Austria's Great Moments

Travel via St. Gallen and Munich to Linz in Upper Austria.

Today you head to the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landscape designed for well-being. Vine-covered slopes line the riverbanks, and the deep blue Danube winds its way through the picturesque scenery. Numerous castles and palaces shape the setting. First, you visit the medieval town of Dürnstein, which you can explore in your free time. The Wachau is known in particular for its exceptionally sweet apricots (Marillen), and various specialities such as fine spirits, cakes and jams are exported from this region around the world. Visiting a Wachau apricot family, you enjoy an expert-guided tasting, "The Wachau Apricot". Onward journey to Vienna.

After a generous breakfast buffet, you get to know Vienna today on a varied city tour, taking in the famous Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings such as the State Opera, the Hofburg and the Parliament. Afterwards you enjoy free time in the city centre, go shopping as you please or treat yourself to a delicious slice of cake in one of Vienna's famous coffee houses. In the late afternoon, you head to the Wurstelprater, Vienna's most popular amusement park, which you can explore on a leisurely stroll, before enjoying a Viennese schnitzel menu for dinner.

Enjoy a day in Vienna entirely at your own pace. (Optional) This morning you visit the Habsburgs' summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace, which you see as part of the Grand Tour: take a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace (audio guide included) and be overwhelmed by the magnificent Rococo decor that distinguishes the palace. Stroll through 40 sumptuous rooms and get a sense of what life in the imperial dynasty was like. See precious rooms from the 18th century, from the era of Maria Theresa. After the visit, enjoy some free time in the beautiful palace gardens. Afterwards you visit the Viennese favourite market, the Naschmarkt. Wander through its lanes and sample delicacies and specialities. In the evening you are welcomed to a Heuriger (wine tavern) dinner. Look forward to the unique atmosphere.

Today you travel to the southernmost federal state, Burgenland, also known as Austria's Land of Sunshine, and first visit the city of Haydn, Eisenstadt. In the wine-producing town of Rust on Lake Neusiedl, you later taste well-known wines from Burgenland in a wine cellar. After visiting this charming town, you continue to Lake Neusiedl, where your ship is waiting for you. Enjoy the "Viennese Sea" at your leisure from the water. Afterwards you continue to the Styrian capital, Graz.

Discover the old town of Graz on a guided walk. From Schlossberg hill you enjoy a magnificent view. Narrow alleys, romantic courtyards, and every architectural style from Gothic through Renaissance and Baroque to modern times come together in Europe's most beautiful old town. Free time follows. Then you travel through the Salzkammergut towards Salzburg. In the spa town of Bad Ischl, where the most famous imperial couple, Sissi and Franz, spent their summer holidays, you make a stop. Stroll through the town before continuing to Salzburg.

In the morning you explore the enchanting city of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided tour. Visit Mozart's birthplace, the cathedral and the Getreidegasse to experience the historic atmosphere. The afternoon is at your free disposal to discover the city further or simply relax. (Optional) An unforgettable evening high above the rooftops of Salzburg awaits you at the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress. Look forward to a stylish dinner in historic surroundings, with a magnificent view over the old town. The evening is rounded off with a classical concert featuring works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his contemporaries. Truly a highlight that will linger long in the memory.

Return journey via the scenic Arlberg route to Switzerland.