Magical Winter Vacations

 A Magical Winter in Central Europe

This winter, the charm of Central Europe turns into magic. Austria, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia offer world-class skiing, snowboarding, spas, hotels, views, and the spirit and love of Christmas (and their corresponding markets).

 

Austria

Extraordinary Skiing & Other Winter Adventures
Winter in Tirol is nature’s gift to the cold-weather sports lover. Find it all here: world-class snowboarding parks, giant slalom competitions, powder bowls, award-winning cuisine, and a cross-country Mecca to write home about.

With world-class runs and enervating nightlife, Innsbruck has earned its rightful reputation as an international capital of winter sports. The Olympia World Innsbruck offers 8 independent ski regions comprising 81 lifts and 174 miles of skiing and snowboarding runs, including numerous powder bowls and snowboard parks. Three of the regions (Patscherkofel, Kühtai and Rangger Köpfl) are open for nighttime skiing. One can purchase ski and snowboarding passes for single regions, or all 8. Get a Club Innsbruck Card—and your passes come at a discount. Buses from Innsbruck—and among the 8 regions and various holiday villages—are always free.

Meanwhile, the November to April ski season in St. Anton am Arlberg is blessed with massive terrain (174 miles of marked trails, and 112 miles unmarked), and unprecedented variety and choice. Visitors can literally ski from morning to night without traversing the same slope twice.
Slopes aside, what makes a holiday in St. Anton am Arlberg even more special is the pairing of this massive terrain with great food. Prime example: Verwallstube on the Galzig, a two-time winner of the prestigious Gault Millau Toque, is situated nearly 1 ½ vertical miles above sea level, making it Europe’s highest Toque-winning restaurant.

Talk about early starts: if you’ve a yen to kick off your season earlier, the last weekend in October brings the yearly FIS Ski World Cup to nearby Öetz Valley. Come Saturday for the women's giant slalom races, and Sunday for the men's competitions.

Seefeld played host to the Nordic event in the Winter Olympic Games of 1964 and 1976, and remains a Mecca of cross-country skiing. Nearly all of the world’s cross-country elite have trained and competed on the superb network of trails here, which are constantly being improved, extended, and renewed. Challenge yourself on the tougher tracks, or coast like a beginner: you’ll find a range of levels—and both classic and skate-type skiing—on 165 miles.

Neighboring Kitzbühel is family-friendly and intimate, yet there’s no winter sport that cannot be practiced here. The ski area is an eldorado with 99 miles of manicured pistes, a top-notch funpark for snowboarders, deep-snow slopes, and mountains perfect for ski tours. And the town is known for its hospitality. And you can always become a spectator during "Hahnenkammrennen," arguably the world’s most famous ski race.

For more information about winter sports in Tirol, go to www.tirol.at  

 

Czech Republic

Your Castle Awaits
If you’ve ever been to the storybook-like Czech Republic, you know that the land of make-believe isn’t made-up: the country is a fairy tale come to life. But the little-known Czech secret is this: the charm is intensified tenfold at Christmastime.

Advent and Christmas in Cesky Krumlov
From November 18, 2010 to January 6, 2011, Advent turns up the volume on the magic of the Czech countryside. Case in point: Cesky Krumlov. 110 miles south of Prague, in Southern Bohemia, this picturesque UNESCO World Heritage town is crowned by a spectacular castle. Below, Renaissance and baroque cafés and bars are dotted prettily along the Vltava River.

Each weekend during the lead-up to Christmas, Advent-themed Christmas markets offer visitors rich cultural program at the town square, including concerts, a live Nativity scene, gingerbread decorations, and other Christmas traditions.

Christmas Day brings the annual Bear Festival, when cultural events and traditional Christmas customs come alive at Cesky Krumlov Castle. Join us for Christmas carols, sung in the castle’s courtyard. How much more Old World can things get?

We recommend staying in Pension Adalbert, in the city’s historical centre (from $55). All four en-suite rooms and the single apartment (with kitchen) boast beautiful views of the castle itself.

For more information, go to www.adalbert.cz or www.ckrumlov.cz.

 

 

Germany

Advent Done Right: Arts and Crafts Markets in Germany’s Most Beautiful Town Squares. Candlelight and cinnamon stars kick off a reflective time of year in Germany. This December, see what Advent looks like in some of the world’s most sophisticated cities.

 There couldn’t be a better setting to do your Christmas shopping than Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt—surrounded by a French dome, French cathedral, German church, and the Royal playhouse. Browse for arts, crafts, ornaments, music, and clothing in the city’s exquisite WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market.
 
