DAY
3 VIENNA
Our Walking Tour of the Old City will begin at St.
Stephen's Cathedral, scene of the double marriage
between the Hapsburg, Bohemian and Hungarian dynasties in
1515 that laid the foundation of the Austrian Empire. This
afternoon we will stop just outside the city center for a
visit to the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace, which was
designed for the Habsburgs before becoming the imperial
summer palace during Maria Theresa's 40-year reign. It was
the scene of great ceremonial balls, lavish banquets, and
fabulous receptions held during the Congress of Vienna,
including a performance by a 6 year-old Mozart. Our tour
will include the State Apartments, a stroll
through the Imperial Gardens, and a brief
visit to the Wagenburg or Carriage Museum, which
contains a fine display of imperial coaches from the 17th
through the 20th century.
· Your First Concert Performance
will be today
DAY
4 VIENNA
Our morning begins with a visit to the former winter palace
of the Habsburgs, the vast and impressive Hofburg,
which sits in the heart of Vienna. This complex of imperial
edifices grew with the empire, so that today the palace is
virtually a city within a city. Our visit will include the
Imperial Apartments; the Imperial Treasury,
featuring the crown jewels and an assortment of imperial
riches. Afterwards, we will visit the
Haus der Musik.
The House of Music is an
interactive discovery museum where you can conduct
the Vienna Philharmonic from a virtual conductor’s podium,
and the musicians on the screen will tell you if you are up
to par; journey back in time to see the great classical
composers; compose your own waltz and have it played. A
total of 5,000 square meters has been set aside exclusively
for areas dedicated to a wide array of approaches to music,
and to the experience of music.
DAY
5 VIENNA - GRAZ AREA (1 NIGHT)
This morning we travel to Graz in the Mur Valley, close to
the last foothills of the Alps in the hilly southeast of
Austria. Our Walking Tour will lead us through the
Hauptplatz, which forms the heart of the city. We will see
the Landhaus and the Arsenal. This evening will be yours
free to explore Graz.
DAY
6 GRAZ AREA - SALZBURG AREA (2 NIGHTS)
We will journey to Salzburg, the Baroque city of music forever
associated with both Mozart. Our sightseeing will start at
the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the former stronghold of
the ruling prince-archbishops, which towers 400 feet above
the Salzach River on a rocky dolomite ledge. Later we
continue on to Salzburg for the night.
DAY
7 SALZBURG
Our afternoon begins with a Walking Tour through the
Old City, a maze of meandering lanes, curious
steeples, cobbled streets and spacious squares. Here we
will view Mozart's Birthplace, the Old Square, the
Cathedral, and the Residenz. A highlight of our walk will be
the Glockenspiel, an early 18th century carillon
with 35 bells, which we can hear from one of the cafes
lining the edges of the Mozartplatz, while sipping
our favorite coffee or drink.
· Your Second
Concert Performance will be today
DAY
8 SALZBURG AREA - GROSSGLOCKNER - ITALIAN
DOLOMITES - BRENNER PASS - INNSBRUCK AREA (2
NIGHTS)
We will drive south and climb above 8000' to cross the
Grossglockner Pass, an amazing highway which was the
prototype for Alpine engineering. After making a short
diversion to view the Pasterze Glacier we will arrive at
Lienz, a picturesque village in the East Tyrol. We will
continue through the beautiful Italian Dolomites before
re-entering Austria and crossing the Brenner Pass to
arrive at Innsbruck.
DAY
9
INNSBRUCK
Innsbruck has one of the most dramatic settings in Europe
with the snow covered Alps on display from almost every
corner. On our Walking Tour we will view the
Triumphal Arch, Golden Roof and Royal Church before we
admire the view over Innsbruck from Igls.
· Your Third
Concert Performance will be today
DAY
10
DEPARTURE FROM INNSBRUCK OR MUNICH
Your enjoyable and rewarding
tour will come to an end as your tour manager/guide accompanies
you to the airport for the return flight home.
