Christmas / New Year’s Eve / Epiphany in Vienna

Athens – Vienna (city tour)

Meeting at the airport and flight to Vienna with Aegean Airlines, Sky Express or Austrian Airlines. Arrival in the capital of Austria and start of the tour from Karlsplatz, dominated by the baroque church of St. Charles (Karlskirche) and the historic building of the Music Association (Musikverein). Then, we cross the famous Ringstrasse, admiring some of the most important monuments of the city: the former Ministry of War, the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), the Municipal Park, the State Opera, the twin Museums, the Hofburg Palace, the Franz Joseph Gate, the neoclassical Parliament, the University, the neo-Gothic Votivkirche, the impressive City Hall (Rathaus) and the historic Café Landtmann. Our tour continues with a walk through the Greek Quarter and the imposing St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), the timeless symbol of Vienna. Crossing the elegant pedestrian streets of Graben (with the Plague Column) and Kohlmarkt, we end up at the imposing Hofburg Winter Palace, the historic seat of the Habsburgs. Free time follows in the historic center for a walk, shopping in the luxurious boutiques or a stop for authentic Viennese coffee and dessert at the legendary Demel pastry shop. Transfer and check-in at one of our selected hotels. In the afternoon we continue with a tour of the historic center of the city. Accompanied by our leader, we will walk through the wonderfully illuminated shopping streets, elegant cafes and palaces. We will pass through the complex of winter palaces, stand in front of the statue of Maria Theresa and arrive at the famous Christmas market in the Town Hall Square. There, among hundreds of decorated wooden kiosks, we will enjoy flavors and aromas that warm the heart. Don't forget to close your first evening with a glass of hot Glühwein. Overnight stay.

Vienna – Vienna Forests – Mayerling – Baden

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a magical excursion to the famous Vienna Woods, a place that has inspired poets, musicians and painters with its unparalleled natural beauty. During the route, we will see the Liechtenstein Castle, the famous family that rules the principality of the same name between Austria and Switzerland, as well as the historic Monastery of the Holy Cross, one of the most important religious monuments in the area. Then, we will visit Mayerling, a place associated with the legendary and tragic romance of Prince Rudolf, only son of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sissi, with the young Baroness Maria Wetzera. Their story, full of passion and mystery, has left an indelible mark on Austrian history. Our excursion concludes in the aristocratic spa town of Baden, known for its thermal springs and cosmopolitan character. There we will have time for a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets and a coffee in an atmospheric environment, enjoying the city's aristocratic aura. We return to Vienna, full of images and emotions from a day full of history, nature and romance. Overnight stay.

Vienna (free day) – Optional excursion to Bratislava

Today is free to explore Vienna at your own pace. You can wander through the museums, enjoy a drink in one of the historic cafes or shop in the decorated streets of the city. Optional: excursion to Bratislava Alternatively, we suggest an optional excursion to charming Bratislava. The capital of Slovakia -one of the youngest capitals in Europe- also known as «Little Vienna», is a city full of life, combining medieval atmosphere with aristocratic elegance of the Habsburgs. Built on the banks of the Danube, with the water reflecting its castles and bridges, Bratislava seems to spring from the pages of a fairy tale. Our tour begins at the imposing castle, built on a hill, which offers panoramic views of the river and the well-preserved old town. Then, we will walk through the cobblestone streets of the historic center, where baroque palaces, charming buildings and small squares create a genuine Central European atmosphere. Among the sights we will see are the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin, the old Town Hall, the Archbishop's Palace, but also the futuristic «UFO», the impressive building that looks like a space platform and adorns one of the bridges of the Danube, giving Bratislava a modern touch. A day full of images, aromas and history that you will remember! Return to Vienna and overnight. (80 € per adult and 50 € per child / paid directly to the leader).

Vienna (free day) – Optional excursion to Salzburg

Today is free to explore Vienna at your own pace. You can wander through the museums, enjoy a drink in one of the historic cafes or shop in the decorated streets of the city. Optional: excursion to Salzburg. For those who wish to get to know Austria better, with its unique natural beauty, great musical tradition and rich cultural heritage, this full-day optional excursion is an unforgettable experience. Traveling to the heart of the country, we will enjoy a route of unique beauty, where fertile plains follow green valleys, crystal lakes and imposing peaks of the Alps. Our destination is the fairytale Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and one of the most beautiful baroque cities in Europe, which became world-famous as the natural setting of the legendary film “The Sound of Music”. Its name means “Salt Castle”, as the city’s growth and wealth were based for centuries on the exploitation of the precious mineral salt, the so-called “white gold”. During our tour we will admire the exterior of the imposing Mirabell Palace with its famous Baroque gardens, we will cross the Salzach River from the elegant Makartsteg bridge, known for its thousands of "love locks", and we will walk along the famous Getreidegasse, the historic shopping street of the old town with its picturesque alleys, the characteristic wrought iron shop signs, the elegant mansions and the impressive shop windows. There is also the house where Mozart was born, which today operates as a museum and hosts personal belongings, musical instruments and valuable documents from the life and work of the great composer. In your free time you can, optionally, take the cable car to the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the largest and best preserved medieval castles in Europe, from where the panoramic view of the old town, the Salzach River and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps is truly unique. In the afternoon we depart for our return to Vienna. Overnight stay. (130 € per adult and 80 € per child / paid directly to the leader).

Vienna – Athens

We start our last day in Vienna with breakfast at the hotel and some free time (depending on the flight time). It is the ideal opportunity for some last-minute shopping, a leisurely stroll through the decorated streets of the city or a farewell coffee at the famous Sacher Café, accompanied by the authentic Sacher Torte (the most emblematic dessert of Austrian pastry). With suitcases full of memories and hearts full of images from aristocratic Vienna, we are transferred to the airport for the return flight to Athens.