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Austria, Slovenia & Croatia Christmas Markets
Operated by Bunnik Tours
Tripcode: 986
Overview
Destination:
Austria,
Croatia,
Slovenia,
Start:Vienna, Austria
Finish:Zagreb, Croatia
Finish:Zagreb, Croatia
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 20)
Travel Period
December 2025 - December 2025
Classic European Christmas markets abound on this small group tour that will make you fall more in love with Europe. Discover the baroque architecture of Vienna, the charming streets of Ljubljana, the serenity of Lake Bled, the Roman ruins of Split, the stunning beauty of the Plitvice Lakes, and more – all with the added touch of Christmas magic.
Standard inclusions
Sightseeing
- Walking tour of Vienna, including St Stephen Cathedral
- Enjoy views of Vienna on the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel)
- Wonder through the Vienna Christmas Markets
- Maribor Walking Tour
- Enjoy tastings at Hisa Stare Trte, home to world’s oldest fruit-bearing vine (1657)
- Visit the Ljubljana Christmas Market and enjoy some mulled wine
- Walking tour of Ljubljana and funicular ride up to the castle
- Be amazed by the beauty of Bled Castle
- Explore Bled Christmas Market
- Marvel at the Postojna Cave
- Walking tour of Opatija Christmas Markets and chocolate tastings at the Small Choco World
- Zadar guided sightseeing
- Walking tour of Split, including entry to Diocletian's Palace
- Enjoy a Croatian Christmas Lunch at the Stella Croatica Village
- Walk along the boardwalks in Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Free time to explore the Christmas Markets of Zagreb
- Zagreb guided sightseeing
- Enjoy a Gingerbread Heart decorating workshop
Touring
- All touring conducted in air-conditioned vehicles
- Take the funicular to the Ljubljana Castle
- Train through Postojna Cave
Accommodation
- 9 nights in 4-5 star hotels
Properties include:
- Raddison Red, Vienna
- Occidental, Ljubljana
- Paris Hotel, Opatija
- Heritage Hotel Fermai MGallery, Split
- Le Premier Boutique Hotel, Zagreb
Hotels listed are an indication and are subject to change without notice.
Double for Single Use: Please note the single supplement you pay on our tours entitles you to sole use of a room. A double for single use room is larger than a traditional single room offered in Europe. Often these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Meals
- 9 breakfasts, 2 lunch and 2 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners
- Meal highlights: Klis, visit the village of Stella Croatica and enjoy a 3-course lunch of traditional Croatian Christmas dishes
Tour Guides
- English-speaking locally based tour director
- English-speaking locally based guides
Porterage
- Porterage included where available
Some things to note
- We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5.00pm in order to take part in your welcome dinner.
Itinerary
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Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1 - Vienna
Welcome to Vienna! The Austrian capital is an elegant European city with impeccable Baroque architecture and a rich history. Consistently named one of the most liveable cities in the world, Vienna’s atmosphere and culture makes for one charming city.
We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5.00pm.
At 6.00pm, join your fellow travellers and tour director for brief introductions and an orientation walk before our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 - Vienna
The best of Vienna is at our fingertips today as we embark on a guided walking tour. We’ll make our way through this magnificent city, admiring its Baroque architecture and visit St Stephen’s Cathedral. Here, we’ll step inside the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral known as the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and learn more about its significant history.
Our walking tour will conclude near the Schwedenplatz or “Sweden Square” where we will have free time for snacks and coffee. Make sure to try the Sachertorte, a dense chocolate sponge cake with a layer of apricot Jam – it’s a proud symbol of the Austrian Capital!
We’ll meet back up in the late afternoon to hop on the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad, one of the most significant and fascinating structures in the world. Offering breathtaking views of the city, the Ferris wheel is a must see for every visitor to Vienna. Next, we visit our first Christmas market of the tour. Take in the enchanting sights of the market – from the lights, the decorations, the stalls and of course, the Christmas tree!
Day 3 - Vienna - Maribor - Ljubljana
We cross the border into Slovenia today. It may be small, but this enchanted country is packed full of charming cities, stunning architecture and unusual, and often unique experiences, making a visit here truly memorable. Charming and romantic, the country’s capital Ljubljana is an idyllic city full of elegant buildings, tree-lined boulevards and welcoming locals.
Upon arriving in Slovenia, our first stop is the small town of Maribor. Here, we’ll take a walking tour through the city before making our way to the oldest vine in the world. The vine has remained firmly in the ground of Maribor for more than 450 years. We’ll taste some wine before continuing towards Ljubljana.
This evening we’ll visit the second Christmas market in Ljubljana. Saunter through the bright decorations and the bustling stalls as we sip on mulled wine, before some free time for dinner.
