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Wunderbar Vienna
March - November
Staying in Vienna offers a traveler
several unique opportunities. As the capital of Austria, it is an
amazing city filled with culture and sightseeing. Vienna offers such charming sights as the lavish Terrace Gardens, St.
Stephen's Cathedral, the Prater Amusement Park and the Schonbrunn
Palace- to name a few. Plus, there is always an opportunity to take in
an operetta at one of Vienna's elegant concert halls. Vienna is only one small part of Austria and an even smaller part of
Europe, but it can act as a springboard to other fascinating sights and
locations. Side trips are available to many of the places people have
dreamed of seeing.
Suggested Group and Individual Sightseeing Schedule
Day 1 DEPART USA FOR VIENNA, AUSTRIA
In Flight Meal
Day 2 SAINT STEPHENSPLATZ
We arrive in Vienna and begin our tour this afternoon after settling in
at our hotel. Austria's capital is a splendid blend of Baroque with a
touch of Art Nouveau. We begin our first day in this gilded city at the
Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral located in St. Stephensplatz. The church
features Vienna's famous landmark, the "Steffi" or
"tower" reaching 450 feet towards the sky. We will also visit
the Zwettier Hof which houses the Cathedral and Diocesan Museum, home to
a fine collection of religious art dating all the way back to the early
Middle Ages. Our final stop is the church of Maria am Gestade with its
ornate dome. Tonight...see the city from a horse-drawn carriage.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 3
SCHOTTENTOR, FREYUNG
Today we are given a guided tour to the Abbey of the Scots. The Abbey
features two extensive monastery buildings, a Gothic altar and
Romanesque Chapel. We'll then proceed with tours of two palaces, Palais
Harrach and Palais Ferstel. A very unique relic of Austria's history,
Mollkerbastei Pasqualatihaus is comprised of old fortifications and old
Viennese houses. We'll visit the one where Beethoven stayed occasionally
between 1804 and 1815. Lunch is on our own. May we suggest the famous
Artist's Cafe Landtmann? This afternoon promises to be a royal treat
with a visit to Schonbrunn Palace where we'll visit the Imperial
Apartments and Baroque Gardens.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 4 NEUE BURG, STADTPARK
Following breakfast, we head to Neue Burg. We'll stroll through
Volksgarten and Burggarten to the impressive Ephesus Museum and the
city's Museum of Fine Arts. Both hold a wealth of history and treasure
from armor to an interesting room-sized model of Ephesus. This afternoon
will be spent at the lovely Stadtpark. Situated on the River Wein, the
park boasts a cafe-restaurant (Kursalon) and numerous monuments such as
Strauss, Schubert and Makart. Tonight may bring an evening with the
Vienna Boys Choir at Brahms Hall (depending on date).
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 5 STATE OPERA HOUSE, IMPERIAL VAULTS
The lavishly decorated State Opera House is our first stop today. This
grand structure covers over 9000 square miles, seats over 2000 and
contains a magnificent staircase and valuable tapestries. Behind the
Opera House we'll see the monument erected against Fascism. Next we will
view the richly decorated coffins of the Emperors and Empresses of
Austria at the Imperial Vault. You will recognize names such as Franz
Joseph and Ferdinand. In the vault chapel lies a stone in memory of the
country's last Emperor, Charles I, who died in exile in 1922. Lunch is
on our own. This afternoon is free to enjoy the Belvedere Palace with
it's French Gardens or shopping along the grand Karntertstrasse,
Vienna's most fashionable shopping district.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 6 KARTNERSTRASSE
We begin our day with a tour of the Treasury of the Teutonic Order. Once
an order of chivalry, it is now a religious order. The building displays
insignia and coins, measuring goblets, rosaries and other works crafted
in silver and gold. We'll also visit the Renaissance styled Franciscan
church with it's ornately carved organ and high altar. St. Peter's
church is next, which is a copy of the St. Peter's in Rome. Lunch is on
our own at Vienna's oldest inn, Griechenbeisl. A guided tour to the
Secession Building is next on our agenda. This fine example of Art
Nouveau architecture, the building is topped with a gilded iron dome in
the form of a laurel tree. Inside, a Beethoven frieze by Gustav Kilmt is
a must see.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 7 HOFBURG AT VIENNA
An exciting day ahead as we seek out even more of Vienna's hidden
treasures! Our first stop is the Austrian National Library, which was
founded in 1526 by Ferdinand I and houses over two million volumes. At
the Hofburg Treasuries, twenty-one rooms feature the Imperial coronation
jewelry, relics from the Roman Empire and other precious works of art.
The afternoon is on your own. Why not take a ride on Vienna's famous
ferris wheel, at the Prater amusement park.
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 8 DEPART VIENNA FOR USA
PRICE PER PERSON -
Call for group pricing.
Price Includes: Airfare,
Hotels (3 and 4 star) for 6 nights, Breakfast daily, Dinner
daily, Transfers
*Optional Side Trip
Examples:
Puszta
You can visit the bird paradise at Lake Neusiedl and take an excursion
to the Hungary border. Perhaps a Hadyn Matinee at Palais Esterhazy would
be of interest. You can always visit the stork village of Rust and take
an afternoon boat ride on Lake Neusiedl.
Wachau
Can you imagine a visit to the romantic Danube Valley? You can take a
day trip there and see the amazing scenery that is full of history and
legends. A visit to Krems, the abbey at Melk and Durnstein are just a
few of the things Wachau has to offer. A boat ride on the Danube is
included with this trip.
Salzburg
A visit to the "Festival Town" of Salzburg provides
opportunity for an excursion to "Salzkammergut" lakes and
mountain areas. You can visit the Cathedral and see the house where
Mozart was born.
* Side trips include bus and guide. Lunch and entrance fees are not
included. Many other destinations are available from Vienna to European
cities and points of interest.
Call the Professional Tour Planners at:
Pilgrim Tours 800 322 0788
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