Tour Type
International Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
November 22, 2025 – 13 Days
Vancouver Island
November 21, 2025 – 15 Days
BC Interior
November 21, 2025 – 15 Days
Activity Level 2
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany & Switzerland
Experience the magic as you explore the enchanting Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. These festive markets date back to the late Middle Ages, originating in German-speaking Europe as winter gatherings where locals could buy seasonal goods. Today, they remain a cherished tradition, offering twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine, and handcrafted treasures.
We fly to Vienna, then travel by motorcoach to Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Oberammergau, St. Gallen, and Lucerne. Each city has unique and fascinating Christmas Markets, and several attractions are included such as Schönbrunn Palace, Basilica of Ettal Abbey, and Swarovski Crystal World. We fly home from Zurich. This is the first time that Wells Gray Tours has offered a trip to the famous Christmas Markets of Europe. Come and enjoy this festive experience!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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21 meals
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19 meals
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18 meals
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Transportation
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Accommodation
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Guides & Gratuities
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Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares per Person |
|---|---|
$11,285$12,820 |
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$11,460$12,995 |
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$10,925$12,195 |
- Please add 0.5% GST.
- There is an additional cost to fly from/to Nanaimo or Comox to join this tour.
Early Booking Bonus!
$300 discount on first 8 seats; $150 on next 4.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
Moderate Activity: As a traveler you like a variety of activities and walking up to 2 km with breaks such as a guided walking tour is very doable for you without assistance. You can stand for prolonged periods, negotiate a variety of terrain from cobblestone streets to moderate hills comfortably, and can climb two flights of stairs without assistance. Every city has a walking tour in the historic Old Town because streets are too narrow for motorcoaches. There is also lots of walking around the Christmas Markets. You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. The coaches cannot carry a scooter or motorized wheelchair. Please be aware that on tours with flights you must handle your own luggage and walk longer distances in airports. You may need to handle your own luggage at hotels if luggage service is not available. This tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost.
The tour director, European guide, and drivers have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travelers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you.
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 25 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.
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Documentation: A passport is required and must be valid for three months after December 4, 2025, the date you fly home. A visa is not required for Canadian travelers to Austria, Germany or Switzerland. Effective sometime in 2025, you will require a travel authorization permit for Europe called ETIAS which is applied for on a website prior to tour departure. Details at final payment.
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Currency & Expenses: Two currencies are needed during this tour. The official currency of Austria and Germany is the Euro and a Canadian dollar is worth about €0.66. The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc and a Canadian dollar is worth about CRF .63. You should order Euros and Francs from your bank 2 weeks before departure, or plan to use ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted. Another option is to bring Euros for both countries, then exchange as needed into Swiss Francs. Do not bring Canadian dollars. Gratuities have been included for all group meals and for the European guide and drivers and local guides.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes, currency exchange rates, or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
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Accommodation: Accommodation is booked in superior hotels, mostly 4 stars. Hotels are subject to change as this tour has been planned nine months before departure. The number of single rooms is limited, so please book early if you prefer to travel single. In Europe, single rooms are usually smaller than twin rooms.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Beverages: In many European countries, it is not standard practice to include beverages with tour meals. On this tour, tap water is included with each meal and other beverages can be purchased. A few dinners have a glass of beer or wine included.
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Flight upgrades: Please enquire about current prices for upgrades on the flights between Vancouver and Vienna or Zurich. Premium economy and business class may be available.
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Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction of $1,790 and book your own flight which allows seat selection.
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Flight delays due to weather: In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours Ltd. will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for weather delays.
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Triples: Triples are not available on this tour.
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Payments: A deposit of $800 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due August 21, 2025. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (1.5% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard ($5,000 limit per person on credit cards).
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Early Booking Bonus: Receive a $300 discount on the first 8 seats and $150 on the next 4 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after August 21, 2025.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to July 21, 2025, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From July 22 to August 21, the cancellation charge is $300 per person. From August 22 to September 19, the cancellation charge is 40% of the tour fare. From September 20 to October 20, the cancellation charge is 80% of the tour fare. After October 20, there is no refund.
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Flight delays or cancellations: Flights can be delayed or cancelled at the last minute, sometimes causing a missed connection. Wells Gray staff will try to assist with rebooking, but the airline usually wants to talk with the individual passenger. There may be an extra payment required if the issue is weather. Wells Gray Tours is not allowed to interfere with this process. Check that your travel insurance policy has a flight delay benefit because that is usually your best recourse for recouping additional flight costs.
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Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for medical, cancellation, interruption, and luggage.
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Photo Credits: Adobe Stock (Salzburg Christmas Market), Pexels (Schönbrunn Palace), Unsplash (Vienna Christmas Market), and Pixabay (Lucerne, Innsbruck).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 200 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until August 21, 2025.
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Consumer Protection BC Licenses: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842