Viennese Christmas

Day 1 London - Vienna Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for the journey to London Heathrow Airport and your direct, scheduled Austrian Airlines flight to Vienna. On arrival you will be transferred to the Lindner Hotel Am Belvedere (4T) and enjoy a welcome drink. Day 2 Vienna This morning we depart for a guided walking tour of Old Vienna. Our tour includes views of the lavish terraced gardens of Prince Eugene’s Belvedere Palace, the State Opera House, the Hofburg residence of Emperor Franz Josef, and the Parliament Buildings. Our tour ends at St Stephen’s Cathedral after which you are free to continue exploring the delights of this fascinating and historic city at leisure. The Belvedere Gallery has a marvellous collection of Austrian as well as international art from the last two centuries, including prominent works of the French Impressionists. Or, by way of contrast, Vienna offers endless opportunities for shopping from large departmental stores, boutiques, antique shops, jewellers and everything that a shopper’s heart desires. Vienna is also renowned for its traditional Christkindlmarkt held in front of the City Hall with imaginatively decorated trees and fairytales portrayed in artistically arranged displays. Café life is a feature of Viennese society and there are numerous places where one can sit and watch the world go by. Day 3 Christmas Eve - Schönbrunn Palace This afternoon we make the short journey by coach to visit Schönbrunn Palace. At Christmas time the palace grounds are transformed with the buzz of excitement as it hosts one of Vienna’s most spectacular Christmas markets. Roasted sausages, gingerbread, toys, and highly decorative Christmas candles, plus much more festive fare are to be enjoyed. Later, we explore the palace itself, where headsets with English commentary will be provided so you can progress at your own pace through the state rooms which are decorated in the Rococo style of the 18th century and filled with frescoes, crystal chandeliers, priceless tapestries and furniture. Day 4 Christmas Day - Vienna This morning is at leisure, you may wish to take a stroll to work up an appetite for your Christmas Day lunch. This afternoon you are free to relax as you wish, or join an optional excursion to the Spanish Imperial Riding School, the world-famous classical school of the beautiful white Lipizzaner stallions, who enchant watchers with their choreographed ceremonial steps. Day 5 Boxing Day - Vienna Woods We have the opportunity to discover a world of enchantment as we explore the snow-capped region of the Vienna Woods. Here, picturesque villages half hidden by the dense pine forests and underground lakes add to the region’s beauty. We travel through the Austrian wine-growing area and visit the charming villages of Mayerling and Heiligenkreuz before returning to the hotel. Day 6 Vienna - London We transfer to Vienna Airport for our direct, scheduled Austrian Airlines flight to London Heathrow Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.