Itinerary
Day 1 Dec 22
Departure day
Begin the journey for your Christmas celebration in Salzburg and the New Year’s Eve Imperial Ball in Vienna.
Day 2 Dec 23
Arrive Salzburg
On arrival in Salzburg, you are greeted with a display of the Baroque. From the curves of the buildings to the tones of the traditional music, the town exists as a living work of art. As the evening begins, meet everyone for a reception and dinner at the SHERATON SALZBURG HOTEL.
Day 3 Dec 24
Salzburg
See Salzburg’s most famous sights on a guided walking tour. Enjoy views of the Festival Hall, St. Peter’s Abbey and the Hohensalzburg fortress towering above the town. Visit the home where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born, now housing a small museum of artifacts from the young composer’s life—several of his earliest instruments, family paintings, and original manuscripts. Wander the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market), which brims with local handicrafts and homemade Christmas ornaments. This evening, visit Oberndorf, the site of the first performance (1818) of Silent Night! Holy Night! Every year, thousands of people gather in this village to celebrate the composition of the moving Christmas carol by Franz Gruber, and concludes with the song being performed in several languages. SHERATON SALZBURG HOTEL.
Day 4 Dec 25
Salzburg/Christmas Day
Froehliche Weihnachten! Ring in the holiday with an excursion to the countryside town of Ramsau. As you head into the rolling Alpine landscape, snow may fall and give you a stunning Austrian white Christmas. Following lunch, top off your jaunt with the jingle-jangle of a charming horse-drawn sleigh ride. Late this afternoon, return for a sumptuous Christmas meal at the SHERATON SALZBURG HOTEL.
Day 5 Dec 26
Melk Abbey/Vienna
Bid farewell to Salzburg as you transfer to Vienna by way of Melk. Visit the Baroque Melk Abbey, a spiritual and cultural center of Austria for 1,000 years, first as a castle for the ruling Babenbergs, then dedicated as a Benedictine monastery in the 11th century. See the famous library and the Abbey’s church. Late in the afternoon, arrive in Vienna for a 7-night stay at one of the jewels of Viennese hotels, the deluxe Radisson SAS Palais, located on the famous Ringstrasse. RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 6 Dec 27
Vienna/Slovakia/Bratislava
A full day excursion takes you into the country of Slovakia, invaded by the Huns in the 5th century, center of the Moravian Empire in the 9th century, and later annexed by the great Hungarian empire. Recently part of Czechoslovakia, it became independent with the Velvet Revolution in 1989 which ended Communist rule. Visit the capital city, Bratislava, to explore the historic old town. See the medieval castle, St. Martins Cathedral and walk the old cobblestone streets past shops, cafes and small parks. Late afternoon return to Vienna.
RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 7 Dec 28
Vienna/St. Stephen’s/Hofburg Palace
Stroll to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, considered Austria’s most important Gothic masterpiece. Then see the Hofburg Palace, the royal residence of the Hapsburg emperors until 1918. Today, the complex houses the Austrian President, several museums, the chapel where the Vienna Boys’ Choir sings, and the hall for the Lipizzaner stallions of the famous Spanish Riding School. Visit the Treasury to see the crown jewels of the Hapsburg Empire. Enjoy lunch out in Vienna before seeing the famous Abbey at Klosterneuberg. RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 8 Dec 29
Vienna/Schonbrunn Palace
Begin your sightseeing in Vienna with a visit to Schonbrunn Palace. Built in 1713, this enormous home was used as a summer residence of the Hapsburgs. About forty of the palace’s 1411 rooms are open to visitors. After sightseeing, the afternoon is free to stroll the city-center and shopping streets, and perhaps to stop into one of many well-known and much-frequented Viennese coffee shops. Dinner is out on the town this evening. RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL
Day 9 Dec 30
Vienna Woods excursion
Enjoy an excursion to the Vienna Woods this morning. Near the spa town of Baden is Mayerling, where Prince Rudolf, heir to the Hapsburg throne, and Baroness Marie Vetsera committed suicide in the late 19th century. At Heiligenkreuz (“Holy Cross”), see the lovely Cistercian Abbey, founded in the 12th century by Leopold III. This evening, attend the Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Concert House. RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 10 Dec 31
Vienna/Imperial Ball
In the morning see the Vienna Museum of Fine Arts’ diverse collections, with everything from works of ancient Egypt to Raphael and Rembrandt. The afternoon is free for your own Christmas shopping adventures or to take in another Viennese museum. This evening there will be New Year’s celebrations everywhere, but none will compare to the Imperial Ball at the Hofburg Palace. Be sure that you have your evening attire ready for the grand festivities. High-fashion boutiques are available locally to provide what you may require. The Great Hall will be decked out with fragrant flowers, splendid decorations, and thousands of twinkling lights. So sip champagne, enjoy a fine meal, and waltz the evening away. RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 11 Jan 1
Vienna/Albertina Museum
You may want to sleep in late today. Then, join the guide for a visit to the Albertina Museum, recently refurbished and containing impressive graphic arts including drawings of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Rubens. The remainder of the day is free to do as you please. Gather to say goodbye at a special farewell dinner this evening at the RADISSON SAS PALAIS HOTEL.
Day 12 Jan 2
Conclude Vienna
As you depart this city of art and classic style, take a last look at lovely Vienna en route to the airport.
Travel Dates & Rates, Ask Agent
- 2009 Dates and Rates:
Dec 22.............from $6999
Land only rate is per person based on double occupancy. Sightseeing schedule may be adjusted due to weekdays.
- Airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive rates at the time of booking.
- Single room supplement is from $2299. Pre/post nights are available on request. Reservation deposit is $750 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommended.Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Prices subject to change without notice
until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are
in US Dollars.
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