Christmas Markets...

Fed up with Christmas being commercialised? Then why not book a stay at Landhaus Osborne, in the run-up to Christmas and enjoy some of the traditional customs (Brauchtum) which this wonderful area of Austria has to offer - you are sure to leave here in a Christmas mood.

Situated in Obertraun, within the famous beautiful Salzkammergut region of Austria and within a UNESCO World Heritage protected area, which is only around an hours drive from Salzburg airport - which is cheap to fly to using Ryanair, easyJet, BA, FlyBe and many more...

This package includes all transfers in Austria, so we will collect you from Salzburg airport where, depending on your arrival time, we will take you into Salzburg's old town where you will be free to enjoy some hours at the Christmas market, which dates back to the 15th century. We will then meet you and take you for a drink at one of the most beautiful locations in Salzburg - a true hidden gem. It is then off to Landhaus Osborne where you can settle into your beautiful apartment. After breakfast the next day, you will have some time to explore Obertraun and take a wander in this winter wonderland - we even have snow shoes and cross country skis free for our guests to use. Then, in the afternoon, it is off to another Christmas market of your choice (see below), such as the famous market at St. Wolfgang. Late afternoon/early evening is the best time to visit Christmas markets as the lights and open fires really set the atmosphere. After breakfast the next day, we will then drive you back to Salzburg for your journey home, full of Christmas joy. If three days are not enough, then why not extend your stay and even take in some skiing?

This offer only €170 per person (based on 2 sharing) and is available up to the 21st December 2011 and includes all of the following:

• 2 nights accommodation, in an apartment of your choice (subject to availability) up to December 21st 2011. Details of our apartments are below.
• A hearty breakfast each morning
• Private return transfer from/to Salzburg airport and includes, where possible, a visit to Salzburg's Christmas market. 
• Private travel to and from one Christmas Market of your choice within the Salzkammergut region (markets start 17th November 2011  - we recommend that you first check that there is a market on during your stay)
• Small bottle of Sekt (German term for Sparkling Wine) for each adult for the journey to the Christmas market
• Bottle of Glühwein (Mulled Wine), Lebkuchen (christmas biscuits) and Christmas chocolates waiting for you in your apartment
• Final cleaning
• All tourist taxes

If you wish you can extend your stay:

• Extra nights at the special rate of €34 per person/per night (including breakfast)

Not Included:
 

• Travel to Austria (flights etc)
• Drinks (except those served with breakfast)
• Lunch & Dinner
   

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us - either by email to info@landhaus-osborne.at or feel free to call and speak to us on +43 (0)6131 534

The Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful regions in the heart of Austria - Especially in winter the breathtaking scenery appears in all its splendour. The mountains and lakes turn into a stunning white paradise.
 

 The "silent time" is, in the Salzkammergut, a commitment to one of the most beautiful customs in the Alps. Everyone here is waiting for Christus Child with old established traditions. Each region in the Salzkammergut has its own charm and celebrate advent with its own understanding - lovely Christmas markets, regional delicacies, nativity mangers exhibitions, scary “Krampusläufe” and advent theatrics.

Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst. For many visitors, the highlights of the market are Glühwein, (hot mulled wine, with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day.

Here are some of the Christmas Markets within our area:

Hallstatt

When:  From Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th December 2011

The romantic Christmas Market on the market square in Hallstatt, a world Heritage Site, is the highlight of Advent. From 8th - Saturday 10th December 2011 you can come and experience local custom and tradition for yourself.

In keeping with tradition, the Christmas Crib (Nativity scene) will be displayed in the market square again this year. The 3-dimensional, life-size crib scene was made by the HTBLA Hallstatt sculpting class. Lanterns made by school children from Obertraun will light up the market square!

Opening times:
Thursday, 8th December 2011 from 11 a.m.
Friday, 9th December 2011 from 11 a.m.
Saturday, 10th December 2011 from 11 a.m.
 

Salzburg

When: 17th November - 26th December 2011, open daily

Welcome to Salzburg’s Christmas market – Advent in the city of Mozart!

It's very Christmassy in Salzburg

The tradition and ambiance of Salzburg's Christmas market make an ideal setting to start off the Christmas season. Every year visitors are enchanted by the charm of Cathedral Square, the traditional booths, the strings of light and the quality of the diversified items on sale. Come and enjoy some of the magic this year: from traditional handicrafts, fine baked goods, aromatic tree ornaments and various objet d'art for the Christmas season. Salzburg's Christmas market is a feast for all the senses: the delicious scent of mulled wine wafts around booths adorned with precious, decorative, old and new items. Performances by traditional Salzburg choirs and children's school groups lure a crowd of visitors year after year. The market will be opened by the archbishop on the 1st Saturday in Advent right after the blessing of the Advent wreaths.

Opening times:

Salzburg - Hellbrunner Adventzauber

When: 17. November - 26. December 2011, open daily

This is personally one of our favourite Advent markets! We recommend you combine a visit with the adjacent Zoo.

