Austria A la Carte Private Vacation

Upon arrival, meet your driver for a private transfer to your selected hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the elegant capital of Austria.

Meet your guide at your hotel and prepare to explore the world famous “Naschmarkt” food market for a private tour through the “belly of Vienna.” With a local guide, you will dive into the culinary world of this Viennese institution. At carefully selected booths, you will get to know not only outstanding specialties, but also the spirit of life in Vienna. Continue for an exclusive private tour of the famous Spanish Riding School. You will visit the Winter Riding School, a gem of Baroque architecture, the Summer Riding School and the stables in the Stallburg, Vienna’s most significant Renaissance building, with its beautiful arcade courtyard and the historical stables of the Lipizzaner stallions. (B)

Enjoy a private day trip to the Wachau Valley, where you will enjoy the most beautiful parts of the Danube River. The region is well known for its wines, fruits and for being one of the oldest and most historical parts of Austria. You will visit the baroque Benedictine Abbey of Melk with its imperial rooms, the marble hall and the famous library with its 80,000 tomes, a rich collection of miniature manuscripts from the 12th century onwards. Drive back to Vienna after this relaxing day. (B)

Meet your driver at your hotel for private transfer south from Vienna to the city of Graz, Austria’s second largest city. In the afternoon, enjoy a private city highlights tour, which will capture you with its southern flair and charm. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage old town and the lifeline of this young student city, the Mur River. During the tour, you will also visit the Armory of Graz “Landeszeughaus,” which houses the largest historical armory in the world with over 13,000 artifacts, small arms and accessories from the military. (B)

Meet your guide at your hotel and for a private full day excursion to Riegersburg, with the possibility of a visit to the Falcon and Eagle Science Center for a demonstration in falconry and explanation of rehabilitation efforts as well as a visit to the Zotter Chocolate Factory, complete with a tasting. 850-year-old Riegersburg Castle was remarkable in the medieval age of Christianity. The castle is perched on volcanic core rock face and provides views of the magnificent vineyards of southeastern Styria. (B)

In the morning, meet your driver for a private transfer to Salzburg, the city of Mozart. The remainder of the day will is at your leisure to explore Mozart’s hometown. You may wish to participate in an optional private tour of Mozart’s birthplace, his residence, Getreidegasse, the Cathedral, and the Residence Palace or Mirabell Palace, with its splendid gardens, also one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music. (B)

Meet your guide at your hotel and enjoy a private drive along the beautiful scenery of the lake area around Salzburg during this day trip to Hallstatt. In Hallstatt, a cable car will bring you up to the skywalk, which will give you stunning views over the mountains and lake. After a short walk, you will reach the Hallstatt salt mines, where you will be provided with protective clothing before boarding a former miner’s train for a ride into the heart of the mountain. Note: Salt mines are closed between November and March. (B)

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to the airport or train station to continue on to your next destination. (B)