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Austria Sightseeing & Culinary Tour, Fall 2005
Date:
Sunday, September 25 (flight departure) to Sunday October 9 (flight arrival), 2005.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS TOUR IS ALREADY BOOKED OUT!
If you would like to book a similar tour, please contact Karin anytime at (760) 366-2414 or
It is a pleasure for Karin to be your tour host for this truly marvelous Sightseeing & Culinary Tour through Austria, truly one of the most beautiful regions of the world. Visit historically important sites, enjoy the arts, explore it's rich heritage while having excitement and fun, from Salzburg to Linz, to Graz, to Feldbach, and back to Salzburg. Taste great food and be pleased by the Austrian hospitality.
Karin will take pride in showing you true Austrian adventures and Karin is also a Personal Chef, who lives and works in Joshua Tree (near Palm Springs), California. She is specializing in new Austrian cuisine and will take pride in showing you true culinary and other Austrian adventures as well as lifestyle and she will prepare traditional Austrian dinners for you in private homes.
She will assure you of her best possible attention, so that this Sightseeing & Culinary Tour will present you with the most wonderful memories!
Austria in a nutshell:
The jewel in the heart of Europe
Austria is situated in southern Central Europe, covering a part of the eastern Alps and the Danube region and, although land-locked, it borders on the Mediterranean area. The country has a wide variety of landscape, vegetation and climate, and situated as it is at the heart of a continent, it has always been a junction for communication links between the trade and cultural centers of Europe.
Austria belongs to the Central European transitional climatic zone. In much of Austria the prevailing winds are westerly and northwesterly. In western Austria temperature variations between day and night and between summer and winter are less pronounced than in the East. Throughout most of Austria adequate precipitation figures are registered, although the amount decreases continuously from West to East. Austria can be divided into three climatic zones: The east shows a Continental Pannonian climate (mean temperature for July usually above 66°F, annual rainfall often less than 800 mm), while the central Alpine region has the characteristic features of the Alpine climate (high precipitation, short summers and long winters). The remaining part of the country belongs to the transitional Central European climatic zone, which is characterized by a wet and temperate climate (mean temperature for July 52° to 66°F, annual precipitation 700 - 2.000 mm depending on location, exposure and altitude).
Today's Republic of Austria is a small state, whose origins can be traced far back into history. Populated since prehistoric times, Austria's location in the heart of Europe means that it has had its share of the continent's historical developments. It evolved from a border region into a powerful empire and multiracial state, which collapsed at the end of the First World War. In 1918, the small, newly-proclaimed Republic of Austria had at first to come to terms with its European environment. Austria emerged from the Second World War and the sufferings associated with it as a state that feels secure in its existence and which plays a decisive role in Europe.
The natural & cultural beauty and variety make Austria a small - in a geographical sense - jewel in the heart of Europe.
No other country has made such enormous musical contributions to the world or had such an enduring influence on the international musical scene.
Austria offers the riches of Europe in the proverbial nutshell: spectacular vistas, Alpine splendor, pulsating nightlife, sophisticated shopping, classical culture and culinary adventure. And not to forget: Austria is the cradle of Alpine skiing - and skiing is a way of life in the country of any skier's dreams.
In recent years Austria has emerged as a paradise for anyone who enjoys pampering the palate. Farmers, wine-makers and restaurateurs alike have discovered a new sense of identity and sophistication. This effort lead to a modern-day Austrian cuisine composed of the very best produce to be found in Austria's well-tendered woodlands and mountain pastures, its orchards and vineyards.
The leading Austrian chefs de cuisine are making their mark on the international culinary scene, while the country's foremost wines regularly garner top prizes at international tastings. Today, Austria blends this world-class cuisine and its authentic "Gemütlichkeit" at reasonable prices to a compelling offer for every connoisseur.
Many of the famous Austrian recipes, weather Sachertorte or Salzburger Nockerl, Kaiserschmarren or Marillenknödeln, fall into this category, and are the shining highlights of every Austrian kitchen - cookies, desserts, pastries, cakes of every description. Apart from Mehlspeisen a variety of meat dishes, venison and fowl recipes can be found in Austria.
