tours with other people. They are suggested itineraries for the city/region that can be fully customised with prearranged services, allowing independent exploration.

Can I choose my hotel?

For private itineraries, we recommend hotels in our itineraries, we can certainly work to accommodate your preferences.

Hotels are set for Small Group Journeys but you can opt to upgrade your room.

What currency are your tours priced in?

Tours (that is our Small Group Journeys) are priced in AUD for Australian residents, NZD for New Zealand residents, and USD for US residents. Other nationalities will pay in AUD unless otherwise arranged.

Prices are fixed once paid in full. In rare cases of significant currency fluctuations, unpaid bookings may be subject to price adjustments. If this occurs, we will contact you or your travel agent to advise you and you will have the option to either pay the full tour price by a certain date or accept the increase.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, though credit card fees may apply. Domestic wire transfers are also accepted.

What deposit is required?

Deposit amounts vary on the size of the booking and whether the booking includes tickets and admissions that maybe non-refundable or non-transferable after purchase. Full payment is due 3 months before your first service date.

Can I change or cancel my booking after making a deposit?

Changes incur a $100 fee per request unless additional services are added. Cancelling more than 50% of services is considered a cancellation, and fees will apply.
Any cancellation made by you prior to your travel (including any changes to your departure date) will result in the following cancellation fees:

Days of notice from notification to first date of service:

  • 91+ days: Loss of deposit
  • 90–75 days: Loss of Booking Deposit and 50% of the balance of the Tour Price
  • 75 days or less: Loss of Booking Deposit and 100% of the balance of the Tour Price

We always advise our clients to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unforeseen cancellations.

What are Ormina Tours’ COVID-19 guidelines?
  • Follow local laws, wear masks, and maintain social distancing as required.
  • Do not travel if you are symptomatic, recently exposed, or COVID-positive.
  • Stay updated on airline and country-specific protocols.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Reach out to our team for personalised assistance and start planning your next European adventure with Ormina Tours.