Christmas in Germany: Picturesque Villages and Enchanting Castles

I had such a great experience working with Zicasso’s travel specialist. From our very first email to the last detail, she listened to what I was hoping for and paid attention to every little aspect. She took the time to understand our travel style and needs. The travel specialist made thoughtful suggestions that fit into our travel plans and gave us insight on many things we would never have considered. From the start, she was organized, timely, and clear, and always made communications easy. Her professionalism and kindness made planning our trip to Switzerland a joy and not a chore. I truly appreciate her efforts and look forward to working with her again.

My trip through Switzerland in October was nothing short of magical. The combination of crisp mountain air, golden autumn leaves, and snow-capped peaks made every stop along the way feel like stepping into a postcard. Swiss chocolates lived up to expectations.

Zurich was the perfect starting point—modern, clean, and full of energy. I loved strolling along Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and ending the day by the peaceful shores of Lake Zurich. The Old Town’s cobblestone lanes were charming and the café culture was ideal for people-watching. I really enjoyed the chocolate factory tour and the tuk-tuk tour of the city, with traditional fondue. The walking tour was so educational. The trip to Rhine Falls and the quaint town of Stein am Rhein is not to be missed.

From there, I traveled to Lucerne, one of the most picturesque towns I’ve ever seen. The Chapel Bridge and its flower boxes were stunning against the backdrop of Mount Pilatus. A boat cruise on Lake Lucerne was the highlight—the reflections of autumn colors on the water were breathtaking. The Rigi Kulm and Mt. Titlis tours are fascinating. I went by boat, train, bus, and funicular.

Grindelwald and the Interlaken region were the heart of the trip. The scenery was absolutely unforgettable. The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains dominated the skyline, and even though it was a bit chilly, the air was crisp and refreshing. The cable car rides and mountain hikes offered jaw-dropping views at every turn. Make sure you take the fondue class at the restaurant in Grindelwald and Interlaken. Come hungry!

Bern, the capital, surprised me with its warmth and old-world charm. The medieval architecture, clock tower, and bear park made for a fascinating visit. It felt quieter and more local compared to Zurich and Lucerne—a perfect stop to slow down and enjoy Swiss culture.

A visit to Gruyères added a delicious twist to the journey. The village looked like something out of a fairy tale and touring the Gruyère cheese factory was fun and tasty. Don’t miss the local chocolate factory tour.

Finally, I ended in Geneva, a sophisticated city by the lake. The Jet d’Eau was impressive and I enjoyed exploring the international district and strolling through the old town. The blend of French influence and Swiss precision made Geneva a wonderful final stop.

Overall, Switzerland in October is perfect for travelers who love scenic beauty without the summer crowds. The weather was cool but pleasant, and the autumn colors made the landscapes even more magical. Every train/gondola ride felt like a scenic tour through paradise.

Zicasso’s tour operator was excellent.

Highlights: Lucerne’s lakeside views, Grindelwald’s mountain trails, Gruyères fondue/chocolate, and Bern’s old-town charm.

Tip: Bring layers—mornings and evenings can get chilly, but the afternoons are perfect for exploring. Do not stay at the hotel near the Zurich airport. Stay in Zurich and take a taxi to the airport. In Grindelwald, avoid one of the hotels there.

Our heartfelt thanks to Zicasso’s travel designer and her team at Zicasso’s tour operator for planning our recent trip to Germany. It’s been a lifelong dream to see the places that my father so lovingly described during his years stationed in the army in Stuttgart. She took the time to listen to our reasons for planning the trip and understood the selected towns. The planning and preparation in the months leading up to the trip did not disappoint. She helped us map out the trip and maximize our time in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, and Garmisch.

In terms of bookings, she selected excellent hotels that were centrally located, elegant, and had all the comforts of home. In each of the cities, she linked us to guides who were knowledgeable, insightful, and fun. Transportation arrangements were smooth and easy, either on the ICE train, boat ride, or car service.

Our guide to the Cannstatter festival in Stuttgart was fantastic. He grew up in Stuttgart and was able to tell us the history of it, teach us a proper German toast, and offered us great places to dine afterwards.

Our guide and driver from Munich to Garmisch took us to Neuschwanstein Castle and then surprised us with additional stops along the way in a small village to learn of the local culture and churches. Our last stop of the day was at a monastery. We enjoyed a fabulous piece of Black Forest cake. During this time, he asked us how we were able to book through this travel company. We explained about Zicasso and he expressed his delight that we were able to book a small, authentic company versus the big-box tour. He was right.

Our travel designer customized the trip to us and no cookie cutter. She was very flexible when there was a last-minute change to the itinerary due to a winery closing unexpectedly early. She made the arrangements happen quickly and it enabled us to meet with the wine maker at a winery in Stuttgart and spend a morning on the patio wine tasting with him.

Our last leg of the trip was Garmisch. I am not sure if she was the one to order the spectacular weather (I wouldn’t put it past her abilities), but the clouds cleared and the trip up the Zugspitze was breathtaking. Such a delight and change from the bigger cities.

At the end segment of the trip, my husband was more and more impressed with the quality of the trip: tours and hotels that I was able to book with our travel designer's guidance. I could not be more pleased with the experience of the trip and the work she put in to make this dream trip a reality. Thank you for helping me connect to my father’s time in Germany. My heartfelt recommendations and appreciation.

Zicasso's tour operator did a fantastic job of listening to our requests and putting together a well-orchestrated tour of southern Germany. The four of us had a number of requirements, some of them conflicting, and the tour operator was able to help us fulfill all of the requirements. We didn't want to be moving hotels every couple of days, so they arranged for us to have a couple of base cities and travel from there to other locations. Great job!

From the moment we landed in Germany to the moment we left, the trip was incredibly well planned and tailored specifically to what we were interested in, but with the expert knowledge of Zicasso's travel agent and our tour operator to guide us toward our best possible experience.

DO IAfter receiving the initial itinerary proposal from him, we had a helpful phone conversation to talk about our family "must-do's." The itinerary was adjusted accordingly and was perfect. Every day had a memorable experience and everything went smoothly!

I cannot recommend this tour company any higher. If you are considering working with our travel agent and his colleague, do it. I am already trying to determine when we can return to Germany and work with them to plan our Germany vacation (part two)!

We had a fantastic trip to Germany and Austria. Zicasso's travel partner arranged the trip for us and everything went perfectly. I can't speak highly enough of her and her skills at arranging a perfect vacation for our family of four. She was easy to reach and quick to respond to any questions, and gave good advice on what to see and concentrate on in Germany. I enthusiastically recommend this agency to anyone interested in touring Europe.