THE BEST CHRISTAMS FAIRS IN THE ALPS NOT TO BE MISSED

 

The Christmas fairs in the Alps are held from the beginning of December until the Epiphany, in numerous villages and tourist resorts throughout the Alps.

 

 

The tradition of the markets is certainly born in the historical villages of Tyrol, and South Tyrol, where the harmony between the historical centers, the typical products, the musical tradition, and the folklore, has made this Christmas event famous.

It's a meeting place of celebration, both for the local community and for all tourists who love this magical atmosphere.

 

 

"It’s impossible not to feel a kid again when you walk through the decorated alleys, squares and groves. The sound of the flugelhorns that accompany the sip of a warm herbal tea or a glass of mulled wine, in front of a fireplace.

The tradition of the Christmas fairs in Tyrol and Trentino is alive and still offers a good craftsmanship and quality products, in a setting carefully designed in detail"

 Lorenzo, Fabio and Paolo

 

 

Typical products, outdoor fireplaces, nativity scenes, handicrafts, Christmas sweets, musical fanfares, skating rinks, carriages, Christmas balls, candles and an infinite sparkle of Christmas lights, all in front of a cathedral, in the center of a square, in the alleys of a historic village, on the banks of an alpine lake, on the edge of the ski slopes.

This is the atmosphere that every year attracts many visitors to the Alps, especially in the valleys of Trentino, South Tyrol, and Tyrol.

 

Starting with the evening of December 5, with the parade of the Krampus and Saint Nicolas, then the days of the Immaculate Conception and the weeks of Christmas and New Year, the visit to the Christmas fairs can be combined with skiing at the beginning of the season, relaxation in the thermal baths of the Alps and tastings of local products and local cuisine.

Not to be missed for their size and a unique setting, are the Christmas fairs of Bolzano, in Whalterplatz near the cathedral, the fairs of Merano, along the river Passer, the fairs of Trento, in Piazza Cesare Battisti and the fairs of Innsbruck, in the streets of the old town.

  

  

 


WHAT TO DO AND WHERE ARE THE BEST CHRISTMAS FAIRS

 

TRENTINO: Trento, Levico Terme, Rovereto ed Arco.

ALTO ADIGE - SUDTIROL: Merano, Bolzano, Vipiteno, Bressanone, Brunico, presso il lago di Carezza.

TIROL: Innsbruck, Seefeld, Lienz, Kitzbuhel.

 

IN THE VILLAGES:

1. Wait for the darkness, and watch the frightening Krampus parade on December 5th.

2. Welcome Saint Nicolas and celebrate the 5th of December with your children.

3. Walk through the numerous Christmas fairs of the Eastern Alps.

4. Visit the villages whitened by the first snow and decorated for Christmas.

5. Take the opportunity to taste typical products, Christmas cakes and mulled wine.

6. Discover the nativity scenes in the small villages of the Alps.

 

IN THE  NEARBY REGION:

1. Visit the fairytale castles of Tyrol and South Tyrol.

2. Don't miss the frozen lakes of Carezza, Braies, and Misurina.

3. The ski season begins in the ski areas of the Dolomites and Tyrol.

4. Visit the MMM and the famous museums of the famous alpinist Reinhold Messner.

5. Relax in the Alpine Thermal Baths surrounded by snowy mountains.

6. Take the opportunity to buy and taste Speck and typical alpine cheeses.

 


WHERE TO SLEEP IN TRENTINO AND TIROL - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS

 

The area of Trentino Alto Adige and Tyrol is a vast area composed of many valleys with famous tourist resorts, but also pretty and quite characteristic villages that can offer accommodation in hotels, B&Bs and Holiday Homes.

 

Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in this Area and book the best solution for You, using this link:

 

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE SOUTH TIROL

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN TIROL

 


HOW TO GET TO TRENTINO AND TYROL


Located between the italian and austrian Alps, the regions of Trentino and Tyrol are well connected and accessible by pubblic transport.

