Aug2014_TRAVEL TOPIC

Dreaming of a White Christmas 

by Paul Maughan

I bet it’s crossed your mind from time to time – you know the dream of experiencing a white Christmas. 

Now, finally the time has come where my wife and I are to spend the Festive Season in a place where Christmas Carols come to life – the villages and alps bordering Austria, Bavaria, and Slovenia.

 

Rather than battle tricky winter driving conditions independently we’ve chosen to join an escorted Christmas coach tour with specialist provider Albatross Tours. 

Our tour is to commence in Bavaria’s attractive capital, Munich, a week prior to Christmas Day and our winter yuletide expectations rise considerably when we arrive to a chilly -5⁰C and driving snow flurries.

Munich is world-renowned for its Christmas Markets and we weren’t disappointed. The Markets are vast and pulse with life. Row after row of vividly decorated wooden stalls sprawl through the city centre purveying everything from aromatic mulled wine and sizzling bratwurst sausages to handcrafted wooden toys, crafts, gifts and dazzling decorations. 

Setting off across a landscape silenced by a snowy blanket we travel through a dreamy sea of white towards Germany’s Bavarian Alps. Soon we are in the shadow of the impressive Neuschwanstein Castle (pictured), the famed romantic fantasy creation of enigmatic King Ludwig. Set on a precarious rock ledge amid eye-bulging Bavarian scenery, this extravagant masterpiece looks down from its fairytale alpine setting.

We discover a quaint village, Oberammergau, with a small, intimate Christmas Market that is buzzing with festive activity. Iconic Christmas characters roam the narrow, snowy, picture-perfect village streets, where the scent of spiced wine and roasting chestnuts fills the air. I stand mesmerised and ecstatic, for this winter mirage fulfils my White Christmas conceptions completely. I’ve got what I came looking for, and its only day two of the tour itinerary!

Next we track through a wintery Austria for two days, our cheerful group delighting in the atmospheric traditional Christmas Markets of Innsbruck, before we travel amongst the majestic scenery of the Italian Dolomites, staying at the stunning Castelbrando. 

Christmas Eve we arrive at Lake Bled in Slovenia. Lazily at peace in the Lakes centre is a tiny island capped by a romantic spire-topped white church that acts as the focus for the breathtaking views and my favourite panorama in the whole of Europe. 

Christmas Day dawns with excitement in the air, celebrations and the festivities of a traditional Christmas lunch is enjoyed with our extended tour family. Stunningly beautiful, the mountain slopes wear a heavy coat of snow inviting us to the awaiting alpine adventures. Local Slovenians are welcoming and encouraging as we attempt the winter escapades with larrikin enthusiasm. The day turns out to be a riot of fun and is a highlight for many in the tour group.

A day later our tour ends back in Munich where we say goodbye to our tour family. This certainly won’t be our last Albatross tour, the unique style has unquestionably made for a memorable European White Christmas.  

Maverick Travel would like to thank Paul Maughan for this article.  Don’t forget at Maverick Travel you can redeem your American Express membership reward points to pay for your trip:  10,000 = $100.