Festive Vienna

Day 1: Athens – Vienna

The aristocratic city welcomes us
Gathering at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and departure for the capital of Austria, the aristocratic Vienna. Arrival and transfer for installation at the hotel that will host us for the three nights of our stay in the city.

Day 2: Vienna (guided tour of the city)

Palaces, museums and sweet Sachertorte
The city experienced great development during the period when the Habsburgs were elected, almost continuously for four consecutive centuries, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. On our morning guided tour, we will see the famous Ringstrasse, which when built served as a peripheral road connecting the new artistic buildings to the public services when the defensive fortifications were demolished. We will admire the imposing Opera House building, which opened in 1869 and remains the center of Vienna's cultural life, the Hofburg complex, which includes the imperial apartments, museum buildings, the Austrian National Library, the Winter Riding School, as well as the offices of the country's president. This was the seat of Austrian power for six centuries, where all rulers aspired to leave their mark. We will also see the Parliament designed by architect Theophilus Hansen and the neo-Gothic City Hall, the seat of the municipality of Vienna and the local government, which was built between 1872 and 1883 with its huge central tower ending in a 3-meter statue of a knight with a spear.
We also see the National Theatre, which is the most prominent stage of the German-speaking world, initially built under Maria Theresa and later in the style of Italian Renaissance, the atmospheric Karlskirche, and then the Belvedere Palace, which was built as the summer palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the brilliant military commander whose maneuvers contributed to the defeat of the Turks in 1683. Next is the Cathedral of Saint Stephen, the city's landmark.
During the free time that follows, we suggest you have a coffee at the atmospheric cafes Zacher, Landtmann, Central, which are an integral part of the life of the Viennese, or take a stroll along the central shopping pedestrian street Kärntnerstrasse with its shops selling the amazing Mozart chocolates and liqueurs.
You can also visit the Schönbrunn Palaces, the former summer residence of the imperial family, which got its name from a beautiful fountain that existed at that point.

3rd Day: Vienna (free day - optional trip to Salzburg)

Escape in sight
Free day at your disposal to make the most of it as you wish.
For lovers of the genre, we suggest a stroll in the museum square and, if they are open, a visit to the Natural History Museum or the Museum of Art History, one opposite the other and in between Maria Theresa Square with her statue dominating the center of the square since 1888.
Alternatively, we propose a full-day trip to the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg (minimum participation 20 people, cost 120€ adult / 80€ child -12 years old)
Salzburg is located at an altitude of 425 m. and is the “Fairytale of Austria” with domes, bell towers, impressive castle, river and in the background the snow-capped mountains. The legend says that the city was founded by Bishop Rupert who arrived here with the Benedictine monks and by the Irish bishop Virgil who built the first cathedral of the city. We will tour the beautiful old town located between the Monchsberg and the Salzach river. UNESCO has declared Salzburg a World Heritage Site, built almost entirely in the Baroque style, presenting exceptional architectural homogeneity. We will admire the Residenz Palace and the Mirabell Gardens, the Dom Cathedral, the old Town Hall at the end of a narrow medieval street, the Residenz Square with the archiepiscopal seat and the 12th-century Saint Peter's Abbey with the eponymous statue adorning the fountain (1673) in front of the church. Time at your disposal for a stroll or lunch. Return late in the afternoon to Vienna.

4th Day: Vienna (Mayerling Forest Baden – Bratislava) – flight to Athens

From the tragic history of Mayerling in the spa town of Baden
Delivery of rooms and departure for the journey of the last day of our trip, starting with the lush Vienna Woods, west of the capital, which is a popular destination for the Viennese. They cover an area of 1,250 sq.km. and are an ideal place for relaxation as they are crossed by many hiking and cycling trails. You will find the hunting lodge of Mayerling interesting, known from the idyll of Maria Vetsera and Prince Rudolf, which had a tragic end, with the causes of the tragedy still unknown to this day.
We will visit the Heiligenkreuz monastery and learn about its history in the courtyard, and we will not miss a short stop in the picturesque spa town of Baden, on the eastern side of the Vienna Woods, with its 15 hot springs, known since Roman times. The town was rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1812 and many of the neoclassical and Biedermeier villas date back to that period. Then, full of impressions and rich images, we transfer to the airport in the evening for the return flight.
Next, we head to the picturesque town of Bratislava. The historic center with the Cathedral of Saint Martin, the old historic town hall, the gate of Saint Michael, as well as Bratislava Castle, which dominates the town and will be seen externally, will keep our interest unabated. Transfer to the airport and return to Athens.