By Train: Railway Verona - Trento - Bolzano - Innsbruck

By Car: Brenner highway, Verona - Bolzano - Innsbruck 

 

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on: 

INN - Innsbruck 1,00h

VRN - Verona 1,00h

VCE - Venezia  2,00h

TSF - Treviso  2,00h

 


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DEC. 5TH: SAN NICHOLAUS AND THE KRAMPUS

 

An authentic tradition of the north-eastern Alps not to be missed, which characterizes the night of December 5th, when in many areas of Europe, St. Nicholas (Sinteerklaas - Sankt Nikolaus) brings gifts to good children.

In many Trentino, Friulian, Tyrolean, Bavarian and Slovenian valleys, St. Nicholas is preceded by the parade of Krampus.

 

 

Who is the Krampus or what are they?

 

This tradition, which is still very much alive, has various interpretations.

The Krampus represent the spirits of the forest, which on the evening of December 5th, when darkness falls, come out of the woods to reach the villages, armed with whip branches and bells, illuminating their path with large torches.

 

 Photo Credits Denis Scarpante

 

"Looking at the upper Friuli we had the honor of entering the Atelier of Mattia, a young sculptor, who also makes masks for the Krampus parade. The tradition of the Krampus is still very much alive in these valleys around Tarvisio, surrounded by severe peaks and dense forests straddling Italy, Slovenia and Austria.

The parade in the various villages is an event awaited by both children and young people, who roam for a few hours representing the Karpus.

 

The 5th of December is an excellent opportunity to visit these places, combining tradition with nature and the landscapes whitened by the first snow of the season: Monte Lussari, Laghi di Fusine, Val Bruna, Ruska Kapelica and the Christmas fairs of Villach and Kranjska Gora.

Staying at Casa Obericcheter in Malborghetto we were immersed in the tradition of the Krampus, in a unique place entirely dedicated to children."

 Lorenzo, Fabio and Paolo

 

 Photo Credits Denis Scarpante

 

According to tradition, the Krampus is only interpreted by young people from the villages, usually wearing animal furs and a mask with long horns, remaining anonymous under their mask, which is made in secret throughout the year.

 

The Krampus reach the center of the village parading along the streets, usually up to the main square, where St. Nicholas calls them to order, with his pastoral staff.

At this point St. Nicholas gets on a cart pulled by the same Krampus, now under his control, and passes through the homes of children to read what they have done good and bad, delivering small gifts (chocolate, fruit, cookies, puppets).

 

On December 5, some hotels organize themed stays for St. Nicholas, dedicated to children on holiday.

Don't miss a stay in the characteristic Casa Obericcheter - Fort Hensel in Malborghetto.

  

  

 


WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO MEET THE KRAMPUS

 

ALTO FRIULI: Tarvisio, Camporosso, Fusine, Pontebba.

TRENTINO: Levico Terme, Mori, Primiero, Pozza di Fassa.

ALTO ADIGE - SUDTIROL: Vipiteno, Brunico, Sesto, Dubbiacco, Campo di Tures. 

 

IN THE VILLAGES:

1.Wait for the darkness, and watch the frightening parade of Krampus.

2. Welcome St. Nicholas and celebrate the evening of December 5 with your children.

3. Walk through the numerous Christmas markets of the Eastern Alps.

4. Visit the villages whitened by the first snow and decorated for the Christmas period.

5. Take the opportunity to taste typical products, Christmas cakes and mulled wine.

 

IN THE  NEARBY REGION:

1. Reach the romantic Monte Lussari.

2. Don't miss the frozen lakes of Fusine, Carezza, Braies, and Misurina.

3. The ski season begins in the ski areas of the Dolomites, Tyrol and Carinzia.

4. Visit the MMM and the famous museums of the famous alpinist Reinhold Messner.

5. Relax in the Alpine Thermal Baths surrounded by snowy mountains.

6. Take the opportunity to buy and taste Speck and typical alpine cheeses.

 


WHERE TO SLEEP - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS

 

The north-eastern Alps is a large area among 3 countries (Italy, Austria and Slovenia) that offers a large number of hotels and holiday houses.

