Christmas markets turn Central Europe into a completely different place — the tourist crowds thin, the days shorten, and the squares fill with stalls selling mulled wine, hand-carved toys, and roasted chestnuts. Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Salzburg each do it their own way, and this trip hits all four in one continuous winter arc.
Travel is by train — the Czech, Austrian, and Hungarian rail networks link these cities cleanly and quickly. Hotels are 4-star, centrally located so you can walk to the main market square within 10 minutes, and every city comes with a guided evening walk so you don't miss the smaller markets most travelers never find.
01
Arrival: Land at Václav Havel Airport. Private transfer to your hotel in the old town.
Afternoon: Check in. Walk to Old Town Square to see the Christmas market for the first time — lights, stalls, mulled wine.
Evening: Welcome dinner at a traditional Czech restaurant. Overnight Prague.
02
Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Guided walking tour of Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Golden Lane.
Afternoon: Walk down through Malá Strana to the Charles Bridge. Return to Old Town Square for the market at dusk.
Evening: Free time. Optional classical concert at the Municipal House.
Overnight: Prague.
03
Morning: Breakfast and check out. Board the train to Vienna (approx. 4 hours).
Afternoon: Arrival in Vienna. Check in. Guided walk through the Innere Stadt: Stephansdom, Hofburg Palace, and the Rathausplatz Christmas market.
Evening: Mozart or Strauss concert in a historic Viennese hall.
Overnight: Vienna.
04
Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Guided visit to Schönbrunn Palace and its Christmas market.
Afternoon: Free time — visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Spanish Riding School, or the Belvedere for Klimt's "The Kiss".
Evening: Explore the Spittelberg market — smaller, artisan, and less touristy than the main squares.
Overnight: Vienna.
05
Morning: Breakfast and check out. Train to Budapest (approx. 2.5 hours).
Afternoon: Arrival in Budapest. Check in. Guided walking tour of both sides of the Danube — Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the Vörösmarty Square Christmas market.
Evening: Free time. Optional Danube evening cruise.
Overnight: Budapest.
06
Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Visit to the Great Market Hall — Central Europe's most photogenic indoor market.
Afternoon: Thermal bath entry at the Széchenyi Baths (or Gellért Baths). Outdoor hot pools, steam rooms, and winter-time steam rising into cold air — the quintessential Budapest winter experience.
Evening: Return to the Christmas market for dinner. Try kürt?skalács (chimney cake).
Overnight: Budapest.
07
Morning: Breakfast and check out. Train to Salzburg (approx. 5–6 hours via Vienna).
Afternoon: Arrival in Salzburg. Check in. Evening walk through the UNESCO-listed old town: Getreidegasse, Mozart's Birthplace, and the Cathedral Square market.
Evening: Optional dinner at a historic Salzburg restaurant (Stiftskeller St. Peter is Europe's oldest).
Overnight: Salzburg.
08
Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Hellbrunn Christmas market (day-time, family-friendly, and home to the famous Krampus and Perchten runs in early December).
Midday: Free time for last-minute shopping or a Sound of Music tour.
Afternoon: Private transfer to Salzburg Airport for your departure flight.
Farewell: Depart with four cities of Christmas in your camera.
What our clients love about us.
"From the first interaction through a friend referral the service was excellent. Mike was wonderful and timely from airport pick up to drop off. The office staff were great. The tour planning and guidance came handy. Everyone I interacted with was very professional."
"This is an excellent guide and car service which we used in Nairobi and also on an overnight trip to the Homa Peninsula. They came highly recommended by an NGO that works in Kenya and we are glad we hired them. Mike was an exceptional driver on many different road conditions! We travelled in a comfortable Land Cruiser Prado to rural dirt paths and crazy urban traffic jams. He also was very knowledgable. It was reasonably priced and very flexible with our changing schedule."
"The trip was amazing had fun. The driver who is also a guide really helped. The hotel and crew were friendly. Highly recommend to anyone planning for a vacation"
"Being one of the staffs at Hike N Pic Tours and Safaris, i really thank the team for the time we have been together, the knowledge gained can't take it as a granted. I'm a tour guide/tour consultant staff whereby i prepare quotations for our customers, itineraries, air tickets and can offer guiding services when needed. The company also have several fleets that runs in the market with the help of our able captains. We also offer car-hire services. The teamwork for the whole staff is amazing."
"Upon Meeting our driver cum guide, it was a wonderful introduction session then being briefed of our safari. Of course it was amazing to learn more about animals and nature."