 In Dresden, things get quirkier. Striezelmarkt (named for Christstollen, or Christmas cake) features the world’s tallest nutcracker and the world’s highest Christmas pyramid. This is Germany’s oldest documented Christmas market, and it dates to 1434. Catch the Stollen festival and grand festival parade, held on the 3rd Saturday before Christmas.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market  attracting more than three million visitors every year dates back over 600 years. It’s located throughout the city-center at Roemerberg, Paulsplatz, Liebfrauenberg, Fahrtor, and Mainkai offering over 200 christmas stalls, advent concerts - quite a contrast to the modern Frankfurt Skyline in the background!

Munich's traditional Christkindlmarkt, first recorded in the 14th century, is set on the Marienplatz in the heart of the city center. Every day, musicians bundle up to play live alpine Christmas music from Town Hall. Be sure to check out the beautiful handmade woodwork from Oberammergau, Südtirol and the Erzgebirge.

Erfurt's Christmas market, the largest in Thuringia, is centered on the Domplatz/Cathedral Square. As with Berlin, this smaller market is surrounded by live history: the St. Mary's Cathedral, the St. Severus Church and the Petersburg Hill. Nearby, visit the Augustinian monastery in the medieval city center, where Martin Luther got ordained.

For more information on Germany’s Christmas markets, go to www.cometogermany.com.

 

Hungary

Winter Spa Invitation: A Free Night in a Budapest Spa  
Find out how to take advantage of our Winter Spa Invitation, offering a free night in Budapest, and more.

 Budapest, the SPA city

The word ‘spa’ means many things. Natural thermal hot springs. A treatment zone for wellness seekers. A place to relax and get pampered.  In Budapest, all of those elements are present. In winter, the city’s thermal waters supply bath enthusiasts with an amazing comfort zone—replete with Turkish authenticity, or—should you choose—the splendor of an Art Nouveau spa. In December, revelers and relaxers alike can attend the city’s authentic Christmas Fair. For the Pearl of the Danube, winter’s biggest outdoor event awaits at Vörösmarty Square, with traditional artifacts, folk music, the traditional chimney cake, a children’s playground, Santa Claus, and live performances by concert pianist Szilvia Kárászy. For more information, go to www.budapestinfo.hu.

Spa Offers
From October 1st through the winter, one of Budapest’s great spas is offering half-price admission. You can also take advantage of the Budapest Winter Invitation! The Hungarian capital is offering deals at hotels, spas, and more. Be our guest for a free night and a free spa experience in Budapest! For more information, go to www.budapestwinter.com. For more information about Budapest and its spas, go to www.budapestinfo.hu or www.spasbudapest.com. 

 

Poland

Old Town, New Goods: The Market Stalls of Christmas
Overflowing baskets of Christmas goodies beckon in Warsaw’s Old Town.

 Warsaw Christmas Market
 Each year, Warsaw celebrates Christmas with the colorful market stalls of Old Town. Baskets overflow with ornaments, tiny pots of honey and pudding, cheeses from Wielkopolska and Podlasie, all types of traditional ham (bone-in, smoked and boiled), cakes, fresh Polish breads, and more. The festival runs into the evening, as Old Town—and the yearly Christmas Tree in Zamkowy Square (Plac Zamkowy)—light up.

For more information, go to www.warsawtour.pl or www.jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.org.

To book a trip to Poland visit www.amta.com.

 

Slovakia

Kempinski Specials to Brighten Your Season
Take advantage of this special, and enjoy the perfect combination of town and country—in luxury.

Up high, the snowy white High Tatras are home to the Grand Hotel Kempinski. Your winter special package includes:

o 3 nights in a Deluxe, Lake View Room (free upgrade)
o Transfer to the slopes of Strbske Pleso
o 2 ski passes for a day at Solisko
o 2 30-minute massages
o Welcome drink upon arrival
o Welcome treatment in your room (surprise for guests)
o Grand Buffet Breakfast
o Unlimited access to Kempinski The Spa
o In-room Wi-Fi
 
EUR 747 (per room, based on double occupancy).
Valid upon availability and written confirmation from the hotel.
 
For more information visit www.kempinski.com/hightatras.

Down below, enjoy Old Country history—and splendor—at the Kempinski Hotel River Park. Your winter special package includes:

o 2 nights in a Deluxe, River View Room (free upgrade)
o 2 30-minute Spa Treatments
o Welcome drink upon arrival
o Fruit plate upon arrival
o Selected items from the hotel minibar
o Rolls Royce transfer to the city center
o 1-hour city tour
o Buffet breakfast in the River Bank Brasserie
o 2 glasses of Winter Punch
o Entry to ZION SPA & Health Club
o In-room WiFi
 
EURO 480 (per room, based on double occupancy)
EURO 399 (per room, based on single occupancy)
Valid until February 28, 2011 (blackout date: New Year’s Eve, 2010)

For more information, go to www.kempinski.com/bratislava.

Note: Prices do not include transfers from Bratislava to High Tatras.