 

Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in this Area and book the best solution for You, using this link:

 

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE SOUTH TIROL

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN FRIULI

 


HOW TO GET TO THE VILLAGES OF TRENTINO AND FRIULI


Located in the north east of the italian Alps these villages are well connected and accessible by pubblic transport. It easly reachble by car from Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

 

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on: 

TRS - Trieste 2,00h

VRN - Verona 2,00h

VCE - Venezia  2,00h

TSF - Treviso  2,00h

 


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BREGENZER FESTSPIELE FESTIVAL ON THE LAKE OF CONSTANCE

 

The Bregenzer Festspiele is an art and music festival in the Austrian city of Bregenz, located in a bay in the south of the Lake of Constance.

The event takes place every year in July and August, involving thousands of visitors and participants.

 

 

During the Bregenzer Festspiele, different places in the city of Bregenz become the venue for concerts and plays mostly in:

The Festspielhaus, with operas and concerts. • Werkstattbühne, where contemporary theatre and opera performances are celebrated.

Theater am Kornmarkt, the venue for operetta and drama performances.

Shed 8 Theater venue Kosmos, drama and cross-culture performances.

 

The most famous event of the BregenZer Festspiele undoubtedly takes place at the Seebühne, where the opera is performed directly on a floating, high-tech stage, surrounded by an audience accessible to about 7000 spectators, in a fantastic setting with the background of the waters of the Lake of Constance.

 

 

"The wonderful scenery at the floating stage "Seebuhne" is worth a visit to the Bregenzer Festspiele, but the amazement you will feel during the opera, with the lights, the music and the fantastic setting of the Lake of Constance, will be something unforgettable.

Our weekend continued with a nice excursion to the viewpoint of the Pfanderspitze and the nearby island of Lindau."

 

Paolo

 

 

The Festspiele of Bregenz can be an opportunity to reach Bregenz and visit the beautiful region of the Lake of Constance, from the cable car up, or on foot, to the top of the scenic Mount Pfander, overlooking the city and the great lake nestled between the Alps and the hills of Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

  

  

 


WHAT TO VISIT IN BREGENZ AND IN THE CONSTANCE LAKE REGION

 

IN THE CITY:

1. Walk along the lakeside promenade of Bregenz.

2. Shop in the heart of the city, Kornmarkstrasse, and Rathausstrasse.

3. Visit the Kunsthaus a modern architecture home to contemporary art exhibitions.

4. Book a ticket for the lake opera during the Bregenzer Festspiele.

5. Reach the upper part of the city and the panoramic "Martinsturm" building

 

IN THE  NEARBY REGION:

1. Book a cruise on the Constance lake.

2. Don't miss the Pfanderspitze  panoramic point and the Alpen wild park.

3. Lindau one of the most beautiful village of the Constance lake.

4. Visit the historical center and castle of the medieval Feldkirch.

5. Appenzeller Helibad, quite and cosy therme on the hills with the panoramic view of the Constance lake.

 


WHERE TO SLEEP IN BREGENZ - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS

 

Bregenz offers a large number of hotels and holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation in the city or in the panoramic villages of the area.

 

Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Bregenz and book the best solution for You, using this link:

 

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN BREGENZ

 


HOW TO GET TO BREGENZ


Bregenz is located in the Austrian part of lake Constance - Bodensee. It is well connected and accessible by pubblic transport. It easly reachble by car from Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany.

 

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on: 

ZHR - Zurich airport  1,30h

FDH - Bodensee airport 0,30h

MUC - Munchen airport  2,00h

 


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MUOTTAS MURAGL SCENIC TERRACE OVER THE ENGADIN LAKES

 

Without doubt, the most magnificent vantage point over the Engadin lakes and one of the most scenic terraces in the region from which to take your perfect sunset pictures.

Punt Muragl is a 10 minutes train ride from St. Moritz, then, the charming funicular railway takes you up the 700-metre climb to the Muottas Muragl, heavenly for sight-seeing and sunbathing.

