Germany - Austria - Hungary - Slovakia: "In the Footsteps of the Habsburgs" (SOLD OUT)

Tour start date(s):	2024-09-14 (sold out)
Duration:	10 days/9 nights
Location:	Munich (arrival, 3 nights) - Salzburg (1 night) - Graz (1 night) - Budapest (2 nights) - Vienna (2 nights, departure)
Price (including tax):	DBL $2140 USD; SNGL $2600 USD

Route: Munich (arrival, 3 nights) - Salzburg (1 night) - Graz (1 night) - Budapest (2 nights) - Vienna (2 nights, departure)**

 

**4 countries, 3 capitals, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites**The Habsburgs were one of Europe’s oldest and most powerful dynasties. They ruled over half of Europe, were emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and governed Austria-Hungary, as well as kings of Spain and Portugal.

 

We will begin our journey in Munich. The city was under Habsburg rule during their time in the Holy Roman Empire but later became a battleground between Austria-Hungary and Prussia. From Munich, we will move on to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, visit Graz, Bratislava, and, of course, the magnificent imperial cities of Budapest and Vienna.

**14.09.24 - Munich**

 

Arrival in Munich. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. 

Walking tour of Munich (approx. 2 hours). During the tour, you'll see the Karlstor (one of the three remaining medieval city gates), the Frauenkirche cathedral, the New and Old Town Halls, St. Michael's Church, and St. Peter's Church (the oldest Catholic parish in Munich, with a tower known as "Old Peter"), the Bavarian National Opera, the Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz squares, Hofbräuhaus - the famous "court brewery", and learn about the history of Bavaria’s capital and the ruling Wittelsbach dynasty at the Alter Hof and the royal residence. Overnight in Munich.

 

**15.09.24 - Munich**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour (by bus) of Munich. 

On this bus tour, you'll see the Viktualienmarkt, the Deutsches Museum (the largest museum of science and technology in the world), the Bavarian National Museum, the cultural complex Gasteig (home to the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra), the Bavarian Parliament (Maximilianeum), the Isar Gate, the Wittelsbach Bridge over the Isar, the bronze statue of the Angel of Peace in the Bogenhausen district, Theresienwiese (site of the famous Munich Oktoberfest), and the symbol of Bavaria - the Bavaria statue. 

Free time for lunch. 

Visit to Nymphenburg Palace. Nymphenburg is a baroque palace complex of the Bavarian rulers located in modern-day Munich (the western district of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg). It is listed as a historical and cultural monument. Overnight in Munich.

 

**16.09.24 - Munich**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Bavarian Alps. 

In the Bavarian Alps, near the Austrian border, stands the fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II. Neuschwanstein is built on the site of the ruins of two old fortresses. Ludwig II allegedly ordered the blasting of the rocks and lowering of the plateau by eight meters to make space for the construction of this "fairy-tale" palace. The foundation stone was laid on September 5, 1869. The king personally approved every drawing, so many considered the castle his personal achievement and creation. Ludwig II designed it as an architectural wonder in the medieval style. The castle includes a knight’s hall, a huge 90-meter tower with a chapel, a park with terraces and a fountain. The castle's decor is inspired by Wagnerian operas and ancient country legends. The swan motif permeates the entire architectural part of the castle. Neuschwanstein later became a symbol of Walt Disney's magical world. 

Visit to Ettal Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery famous for its herbal liqueurs and delicious beer, the recipe of which has been kept secret since the 14th century. Overnight in Munich.

 

**17.09.24 - Munich - Salzburg**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Salzburg (144 km, 1h50m). 

Walking tour of Old Salzburg (2.5-3 hours). Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

During the walking tour of Salzburg’s historic center, you’ll see the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the house where the Mozart family lived, the Holy Trinity Church, the house of the great physicist C. Doppler, the birthplace of the famous conductor Herbert von Karajan, the birthplace of W.A. Mozart, the University Church, the first university building, the world-famous festival buildings, one of Europe’s oldest monasteries - St. Peter’s Monastery (582 AD), the early Christian cemetery and catacombs (2nd-4th centuries AD), the largest fortress in Europe - Hohensalzburg, Cathedral Square and the Salzburg Cathedral, the Residence Square with the buildings of the two archbishop residences, the Old Market Square with its famous café and pastry shop, a walk along the Salzach River, Jewish Street, and the medieval merchant street Getreidegasse. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Salzburg.

