Bodensee Christmas Markets

Day 1 – Fly to Zurich

Fly direct from London to Zurich, before travelling eastwards by rail to Lindau-Insel for a 7-night stay. A welcome dinner is included at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 2 – Constance by Catamaran

Rail to Friedrichshafen – also home to a lakeside Christmas Market – where we board a catamaran for travel across the lake to Constance. Here, the old town and the shores of the lake are transformed into a festive winter wonderland; featuring 1million lights, around 150 stalls, the 360° panoramic ice bar aboard the Christmas ship, artisan crafts and much more.

Day 3 – Over the Arlberg Pass

Travel by rail over the scenic Arlberg Pass for a few hours exploring Innsbruck. A chance to sample some of Austria’s festive delicacies, such as Käseknödel (a soft cheese dumpling) and Glühmost (a delicious hot apple cider drink).

Day 4 – Appenzell & the City of Stars

Rail out to St. Gallen for the Appenzeller Bahnen, which takes us up to the pretty, traditional Swiss village of Appenzell. Admire the colourful, painted wooden buildings which line the streets before continuing to St. Gallen – the “City of Stars”. The stunning St. Gallen Cathedral and Abbey Library (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) provide a magical setting for the Christmas Markets here, and 700 star lights twinkle over the old town.

Day 5 – Bregenz by Boat

After a leisurely morning in Lindau, travel to Bregenz Christmas Market by boat. The Christmas Ship “MS Austria” boasts a nativity scene exhibition, a model railway, and a fairy-tale winter forest, along with a cozy bar on the panoramic deck. There will be time to enjoy the charming arts and crafts market in Bregenz’s upper town, and the live nativity scene at Leutbühel. Return early evening for time to soak up the atmosphere at the harbour’s delightful Christmas Market.

Day 6 – The Bavarian Alps

Journey by rail to Oberstdorf in the Allgäu region, on the edge of the Bavarian Alps. The southernmost village in Germany, it sits in a valley between the Nebelhorn and the Fellhorn, two tall mountains famed for their idyllic landscapes of pine trees and lakes.

Day 7 – At Leisure

A day to relax in Lindau, revisit your favourite Christmas Market stalls or explore further afield with your InterRail Pass.

Day 8 – Return to London

Rail back to Zurich Airport for a direct flight to London.