SALZBURG: Seasonal Music, Opera Operetta, Mozart music and sites. Salzkammergut and The Sound of Music touring. 5-star Hotel Bristol.
VIENNA: Two operas, dress rehearsal of Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Day concert at the Musikverein, Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Konzerthaus. 5-star Sacher Hotel.
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 enjoy accommodations at the elegant Hotel Bristol, a small family-run property across from the house in which Mozart lived as a boy. We attend an opera (TBA) at the Landestheater, a concert at the Mozaerteum, and we hear Gruber’s Silent Night as well as the music of Mozart, Handel and Vivaldi. We 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 at least two operatic performances (TBA) at the Staatsoper, 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.
To reserve your space, click here.
ITINERARY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Individual departures for Salzburg (one connection; those flying direct to MUC will be accommodated).
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
Arrival in Salzburg and transfer (included) to the elegant Hotel Bristol, ideally situated on the Makartplatz beside the Mozarteum and Mirabell Palace.
19.00 Once settled in our rooms, we meet and transfer to the Stiftskeller St. Peter for a Welcome Dinner.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
10.00 Following breakfast at the hotel (included each day) we gather for a walking tour of the Old Town, including Mozart's birth house. In the late afternoon we attend a festive Christmas Concert at the Mozarteum, featuring works by Handel and Mozart.
After a lovely Christmas Eve Dinner at the hotel, we will be attending a Christmas Mass (Gruber’s “Silent Night”; Haydn's “Nicolai Mass”) at Franziskanerkirche.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
Those wishing to attend a Christmas Service are free to choose from the many available in Salzburg.
Afternoon programming is TBA.
Christimas Day dinner is included at the famous Goldener Hirsch.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
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 visit Bad Ischl, the town that once played host to the emperors, and stop for lunch at the lovely lakeside hotel Im Weissen Roessl.
PM Evening programming in Salzburg TBA.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
10.00 Today we tour to Baroque Hellbrunn Palace, named for the "clear spring" that supplied it, and then the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress, overlooking the entire storybook city. Lunch is included at Meissl & Schadn.
PM This evening in Salzburg, we attend a performance (TBA) at the Landestheater.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28
10.00 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 the superb Zum schwarzen Bären in the Wachau valley, 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.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
10.00 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 historic Figlmuller.
19.00 Tonight we attend a performance at the venerable Staatsoper Wein (TBA).
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30
11.00 Late morning we attend a very special concert by the incomparable Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting: a preview of the New Year’s Concert in the Großer Saal of the Musikverein. Afterward, we enjoy lunch at the storied Café Imperial.
19.00 This evening we include a special gala performance by the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School at Hofburg Palace--the most beautiful riding hall in the world.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31
10.00 Depart for a tour of the picture gallery at Upper Belvedere Palace, summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663 - 1736), featuring Klimt’s “The Kiss” and “Judith," amongst other masterworks.
19.00 This 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.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1
After a well-deserved sleep-in, we meet early afternoon for a Farewell New Year's Luncheon at Plachutta.
19.00 This evening we attend a performance of Strauss's Die Fledermaus at the Staatsoper.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2
Transfers to the airport for departure flights included.
TOUR INCLUDES
Top Category seats for at least 6 performances including at least 3 operas/operettas
10 nights in 5-star hotels (5 at the Hôtel Bristol Salzburg, where we have Double rooms for singles Superior rooms for couples; 5 at the Sacher in Vienna, where we have Deluxe rooms for singles and couples)
Full breakfast daily plus 10 other meals
Private tours as listed
Airport-hotel transfers
On-site Tour Direction
Comprehensive Tour Guidebook
FLIGHTS
Flights are not included in tour pricing. Flights should be booked to arrive in Salzburg (early afternoon) or Munich (morning) on December 23, and depart from Vienna any time on January 2.
TRANSFERS
We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and departures within 3 days of the start/end of our tour. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.
MOBILITY
There is minimal walking with some stairs and cobblestones during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.
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. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.
Your Tour Director
Richard Koegl
For over three decades, Richard has journeyed to over 140 countries on all seven continents. His world is a daily immersion in cultural and educational realms which he passionately shares with fellow travelers and friends. An expert organizer and always engaging host, Richard has worked with Aria Tours since 2010.