Looking for a magical and truly Christmassy break for all the family, without the cost of a trip to Lapland?  Then look no further than Austria, and the picture-postcard village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg– home to the world’s most famous Christmas carol – “Silent Night”. 

There’s lots of festive fun for all the family, from Christmas markets and carol singing to horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing and picturesque steam-train rides across the snow-clad countryside in the local Santa Express train. 

Austria is famed the world over for its celebrations at Christmas.  Did you know that the tradition of decorating trees stems from here, as well as Advent calendars… not to mention some uniquely regional revelries (all to be found in or around Oberndorf) involving crazy hairy monsters and giant scarecrows with masks?  Read our special feature – An Austrian Christmas Carol – to find out more.     

Salzburg is served by many no frills airlines, including Easyjet, Flybe and Jet2, as well as British Airways and Austrian Airlines, making it an easily accessible destination from many UK regional airports.  Flight time is around 2 hours from London.  Oberndorf is just a 20-km train ride from Salzburg.