Our Festive Short Break this year takes us to Igls, a popular Ski Resort in the Austrian Tyrol which boasts an area of spectacular scenery, fairy tale castles and a magical festive atmosphere! As the Austrian Tyrol shares a border with the Bavarian Alps of Germany, we will also spend time enjoying some of their magical Christmas Markets and castles.

On arrival, en route to arriving at our hotel, the Bon Alpina in Igls, we will have a short visit in Oberammergau (Germany), famous for it’s 10-yearly Passion Play and its beautful fresco-laden buildings. The Passion Playis has been performed for 5-months from from May until October, since 1634. The play lasts a total of 5hrs with a 3hr meal break in the middle! Oberammergau is actully a small, historic village in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, but feels like you’re stepping into a Disney film. From the rolling mountains that frame the village, the words ‘quaint’, ‘cute’ and ‘postcard-worthy’ come easily!

Kitzbuhl (Austria) oozes tradition, charm & Christmas Markets! It’s also surrounded by imposing mountains and beautiful scenery, for a magical atmosphere during our afternoon & evening visit. Neuschwanstein Castle, (Germany) is romantically built atop a rock ledge over the Pöllat Gorge in the Bavarian Alps. Construction began in 1869 by order of Bavaria’s King Louis II (aka Mad King Ludwig), but was never completed. Despite remaining unfinished, Neuschwanstein Castle became one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe and annually receives around 1.3 million visitors.  It was also served the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty.
Innsbruck (Austria) although as a city it is much larger, the city centre is bound to enthrall you with its extensive Christmas Markets situated in the Markplatz, right by the Inn River. This family-friendly market offers a lively atmosphere and normally features over 60 stalls, a 14-metre-high Swarovski crystal tree and a really pretty antique carousel with carved figures. There is also a large Swarowski shop in the centre and instant access to the Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen cable car to Austria’s largest nature park in just a few minutes! The breathtaking 360° view with the capital of the Alps on one side and the Karwendel Nature Park on the other will leave you with lasting impressions. Innsbruck is the capital of the Austrian Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria. Situated on the River Inn, it provides access to the famous Brenner Pass, just 30 km to the south. In the broad valley between high mountains, Innsbruck is also an internationally renowned winter sports centre, hosting the 1964 & 1976 Winter Olympics.

November embraces the arrival of winter as the mercury dips to an average high of 4.6°C (averaging around -3°C  at night) with an average of around 3-inches of snowfall. The crisp, cold air, snowy scenery and the dip in temperatures of November, invite cosy indoor activities, saunas & warm swimming pools, whilst mountain trails start being  prepared for the ski season. The fresh mountain air and hope of snowfall, bring the skiers out and Igls starts preparing for the upcoming festivities. Just magical!

If you joined us in 2023 or 2024 you will re-discover the magic of a mountain winter, but this time, we will be staying in a ski resort in the Austrian Tyrol. It’s also the perfect location to enjoy the Christmas Markets of Kitzbuhl and Innsbruck –  it’s where the Austrians & Germans go, but you probably won’t see many Brits there!

There’s so much to get excited about during this exclusive Solent Events Festive Break, that it will hard to resist! 

Once again, our 2025 Festive Tour with Christmas Markets will be completely different from our previous winter breaks in cities such as Vienna, Prague, Tallin, Cologne, Bruges, Budapest, Berlin and Valkenburg etc, and more reminiscent of our winter breaks to St Wolfgang in Austria, Montreux in Switzerland, Paganella in the Italian Dolomites and the Castel Brando in Veneto.

Set amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, the Austrian Tyrol and its festive markets in Kitzbuhl, Oberammergau & Innsbruck will enthrall you with their magical cheer. Alongside spectacular scenery, the region conjures a merry spirit that can make the blackest heart sweeter than candy! Festively decorated market stalls crafted of fragrant mountain pine to the fresh-from-the-oven aromas tempting your nose to the fascinating handicrafts made in the Tyrol, you will find that no place embodies the magic of Christmas quite like here.

This exclusive Solent Events tour is designed for a maximum of 26 passengers, so please book as soon as you have decided to join us, especially if you require a single room (double/twin for sole occupancy), as we only have 8 available to us!

SUITABILITY: For the comfort and enjoyment of all guests, this tour is unfortunately not suitable for those with mobility issues or walking aids. This tour is not 100% coach-based and there will be guided walking tours of varying distances. Whilst in Austria we would also encounter steps, stairs, uneven surfaces, unknown terrain and various gradients that require a certain amount of fitness.