Classic Vienna (from Thessaloniki)

After breakfast, we’ll set out on a full day of exploring Vienna, a city that combines imperial grandeur with modern European life. Our first stop will be the unique Hundertwasserhaus complex, one of the city’s most original architectural landmarks. The colorful facades, irregular windows, curved lines, and trees sprouting from the building are hallmarks of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s unique philosophy. We continue on to the Baroque Belvedere Palace complex, which served as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. We’ll admire the exterior architecture of the Upper Belvedere, the symmetrical gardens, the fountains, and the beautiful view of the city. Today, the palace houses one of the most important collections of Austrian art, with Gustav Klimt’s famous “The Kiss” as its most renowned work. We’ll continue on to Karlplatz, home to the imposing Karlskirche and the famous Musikverein concert hall. We’ll then enter the magnificent Ringstrasse, the boulevard that encircles Vienna’s historic center and is home to some of the city’s most important buildings. Along the way, we’ll see the State Opera House, the imperial Hofburg Palace, Maria-Theresien-Platz, the twin museums of Art History and Natural History, the MuseumsQuartier, the Austrian Parliament, City Hall, the Burgtheater, the University, and the neo-Gothic Votivkirche. This is followed by a walking tour through the heart of old Vienna. We’ll visit the historic Greek Quarter, which was associated with the activities of important Greek merchants, scholars, and philanthropists. We’ll see the impressive Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and continue through the atmospheric alleyways toward St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the city’s most important religious and architectural landmark. We’ll stroll down the elegant Graben boulevard, see the Plague Column, and continue on to Kohlmarkt, one of Vienna’s most luxurious shopping streets. The area is home to historic pastry shops, elegant boutiques, and some of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Free time in the historic center for dining, shopping, or a Viennese coffee accompanied by the famous Sacher Torte or a traditional Apfelstrudel. In the evening, you can optionally attend a Viennese concert featuring works by Mozart, Strauss, and other great composers. The experience of a concert in one of the city’s historic venues is the perfect way to round out your exploration of the world capital of classical music.

After breakfast, you can choose to join our optional full-day excursion to Salzburg, one of the most beautiful and atmospheric cities in Europe. Early in the morning, we’ll depart from Vienna and, traveling through the stunning Austrian countryside, head toward the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg is built on the banks of the Salzach River, at the foot of the Alps, and is renowned for its Baroque architecture, its squares, domes, and the imposing fortress that towers over the city. Upon our arrival, we’ll begin our tour at the impressive gardens of Mirabell Palace, with their symmetrical flower beds, statues, and unique view of Hohensalzburg Fortress. We’ll pass through Makartplatz and the house where Mozart’s family lived for a time. Crossing the Salzach River, we’ll enter the historic center and the famous Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s best-known shopping street. Here stands the house where Mozart was born, with its distinctive yellow facade, as well as traditional shops with striking metal signs. We’ll continue on to Residenzplatz, the impressive Cathedral, Mozartplatz, and the historic St. Peter’s Abbey. We’ll stroll through the picturesque alleys, small inner courtyards, and squares that retain the atmosphere of a bygone era. There will be free time for lunch, shopping, a visit to Mozart’s house, or a cable car ride up to the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress. From the top of the hill, the view of the old town, the river, and the surrounding Alpine peaks is truly unique. In the afternoon, we’ll depart for Vienna, where we’ll arrive in the evening.

Alternative suggestions for those staying in Vienna! Those who do not choose the excursion to Salzburg will have the entire day free to explore Vienna according to their personal interests, always with guidance and suggestions from our tour guide. You can visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the Empress Sissi Museum, which showcases the personal life of Empress Elisabeth, as well as the imperial apartments and the famous Habsburg silver collection. Art lovers can choose between the Museum of Art History, the Albertina, the Leopold Museum, or the interior of the Belvedere. The Natural History Museum, located directly across from the Museum of Art History, is also of particular interest. Another option is a visit to the Spanish Riding School and the stables of the famous white Lipizzaner horses, or a guided tour of the State Opera House. For a more relaxed day, you can stroll through the Naschmarkt, visit the shopping street Mariahilfer Strasse, enjoy a coffee at the historic Café Central, Café Landtmann, or Café Sacher, and sample local flavors at a traditional Viennese restaurant. You can also visit the Prater, with its iconic giant Ferris wheel, or climb the Danube Tower for a panoramic view of the entire city. For the evening, we recommend a performance at the Opera, a classical concert, or a traditional dinner at one of the renowned wineries in the Grinzing district.

Early in the morning, after breakfast and checking out of our rooms, we set off on a beautiful excursion to the southwestern outskirts of Vienna, to the famous Vienna Woods. This lush green region has been a source of inspiration for great composers and artists, such as Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss, and Schubert. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, the small villages, and the forested slopes surrounding the Austrian capital. We will visit the Mayerling area, known for the tragic and mysterious story of the heir to the Austrian throne, Prince Rudolf, and Baroness Maria Vetsera. The former imperial hunting lodge is associated with one of the most talked-about events in the history of the Habsburg dynasty. We will then head to the elegant spa town of Baden, a favorite resort of the Austrian aristocracy. We’ll stroll through its historic center and see the famous casino, City Hall, the Plague Monument, and the house where Beethoven worked on his Ninth Symphony and the famous “Ode to Joy.” After our brief tour, we’ll depart for the famous Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs and one of Europe’s most significant palace complexes. The palace is associated with Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, and Empress Elisabeth—known as Sissi. There, we’ll stroll through the magnificent gardens, enjoy the panoramic view of the palace and Vienna, and take the customary souvenir photos. Then we’ll head to Vienna International Airport for our return flightflight