 

 

The hotel has been put on the map as one the most luxurious green escapes in the Alps because of its avant-garde solar panel system, geothermal heaters and low-impact materials.

 

 

"We visited Muotta Muragl in summer and winter and for sure the breath-taking view over the peaks and valleys below at sunset is a must.

Fabio and Paolo

 

 

You can hike into the wide-ranging paths : over to Alp Languard (Pontresina) or up to the Segantini hut and the Schafberg, where the artist Giovanni Segantini died a lonely death.

Especially enjoyable are the glorious views from the sun kissed terrace at the romantic mountain hotel - where sunsets are truly remarkable. The train runs until late at night - but you can also take a room at the charming hotel.

 

In winter, fill up on adrenaline by trying out the fastest toboggan run in the region. The sled run only opens when there is abundant snow, we do not recommend the run for kids as it is very steep. Sleds can be rented at the Punt Muragl station.

 

 

 

WHAT TO DO IN MUOTTAS MURAGL AND IN THE NEARBY REGION

 

ON THE SITE

1. Take the best holiday photos ever. 

2. Walk on the crunching snow on the famous philosopher’s path.

3. Try a sled run to feel the adrenaline rush.

4. Have lunch or dinner at the panoramic restaurant on Muottas Muragl.

 

IN THE NEARBY REGION

1. Visit St. Moritz and Shopping in the luxury Via Serlas.

2. Ski fun on the slopes of the Corviglia ski area.

3. Take an excursion to the nearby Val Roseg on foot, cross country skis or by horse.

4. Winter Bob rides for visitors. An adrenaline experience on the oldest bobsleigh run in the world.

5. Save the date of the Snow Polo world cup on the frozen lake of St. Moritz.

6. Enjoy a romantic ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage one the frozen lakes.

7. Visit the Segantini Museum of the important artist of Realistic Symbolism Giovanni Segantini.

8. Relax in the new and modern St. Moritz Swimming pool and Spa or in the smaller and cosy wellness centers of Samedan and Pontresina.

9. Climb the high mountains of the Bernina Massiff, Piz Palù, Piz Zuppò, Morteratsch, Piz Bernina, Piz Scerscen.

10. Reach the Diavolezza cable car station and hut to enjoy the impressive glacier in the heart of Engadin.

11. Book a ticket of the Glacier express or the Bernina Express.

 


WHERE TO SLEEP NEARBY MUOTTAS MURAGL - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS

 

Muottas Muragl is a panoramic terrace reachble by foot or Funicolar. Here is possible to sleep at the Romantic Hotel Muotta Muragl.

In alternative the valley of Engadin offers a lot of hotels and holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation nearby Punt Muragl (Funicolar station to Muottas Muragl) in Pontresina, Celerina Samedan and St. Moritz or others villages of Engadin.

 

Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Pontresina and Engadin and book the best solution for You, using this link:

 

BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN NEARBY PUNT MURAGL

 


HOW TO GET TO MUOTTAS MURAGL

 

Located in Switzerland, in the center of Engadin valley, Muottas Muragl is above Pontresina and St. Moritz that are reachble by car and is connected by pubblic busses.

It is possible to reach Pontresina and St. Moritz also by train from Thusis with the Glacier Express or from Tirano (IT) with the Bernina Express.

 

You can get to Muottas Muragl by taking a cog railway from Punt Muragl station only a few kilometres from Pontresina and just 10 mins. from St. Moritz.

If you arrive by car, there is plenty parking available at the train station. If you arrive at St. Moritz train station, you can catch an hourly St. Moritz – Tirano train which will stop at Punt Muragl, when requested.

The cog train leaves every 30 mins. from 7:45 to 23:00 (last run), just the right time for a great aperitif or dinner.

 

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on:

ZHR - Zurich airport  3,00h

MXP - Milan Malpensa airport 3,00h

LIN - Milan Linate airport 2,45h

 St. Moritz Engadin has a small airport located in Samedan available for private jets only.


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