+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
Photograph to come · A choir singing at the Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt, Vienna

Austria and Germany: the Advent Choir Tour

Vienna, Melk, Salzburg and Munich in Christkindlmarkt season

Nine days in Advent, with three nights in Vienna, two in Salzburg by way of Melk Abbey and two in Munich by way of Neuschwanstein Castle, singing at the Christmas markets of Vienna and Salzburg and a sung Mass at Salzburg Cathedral.

Departures

Current Tours to Austria and Germany

Upcoming departures to Austria and Germany. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Five stops between Vienna and Munich

Three nights in Vienna, then Melk Abbey on the way to two nights in Salzburg, and Neuschwanstein Castle on the way to two nights in Munich, all by motorcoach.

Itinerary · EU_AT-DE-9D-01

The Austria and Germany Advent Choir Tour Itinerary

A nine-day Advent choir tour from Vienna to Munich, singing at the Christkindlmarkt markets of Vienna and Salzburg and the Mass at Salzburg Cathedral. Performance venues are confirmed with each church and market when your dates are set. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 2

Departure and arrival in Vienna

Photograph to come · The Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt before Vienna’s City Hall
The Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt before Vienna’s City Hall
Day 1

Departure from Home

Our tour begins with an overnight flight to Vienna, Austria.
Day 2

Arrival in Vienna

We are met on arrival in Vienna, the music capital of the world, by our local professional tour escort and accompanied by motorcoach to our hotel. After check-in there is free time to rest and settle in, and this evening we gather for a welcome dinner to begin the tour together.Overnight in Vienna.
Day 3 – 4

Vienna in Advent

Photograph to come · St. Stephen’s Cathedral from the Stephansplatz
St. Stephen’s Cathedral from the Stephansplatz
Day 3

Vienna, the Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn

This morning we explore Imperial Vienna along the Ringstrasse, the grand boulevard encircling the historic heart of the city, and the choir sings informally at the Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt, Vienna’s largest Christmas market, set before the neo-Gothic City Hall. This afternoon we tour Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, and the choir sings informally at the Schönbrunn Christkindlmarkt in the palace forecourt.Overnight in Vienna.
Day 4

St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Stephansplatz

This morning we tour St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the great Gothic cathedral at the heart of Vienna, its patterned tile roof and soaring south tower the city’s most beloved landmark. The choir sings informally at the Stephansplatz Christkindlmarkt beside the cathedral. The afternoon is free to explore Vienna on our own.Overnight in Vienna.
Day 5 – 6

Melk Abbey and Salzburg

Photograph to come · Melk Abbey above the Danube
Melk Abbey above the Danube
Day 5

Melk Abbey and Salzburg

We depart Vienna this morning for Melk Abbey, the Baroque Benedictine monastery whose golden towers overlook the Danube, home to a community of monks for over nine hundred years. The choir joins the International Advent singing at the abbey, and we continue to Salzburg.Overnight in Salzburg.
Day 6

Salzburg and the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt

Today we explore Salzburg, strolling the Getreidegasse, seeing the house where Mozart was born, and taking in familiar sights from The Sound of Music. The choir sings informally at the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, held in the cathedral square since the fifteenth century, and this evening rehearses at Salzburg Cathedral for tomorrow’s Mass.Overnight in Salzburg.
Day 7 – 9

Salzburg Cathedral, Neuschwanstein and Munich

Photograph to come · Salzburg Cathedral and the Domplatz market
Salzburg Cathedral and the Domplatz market
Day 7

Salzburg Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle and Munich

This morning the choir sings the Mass at Salzburg Cathedral, together with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra, in the Baroque cathedral where Mozart was baptized and served as organist. After lunch we depart Salzburg for Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and continue late in the afternoon to Munich.Overnight in Munich.
Day 8

Munich

Today we explore Munich, the capital of Bavaria. We visit the Marienplatz, watch the famous Glockenspiel of the New Town Hall, and see the twin-towered Frauenkirche, the cathedral of Munich. The afternoon is free to explore Munich on our own, and this evening we gather for a farewell dinner at the Hofbräuhaus.Overnight in Munich.
Day 9

Return Home

With hearts renewed by the journey and the music we have shared, we transfer to Munich’s airport for our flight home.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
Salzburg CathedralThe choir sings the Mass at Salzburg Cathedral on the seventh day, in the Baroque cathedral where Mozart was baptized and served as organist.
Photograph to come · Salzburg, the cathedral and the Domplatz
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
Photograph to come · Schönbrunn Palace in Advent
Schönbrunn Palace in Advent
Photograph to come · The Getreidegasse in Salzburg
The Getreidegasse in Salzburg
Photograph to come · The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt in the cathedral square
The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt in the cathedral square
Photograph to come · Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle
Photograph to come · The Marienplatz and the New Town Hall, Munich
The Marienplatz and the New Town Hall, Munich
Photograph to come · The Frauenkirche, Munich
The Frauenkirche, Munich

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this choir tour travel?

In Advent. The route is built around the Christkindlmarkt markets of Vienna and Salzburg, which open in late November and run to Christmas Eve, and around a sung Mass at Salzburg Cathedral arranged with the cathedral for your choir. Tell us the window you have in mind and we set the dates with the venues.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for Austria and Germany?

A US passport valid for at least three months beyond your return date is required, and we recommend six. Austria and Germany are in the Schengen area, so no visa is needed for a stay of this length. Requirements change from time to time, so we confirm what applies with your group before you travel.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in leading a choir pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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