Itinerary

Day 1 Vienna
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the historic and cosmopolitan Austrian capital Overnight Hotel Sacher Vienna.

Day 2 Vienna
After breakfast you will be taken on a 3 hour walking tour of the historic inner city. Walk along Vienna’s most celebrated sights. See the Imperial Palace (former Residence of the Habsburgs) their beautiful Gardens, the Imperial Vault, the Spanish Riding School, the Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which marks the very heart of the city. But Vienna also stands for “savoir vivre” wining and dining. Your guide will explain the background of Austrian’s favorite culture. Time for lunch. In the afternoon continue with the tour with a drive along the Ringstrasse and a visit to the famous Schonbrunn This tour will give you an overall impression of the most significant sights of Vienna. Along the Ringstrasse you will see numerous magnificent buildings, such as the MAK, the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, the cultural district the MuseumsQuartier, the former Habsburg winter residence, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Burgtheater. The highlight of this tour will be a visit of the showrooms of the Schonbrunn Palace. In this former summer residence of the Habsburg family lived for example Maria Theresia. Overnight at the Hotel Sacher Vienna.

Day 3 Vienna
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will be taken to a waltz lesson in preparation for tonight’s big event. More than 150 years ago, Johann “Schani” Strauss made the Vienna Waltz famous around the world. Today, the dreams of millions of ball attendees are set to three- quarter time. Learn how to waltz at the city where it was invented, at a dance lesson in Vienna. In the evening enjoy the New Year’s Ball at the Hofburg Imperial Palace (short walk from your hotel.). This year’s program will bring top-class performers from the Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper, big-name bands and orchestras, as well as catchy rhythms from waltz music to jazz to the former imperial winter residence. In addition to a spellbinding opening ceremony, you will be treated to an unforgettable midnight show against the backdrop of a spectacular firework display on the Heldenplatz, the ringing of the Pummerin Bell at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the traditional Blue Danube Waltz, and the popular public quadrille in the imperial staterooms of the world-famous Hofburg. Savoir the culinary delights that await you at the glamorous four-course gala dinner, the Viennese coffeehouse, the chill-out lounge and the various New Year’s buffets and bars. Celebrate a New Year’s Eve brimming with fun and laughter, immerse yourself in Vienna’s charming ball traditions and raise a champagne toast to the New Year. The New Year’s Eve Ball is once again being held under the patronage of the Austrian President. Among the sounds of Champagne corks popping and glasses clinking, a countdown will run down the last few seconds of the year. At midnight the Pummerin at St. Stephen’s cathedral, the largest bell in Austria, will ring in the New Year. The fantastic firework display on the Eldenplatz is sure to leave you lost for words. Next, you will join the dancers of the Vienna State Opera Ballet Association for the legendary Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss to see in the New Year in classic style. A series of spring-themed arias from well-known operas and operettas performed by soloists from the Vienna State opera and the Volksoper including Beate Ritter, Juliette Mars, Barbara Payha, Vincent Schirrmacher and Kip Wilborn will round out the spectacular midnight show, providing the perfect start to 2017. Afterwards, ball goers will be invited to step onto the dance floor to join in the popular public quadrille, led by an instructor from the famous Elmayer Dance School. What would the Viennese ball season be without the culinary highlights? Enjoy the fabulous four-course gala dinner included with your Grand Ticket. Overnight at the Hotel Sacher Vienna.

Day 4 Vienna-Salzburg
11am pick-up by private car and English speaking driver/guide from the lobby of your hotel and drive to the Wachau Danube Valley ( A World Heritage area) a scenic valley, where Austrian fruit and wine grows, a valley full of historic villages and castles such as Krems, Durnstein and Melk . For lunch you will taken you to a local restaurant followed by a wine tasting. Continue to Melk Abbey for visit of the Baroque Benedictine abbey (around a 1 hour tour ) before you continue to Salzburg where you arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight at the Hotel Sacher Salzburg

Day 5 Salzburg
After breakfast meet your English speaking guide for a city walk in the intercity of Salzburg to see the most important sights of Salzburg Start at the Mirabell Place, Mirabell Castle with marble Hall and baroque gardens, theater and Mozart’s living-house. Cross the Salzach at Makartbridge and arrive at the Getreidegasse Salzburg’s famous shopping street, Mozart’s birthplace (Where you enjoy a 1 hour interior visit), University Square where the daily fruit and flower market takes place, the Festival halls, the large cathedral, Franciscan church, St. Peter church with cemetery, the Fortess (interior visit to enjoy the panorama) , Residenz Square with fountain and carillon and Mozart square with monument. The end of the tour will in the city-center where you can continue with a meal or shopping on your own or your guide can also bring you back to the hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Sacher Salzburg.

Day 6 Salzburg-Salzkammergut-Salzburg
Enjoy a special excursion by car and guide to the scenic surroundings of Salzburg into a small cozy village in the lake district Salzkammergut where you will see Lake Fuschl, St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang . Then you’ll hear the jingling bells and the sleighs line up across the field and your winter sleigh ride begins! A stop for refreshments is made where the horses rest and you have the possibility to taste Austrian cookies and mulled wine. Rosy cheeks and happy expressions are proof that it was a successful day, one that you’ll remember for long time afterwards. Excursion destination may be altered due to snow conditions. Lunch will be served at Schloss Fuschl. Overnight Hotel Sacher Salxburg.

Day 7 Salzburg-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or rails station. You can extend your stay in lovely Salzburg or continue to Innsbruck, Munich, Prague or Budapest.

Additional nights available