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Österreichische Nationalbibliothek - Vienna, Austria

Essential Austria

Sail down the beautiful rivers

The perfect introduction to Austria, Essential Austria is designed to introduce you to some of the sites you need to see on your first trip to the country, with the experience that only Exeter International can provide.

The Basics

Six nights in city’s top hotels, inclusive of tax and breakfast
Private airport transportation to and from your hotel
Private Exeter Guide at your service as described in the program
Entrance Fees to all the sites mentioned in the program
24-hour, English-speaking local assistance in case of emergency or changes

For custom luxury travel and tours to Austria, please contact one of our travel experts.

Download a PDF itinerary here : Essential Austria 2022

Munich- Salzburg | Munich- Salzburg Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg

Morning arrival, into Salzburg from Munich airport. Your driver will be waiting for you outside of baggage claim to transfer you south from Munich and over the border to Salzburg.

This afternoon, after time to freshen up, meet your guide at 2PM in your hotel lobby for an overview walking tour of historic Salzburg. Salzburg’s Old Town with its world-famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in Europe and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a journey to the “top” of the city. The Hohensalzburg fortress, strategically located on a hill overlooking the old town, is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. because the fortress actually never came under a military siege and was surrendered without a fight to Napoleon’s army, this is one of the best-preserved castles in Europe.

You will also see the Salzburg Cathedral, a 17th-century Baroque building which was the site of Mozart’s baptism. St. Rupert also founded the Benedictine St. Peter’s abbey, the oldest monastery in Austria. The Romanesque abbey church, still in use today, was dedicated in the 12th Century.

Salzburg’s most famous son is of course Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and you will get a chance to visit his birthplace, if you are interested. Later today, if time allows, you might also like to see the Mirabell Palace, located on the bank of the Salzach River, which was supposedly built by a local archbishop for his Jewish mistress.

All throughout your sightseeing today, you’ll also be noticing sites from The Sound of Music, including Mirabel Gardens (Do-Re-Mi), the abbey and the cemetery where the family hid from the Nazis.

Exeter Services
Arrival Transfer, Guide (3 hours)

Hotel
Sacher

Salzburg | Salzburg St Wolfgang nr Salzburg

This morning your guide and driver will take you through Salzkammergut – the Lake District. This gorgeous region is dotted with picturesque towns, lakes and mountains and gives you a glimpse into the stunning landscape that has made this region so famous. Today’s exploration includes St. Gilgen, Lake Wolfgang, and the Sound of Music wedding church in Mondsee. This is Austria’s Romantic Road.

St. Wolfgang is one of the most beautiful towns in the area. Here you will board a local boat with your guide and cruise along Wolfgangsee Lake to the neighboring town of St. Gilgen. Your driver will meet you after your cruise.

Finally, if you’re interested, stop by Mondsee to see its colorful market square and stop at the cloister church used as the wedding church in The Sound of Music.

Exeter Services
Vehicle, Driver & Guide (4 hours)

Hotel
Sacher

Salzburg | Salzburg EaglesNest, Salzburg

Your driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby this morning. In the Bavarian Alps, above the Obersalzberg stands the former mountain residence of Hitler. It offers magnificent views across the snowcapped peaks of the surrounding mountains. Passing the Castle Hellbrunn, through Anif, you will arrive at the German border. If you would like, your driver will take you to the famous salt mines of Salzburg (which are actually now in Germany!). This fascinating tour will take you deep into the mountains of Salzburg to show you underground lakes, historic and current mining techniques and even exciting wooden slides. It’s a great break for kids!

Driving along the Königseeache, through the lovely valley and picturesque farmland to Unterau you start your ascent to the Obersalzberg. Here you stop to see what is left of Hitler’s mountain compound and to enjoy the wonderful panorama (view of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest).

On the way back to Salzburg, you may also stop in villages of Berchtesgaden or Anif, if time permits.

