Highlights of Austria

Day 1: Arrive Vienna

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of Austria, the city has a very convenient layout: The `old town`, or city center, is the first district, with the Stephansdom and Stephansplatz at the centre of a bull`s eye. It is encircled by the Ringstrasse (Ring Road), a grand boulevard constructed along the old city walls, which were torn down at the end of the 19th century. Along the Ringstrasse are many famous and grand buildings, including the Rathaus, the Austrian Parliament, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum), and the State Opera House. Upon arrival in Vienna your personal tour host will welcome you at the and transfer you to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, proceed for the city tour. See the most significant museums, monuments and buildings along the Ringstrasse as well as gorgeous castles and typical Vienna sights such as the “Heuriger” in Grinzing or the Vienna Prater and also the world famous Schonbrunn palace. Overnight stay at Vienna.

Day 2: Vienna – Salzburg

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the station for connecting train to Salzburg. Upon arrival in Salzburg, transfer to your hotel on your own. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Salzburg is the 4th largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg`s “Old Town” with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting. It is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for parts of the musical and film “Sound of Music”. Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains located in south of Salzburg contrast with the rolling plains towards the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, or “old town”, is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg. This area is surrounded by two smaller mountains, the Monchsberg and Kapuzinerberg as the green lung of the city. Overnight stay at Salzburg.

Day 3: Salzburg

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will be taken for a tour called “Sound of Music Tour”. Relive the true story of the Von Trapp family which was filmed as the `Sound of Music` in the Salzburg area. The tour, which has been Salzburg`s most popular tour for over 20 years, is a combination of sightseeing in this historical city itself and in the beautiful lakes and mountain area known as the Salzkammergut, which is also a famous musical and cultural centre. The highlights and film locations of the Sound of Music,such as the beautiful gardens in Hellbrunn (where Liesl and Rolf sang `I am 16 going on 17`), and the wedding church in Mondsee are a treat for all fans of the film. Rest of the evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay at Salzburg.

Day 4: Salzburg – Innsbruck

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to transfer to station (on your own) to board your train to Innsbruck. On arrival at Innsbruck proceed on your own to your hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure. If there was ever a city, at one with nature and its mountain environment, it is Innsbruck, and there are countless reasons for staying in the Tyrolean capital or one of its 25 nearby Village Resorts. Innsbruck is the only major city in the European Alps, and offers a combination of culture, history and nature unequaled anywhere else. Timeless beauty in the mountains – Innsbruck`s 25 Village Resorts blend in perfectly with the natural environment. Overnight stay at Innsbruck.

Day 5: Innsbruck

Breakfast at the hotel. You will be headed to visit the Swarovski Crystal World. This tour will take you to explore the fantastic and sparkling world of Swarovski. Aboard a fast and comfortable coach from central Innsbruck (30 minutes drive), you will be taken to the world famous Swarovski Crystal World, situated in Wattens. The water spouting Giant (a remarkable huge face sculptured on top of a rock) will amaze you with his sparkling eyes! Inside the Giant, a whole crystal world awaits you: the Chambers of Wonders containing the Planet of Crystals, the Crystal Dome, the Crystal Theatre, the Ice passage and the Floating Poem. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Innsbruck.

Day 6: Innsbruck – Vienna

After breakfast, proceed to the train station on your own to board your train for Vienna. On arrival in Vienna, transfer to the hotel on your own. Rest of the day is free to explore the city of Vienna on your own. Overnight stay at Vienna.

Day 7: Depart Vienna

Today is the last day of our tour. Your guide will drive you to Austria Airport where you are expecting your flight back home. Seven beautiful and richly-filled days came to an end. We wish you a safe journey and we hope that you will always gladly remember Austria and have great memories of these days spent with us.