8 Day Premium Christmas Markets Tour of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria

What’s Included:

• Premium Accommodations: Stay in handpicked 4 and 5-star hotels, chosen for their excellent quality and prime locations.
• Superior Dining: Enjoy exceptional meals at top-rated restaurants throughout your journey.
• Daily Breakfasts & Relaxed Mornings: Start each day with a delicious breakfast, often with relaxed morning starts after 9 am.
• Dedicated Service: Benefit from 24/7 personal service from your knowledgeable Travel Director and expert Driver, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip.
• “Business Class” Coach Comfort: Travel in ultimate comfort on our “Business Class” style coaches. Luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach, featuring double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom
• Exclusive Experiences: Gain unique perspectives with Insider Access, insightful encounters, and the flexibility of choice experiences.
• Local Expert Guidance: Discover destinations authentically with in-depth local discoveries led by our expert guides.
• Effortless Luggage Service: Your bags will be handled for you, delivered directly to your hotel room door upon arrival.
• Personal Headsets: Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace during famous highlights without missing any of your Local Expert’s insights, thanks to personal radio headsets.
• All Tips & Porterage Included: Enjoy a hassle-free experience as all porterage, along with tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants, are covered.
• Insight Flourishes: Experience delightful surprises from your Travel Director – special local treats that truly represent the spirit of each destination.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi: Stay connected with loved ones using our free Wi-Fi, available both on the coach and at hotels (where accessible).
• Scheduled Airport Transfers: Benefit from included transfers if your flights align with the tour’s scheduled start and end dates and times.
• Private Door-to-Door Transfer: Enjoy a seamless start to your journey with a complimentary, private transfer directly to your local departure airport. Only available for UK departures flights.

Not included in the price:

• Flights: International airfare is separate but can be added when you book your trip. Some tours will have included internal flights.
• Extra Hotel Nights: Pre or post-tour accommodation isn’t included, but you can arrange these when booking.
• Optional Experiences: These optional activities can be booked and paid for while you’re on your tour.

Departures:

This tour departs on selected dates in December. Contact us for live availability and more details.

Pricing:

The price displayed on our trip page is for a twin room, when two people are sharing. To check the solo price for a trip please contact us.

Please note the price shown is a ‘from price’ and it will vary throughout the year. Some times of the year will be more expensive. All prices are subject to availability.

Luggage:

Each guest is permitted one suitcase. This suitcase should not exceed 23kg (50lbs) in weight and its dimensions must be no larger than 77.5cm (30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in).

For your carry-on or hand luggage, you are allowed one piece per person. This must not exceed 30cm x 28cm x 14cm (12”x11”x6”) to ensure it fits comfortably under your coach seat or in the small overhead compartment.

We highly recommend testing the weight of your baggage before your trip. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it yourself for short distances.

Please remember that airline baggage allowances can differ, so it’s essential to check with your specific carrier for their exact rules before you travel.

FAQs

Your Tour Experience

• Accommodation: You’ll stay in quality 4 & 5-star hotels, all pre-booked. Hotels listed in itineraries can change, but alternatives will be of similar standard and location.
• Travel Group: You’ll travel with a diverse group of fellow tourists, accompanied by your dedicated Driver and Travel Director.
• Travel Director: Your expert guide who manages logistics, offers local insights, and helps book optional “Choice Experiences.”
• Driver: Ensures comfortable and safe travel on private, air-conditioned coaches.
• Choice Experiences: These are optional activities you pay for during your trip, allowing you flexibility to customise your itinerary and budget as you go.
• Free Time: Tours are designed to include free time for you to explore independently or enjoy optional activities.

Optional Activities (“Choice Experiences”)

• Booking “Choice Experiences”: Your Travel Director will provide details and facilitate bookings for optional “Choice Experiences” once you are on the tour. You can choose to participate in as many or as few as you like.
• Payment for “Choice Experiences”: Payment for these optional activities is made directly to your Travel Director while on tour, providing flexibility.