 

**18.09.24 - Salzburg - Graz**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and continue the Salzburg tour. 

We will visit the medieval inner courtyard of the fortress, climb to the viewing platform for magnificent views of the Salzburg region and neighboring Bavaria. We will visit the fortress church, the internal "golden" rooms of the archbishop, the world’s largest medieval tiled stove, the unique Salzburg Bull organ, the torture chamber, the historical weapons museum, etc. 

Transfer to Graz (278 km, 3h20m). Check-in at the hotel in Graz. Overnight in Graz.

 

**19.09.24 - Graz - Budapest**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Walking tour of Graz – the capital of Styria (2 hours). Graz, the capital of Styria, is the second-largest city in Austria. It was declared a cultural capital by UNESCO in 2003, and the Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Graz is a center of the Austrian automotive and electronics industries, a city of three universities with the only rock music and jazz faculty in Europe. 

You’ll explore the centuries-old history of the once-glorious Habsburg residence, stroll through the Renaissance courtyards, visit the inner courtyard of the Styrian Parliament, see the main square and the Town Hall, the Arsenal, St. Giles' Cathedral, the Franciscan Quarter. 

We will ascend to Schlossberg Hill, where we will explore the remains of the fortress wall and enjoy panoramic views of the city. 

Check out from the hotel and transfer to Budapest (346 km, 3h45m). Check-in at the Budapest hotel. Overnight in Budapest.

 

**20.09.24 - Budapest**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

City tour of Budapest (4 hours), including the main landmarks and history: visit Heroes' Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Avenue (the “Champs-Élysées” of Budapest), the Parliament, Fishermen's Bastion, Royal Palace, and Matthias Church. Climb Gellért Hill for a wonderful panoramic view of the Danube and the city. The tour ends in the pedestrian zone of Pest or at Heroes’ Square. 

In the afternoon, excursion to Szentendre (22 km, 35m) - the city of artists, museums, and the center of Orthodoxy in Hungary. Visit the Marzipan Museum. Walk through the historical center. Optional tasting and visit to the Marzipan Museum (extra charge). Return to Budapest. Overnight in Budapest.

 

**21.09.24 - Budapest - Bratislava - Vienna**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to Bratislava (201 km, 2h20m). 

City tour of Bratislava, which boasts a surprisingly beautiful historical center. Walk through the picturesque historical center, visit Bratislava Castle, see the New Bridge, Fishermen’s Gate, St. Martin’s Cathedral, and the Old Town Hall, as well as the National Theatre of Slovakia. 

Transfer to Vienna (79 km, 1h). Check-in at the Vienna hotel. Overnight in Vienna.

 

**22.09.24 - Vienna**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour of the historic center (approx. 2 hours): 

Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, walk along the historic shopping streets of Graben and Kohlmarkt, visit the Imperial Residence Hofburg, stop near the Habsburg Mausoleum at the New Market and at the square near the Albertina Palace. 

In the afternoon: panoramic bus tour (approx. 3 hours): 

Drive along the Ringstrasse, see the Vienna State Opera, Parliament, City Hall, and other buildings by famous 19th-century architects, and visit the Belvedere Palace from the Baroque era. At the Danube Canal, stop at one of Europe’s most original residential buildings created by Austrian artist and architectural dissident Friedensreich Hundertwasser. From Hundertwasserhaus, it’s a short walk to Prater – Vienna’s popular amusement and leisure park, and then to the Great Danube and the modern UNO-City. 

Visit Schönbrunn Palace: tour of the palace and park with a guide. Overnight in Vienna.

 

**23.09.24 - Vienna**

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Vienna airport. Departure from Vienna.

 

**Hotels:**

 

- 14-17.09.24: Leonardo Hotel & Residenz Munich 4*

- 17-18.09.24: Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Messe 3*

- 18-19.09.24: Intercity Hotel Graz 3*

- 19-21.09.24: Hotel Benczur Budapest 3*

- 21-23.09.24: Hotel Terminus Wien 3*

 

**Included in the tour price:**

 

- Accommodation in 4-3* hotels with breakfast

- Transportation along the route (bus)

- Russian-speaking guide for the entire route

- Excursions with a Russian-speaking guide according to the program

- Entrance tickets

 

**Not included in the tour price:**

 

- Tips for the driver and guide

- Hotel taxes payable upon check-in