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Vienna at Christmas - Art and architecture in the Habsburg capital
- One of the world’s most beautiful cities – grand boulevards and picturesque alleys, great architecture and outstanding art.
- The Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of Europe’s greatest art galleries, is among the many outstanding museum collections.
- Perfectly located heritage hotel.
- Includes tickets to two performances, including one at the Staatsoper.
Vienna was once the seat of the Habsburgs, the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and capital of a multinational agglomeration of territories which encompassed much of Central and Eastern Europe. Today it is an imperial city without an empire. It is a relic, but a glorious relic, and one of the world’s foremost centres of art, architecture and music.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum ranks with the best of Europe’s art collections, and the Court Treasury is without peer for its historic regalia and objets d’art. The great Gothic cathedral bears witness to the city’s status in the Middle Ages as the most important city in Danubian Europe; the Church of St Charles and numerous Baroque palaces demonstrate that by the beginning of the 18th century Austria had become one of the great powers.
During the 19th century, when the empire reached a peak of prosperity and prestige, a splendid range of historicist buildings was added, notably on the Ringstrasse, the grand boulevard which encircles the medieval core. Around the turn of the century there was an explosion of artistic and intellectual activity which placed Vienna at the forefront of Art Nouveau – here known as Secessionism – and the development of modernism.
Not all is on a grand scale. Tucked behind the imposing palaces and public buildings are narrow passages and ancient courtyards which survive from the medieval and Renaissance city. In Vienna the magnificent mixes with the unpretentiously charming, imperial display with the Gemütlichkeit of the coffee houses.
As with the planning of all our Christmas tours, careful research into seasonal closures and several special arrangements enable us to provide a full programme of visits.
Itinerary
Practicalities
Two sharing: US$7,370 or US$6,890 without flights. Single occupancy: US$8,730 or US$8,250 without flights.
Travel by private coach; accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners with wine; all admission charges; all tips for waiters, drivers; all taxes; services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Music: tickets for 2 performances are included in the price of the tour. Programmes are confirmed in the summer.
Grand Hotel Wien: Luxury hotel in a superb location on the Ringstrasse just a few steps to the opera house, traditionally furnished and decorated. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
There is quite a lot of walking and standing around in museums and churches.
Between 10 and 22 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
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