Group Tour Operator and DMC for Vienna, Austria
Highlights of Vienna – Classic City Break by Air
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Danube Tower in the Danube Park ©Donauturm
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Exterior view of baroque Belvedere Palace in Vienna ©Oesterreich Werbung, Photographer Antoine Bonin
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Boating on the Old Danube ©Oesterreich Werbung, Photographer Peter Maier
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Monument of Johann Strauss, Stadtpark ©Oesterreich Werbung, Photographer Christian Kremser
Vienna is one of Europe’s most imposing cities with its ornate imperial past spilling over into its modern persona it is a great city break. The Austrian capital is truly impressive with a charming core, littered with horse-drawn carriages and palaces, it’s quite the postcard perfect destination. Not to mention that it also features the world’s oldest zoo!
Home to Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss (both father and son), and Beethoven – as well a wealth of other greats – Vienna is also a city of music but it doesn’t stop with just music. The city’s MuseumQuarter, transformed from the former imperial stables, hosts a contrast of classical works of the Leopold Museum’s old masters and the striking modernity of MUMOK’s avant-garde. Meanwhile, the Naturhistorische Museum offers an earthier approach to Austrian history. Not to forget the Sigmund Freud museum either, which offers a look into the life and times of the founder of psychoanalysis.
In amongst the fine dining and vaulted Vinothek wine cellars lie some of the quaintest and most classically Austrian eating spots imaginable. Grand coffee houses serve cakes and pastries almost too ornate to eat while the pub-like Beisln of the city offerthe warm embrace of hearty wiener schnitzel and other Austrian favourites.
Vienna is also one of those rare cities in which it’s possible to be awestruck without ever having to pay an entry fee. The immense grandeur of the city’s imperial architecture, from the Kaiserappartments (Imperial Apartments) to the neo-Gothic Rathaus, is quite literally unmissable. The Hofsburg Palace complex – home of the famed Habsburg monarchs – for over 6 centuries provides a spiritual centre point, bringing together the Burgkapelle (Imperial Chapel) and Spanish Riding School.
Not forgetting the 1441-room Schloss Schönbrunn, a picture of pure opulence. The former summer residence of the Habsburgs is UNESCO heritage site and a stunning reminder of Vienna’s regal history. It is also home to Tiergarten Schöbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo, opened in 1752.
Why not take a trip to the compact Slovakian capital of Bratislava? A quirky city of rich history decorated with vibrantly coloured buildings. Wander the city streets, from the cobbles of the medieval old town and baroque castles of Hungarian nobility to the harsh, angled reminders of Slovakia’s recent communist history. The city is easy accessible by road or catamaran along the Danube
Dates
On request
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Depart your local airport for the flight to Vienna. On arrival, you will be met and transferred by coach to your hotel for the next 4 nights. After check-in, the rest of the day and evening is at leisure.
Day 2
Getting to know Vienna – Panoramic Sightseeing Tour and Schönbrunn Palace
This morning, get acquainted with this wonderful city on a panoramic guided city tour, taking you past many of the Austrian capital’s highlights. such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, City Hall, the State Opera House and Prater Park with it’s famous Ferris wheel.
After the tour, make a visit of Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence and one of Vienna’s most popular attractions. The sumptuous palace with its beautifully tended formal gardens, the Gloriette monument, Palm House and zoo attracts many visitors each year and in 1996, the palace was rightly placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. During an audio guided visit, you will explore the entire upper floor of the palace: in addition to the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, the south-facing reception rooms and the State Apartments you will also get to see the rooms occupied by Maria Theresa. Allow at least 2-3 hours to visit the Palace and Gardens.
The coach will wait and return to the hotel after the tour. Evening is at leisure.
Days 3 and 4
Vienna at leisure – Hop-on/Hop-off City Bus Pass
With your 48 hour hop-on/hop-off city bus pass, you can explore more of Vienna at your own pace, return to some of the major sights and attractions that were seen on the panoramic coach tour such as Danube Island, the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the State Opera House and much more. There are 2 routes with over 23 stops dotted around the ‘City of Dreams’.
Another way to see the city is by a traditional horse and carriage ride or using the public transport system or just stroll around the city on foot. There are an abundance of shopping opportunities for both designer and souvenir hunters, many cafes, bars and restaurants where you can try some traditional dishes such as the Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte, a delicious dessert!
Day 5
Return to the UK
A coach will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Vienna airport for the return flight to the UK.
Optional excursions
Spanish Riding School
A group visit can be arranged to see the famous white Lipizzaner stallions put through their paces at the Spanish Riding School – an institution which has been practising for over 450 years. The Morning Exercise (which starts at 10.00am) offers an authentic insight into the training of the riders and their Lipizzaners. Experience the horses’ daily work in the imperial setting of the baroque Winter Riding School, accompanied by classical Viennese music.
Classical Concerts and Dinner Shows
Admire some of the world’s most beautiful pieces of music by some of the world’s most famous composers in some of Vienna’s most iconic buildings.
Bratislava and the Danube
Why not visit Bratislava, a jumble of preserved 18th Century spires and squares, contrasted by socialist-era monuments. Overlooked by a castle and a flying saucer, an unusual collection of statues are sprinkled across the city which can been seen on a guided walking tour.
This excursion can be done by coach (return) or catamaran (return) or coach one-way and catamaran the other. By river, the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours each way, by road approximately 1 hour each way.
Suggested hotel
Mercure Hotel Wien Westbahnhof ****
The hotel is situated next to the train station City West, in an impressive location near Mariahilfer Strasse with a fantastic range of shops to choose from. Rooms are equipped with TV, free Internet access, a functional desk space, telephone, fridge and hairdryer. The hotel’s bistro restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Coach parking is available for a small fee.
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- Exterior ©Mercure Hotel Wien Westbahnhof
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- Standard room ©Mercure Hotel Wien Westbahnhof
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- Superior room ©Mercure Hotel Wien Westbahnhof
- Greatdays can assist in arranging group meals in the hotel or at a local restaurants – please ask for details.
- Itineraries can be tailor-made to suit specific requirements