Text courtesy of the Austrian National Tourist Office and the Austrian Press & Information Service.
Itinerary:
Sunday, September 24th
- Departure from the United States to airport Salzburg, Austria.
- We will be in the new "old" world Monday.
Monday, September 25th
- Karin will pick you up and bring you to your hotel.
- Freshen up.
- Enjoy a typical Austrian "Jause" picknick basket (Austrian cheeses, sausages, breads, etc.) prepared by Karin with a good cold Salzburger Stiegl beer or wine.
- You will relax this evening.
Tuesday, September 26th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will take the bus to the "old town" to Collegiate church.
- We will stroll through the famous Getreidegasse and visit Mozart's birthplace.
- Then we will visit the old Rathaus and then the Open Air Market where you will be able to enjoy a lunch of your choice. Karin recommends Käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausages) with some spicy mustard and fresh bread from one of the many Würstlstände (sausage-stands).
- In the afternoon you will have free time to shop and in the evening you will have a nice dinner of your choice in one of the beuatiful restaurants in the city.
Wednesday, September 27th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will take the bus to the "old city".
- We will visit the Cajetan church, Erhard church and Nonnberg convent.
- We will walk through small romantic streets like the Bierjodlgasse (beer jodl street) to the Stieglkeller, a traditional brewery-restaurant where we will be able to enjoy lunch and a great glass of Stiegl beer.
- Then we will go with cable railway to the Fortress Hohensalzburg, where we will enjoy the view and visit the fortress with it's interesting chambers.
- In the afternoon we will visit the famous St. Peter's cemetery and church. Afterwards we will visit the nearby - mainly to insiders known - Felsenkeller, a wine cellar in the mountain - open to the public - with walls decorated with coins.
- In the evening we will again enjoy a typical Austrian Jause prepared by Karin with a good cold Salzburger Stiegl beer or wine at the hotel.
Thursday, September 28th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will take the bus to Hellbrunn. On the way to Hellbrunn we will visit the Maria-Theresien-Schlössl (a special jewel of Salzburg). Then we will visit the Hellbrunn palace, water gardens and the water fountain theater.
- We will visit (if weather permits) the Steintheater (stone-theater, where the first operatic performance on German-speaking soil was staged in 1617) and/or the Folklore Museum Monatsschlössl.
- If we feel like it, we can also visit the Hellbrunn Zoo. This is a lovely little zoo.
- In the evening we will have the 'Salzburg at night' tour. It starts with the palaces on the outskirts of the city, then takes a brief historical excursion through the old and new part of town. The breathtaking view of the entire city of Salzburg from the Gaisberg mountain is one of the highlights of this evening. In addition you will be able to enjoy a dinner of your choice on top of the Gaisberg mountain in a restaurant that is famous for it's Kasnocken (small dumplings with Salzburger hard cheese and roasted onions). Karin finds them especially delicious.
Friday, September 29th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will take the bus to the Cathedral place and we will visit the Franciscan church (stylistically Salzburg's most interesting church), historic goldsmith's workshop, Georg Trakl memorial and research center, St. Michael church, Heimatwerk (folklore arts and crafts), Residenz fountain, the Cathedral and the Cathedral museum (where we will see the special exhibition: Himmelsbilder - Images of Heaven) with the Cathedral treasure, art from the Salzburg archdiocese from the middle ages to the 19th century and the archiepiscopal art and curiosity chamber.
- We will visit the Residenz State Rooms (former official chambers of the Salzburg prince archbishops), the Salzburg Festival halls building, Pferdeschwemme, summer riding school building, toy museum and musical instruments, Blasius church, Trachtenmuseum (traditional costumes museum) and the museum Carolino Augusteum.
- For lunch we will have the famous Bosna (sausages) in the Getreidegasse.
- We will ride the Mönchsberg elevator to one of the most beautiful vantage points of the city.
- Then we will transfer to Mülln (part of the city) and visit the Müllner church.
- Afterwards we will visit the Augustiner brewery (a monastery brewery since 1621), where you will be able to enjoy a dinner of your choice. Karin recommends to choose from the elaborate buffet. She loves the hot Leberkäse with cut white radish and fresh bread.