A romantic courtyard, a path lined by torches and an oversized Advent calendar are part of the Magic of Advent. Romantic booths, tempting treats and pre-Christmas gift ideas add to the charming atmosphere. Children will enjoy a ride in a sled drawn by real reindeer. An exciting entertainment program between the orangery and the park will assure that Advent afternoons at Hellbrunn Palace are convivial.

Opening times:

Wednesday to Friday 13:00 - 20:00
Saturday, Sunday & bank holidays 10:00 - 20:00
Christmas Eve 10:00 - 14:00

From 1st December, the market is also open Monday and Tuesday from 13:00 - 20:00.

Highlights:
Krampus parade on 2nd and 7th December at 18:00

Bad Ischl

When: 25th November - 22th December 2011 Daily from 09:00 - 18:00

The motto of this year’s Christmas Market of the Ischl craftsmen is “hand-made”. Many demonstrate the craft with their hands – carpenters, bakers or locksmiths – you can watch them at work. Daily from 9:00 until 18:00 in the Trinkhalle.

Gosau

When: 26th - 27th November & 3rd - 4th December 2011

Wander amongst the lovely stalls and enjoy a hot mulled wine as you listen to performances by local musicians. There are activities especially for children, including the Children's Cinema. A highlight for the whole family is a horse-drawn sledge ride to the Onara farm and the torch-lit stroll to the Primeval Forest!

Dates 2011:
26th November from 13:00
27th November from 11:00
3rd December from 13:00
4th December from 11:00
 

Wolfgangsee

When: 18th November - 31st December 2011

Advent Market

• Opening weekend: Friday, 18th to Sunday 20th November 2011
• 1. Weekend: Thursday 24th November to Sunday 27th November 2011
• 2. Weekend: Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th December 2011
• 3. Weekend: Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th December 2011
• 4. Weekend: Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th December 2011

Thursday and Friday: from 12.00 till 19.30

Saturday, Sunday: from 10.00 till 19.30

Christmas Market:

The Christmas and New Year Markets are open daily from Tuesday 20th - Friday 23th December 2011 and Monday 25th - Saturday 31st December, 2011.

• St. Gilgen and Strobl: 12:00 - 18:00
• St. Wolfgang: 12:00 - 18:00

The Friedenslicht Laterne (Lantern of Peace) shines across the Wolfgangsee, lighting the way on dark winter nights, for local people and guests from far and wide, inviting them to come to marvel at and rejoice in the Wolfgangsee Advent.

In St. Wolfgang, candles and burning torches create a cosy atmosphere as one strolls from the robustly timbered and rustically decorated market stalls of the Postplatz to the Uferplatz , while visitors to St. Gilgen are met by a baroque Advent representation. The love of life and anticipation of Christmas are impressively depicted on the market stalls by the artist Raja Schwahn-Reichmann.  

As a perfect complement to the other two communities of the Wolfgangsee, the idyllic Strobl presents itself as a village with unique Nativity scenes displayed throughout. The oversize scenery on the shores of the lake, with many live animals to marvel at and touch and numerous nativity displays, Strobl is a special experience in particular for families with young children.

All three villages are illuminated for the pre-Christmas season, the lights shine and sparkle throughout. The three atmospheric and sparkling Christmas Markets are linked by the quiet, dark lake. Regular boat trips pass by the gigantic floating lantern, the huge shining comet in the Strobler Bucht (Strobel Bay) and the Falkensteinwand, from where the sound of the horn players can be heard, their music echoing across the entire lake.

Mondsee

When: 25 November - 18 December 2011

2nd Advent weekend:
2nd to 4th December 2011

3. Advent weekend:
8th to 11th December 2011

4. Advent weekend:
16th to 18th December 2011

Fridays:
15.00 - 20.00

Each Saturday and Sunday (as well as Wednesday 8th December):
10.00 - 20.00

The Advent Market in Mondsee maintains the traditional spirit of celebrating the time before Christmas in Austria. Over the years the market has become more and more attractive for locals as well as for visitors. Seasonal events such as carol concerts, biblical plays and the rediscovery of almost disappeared customs present true Christmas spirit. Right in the centre of Mondsee’s historical ambience just in front of the famous cathedral (well known from the movie “Sound of Music” - the Captain and Maria’s wedding scene was shot inside the cathedral) a unique location for the “Advent in Mondsee” has been found. In combination with the ancient cloister and the flower yard of the former monastery the whole ensemble gives the visitors the feeling of travelling into a dated back century.

Bad Aussee

When: 25 November - 18 December 2011

The Bad Aussee Christmas market is held in the Kur Park every Advent weekend. Various stalls selling small gifts, teas or mulled wines, etc., along with Christmas music create a Christmas atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a Christmas gift for your loved one or just looking for a cosy get together, you'll find it at this market.

Gmunden - Castle Advent in Gmunden

When: 18.11 to 20.11.2011, 25.11 to 27.11.2011, 02.12. to 04.12.2011 und 08.12. to 11.12.2011

Look forward to christmas like in former times at the unique lake castle ... with the fascination of sparkling stars and glowing candels, the smell of cookies and baked apples.

