Vienna First Impressions

Vienna First Impressions ( 2 Hours )

During this tour you will see the most impressive buildings of this wonderful city. On the RINGSTRASSE we pass the HOFBURG (the imperial Habsburg winter residence), the two MUSEUMS, the PARLIAMENT, the TOWN HALL, the BURGTHEATER, the UNIVERSITY and finally the VOTIVKIRCHE. Then we will visit the oldest part of the inner city, which the big sight-seeing coaches cannot enter. Passing the FREYUNG with the SCHOTTENKLOSTER (an old monastery), the square AM HOF, the JUDENPLATZ, and the CLOCK MUSEUM, we will reach the very centre of the town, ST.STEPHEN`S CATHEDRAL. Before reaching the DANUBE CANAL (Little Danube), we pass by the HOHER MARKT (ancient square) with the world famous ANKER-UHR (noon time historical figure-show). We continue to another Viennese landmark, the RIESENRAD (The big ferris-wheel) and the WURSCHTELPRATER ( a fun-fair). From there it is not very far to the river Danube. On our way back to the hotel we will see the impressive buildings housing the United Nations, the DANUBE TOWER and the HUNDERTWASSER-HAUS. This tour may be subject to alterations, if you wish.

Vienna Grand City Tour

Vienna Grand City Tour ( 3½ – 4 Hours )

This tour includes all the sights of “Vienna First Impressions”, and is extended by the visit of SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE (the imperial Habsburg summer residence) including the wonderful gardens and the baroque BELVEDERE PALACE with its famous view over Vienna. (Entrance fees are not included in the price)

Vienna Art Nouveau

Vienna Art Nouveau (4 Hours )

In the 19th century Vienna became one of the most famous centres of the “Art Nouveau”, called after the magazine JUGEND (i.e. YOUTH), founded in Munich in 1896. Beside the floral ornamental decorative style which uses curved lines a second style representing an austere, straight-lined and functional direction was developed. Many buildings in very good condition will be seen on this tour. The OTTO WAGNER house (at Graben 10), the SECESSION, the stations of the Vienna City Railway at KARLSPLATZ, the houses at Linke Wienzeile 38 und 40, the POSTSPARCASSE (the Postal Savings Bank) and the CENTRAL CEMETERY, where we visit the tombs of Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven and Strauß. This tour can be extended to the BELVEDERE PALACE, housing famous works of art by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt (“The Kiss”) and Oskar Kokoschka. The MUSEUMS QUARTER with the Leopold Collection and works by Egon Schiele is also worth seeing. At special request and prior booking you can also visit the most famous “Art-Nouveau”-ChurchAM STEINHOF (the “Steinhof-Church” right in the centre of the Vienna Mental Institute.

Vienna Panorama Tour

Vienna Panorama Tour ( 3 Hours )

Passing the most impressive neo classicist buildings along the RINGSTRASSE we will drive you through the Praterstrasse, pass the place where Johann Strauß composed his famous “Blue Danube”- waltz to the Praterstern square with the TEGETTHOFF-Memorial reminding us of the former size of the imperial navy. We continue through the PRATER, the former imperial hunting grounds. Here we will also see the RIESENRAD (The big ferris-wheel) and the fun park. Crossing the DANUBE we will see the DANUBE TOWER with its rotating restaurants, the UNO-CITY, continuing along the OLD DANUBE heading for HEILIGENSTADT, where Ludwig van Beethoven lived and worked. We will visit the house where Beethoven wrote the well-known “Heiligenstädter Testament” (his last will). Through GRINZING, the village famous for its wine, we will continue to the top of the KAHLENBERG, one of Vienna`s favourite recreation areas. From here you will be able to enjoy a grand view of Vienna and the glistening river Daube. Afterwards we will visit KLOSTERNEUBURG and the AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY, with its world-famous Verdun Altar (medivial goldsmith work). We will return to Vienna alongside the river Danube.

