Christmas in Austria with Rick Rodgers
About this trip
In this carefully curated tour, Rick Rodgers, author of the bestselling cookbooks CHRISTMAS 101 and KAFFEEHAUS, personally guides you to his very favorite spots for Christmas cheer in the Austrian style. Special foods (from seasonal lebkuchen to savory snacks) and unique gift shopping await the traveler in entrancing Advent markets in both vibrant city and charming rustic locales. Add a generous helping of art and music (not to mention warming drinks, spiked or not), and you have the perfect recipe for a pre-holiday trip. Throughout your journey, don’t forget to collect each market’s specially decorated mug as a memento.
DATES & PRICES
December 1-10, 2025
Price TBC
Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
Upon arrival in beautiful Vienna, perhaps the ultimate European capital for savoring the holiday season, check into the centrally located Hotel Indigo Naschmarkt. Tonight we’ll enjoy a dinner at a nearby local favorite restaurant.
Day 2:
Today is the day to soak up some of Vienna’s most iconic sights in its famed Inner City, with some of the best markets literally cheek-to-jowl. We begin at Stephansdom (St. Steven’s Cathedral), lovingly refurbished after WW2, and location of a lovely market. You’ll see the golden “Plague Column” and be tempted by the area’s upscale shops. Am Hof square is home to its Weichnachtsmarkt (Christmas Eve Market), with lovely artisan goods and delicious snacks. Settle in for an Austrian lunch at Das Schwarzen Kameel, (The Black Camel) one of the city’s oldest restaurants. Then we’re off to the pocket-sized Altwiener Christkindllmarket (Old Vienna Christmas Market) in the Freyrung. A sunset stroll brings us to the Rathaus (City Hall), perhaps the most stunning market, with festively lighted stalls surrounded by enormous Christmas trees, and kids of ages on the carousel and skating in its ice rink.
Day 3:
Explore Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum and the adjacent market in Maria-Theresia Platz. Enjoy lunch at one of the most beautiful cafes in the world, the Cupola in the museum’s heart. You next have free time for a few hours to explore the museum or its sister across the square, the Natural History Museum. We start the evening at Karlsplatz, home to one of the largest markets, capping with a performance of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” inside of Karlskirche (St. Charles’ Church), one of the most glorious baroque buildings in the world.
Day 4:
“Outer” Vienna is the theme today, as we start at the Belvedere, once a prince’s castle, but now the repository for priceless artworks, including Klimt’s renowned “The Kiss.” After lunch at the Museum, we attend the Belvedere Market. You have free time to relax or shop until we gather back at the hotel to visit Spittleberg, one of the city’s quaintest neighborhoods, for their market. The Spittelberg Christmas market is a small market located in Spittelberg neighborhood and is arranged slightly differently, with stalls lined up and down the streets of the neighborhood . Snack on the goodies for sale or have your evening meal one of the many cozy restaurants in the area.
Day 5:
Today, we begin our exploration of the Salzkammergut region, the location of some of Austria’s most captivating villages, with local traditions galore, and never more so than before Christmas. After a scenic bus ride, we will arrive in Bad Ischl, summer home to the Imperial Court, which will be our base. There we will see their indoor market and experience the unique Krampusaulf, where St. Nicholas and his demon minions’ parade through town, perhaps spanking those of you who have been naughty (and hand out candy for the rest). A local dinner will be had at our inn, the Goldener Ochs. Advent is the most atmospheric time in Upper Austria, where customs are writ large. Here you will find all the events of the Advent season: St. Martin's festivals, Advent markets, Krampus parades, nativity scene exhibitions, Advent blowing, Advent carol singing.... everything at a glance
Day 6:
An exploration of local villages awaits today. Our first stop is St. Wolfgang and its market. We board a ferry to cross the lake to St. Gilgen, where another entrancing market with handmade goods will tempt us with its wares. We will return to Bad Ischl for an afternoon at leisure to explore its shops (or purchase more goods at the market). Enjoy your choice of dinner venues.
Day 7:
On our way to Salzburg, we will stop at the Silent Night Chapel, commemorating where the ultimate Christmas carol was created. Once in Salzburg, we head over to the markets near Salzburg’s Cathedral. The evening will combine music and dinner at a Salzburg venue.
Day 8:
A cooking class on making our own Christmas cookies starts the day. From there, we will go to Salzburg’s branch of the famous Sacher hotel for lunch (and a slice of Sachertorte, of course!) We will also see Mozart’s home in Salzburg. Take some time to do some shopping for the rest of the afternoon. We will have reservations for an optional dinner at Blaue Gans, long one of Salzburg’s premier restaurants.
Day 9:
Returning to Vienna, we will stop at at Wenschitz Chocolate Factory (Pralinewelt), where you will make room in your luggage for sweet stocking stuffers and more. Then to the Vienna’s Palais Liechtenstein Garden market for any last-minute purchases. We have a farewell dinner planned at Silberwirt, an excellent restaurant near our hotel.
Day 10:
This morning, after check out, say goodbye to your new friends and Austria as you head to the airport for your flight home.
