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Departure Times

Highlights

It’s a Winter Wonderland in Austria’s best cities, and some of Europe's most beautiful, ALL featuring amazing Christmas markets for the holiday season! Mozart, the Sound of Music, Austria’s Alps, beerhalls, great shopping & a lively nightlife scene make these Austrian destinations unbeatable!  You’ll get to experience the cosmopolitan yet classical city of Vienna as well as the quaint, postcard Austrian Alps scenery of Salzburg.

*During these special dates will be when the famous Christmas Markets take place in Vienna & Salzburg and the cities are dressed up for the season with vendors selling hot spiced wines, seasonal foods & treats, Christmas music, ice skating is available, etc.

Itinerary

Thursday - Day 1 Arrival on your own to Vienna with check-in available from 3pm (you will be sent exact instructions on how to arrive). Activities start from Friday morning.

*Transportation Package - Depart Florence/Rome via luxury coach for overnight ride to Vienna with early morning arrival Friday

Friday - Day 2 Breakfast Included. Vienna walking tour at approx. 10am to see the main sights like the Vienna Opera, Hofburg Palace, Parliament, City Hall (Rathaus), St. Stephen's Cathedral, and more.  After the tour ends, you have a free afternoon to explore the many (11 of them!) Christmas markets located in & around the city center for souvenir shopping and to warm up with the some local hot spiced wine!  Late afternoon, or early evening, you have the option of an included tour of Vienna's world famous "Spanish Riding School" to see the famed white stallions of this 450 year old institution of Austria's royalty, OR you can instead opt for a classical music concert (at approx. 7pm or 8pm depending on season) inside a baroque church ot hear some of the finest works of Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, etc.  Both activities last approx. 1-1.5 hours and after booking/before the trip, you'll have the opportunity to select which option you'd prefer).

Saturday - Day 3 Breakfast included.  Meet the guide for an included tour (and entrance tickets) to Vienna's grandiose Schonbrunn Palace.  This "skip the line" tour gets you immediate entrance into the palace to explore 22 state rooms, the 40 meter long Great Gallery & Hall of Ceremonies and learn about the extravagant life of the Hapsburg royal family.  You'll also see the opulent palace gardens and the hilltop Gloriette overlooking Vienna's forests and city center.  In November and December, you'll also be able to experience the world famous Christmas Market at Schonbrunn Palace and its nemerious stands, foods, and festive atmosphere.  Tour lasts approx. 2.5 hours.

Sunday - Day 4 After breakfast, check out and early morning departure at approx. 8am from Vienna to Salzburg (approx. 3 hours travel time). The day will be free to explore the city and its sights like the Hohensalzburg fortress, Mozart museum, take the optional Sound of Music tour or enjoy lunch at the Augustiner Brau beerhall for some of Europe’s best beer inside this unique monastery or their outdoor garden!  Departure on your own.

**Transportation Package - Departure from Salzburg will be at approx. 4:30pm for late night arrival back to Florence/Rome. 

***Trip Style - This is an independent trip ideal for groups of friends, family, couples, or even for an independent-minded solo traveler. It is designed as a travel & destination package, not solely as a "group trip". You will be on group tours/activities with other travelers and in a room with other travelers if you book the "shared dorm hostel" package (if you book the "private" room package then you of course will be in your own private room). You will however, have independent time between the guided group tours/activities to explore on your own and do as you please, and will receive a detailed info packet by email with numerous recommendations for additional group activities or tours (beyond what is included), sights/museums and food/drink/nightlife info, etc. It's a great balance between guided & included tours/activities and free time so that you have plenty of time on your own to do what you want.