Vienna The Jewish History

Vienna The Jewish History ( 4 Hours )

This tour includes the sights visited in tour “VienNa First Impressions” and in addition you will see the JUDENPLATZ with the old synagoge, the excavations on the Judenplatz and the house “Zum großen Jordan”. When possible, the synagoge at Seitenstettengasse can be visited as well. The tour will continue to the Memorial of the GESTAPO-VICTIMS and the HOLOCAUST-Memorial,to the SIGMUND FREUD MUSEUM and the historical cemetery in the 9th district, Seegasse. We will go to the LAUDER-CHABAD-CAMPUS (donated by Ronald Lauder), behold some of the present life of the Jewish community in Vienna`s 2nd district and end the tour at the jewish MUSEUM .

The Vienna Woods

The Vienna Woods ( 5 Hours )

First you will visit LIECHTENSTEIN CASTLE (12th century) before going on a boat trip on Europe`s largest underground lake in the SEEGROTTE.Then we will see the Cistercian Abbey at HEILIGENKREUZ (12th century) with its unique cloister,and continue to MAYERLING, where Prince Rudolf of Habsburg and Mary Vetsera committed suicide.After travelling through the romantic HELENENTAL (valley) we will reach the spa BADEN and follow the “Wine-garden-road” to GUMPOLDSKIRCHEN, famous for its wine. Make a stop there for a SPRITZER and a snack, and then return to Vienna.

The Danube Valley

The Danube Valley ( 7 – 8 Hours Tour )

The 33 km between the towns KREMS and MELK are called WACHAU, one of the most beautiful European river landscapes. Far back in the Stone Age this valley was already inhabited. KREMS was first mentioned on an Arabic map of the world as Germesia. On both sides of the river excellent wines grow on high terraces. The best apricots are grown here. From December 26th.1192, untill march 1193 the English King Richard I “The Lionheart” was kept prisoner after the cruisade at DÜRNSTEIN until ransom in the value of 23 tons of silver was paid for him. This small village with its romantic castle ruin is a jewel which seems to take the visitor back into the middle ages. On this tour we will also visit Austria`s biggest baroque Benedictine Abbey at MELK with its absolutely unique library. Part of this tour can also be made by river boat. Fare not included.

The Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps ( 7 Hours )

Its only a short drive to the nearest mountains. A pass road will take you to the SEMMERING where a coffee stop in one of the luxuriuos turn of the century hotels will prepare you for the drive through the wild – romantic ADLITZGRÄBEN to REICHENAU – a favorite resort of the viennese society 100 years ago. Right there starts the cable car to the RAX (5500 ft.) from where you will have a fantastic view of the eastern end of the ALPS.On the way back to Vienna your driver will take you also through the beautiful spa and congress town of BADEN with its casino. Before coming back to Vienna- why not stop at Gumpoldskirchen for a glass of young wine …

Burgenland

Burgenland ( 7 – 8 Hours )

After World War I the former German-West Hungary became Austrian. The Hungarian atmosphere has been preserved until today. In its capital town EISENSTADT we will visit the Memorial Church with its Calvary and the tomb of the famous composer Joseph Haydn. At LAKE NEUSIEDL, the largest steppe lake with an enormous reed area and unique bird population, you can both make a boat trip and have a meal at a restaurant with gipsy music. A wine tasting with a Hungarian rustic snack (Salami, paprika , cheese and bread) can be arranged for you.

Salzburg

Salzburg (12 Hours)

On our way to Mozart´s town of birth you become acquainted with the beautiful Salzkammergut landscape with it´s mountains and it´s numerous lakes, where the Emperor Franz Joseph and his family used to spend their holidays. Skirting the Lake Fuschl and Lake Wolfgang you reach Salzburg, where you will have time for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to a stroll through the old city, showing you the most important sights of the ols Bishop´s Seat. These are the Cathedral, the Festvall Hall, St.Peter´s Abbey Church and it´s graveyard (tomb of Mozartßs sister Nannerl) Of course we will show you Mozart´s birth place in the Getreidegasse. The Edelweiss-Song from the movie Sound of Music will come to your memory, while passing the horse-pond and from the gardens of Mirabell-Palace you will have a marvellous view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The tour ends at your hotel.