Tour Pace & Activities

• Pace of Travel: Our tours are designed to be efficient, ensuring you see many sights each day. You’ll move at a steady pace to make the most of your time.
• Time on the Coach: Travel time between destinations varies. We schedule comfort stops approximately every 2-3 hours and incorporate scenic drives and points of interest into the journey.
• Physical Activity: While trips are designed to be accessible, most do involve walking, often on uneven surfaces, uphill, or using stairs. You should be able to walk unassisted for up to 30 minutes comfortably. More strenuous activities are noted in the itinerary. Consider if the trip suits your mobility level

What types of experiences will you enjoy on your tour?

Every tour is designed to immerse you in the destination with a range of carefully chosen included experiences. Beyond these, you’ll also discover two unique highlights:

• Optional Experiences: Enhance and personalize your journey with a diverse range of optional excursions, booked and paid for during your tour.
• Insight Choice: Tailor your itinerary by choosing between two unique, curated experiences to match your personal interests.
• Insider Access: Experience travel like an insider with exclusive access and private entries to renowned sites, offering a more intimate and personal discovery.
• Insightful Encounters: Deepen your journey with personal encounters and unique learning opportunities led by local subject experts.
• Dine-Around Evenings: Enjoy the freedom to choose your ideal culinary experience on select evenings, picking from a curated selection of top local restaurants.
• Dine-at-Home Experiences: Enjoy exclusive access to local homes, learning culinary secrets before sharing an intimate, private meal with your hosts.

Visit, View & See

To help you understand your itinerary better, here’s a breakdown of the terms we use for sightseeing activities:

• Visit: You’ll stop and enter a specific site, allowing for an in-depth experience.
• View: We’ll make a brief stop, giving you a chance to take photos of the site.
• See: Your coach will drive past the site, providing a glimpse from the vehicle.
• Sightseeing tour: A local expert will guide you through a city or specific location, offering detailed commentary.
• Orientation tour: Key points of interest will be highlighted, giving you the context to explore them independently.
• “Why not see” or “perhaps enjoy”: These suggest optional excursions that are not included in your tour price and can be purchased for an additional fee.
• Time to explore and discover: This indicates free time for your own independent activities.
• A day to relax: No activities are planned, giving you the freedom to choose optional experiences or enjoy personal time.

Important Considerations

• Trip Price Adjustments: Prices are subject to change due to cost fluctuations or exchange rates, but no surcharges will be applied to the land-only price once the final balance is paid, except for certain government-imposed charges or fuel increases. No changes within 20 days of departure.
• Minimum Numbers: Some trips require a minimum number of participants. If not met, the trip may be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 30 days’ notice.
• Hotel Changes: Hotels are subject to change, but a comparable alternative will be provided.

What is a “Definite Departure”?

• A “Definite Departure” means your trip is guaranteed to run! This status is given to tour dates that have already met the minimum number of bookings required. While we can’t share exact numbers, the system regularly updates these dates as they become definite.

What if my chosen date isn’t definite yet?

• You’re welcome to book a departure date that isn’t yet marked as definite. In the unlikely event that your chosen date doesn’t reach the minimum number of guests, we’ll offer you the best alternative dates for your trip or a full refund of any payments you’ve made. We’ll always contact you if there are any changes to your departure, whether it’s definite or not.

Documentation & Entry Requirements

• Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date.
• Visas & Permits: You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas and permits for the countries you’ll visit or transit through. Check embassy or consulate requirements well in advance, as these vary by nationality and can take time. Multiple-entry visas may be needed if you enter a country more than once.
• Identification: Always carry proper identification, as passports will be required at border crossings. Your Travel Director will assist, but be prepared to open luggage and answer simple questions from border officials.

Booking & Payments

• Deposits & Final Payments: You can book with a non-refundable deposit (amount varies by tour level, typically £100 or £200 for land tours). The full balance is generally due 60-90 days before departure, depending on your tour.

Changes & Cancellations

• Changes: Contact us to make changes. An amendment fee (£50 per passenger) plus any airline fees will apply.
• Cancellations: Notify us to cancel. Cancellation penalties apply, and in some cases, no refund may be possible. Certain fees are non-refundable.

Contact us with any questions you may have. We are here to help however we can.