You can expect traditional arts and crafts, toys and extraordinary gift ideas, advent calenders, advent wreath, christmas decoration and special things which you would not find anywhere else.

Exceptional Highlight this year is the first ceramics-christmas market where the Gmundner Keramik presents its new designs and christmas adornments.

For the first time we can also welcome Austria's unique ginger bread village

The christmas market will be framed by christmasy sounds, which are the most beautiful ones when you hear them the first time. Listen to the musicians while they are performing and do not forget to taste the culinaric delicacies and yummy nibblings which are the sweetest at this time of the year!

18th till 20th November 2011: Traditional castle advent in the lake and land castle Ort
25th till 27th November 2011: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort
2nd till 4th December 2011: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort - Magic Alpine Christmas Weekend
11th till 11th December 2011: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort

Opening hours

Friday from  13:00 to 19:00

Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00

Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00

Entry prices:
ADVENT in the "SEE- and LANDSCHLOSS ORT"
Adults: EUR 3.00
Groups starting with more than 20 people: EUR 2.50/person
Children till 16 years for free

ADVENT only in the "SEESCHLOSS ORT"
Adults: EUR 2.50
Groups starting with more than 20 people: EUR 2.00/person
Children till 16 years for free

Gmunden - Gmundner Advent in the old town centre

When: 26th and 27th of November, 3rd and 4th of December, 10th and 11th of December as well as 17th and 18th of December 2011

Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m., Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m

WITH ALL FIVE SENSES.
Hear, smell, taste, see and feel - this is the motto of the Advent Market in Gmunden.
Experience the Advent 2011 in another way, enjoy with coockies, baked apples, almonds, orange punch, maronite etc. an especially seasonally fragrant experience in the historical town centre of Gmunden.

Listen to christmassy sounds of traditional associations at the place Marktplatz, at the alley Kirchengasse and at the place Rinnholzplatz. During the pleasant tour through the festively decorated town centre your senses will be enchanted by the unique christmassy ambiance.

Following the motto „coockie & ceramics“ you bake your own coockies - how you like them - with specialists. After this you wrap them in small bowls of Gmundner Ceramics.

Furthermore the merchants of Gmunden invite you to a special "Kripperlroas" at their shops.

This year this special christmassy market takes place on all four Advent weekends at the alley Kirchengasse, the place Rinnholzplatz and the place Marktplatz.

More Advent highlights:
Advent trips with the tram of Gmunden
St Nicholas trip at Saturday the 3rd of December 2011
Christmassy trip at Saturday the 17th of December 2011

Altmünster

When it gets really cold and the fog is around the lake Traunsee - than you know it is advent.

Saturday 26th November 2011 09:00 -17:00 o'clock advent market, home for the aged Altmünster

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November 2011
Saturday form 08:00 till 19:00 o'clock; Sunnday from 08:00 till 16:00 o'clock. Place: Parish hall

Sunday 27th November 2011
Advent Singing with the "Doppelquartett Edelweiß" at the Calvary Church. Start of the concert is at 19:00 o'clock.
Cost of tickets: € 5 -
Tickets are available at the tourist and the cultural department of the municipality Altmünster

Friday 2nd December 2011
from 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Advent market marketplace Altmünster

Saturday 3rd December 2011 from 3:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Christmasmarket in the town of Neukirchen

Thursday 8th December 2011
Music afternoon at the junior high school of Altmünster. Start 5.00 p.m.

Wednesday 21st December 2011
"Wintersonnwendfeuer im Eggerhaus", start 6.00 p.m.

Traunkirchen

When: 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th December 2011 15:00 - 20:00

The mystic village Traunkirchen, on the peninsula in lake Traunsee, with its atmosphere is the ideal spot for those who like to experience authentic advent spirit.

Ebensee

The Christmas markets in Ebensee are gentile, without fuss and kitsch. The "silent time" of the advent is in the foreground!

Thursday, 8th December 2011
"Advent am Hof", Mostschenke im Heustadl, starting at 11:00 a.m.
beautiful advent market at the farm of the family Steinkogler

Saturday and Sunday, 10th till 11th December and Saturday and Sunday, 17th till 18th December 2011
"Ebenseer Adventmarkt", Rathauspark town centre from 2:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.
small, cosy and full of atmosphere advent market in the town centre.

Winter customs in the Rathauspark. In the small but very cosy Advent market the exhibitors show not only beautifully designed kiosks but also want to indicate the visitors over the original and unadulterated customs of Ebensee.
Also the representatives from the Ebenseer Glöckler with their huge caps are on site and the museum which is worth seeing opens at the second weekend of christmas for viewing the cribs. Musical entertainment complements the beautiful atmosphere.

On both saturdays (11th and 18th of december) there are also some christmas kiosks in the Marktgasse. For those who wants to have the advent time a little bit more quiet, the Ebenseer Advent market is the perfect choice.

Landhaus Osborne - Ebnerstegweg 148 - 4831 Obertraun - Austria          Tel: +43 6131 534          Email: info@landhaus-osborne.at