Exeter Services
Vehicle, Driver & Guide (4 hours)

Hotel
Sacher

Salzburg-Vienna | Salzburg-Vienna Vienna, Austria

This morning transfer to the train station for the three-hour train to Vienna. Upon arrival in Vienna, your personal driver will welcome you for transfer to your deluxe hotel in the city center. Train tickets are not included but will be quoted separately. Austrian Rail has great rates for families traveling together.
This afternoon your guide will meet you at your hotel. Vienna is a wonderful city to see on foot, as most major sights are located very close together. During your walk this morning with your guide, you will see the soaring St. Stephens Cathedral with its unusual colored ceramic tile roof. Your guide will take you through the interior of the cathedral and, if you have the energy, you can climb to the top of the steeple for a spectacular view over central Vienna!
Later, you will see parts of the Hapsburg’s Hofburg Palace complex and the rest of the “ring” that encircles historic Vienna. You may even want to ride the tram that runs the ring after you finish with your touring – this is the perfect way to take in most of the major sights of the city! Be sure not to miss the world-famous Vienna Opera House, the Town Hall, and other major sights on the ring.
Afterwards, you can continue on your walking tour with a visit to the Hofburg Treasury. Considered the most important treasury in the world, you’ll step inside the oldest part of the Hofburg Palace – dating back to the 13th century. The riches inside include the Emperor’s Crown of the Holy Roman Empire from 962AD and the Treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Don’t miss the “unicorn” horn among the treasures!
When you exit the Hofburg, your guide will show you some of the most famous coffeehouses of Vienna, including Demel, located not far from the Hofburg. Demel is the perfect place to stop for a rest and a snack.

Exeter Services
Station Transfer (Salzburg & Vienna), Guide (3 hours)

Hotel
Sacher

Vienna | Vienna Schonbrunn Palace - Vienna, Austria

This morning your driver and guide will take you to the famous Schönbrunn Palace, the summer home of the Hapsburgs. You have an early start today as you’ll be baking your own mid-morning snack!
The design of Schönbrunn is bound largely to the personality of Maria Theresa, one of the Hapsburg’s greatest Empresses. Originally designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer Von Erlach, Maria Theresa gave Nikolaus Pacassi the contract to expand the summer palace. The palace stands today as a combination of Austrian Rococo and Classic Baroque symmetry.
Exeter International Extraordinary Experience
Before your visit to Schönbrunn today, step into the Café Residenz on the grounds to learn the secrets of Austrian strudel. You are first welcomed with a chef’s outfit to wear during your class, then you will begin your strudel lesson in the extensive kitchens. You will receive detailed instruction on your strudel making and you will do everything, from cutting the apples to rolling the dough and, at the end, slicing the strudel. At the end of your workshop, you will sample a freshly baked apple strudel.
Next, your guide will take you to the famous Schönbrunn Palace for a tour of the Imperial Staterooms. This route takes you through the 22 most magnificent rooms in the palace, including the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, as well as a tour of the Rococo state rooms.
Later your guide will take you to the Naschmarkt, for a glimpse into one of the best markets in Vienna. This market dates to the 16th century and now features a huge array of food, from fresh fruits and vegetables, to spices, bread and pastries. There are also several small restaurants featuring different cuisines – the perfect place to stop for an afternoon respite.

Exeter Services
Vehicle, Driver & Guide (8 hours)

Hotel
Sacher

Vienna | Vienna

Panoramic,View,At,Sunny,Day,Of,Famous,Landmark,Belvedere,Palace

This morning your driver and guide will take you to Belvedere Palace and Gardens. This palace, built as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, is situated on a gently sloping hill. The two main palaces (upper and lower) are linked by formal French gardens and both now house wonderful art collections. Upper Belvedere holds a wonderful collection of 19th and 20th century art, while the lower palace houses a fine collection of art and sculpture from Vienna’s Golden Age (approx. 1683 to 1780).
This is one of the most amazing collections of Klimt in the world and you will have ample time to explore the exhibition. Afterward, you might want to hop on the Ring Tram with your guide to take the short journey around the historic Ring that encircles Vienna. You’ll see all the most important buildings and monuments of the city in this one journey.

Exeter Services
Vehicle, Driver & Guide (4 hours)

Hotel
Sacher