Day 4 - Ljubljana - Lake Bled - Ljubljana
Ljubljana, an increasingly popular destination for travellers to Europe, is ours to explore today. We’ll begin with a morning of sightseeing that allows us to see some of the city’s best attractions including the Central Market. We catch a ride on the funicular that takes us from Krek Square to the Ljubljana Castle where we’ll enjoy sweeping views over the city below.
Next, it’s on to Lake Bled with its serene, sapphire-toned lake, charming villages and alpine fresh air. We’ll take a walk around the stunning lake, explore Bled Castle and visit the local Christmas markets before returning to Ljubljana for an evening at leisure.
Day 5 - Ljubljana – Postojna - Opatija
Today we make our way to Croatia, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean. The blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, preserved ancient towns, a proud heritage, delicious cuisine and more await in this gem of a country. Once a hot spot for the Austro-Hungarian elite during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Croatia’s Opatija is today a picture-perfect coastal town on the Adriatic.
This morning we’ll make one last stop in Slovenia at the Postojna Cave system, one of the country’s most magnificent sights. Thought to be nearly 12 million years old and created by the Pivka River, 19 kilometres of tunnels, caverns and passages create a labyrinth for us to explore.
Upon arrival in Opatija, we’ll enjoy an early evening walking tour of the city, including our third Christmas Markets. We will also make a special stop at Choco World for a delicious chocolate tasting.
Day 6 - Opatija - Zadar - Split
We are on the move again today as we make our way to Split. From a vibrant restaurant and bar scene to incredible Roman ruins, Croatia’s second largest coastal city, Split exemplifies the perfect blend of tradition and modernisation.
First, we’ll make our way to Zadar as we continue along the Croatian coast. Here, Roman ruins and medieval churches meet bustling cafes and picturesque views. We have some time to ourselves to have a bite to eat for lunch before a guided sightseeing tour. We’ll arrive in Split in the early evening with time to ourselves to get acquainted with the city.
Day 7 - Split
Witness the influence of the Roman Empire as we tour Split today. We’ll visit one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments, Diocletian’s Palace. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site was built by Emperor Diocletian in the year 305 as a residence, fortified town and military fortress – all of which make up Split’s Old Town today. We also pass by Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and St Doimus Cathedral.
Special Experience
Travel to Stella Croatica and enjoy a delicious three-course lunch of Croatian Christmas dishes.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure once we return to Split
Day 8 - Split – Plitvice Lakes - Zagreb
The cultural, scientific and economic centre of Croatia, Zagreb is situated between the slopes of the Medvednica Mountains and the northern bank of the Sava River. Zagreb is a delightful capital city with exquisite architecture, charming cobblestone streets and a bustling atmosphere.
We make our way from Split to Zagreb, stopping along the way at Plitvice Lakes National Park. With freezing temperatures that cause the 16 cascading lakes to freeze over, the national park turns into a winter wonderland in the colder months. We’ll enjoy a walk of the upper lakes and take in the frozen scenery before lunch at a local restaurant.
We arrive in Zagreb in the evening where the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the surrounds.
Day 9 - Zagreb
Walking is one of the best ways to explore Zagreb, and we’ll do just that this morning. Our guided tour includes views of St Mark’s Church, St Catherine’s Church, the Parliament and Government Palace. We’ll see Zagreb Cathedral, whose twin Gothic spires stand out against the city skyline.
Special Experience
Discover the craft of Croatian gingerbread making and decorate your own love heart shaped gingerbread in the centre of Zagreb.
Inscribed in 2010 on the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Croatia’s gingerbread craft is steeped in tradition. After learning about the age-old methods, we’ll have some free time to explore more of Zagreb, including the city’s charming Christmas markets.
This evening we’ll meet back up with our group and enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Day 10 - Depart Zagreb
Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the charming wonders of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Bunnik Tours
With over 25 years experience and a multitude of industry awards, Bunnik Tours' overarching aim remains simple: to provide a better way for travellers to see the world. We do this by creating a series of unique holiday experiences: - Small group tours of no more than 20 passengers, specifically designed to capture the essence of the places we visit. Tours that provide the perfect balance between organised sightseeing and free time for independent discovery. Holidays that visit the famous attractions but also wander off the usual tourist trail. Complete and stress-free tour packages with accommodation, guides, tipping, and meals included (and much more!). Independent travel packages are a flexible way to visit one or more destinations. They can also be added onto our small group tours for a unique experience! A strong belief in responsible travel and sustainable tourism. We have always been a family of travellers at heart, exploring the world around us with equal parts wonder, good humour and curiosity. As a family business we understand that our family's name and reputation is at stake every time we sell a holiday. We take your trust very seriously and look forward to the day when we can help you explore the world. Dennis Bunnik is the chair of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) and we are actively involved in helping to improve the overall professionalism of the travel industry. Discover our passion for this incredible planet and its inhabitants, and experience your tour the ‘Bunnik Way’! - Dennis, Marion & Sacha Bunnik
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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9 nights
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