Opera Tours

Festive Salzburg & Vienna

December 23, 2012 - January 2, 2013

In Salzburg: Der Fledermaus, seasonal and sacred music, in Vienna; Marriage of Figaro, Ariadne auf Naxos, Die Zauberflöte plus the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein and Beethoven's 9th Symphony

The Michelin Green Guide claims that "an indefinable charm makes Salzburg, over which hovers the shade of its most famous son, Mozart, a city beloved of the Gods." This “Small Paradise” is lovely in summer, but during the yuletide it is absolutely magical, a veritable snow globe of holiday perfection. The Altstadt (Old Town), on the left bank of the Salzach River, likely has more masterpieces of Baroque architecture per square mile than any other city on earth, and during this festive season, it is abuzz with Christmas markets (replete with Christmas crafts, mulled wine and chestnuts roasting on open fires). The markets, along with the glorious winter scenery at every turn and, of course, the music, make Salzburg the quintessential Christmas Village.

We will enjoy accommodations at the elegant Hotel Bristol, a small family-run property across from the house in which Mozart lived as a boy. We will attend Der Fledermaus at the Landestheater, a concert at the Mozaerteum, the Sound of Music at the renowned Marionettentheater, and we will hear Gruber’s Silent Night as well as the music of Mozart, Handel and Vivaldi. We will also explore the idyllic Salzkammergut lake district on a day-trip outside of the city.

Vienna has long been a major centre for art and thought, exerting its great influence not only in Europe but throughout the world. Beethoven, Mozart, Freud, Schubert, Schiele, Mahler, Klimt, the Strauss family and many more leading lights made their homes here, and all left their indelible cultural stamp on this vital, intelligent, creative city. If the Danube is the city’s blood (though some would say it is coffee instead), music is its heart and soul. Vienna’s centuries-long role as the seat of the Habsburg Empire can be seen in the wealth of its architecture, and in its artistic and musical heritage. There is certainly no paucity of opulence in this grandest of capitals, from the palaces at Schönbrunn and Belvedere, to the Staatsoper and the numerous grand hotels that line the Ringstrasse. Vienna’s museums and galleries provide some of the best visual art experiences to be had anywhere, and countless cafés each have their own charm, history and loyal patrons.

We will stay at the renowned Hotel Sacher, steps from the Vienna State Opera and close to the Stephansdom. In addition to two performances at the Staatsoper (Ariadne auf Naxos, Die Zauberflöte) and one at the Volksoper (Marriage of Figaro) we will attend a dress rehearsal of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Day Concert at the Musikverein and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at the Konzerthaus, and we will enjoy Holiday Festivities at the numerous Markets and a special New Year’s Dinner at the Sacher.

This is truly an unforgettable trip.

Sunday, December 23 Departures

Individual departures for Salzburg (via Vienna, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Amsterdam).

Monday, December 24 Arrivals in Salzburg

Arrival in Salzburg and transfer (included) to the elegant Hotel Bristol, ideally situated on the Makartplatz beside the Mozarteum and Mirabell Palace.After a lovely Christmas Eve Dinner at the hotel, we will be attending a Christmas Mass (Gruber’s Silent Night)at Franziskanerkirche.

Tuesday, December 25 Salzburg

Following breakfast at the hotel (included each day) those wishing to attend a Christmas Service are free to choose from the many available in Salzburg. Those not attending will join us for a walking tour of the Old Town including Salzburg’s charming Christmas Market before we gather to celebrate the day at the renowned Restaurant Goldener Hirsch.

In the early evening we attend a festive Christmas Concert at the Mozarteum, featuring works by Handel and Mozart.

Wednesday, December 26 Salzburg

Today we offer a tour of the Salzkammergut lake district outside of Salzburg. The name Salzkammergut means "possession of the salt chamber" and is so-called because it belonged to the authority charged with running the precious salt mines in the Habsburg empire. For centuries, the emperors and noble families of Austria chose the Salzkammergut as the location for their summer holidays. The idyllic towns and picturesque lakes provide the setting for an unforgettable visit. We will visit Bad Ischl, the town that once played host to the emperors, and stop for lunch at the lovely lakeside hotel Im Weissen Roessl.

This evening in Salzburg, we attend a performance of Johann Strauss’ operetta Der Fledermaus at the Landestheater. This new production by Andreas Gergen is conducted by Leo Hussain (cast TBA).

