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Austria Sightseeing & Culinary Tour, Fall 2007
Date:
Sunday, September 30th (flight departure) to Sunday October 14th (flight arrival), 2007.
~~~As of today:
,
this tour still has open spaces!~~~
If you would like to book a similar tour, please contact us anytime at (760) 366-4832 or
It is a pleasure for us 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.
We will take pride in showing you true Austrian culinary and other adventures as well as lifestyle and we will prepare a traditional Austrian dinner for you in a private home.
We will assure you of our 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 30th
- Departure from the United States to airport Salzburg, Austria.
- You will be in the new "old" world Monday.
Monday, October 1st
- You will be picked up and brought to your hotel.
- Freshen up.
- Enjoy a typical Austrian "Jause" picnic basket (Austrian cheeses, sausages, breads, etc.) with a good cold Salzburger Stiegl beer or wine.
- You will relax this evening.
Tuesday, October 2nd
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the "old town" to Collegiate church.
- Walk through the famous Getreidegasse and Mozart's birthplace with it's "Special Exhibition".
- Visit of the old Rathaus and free time for shopping, visiting coffee houses, pastry shops, etc
- Freshen up at the hotel.
- Transfer to Mirabell palace to enjoy a delicious dinner and then Mozart's finest music in one of the most beautiful music halls.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Wednesday, October 3rd
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the bus to the "old city".
- Visit the Cajetan church, Erhard church and Nonnberg convent.
- 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 go with cable railway to the Fortress Hohensalzburg, where you will enjoy the view and visit the fortress with it's interesting chambers.
- In the afternoon visit the famous St. Peter's cemetery and church. Afterwards 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 have a nice dinner of your choice in one of the beautiful restaurants.
Thursday, October 4th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the bus to Hellbrunn palace. Visit the palace, water gardens and the water fountain theater.
- 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 you feel like it, you can also visit the Hellbrunn Zoo. This is a lovely little zoo.
- In the evening 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 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). They are especially delicious.
Friday, October 5th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the bus to the Cathedral place and 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.
- 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 have the famous Bosna (sausages) in the Getreidegasse.
- Rride the Mönchsberg elevator to one of the most beautiful vantage points of the city.
- Then transfer to Mülln (part of the city) and visit the Müllner church.
- Afterwards visit the Augustiner brewery (a monastery brewery since 1621), where you will be able to enjoy a dinner of your choice. We recommend to choose from the elaborate buffet. Very good and special is the hot Leberkäse with cut white radish and fresh bread.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Saturday, October 6th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take the bus to Mirabell place in the city.
- 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 enjoy the Schrannenmarkt (farmers market) in front of the Andrä church, where you will be able to enjoy a lunch of your choice. We recommend the delicious Bauernkrapfen (farmers doughnuts).
- Take the bus to a private home, where you will freshen up and relax and where a wonderful meal will be cooked especially for you with all the goodies found at the Schrannenmarkt.
- A lovely surprise gift will await you there.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Sunday, October 7th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Go by train (First Class) from Salzburg to Linz in Upper Austria (about two hours).
- Transfer to the hotel in Linz.
- Have a nice lunch and enjoy a free afternoon.
- In the evening go out to eat some Linz' specialty, the: Steckerlfisch (fish on stick) and drink some Most (hard cider).
- Transfer to the hotel.
Monday, October 8th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walk through downtown Linz.
- Visit the Farmers Market at the Hauptplatz and have a lunch of your choice.
- In the afternoon visit Lentos, which is the Museum of Modern Art, where you will see their current "Special Exhibition".
- If you prefer you can also stroll along the Danube.
- Have some coffee in one of Linz' oldest coffee houses, the Traxlmayr.
- In the evening have a nice dinner of your choice in one of the nice restaurants.
Tuesday, October 9th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- In the morning visit the Farmers Market at the Südbahnhof and have a lunch of your choice.
- In the afternoon visit the PÖSTLINGBERG (the town's landmark and vantage point, topped by a baroque pilgrimage church - uphill ride with one of the steepest trams in the world - land of fairytales set up in an old fortification).
- Stroll the city and transfer the hotel and have a dinner of your choice.
Wednesday, October 10th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Go by train (First Class) from Linz to Graz in the province of Styria (about 3 1/2 hours).
- There tour the Altstadt (old downtown) and take the tramway up to the Schlossberg (castle hill) with the Uhrturm (watch tower).
- Have a nice dinner of your choice in one of the charming restaurants and spend the night at the hotel.
Thursday, October 11th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- 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 go by train further south to the city of Feldbach.
- From the train station transfer to your hotel.
- Your hotel is the absolute fabulous four star hotel "Castle Kapfenstein". The castle was built in 1132 and has a long and wonderful history.
- Enjoy a nice dinner at the castle. It's restaurant is very famous in Austria for it's traditional, but light Austrian cuisine, using only the finest ingredients from the surrounding area.
Friday, October 12th
- Breakfast at the castle.
- Enjoy a wonderful morning by yourself relaxing at the castle or walking around through the wine gardens.
- In the afternoon 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 "W.W.II cellar", where some history of the town is shown during world war II.
- In the evening have a nice dinner at a selected "Buschenschank", which means "country Gasthaus".
Saturday, October 13th
- Breakfast at the castle.
- Transfer to the train station and take the train back from Feldbach to Graz and further from Graz to Salzburg (First Class).
- Transfer to the hotel in Salzburg.
- Enjoy a nice evening by your own with dinner of your choice.
Sunday, October 14th
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport.
- You will arrive in the United States the same day, with wonderful memories of Austria
Costs of this October Sightseeing and Culinary Tour:
$ 3,275 per person.
This price does NOT include:
- Airfare from the United States to Austria and back.
- All personal arrangements and expenses.
This price INCLUDES:
- Personal tour assistance and escort of your tour by your Tour Host.
- All transfers as scheduled.
- Eleven nights in nice three star hotels in Salzburg, Linz and Graz.
- Two nights in a four star hotel castle in Feldbach.
- Thirteen breakfasts at the hotels.
- One gourmet picnic basket.
- One traditional Austrian Personal Chef dinner in a private home (wine and soft drinks included).
- Lovely surprise gift.
- Four restaurant dinners (drinks not included).
- Admission to one classical concert.
- All bus rides as scheduled.
- All First Class and other train rides as scheduled.
- All private guided tours and admissions to points of interest as scheduled.
- All service charges & taxes (gratuities not included).
- All additional services of your tour host as scheduled.
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