If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Europe’s Christmas markets, this is the trip.

Join me for Best of Central Europe: Christmas Markets, an 8-day journey through four incredible countries during the most festive time of year. We’ll explore the storybook streets of Prague, experience the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, stroll through Vienna’s elegant Christmas markets, and soak in the holiday atmosphere of Budapest.

Along the way, we’ll visit castles, historic city centers, and charming towns while enjoying the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Christmas in Central Europe so special.

This thoughtfully designed itinerary balances guided sightseeing with plenty of free time, so you can browse the markets, shop for handmade gifts, enjoy traditional food, sip mulled wine, or simply wander at your own pace.

This small-group experience is designed for travelers who want more than just checking cities off a list. We’ll take time to enjoy each destination, discover local traditions, and experience the magic of Christmas in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Leave the planning to me. All you have to do is book your flight, pack your winter coat, and get ready to experience one of the most magical times of year in Central Europe.

🎄 Explore Christmas markets in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Passau, Nuremberg, and Prague

🏰 Tour Prague Castle and enjoy a guided visit to Nuremberg Castle, followed by a walk through the Old Town to Christkindlesmarkt

🏛️ Stop at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and enjoy time around the palace grounds and Christmas market

✨ Visit Fisherman’s Bastion and enjoy panoramic views over Budapest

🛁 Choose an optional visit to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of Budapest’s famous thermal bath complexes

🚢 Cruise the Danube after dark and see Budapest’s Parliament, bridges, and riverfront illuminated at night

🎁 Shop for handcrafted ornaments, traditional gifts, local artwork, and seasonal specialties throughout Central Europe

🍷 Enjoy glühwein, hot chocolate, regional foods, and Christmas treats along the way

🚐 Travel comfortably between destinations with private transportation throughout the journey

🏨 Stay in carefully selected, centrally located 4-star hotels

We understand that plans can change. Please review the cancellation terms carefully before booking:

Non-Refundable Deposit

All deposits are non-refundable. However, a future trip credit will be issued for the full deposit amount, which can be applied toward any future Go Away With Katie group trip.

Cancellations Made More Than 90 Days Before Departure

If you cancel more than 90 days before your trip’s start date:

• Your deposit will be retained as a credit toward a future Go Away With Katie trip.

• All other payments made will be fully refunded.

Cancellations Within 90 Days of Departure

If you cancel within 90 days of your trip’s start date:

• No refunds will be issued for any payments, including the deposit.

• At this stage, all local payments and reservations have been made, and funds are non-recoverable. (This is why you have Travel Insurance.)
  

Travel insurance is required for all travelers on this trip. When a travel insurance option is presented during WeTravel checkout, you are not required to purchase that specific policy. You may purchase coverage from any provider you choose.

Your policy must provide coverage for the full cost of this trip as well as your airfare. It should also include appropriate protection for trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, medical emergencies, and lost or delayed baggage.

By booking this trip, you acknowledge that Go Away with Katie is not responsible for expenses related to delayed or canceled flights, missed activities, lost or delayed baggage, illness, injury, or other circumstances outside our control. Travel insurance is required to help protect your financial investment in the trip.

Welcome to Budapest and the start of our Central European Christmas Markets adventure.

After arriving at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), you’ll be transferred to our 4-star hotel to check in and get settled.

Tonight, we’ll gather for our included welcome dinner, giving everyone a chance to meet the group and kick off the trip together.

Depending on your arrival time, you may also have a little free time to enjoy Budapest’s festive atmosphere, grab a coffee, or take a first walk through the city.

Today we’ll explore Budapest with a local guide, taking in some of the city’s most iconic sights on both sides of the Danube.

Highlights include the Buda Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, the Hungarian Parliament area, the Danube Promenade, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

You’ll also have free time to enjoy Budapest’s Christmas markets, shop for local gifts, grab lunch, or warm up in one of the city’s cafés.

Later, travelers who choose the optional Széchenyi Thermal Bath experience can spend time relaxing in Budapest’s famous thermal waters.

We’ll end the day with an included evening sightseeing cruise on the Danube, with panoramic views of Budapest illuminated at night.

After breakfast, we’ll leave Budapest and make our way toward Vienna, breaking up the journey with a stop in Bratislava.

We’ll spend time exploring Bratislava’s historic center then enjoy free time for lunch, shopping, and the city’s Christmas market.

Afterward, we’ll continue on to Vienna, check into our 4-star hotel, and spend the evening enjoying Vienna’s festive Christmas markets at your own pace.

After breakfast, we’ll leave Vienna and head toward Germany, breaking up the drive with a stop in Passau.

We’ll have time to explore Passau’s historic Old Town, enjoy lunch, and visit the Christmas market before continuing on to Nuremberg.

After checking into our 4-star hotel, the evening is yours to start exploring Nuremberg and experience the famous Christkindlesmarkt after dark.

Today is all about Nuremberg.

We’ll begin with a guided tour of Nuremberg Castle, then make our way through the historic Old Town toward the central market square and the famous Christkindlesmarkt.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the market at your own pace, browse the stalls, shop for traditional gifts, sample local specialties, and wander through Handwerkerhof.

As evening falls, enjoy Nuremberg’s Christmas lights and the festive atmosphere of one of Europe’s most iconic Christmas markets.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Nuremberg with time for one last stroll through the Old Town, Christmas shopping, or a cozy café before we continue to Prague.

After lunch, we’ll travel to Prague and check into our 4-star hotel.

That evening, we’ll head into the historic center for an orientation walk and your first look at Prague’s Old Town Square Christmas Market.

Today we’ll explore Prague with a local guide, beginning with Prague Castle and continuing through some of the city’s most iconic historic areas.

We’ll make our way through Lesser Town, cross Charles Bridge, and continue into Old Town, with time to see the Astronomical Clock and soak in Prague’s incredible architecture along the way.

After the guided portion, you’ll have free time to enjoy the Old Town Square Christmas Market, shop, grab lunch or dinner, and explore Prague at your own pace.

Tonight, we’ll gather for our included farewell dinner and celebrate the end of an unforgettable week through Central Europe.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Prague and our Central European Christmas Markets adventure.

Private airport transfers to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) are included for your departure.

Depending on your flight time, you may have a little extra time for one final walk, coffee, or last-minute shopping before heading to the airport.