- We will transfer to the hotel.
Saturday, September 30th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will take the bus to Mirabell place in the city.
- We will tour the Mirabell palace, Mirabell garden, dwarf garden and baroque museum.
- Then we will visit the University Mozarteum, the Mozart residence, Holy Trinity church, Loreto church (with the possible visit of the Loreto-Kindl=little ivory-made Jesus) and the St. Sebastian church.
- Then we will enjoy the Schrannenmarkt (farmers market) in front of the Andrä church, where you will be able to enjoy a lunch of your choice. Karin recommends the delicious Bauernkrapfen (farmers doughnuts).
- We will take the bus to a private home, where we will freshen up and relax.
- This evening Karin will cook a wonderful meal for us with all the goodies she found at the Schrannenmarkt.
Sunday, October 1st
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will go by train from Salzburg to Linz in Upper Austria (about two hours).
- When we arrive in Linz we will take the tramway to downtown Linz and tour the city.
- We will have a nice lunch and in the afternoon we will transfer to the hotel.
- In the evening we will go out to eat some Steckerlfisch (fish on stick) and drink some Most (hard cider).
Monday, October 2nd
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- If the weather allows we will walk to downtown Linz, otherwise we will take the bus.
- We will visit the Farmers Market at the Hauptplatz.
- We will visit Lentos, which is the Museum of Modern Art, where we will see "94 Masterpieces" and "The Spirit of Pop".
- In-between the enjoyment of great art we will have lunch and stroll along the Danube.
- We will have some coffee in one of Linz' oldest coffee houses, the Traxlmayr.
- In the evening we will go to a private home where Karin will cook a typical Upper Austrian dinner.
Tuesday, October 3d
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will go to downtown Linz.
- We will visit the Farmers Market at the Südbahnhof.
- Then we will visit the Urfahraner Market, which is a very unique country market that happens only twice a year. They have the best Schweinsbratwürstl (pork sausages) there.
- We will stroll the city and spend the night at the hotel.
Wednesday, October 4th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will go by train from Linz to Graz in the province of Styria (about 3 1/2 hours).
- There we will tour the Altstadt (old downtown) and take the tramway up to the Schlossberg (castle hill) with the Uhrturm (watch tower).
- We will have dinner at a restaurant and spend the night at the hotel.
Thursday, October 5th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will visit the Zeughaus in Graz. In the times of the Turkish Wars the unique and world-famous Zeughaus in Graz was the central armory of Styria. 32,000 exhibits, e.g. armors, coats of mail, helmets, weapons and other war materiel have been preserved and are presented in their original array. The military history of Styria is illustrated in a separate exhibition in the Kanonenhalle (canon hall). This museum is extraordinary in the world. What an interesting journey to the middle ages.
- In the afternoon we will go by train further south to the city of Feldbach.
- We will have dinner at a private home.
Friday, October 6th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will tour the city of Feldbach and we will visit the Steinerner Metzen (was built in the 15th century to weigh wheat), the Villa Hold (a gothic style villa built in 1890) and the Tabor (which was built in the 15th century to help people be safe from enemies) with it's 1. and 2. WW museum, farming machines museum, different trades museum, folklore museum, Hallstatt burial museum, the "nail man" museum, the "voluntary firefighters" museum, the "fishing" museum, the "sewing" museum and the "witches cellar", where about 70 people had to go through a witch trial.
- In the evening we will have a nice dinner at the restaurant.
Satuday, October 7th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- We will visit the Bienengarten (bees garden), the Troadkost'n museum, a pumpkin seed oil mill, the Weltmaschine (the world biggest machine), the Riegersburg castle, a beautiful winery, a 'real' deli, a distillery & vinegar producer, the Turmschinken (tower ham) production, a gourmet meat production, castle Kapfenstein and the gourmet chocolate production Zotter.
- In the afternoon we will go by train to Salzburg.
Sunday, October 8th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport.
- Flight back home....
Cost of this Fall Tour 2005 is:
$ 2,995 per person.
This price does NOT include:
- Airfare from the United States to Austria and back.
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