Austria is full of rich cultural offerings and traditions, many dating from when Vienna was the seat of a powerful empire. It is also famous for Mozart, Johann Strauss, music festivals in Alpine settings and the original setting of The Sound of Music. It offers fairy-tale castles and skiing, spectacular scenery and Sacher torte. The grandeur of Vienna's imperial buildings matches Austria's huge romantic streak and its passion for rituals.
This 19 day river cruise takes you directly into the heart to Europe. Unpack and relax. Highlights include: Walking tour of Zurich, the famous Barengraben – the Bear Pit, the village of Gruyères, the exclusive ski resort of Gstaad, a cruise across Lake Geneva to the medieval village of Yvoire, an excursion to Mont Salève, a private guided tour of Chillon Castle, a cog-wheel train ride to Zermatt... and many more
Explore the magnificent sites of Eastern Europe with first class accommodation in Prague, Vienna and in Budapest. This 8-day tour includes guided sightseeing tours visiting Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace and more.
Travel through three European countries over Christmas and stay four nights in a spa hotel in the dramatic Swiss Alps. You can choose to be perfumed and pampered or get out into in the snow high above the town. You will also have a chance to visit the Christmas Markets in baroque Salzburg and in medieval Innsbruck. It all signals an adventurous Christmas tour.
Depart from Istanbul and travel through Turkey and Bulgaria. Arrive the next day in Bucharest, Romania, for a one night stay, and continue your journey towards Budapest where you stay one night. Rejoin the train the next day and travel into Austria, stopping for a short city tour in Vienna before your overnight journey to Venice, where your journey ends.
André Rieu, the enchanting violin virtuoso from Maastricht in Holland, is one of the most successful performers in show business at the moment. In 2012 he will once again be in Austria presenting an evening of unforgettable entertainment in Vienna. His new programme features a brilliant mix of Viennese waltzes, evergreens, classic film music, lively polkas, as well a well-known pieces by Beethoven, Brahms, and Verdi. Rieu completely masters the art of combining mainstream and classical music through outstanding, perfectly staged solo interpretations.
Dates: Concert in Vienna 8th May 2012. Accommodation 7-9 May 2012
Included:
2 nights accommodation in 4 star Vienna hotel
Breakfast daily
1 city walk
1 André Rieu concert ticket per person in a twin share room for the 8th May 2012 in the “Wiener Stadthalle“ (concert hall of the Opera House)
Kristiana Lech is a unique hotel in one of Europe’s most renowned ski resorts. Lech has managed to protect its natural landscape and village atmosphere and this distinguishes it from most other European ski resorts. The comfortable warmth of this seriously luxurious hotel, the cuisine, service and ambience make it a reinvigorating and relaxing choice for a superb skiing holiday. Glide through metre upon metre of Lech’s signature champagne powder snow.
Salzburg and music are inextricably linked. The variety of cultural manifestations all year round - from classical and contemporary music to theatre, architecture and the fine arts - gives you a great variety of events to choose from. This city is surrounded by breathtaking views of the landscape where the opening scenes of the The Sound of Music were filmed.
Most ski resorts struggle when the snow melts. The prettier places have an influx of walkers or seasonal southern hemisphere tourists. Most suffer, or did, until chair-lifts installed bike hooks and mountain routes have acquired cycling signage. Ski guides often become biking guides in summer.
Austria’s Tirol stands out as a bike friendly place and a town near Kitzbuel is an exceptional mountain-biking destination. There are 812 kms of cycle paths around the town and a bike “academy” is located there. The leader of the academy selects terrain appropriate to your experience and your energy levels. What the company does in particular, is focus on developing riders’ techniques, the weather and the views.
Autumn and winter in Europe are the time to take advantage of crispness in the air and Salzburg has its own particular Christmas appeal. This is a chance to experience the cultural richness of a traditional Christmas in a northern clime. Book early for 2010 / 2011 Christmas season.
Enjoy a guided tour of Budapest, Vienna and Prague. Swiss & Europe Travel will take care of all the arrangements for hotels, transfers and movement from city to city. You can simply focus on exploring the streets and attractions of some of the world's most beautiful cities.
You will explore a combination of gorgeous parks, architecture, restaurants, culture and religious buildings. Vienna has the perfect cafe scene with the dark roasted Viennese coffee aroma thick in the air. Prague, situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years. Explore the old city and Prague Castle. This premium itinerary showcases some of Europe's most beautiful cities, with excellent accommodation, and 24/7 support.
