Winter
A Present to Remember
Family is returning from a carriage ride
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The most unforgettable holiday gifts are moments you’ll unwrap again and again. Escape to these festive European destinations for a holiday to remember.

What happens when you combine the wonder of the holidays with the distinctive personalities of three magical European cities? You get a present to remember: the gift of memories made. Come along as we delve into the picture-perfect moments that await at The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Berlin, Vienna, and Wolfsburg this festive season

Parents are handing over a gift to their daughter
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Young girl is looking at handmade ornaments

Vienna: Bespoke Charm

With every turn down a cobblestoned street, Vienna’s enduring charm and craftsmanship unfold — and it’s all the more enchanting during the holidays. Come for the festive atmosphere, stay for the fine shopping and wintery wonder. 

Out and about: Vienna is an ideal place to browse for handmade, heirloom gifts. Explore the charming ART ADVENT market in front of the imposing baroque Karlskirche church — it’s one of the city’s loveliest holiday events. Other markets worth wandering are the Chistkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz and the Spittelberg Christmas market, where the handcrafted wares are as charming as the 19th-century alleyways.  

At the hotel: Make the ascent to the top of The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna to experience a taste of “après-ski” in the city. At the Atmosphere Rooftop Bar, gaze out over the rooftops of Vienna — and all the way to the snow-covered Viennese vineyards — from real ski gondolas imported from the Austrian region of Salzburg. Indulge in culinary specialties ranging from traditional punch and a selection of warm cocktails to goulash and raclette.

Lobby with staircase and Christmas tree
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Couple is at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during

Berlin: Glittering Moments

Germany’s capital is bright all year long, but during the holiday, it positively sparkles. Soak up the city’s Art Deco glamour and the season’s spirited offerings from the festive surrounds of The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, where every stay feels like a step back in time to the splendor of the Roaring 20s.

At the hotel: Reserve the hotel’s Christmas Suite to be surrounded in holiday spirit — think festive décor, hot chocolate and pastries, holiday films and snuggly Christmas bathrobes — from sun-up to lights out. Downstairs, join revelers for a Champagne Brunch, indulge in a wide selection of delicacies during Afternoon Tea in The Lounge, or make a reservation to spend Christmas Eve feasting at Restaurant POTS.

Out and about: Put on your finest and head out to “put on the Ritz” at one of Berlin’s trademark theaters. Snag a seat at Wintergarten’s variety show, or reserve a table at Admiralspalast for “Berlin, Berlin,” a thrilling Roaring 20s production. Be sure to save time for a stroll through the Christmas Garden, where twinkling lights and specially composed music combine to create festive installations. 

Couple is sitting by the fire
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Afternoon tea experience by the fireplace

Wolfsburg: Expressions of Artistry

Between the 3-Star Michelin restaurant Aqua by Chef Sven Everfeld, the contemporary art bedecking the hotel’s walls and the always-on exhibitions at the surrounding theme park, Autostadt, every moment experienced at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg is one perfectly crafted — especially this festive season.

At the hotel: The culinary arts will be in full bloom over the holidays. Whether you’re partaking in afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge, a 5-course feast at Terra or a spirited Advent Brunch at Aura, you’ll get more than a taste of festive cheer. At 3 Michelin-starred Aqua, you can bid adieu to 2023 in the most delicious way possible: an 8-course menu and corresponding wine tour savored on New Year’s Eve.

Out and about: Along the Autostadt, visitors can stroll through 24 winter market stalls offering seasonal treats — bratwurst, potato pancakes, mulled wine and the like — and handcrafted gifts. Kids will enjoy tobogganing and digging in the snow, while kids at heart will love taking to the ice rink for skating and ice disco-ing.