Vienna: Sounds of the Masters 7 Day Tour

Price Per person double occupancy

Click here for "Frequently Asked Questions"

Price Includes: Roundtrip airfare priced from JFK (low add-on fares nation-wide), 5 night's accommodations at (superior 4 star property), American breakfast daily, dinners where listed, Admissions and transportation for sightseeing schedule, Two fully promoted performance venues, Baggage handling at airports and hotel (one piece)

Not Included: Optional excursions, Tips to driver, guides, and hotel staff, Lunches, Optional travel insurance

Day 1: DEPART THE US

Today we embark on our Journey to the land of the Alps, Austria. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight...Tomorrow you will be walking in the footsteps of some the worlds leading musicians!

Day 2: ARRIVE VIENNA (5 NIGHTS)

Upon arrival in Vienna, it is clear this is a city of the arts. We meet our tour guide and are immediately transported into the heart of the music capital. We have a panoramic city tour, highlighting some of her famous sights and getting a glimpse of things to come over the next few days. We arrive at our hotel for check-in, and where later tonight; a welcome dinner.

Day 3: VIENNA (THE HAPSBURGS LEGACY)

After breakfast this morning, we immediately begin with Vienna's famous family and royal heritage; the Hapsburgs. We travel to the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Hapsburgs. We then travel to the world famous Spanish Riding School where we see a training session and marvel at the Lipizzaner stallions as the trainers put them through their paces. After free time for lunch in the Old City, we have a walking tour viewing the historic buildings and shops ending at St. Stephen's Cathedral, scene of the double marriage between the Hapsburg, bohemian and Hungarian dynasties that laid the foundation of the Austrian Empire. This evening we have dinner and an evening CONCERT performance in Vienna. *Concert Performance this evening in the Vienna area.

Day 4: OPTIONAL DAY TRIP TO SALZBURG

No music trip to Vienna is complete without a tour to Salzburg, home of the renowned Mozart. For those who choose, we depart after breakfast for the Baroque city forever associated with both Mozart and the "Sound of Music." A baroque jewel in a perfect mountain setting on both banks of the Salzach River, the city and the surrounding countryside are dominated by the magnificent Festung Hohensalzburg, a 12th century fortress 500 feet above the town. We visit the birthplace of Mozart, now a museum; also the 17th century Residenzplatz, with its 40-foot high fountain; and the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter. This afternoon we travel to the nearby Mirabell Gardens, scene of the Sound of Music, before having the rest of the day at leisure for independent shopping and sightseeing. We have dinner on our own before returning to Vienna. Those who do not purchase the Salzburg Tour will have the entire day free in Vienna to shop, sightsee, or rest with dinner on your own.

Day 5: VIENNA (LIFE OF HAYDN)

The morning is free before our afternoon excursion takes us to the edge of the Hungarian Plain and Neusiedler Sea, a very shallow salt water lake. There are a myriad of birds in the reeds and on the shores. Passing Laxenburg Castle, the tour takes you to Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, best known as the place where Josef Haydn lived and worked for most of his life in the service of the Esterhazys. Visit the Haydn mausoleum and the Bergkirche where the body of Haydn lays in an elaborate tomb of white marble, built by his grateful master, Prince Esterhazy. We have Dinner, followed by a CONCERT. Return to Vienna for overnight. *Concert Performance this evening in Eisenstadt area.

Day 6: OPTIONAL DAY TRIP TO BUDAPEST

This morning we depart for an optional day tour to Budapest. Budapest, an elegant city comprising of two cities, Bude and Pest nestles on either side of the magnificent Danube. We start our tour at Castle Hill, the heart of Buda, the part of the city occupying the west side of the Danube. We then travel to the Fisherman's Bastion to enjoy a panoramic lookout from its lacy towers, before crossing the Chain Bridge. Next visit St. Matthias church, where generations of Hungarian Kings were crowned. We have the remainder of the after free in the Hero's square for lunch and shopping before heading back to Vienna for dinner and our final overnight. Those who do not purchase the Budapest Tour will have the entire day free in Vienna to shop, sightsee, or rest.

Day 7: DEPART FOR HOME

We have an early morning departure from Vienna arriving home the same day.