Thursday, December 27 Salzburg

Today we explore Salzburg in further detail, with a guided tour which inevitably leads us in the footsteps of Mozart– to the houses where his family lived, to his friends, to the guest-houses, to the grave-yards. A walk of this kind becomes our own visionary encounter with Mozart, as our imaginations explore the Salzburg that he also knew.

Tonight we take an early dinner at the Stiftskeller St. Peter before attending a unique, and charming marionette performance of The Sound of Music at the world famous Marionettentheater.

Friday, December 28 Salzburg – Vienna

After breakfast, check out of our hotel and transfer by luxury mini coach to Vienna. We drive east, mostly through the beautiful countryside of the Danube Valley. We will stop briefly for lunch at leisure in the Wachau, Austria’s very best wine region, before arriving in Vienna where we check in at the feted Hotel Sacher, across from the Vienna State Opera.

This evening we attend a performance of Mozart’s beloved Marriage of Figaro at the Volksoper Wein, featuring Marco Arturo Marelli, Dagmar Niefind and Eva-Maria Schwenkel.

Saturday, December 29 Vienna

After breakfast we meet our excellent guide for a walking tour of Old Town Vienna, with unique insight into the city's rich history and musical past. We visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice and home to a wealth of art treasures, as well as the Imperial crypt and library at the Hofburg Palace. We will also walk in the footsteps of Mozart, who spent his last ten years in Vienna. Following the tour, we enjoy lunch at the Griechenbeisl, the oldest tavern in Vienna.
Tonight we will attend a rare performance of Richard Strauss’ opera Ariadne auf Naxos at the venerable Staatsoper Wein. It features Stephen Gould, Peter Matic, Krassimira Stoyanova and Jochen Schmeckenbecher under the baton of Jeffrey Tate.

Sunday, December 30 Vienna

Late morning we attend a very special concert by the incomparable Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Franz Welser-Möst conducting: a preview of the New Year’s Concert in the Großer Saal of the Musikverein. Following the concert, we tour the picture gallery at Upper Belvedere Palace. The former summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy houses a superb collection of Austrian and international art from the last two centuries, including works by Klimt, Schiele, Hundertwasser and many others.

Tonight we return to the Staatsoper Wein for a performance of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, conducted by Cornelius Meister, featuring Sorin Coliban, Benjamin Bruns and Hans Peter Kammerer as Papageno

Monday, December 31Vienna

Enjoy the day at leisure in Vienna. In the early evening, we attend an unforgettable performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the famous Konzerthaus, with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. We then return to the hotel for a glamorous New Year’s Dinner at the Sacher. Tickets for the Kaiserball are available upon request.

Tuesday, January 1 Vienna

After a well-deserved sleep-in, we meet early afternoon for a Farewell New Year's Luncheon at the Drei Husaren, an institution in the city since 1933.An optional performance of Strauss's Die Fledermaus at the Staatsoper is possible today. Otherwise, the evening is at leisure for one final stroll through the City of Music.

Wednesday, January 2 Departures

Transfers to the airport for departure flights included.

If you wish to register for a tour, you may do so by telephone, online registration or by simply printing a registration form and sending it to us, either by fax or by regular mail.

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Top Category seats for at least 1 opera and at least 4 concerts
9 nights deluxe room accommodations (Hotel Bristol Salzburg; Sacher Hotel Vienna)
Full breakfast daily, 4 dinners, 4 lunches
Private guided tours in each city, plus Salzkammergut
Airport-hotel transfers
On site Tour Direction
Comprehensive Guidebook

Cost: $8295 USD
Single supplement: $1500 USD
Deposit: $3000 USD
Balance due: September 23, 2012

Tour Flights

We can assist with arrangements, offering low fares and the most direct flights, for $75 per person. Flights should arrive in Salzburg on December 24, 2012 and return from Vienna on January 2, 2013.

Transfers

We provide airport-hotel transfers on published arrival and departure days only. For arrivals/ departures on days other than published tour dates, we can arrange transfers at cost.

Mobility Requirements

Walking tours of up to 3 hours in each city. Venues are a short walk from hotels. Cobblestones. If you have difficulty with stairs or walking at a leisurely pace, this tour may not be for you.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. If you would like information on the policies offered by our supplier, please contact us for details, or click HERE for an insurance brochure and application.