Austrian Elegance - From Vienna to the Alps

When you arrive in Vienna, hop into a taxi to the charming Hotel House of Ble. Take time to unwind and explore the trendy neighborhood around the hotel. Treat yourself to a world-famous Viennese coffee at a nearby café and immerse yourself in the local culture. 

In the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at the cozy Glacis Beisl, where we’ll savor delicious local cuisine and get to know our fellow travelers.

After breakfast, we’ll begin the day with a delightful ride on one of Vienna’s historic trams, making our way from the grand Hofburg Palace to Stubentor along the iconic Ring. From there, we’ll stroll through the charming Bäckerstraße, discovering the timeless beauty of Vienna’s Old Town and its storied landmarks.

Lunch awaits at Trattoria Martinelli, nestled in the elegant, Baroque-style Palais Harrach. Afterward, we’ll unwind in the lush Volksgarten, a perfect spot to take in the greenery and recharge.

Our next stop is the Sissi Museum, where we’ll get a unique glimpse into the life of Empress Elisabeth and the world of the Habsburg aristocracy. To wrap up our day, we’ll enjoy a serene dinner at the beautifully restored Palmenhaus, soaking in its fresh ambiance and savoring delicious flavors in a truly elegant setting.

After breakfast, we’ll explore Vienna’s captivating Art Nouveau architecture. Begin with an outside view of the iconic Secession building, then wander through the lively Naschmarkt, passing landmarks like the Otto-Wagner-Pavillon, Karlskirche, and the French Embassy.

Next, hop on one of Vienna’s historic trams to the Upper Belvedere, where the stunning Klimt exhibition awaits. We’ll pause for coffee and a light lunch at Stöckl im Park, set within the beautiful gardens of the Belvedere Palace.

The afternoon offers free time to explore Vienna’s boutique scene in the trendy 7th district or enjoy shopping at your own pace. 

Tonight, you can enjoy an early dinner on your own. Our day culminates with an evening performance of Rossini’s comedic opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the State Opera, a perfect cultural finale to an inspiring day. 

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll take a scenic hour-long drive to the historic town of Dürnstein in the heart of the Wachau Valley, a region celebrated for its wine heritage and stunning landscapes. We'll check into the Hotel Richard Löwenherz where we’ll dive into the rich history of Dürnstein and hear the captivating tale of Richard the Lionheart.

Lunch awaits at Restaurant Richard Löwenherz, where we’ll have a fine dining experience and beautiful views of the Danube River flowing alongside. 

Following some free time to explore, we’ll visit the renowned Domäne Wachau winery for an insightful tour and tasting at Austria’s most famous winery.

We’ll embark on a tranquil boat trip along the Danube, in the evening, sampling wines from the vineyards lining the riverbanks. Dinner will be a relaxing affair back at the hotel, concluding a day filled with flavors and breathtaking scenery.

After a delightful breakfast, we’ll set off on a short drive to the stunning Melk Abbey, an active monastery renowned worldwide for its breathtaking architecture and incredible Danube River views. From there, we’ll drive to the charming town of Steyr, where lunch awaits at Taborturm, enjoy your meal with panoramic views of the River Enns and Steyr’s picturesque Old Town.

Following lunch, we’ll continue our journey along scenic routes to the tranquil Lake Grundlsee, a mountain oasis offering peace, beauty, and stunning vistas. Here, you can unwind and soak in the serene alpine landscape before we gather for a cozy dinner at Seehotel Grundlsee, staying the night, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Prepare yourself for an exceptional fine dining experience, savoring exquisite dishes!

Start the day with a truly unique breakfast experience aboard a local gondola on Lake Grundlsee, taking in the beauty of the lake as we enjoy our morning meal. 

Afterward, we’ll journey to the enchanting town of Hallstatt, where a cable car will whisk us up to the Hallstatt Skywalk for an unforgettable panoramic view of Lake Hallstatt and its dramatic mountain backdrop.

Lunch is at Wirtshaus Steegwirt, just outside Hallstatt, where we’ll enjoy delicious local flavors. Afterward, we return to our hotel, where the afternoon is yours to relax at the lake or indulge in a spa visit. Later, embark on a serene boat trip on Lake Grundlsee, drifting across its clear waters as the sun sets. 

Dinner tonight is at your leisure in the hotel. Enjoy the opportunity to unwind as you wish.

Following a late breakfast at the hotel, we’ll journey through the beautiful Salzkammergut region, driving along a scenic route dotted with charming alpine lakes, including the stunning Wolfgangsee. Our route ends in Salzburg, where a light lunch at ISTRA Konoba Restaurant, known for its Croatian specialties, will be a treat.

After lunch, we’ll check into the Arthotel Blaue Gans and begin exploring Salzburg, the birthplace of the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Discover Salzburg’s historic inner city and its iconic landmarks, and in the evening, savor a delicious dinner at Zwettler's Wirtshaus. 

To cap off the day, we’ll visit Fortress Hohensalzburg, where we’ll enjoy a classical concert—a perfect close to our day immersed in music and culture.

After a hearty breakfast, we'll gather our belongings and check out of our accommodations. If you're not joining us on our extension trip to Munich, you'll transfer to the Salzburg airport to board your flight home, taking cherished memories and newfound friendships with you.

If you extend your holiday to Munich, you'll take a scenic train ride from Salzburg to Munich. 

After checking into a lovely hotel in the center of town, the Cortiina Hotel we’ll visit the famous Hofbräuhaus for lunch, where you can enjoy traditional Bavarian fare in a lively German pub atmosphere. 

We’ll explore Marienplatz, the heart of Munich, and take in the views from the tower of Alter Peter. We’ll also visit the Frauenkirche and Karlsplatz areas with a guide. 

Choose your own culinary adventure for dinner, from the many delightful options available. Later, we invite you to join us for optional drinks at Falk’s Bar, a chic venue in the Bayrischer Hof, perfect for capping off a wonderful day.

After breakfast, we’ll begin the day by exploring Munich’s inner city, starting with the historic Court Garden, a beautiful showcase of Renaissance architecture. Lunch awaits at Madam Chutney, a unique spot near Viktualienmarkt known for its creative cuisine.

Afterward, enjoy free time before we dive into the contemporary art scene at the Haus der Kunst, one of Germany’s finest art museums. With some luck, we’ll catch a glimpse of the Eisbach surfers riding a standing wave on the Eisbach River—a unique Munich experience! 

We’ll wrap up the day with a visit to the Chinesischer Turm Beer Garden in the lush English Garden, where we’ll enjoy dinner in this lively setting among locals and travelers alike. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll dine at the cozy Bar Centrale instead.

We’ll enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before checking out, then transfer to Munich airport for the flight home, marking the end of our memorable journey through Austria and Germany.