Austria | Imperial Castles Tour
Tour the legacies of the centuries when European imperial emperors and countries competed to build the largest, most ornate, and most expensive castles and palaces. Tour inside and explore the elaborate gardens. Castle, palace and regional highlights include the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Hluboka, Prague Castle and Cesky Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic, Schonbrunn in Vienna, Fortress Hohensalzburg, Castle Hellbrunn and Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, and the Golden Roof in Innsbruck.
| Duration: | 10 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW441 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 21 Sep 2012 |
| Price: | From $3,090 |
| Single Supplement: | $320 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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Trip Details
Day 1 - WELCOME TO MUNICH
Arrival in MUNICH, Germany. At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. the complimentary transfers depart from the airport to your hotel in Munich. You have time in the afternoon to rest from your trip or to do some Munich sightseeing on your own.
Tonight you'll meet your travelling companions and tour director, and enjoy a welcome dinner at the Hofbrauhaus, the world's most famous beer hall. Overnight in Munich. (D)
Day 2 - MUNICH, NUREMBERG, PRAGUE
After breakfast we head north to NUREMBERG (Nürnberg or Nuernberg in German, sometimes Nurnberg on the net), the former free Imperial City dominated by a large fortress, the Burg. An orientation drive features the landmarks of the city and ends on the main square, the Hauptmarkt, where each year Germany's most famous Christmas Market takes place. Free time for early lunch in the city centre before we continue our journey.
We head east to PRAGUE, the immortal capital of the Czech Republic, also called the Golden City or the Mother of Cities. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll through the old town with your local guide. See the Jewish Prague, Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock, and enjoy a great Bohemian dinner in Town tonight. Overnight: Hotel Mövenpick in Prague. (B,D)
Day 3 - PRAGUE
Today in PRAGUE you are going to spend all morning at one the largest castles in the world, Hradcany or Prague Castle. There was already a castle in the 9th century. It was rebuilt in the 14th century in gothic style under Charles IV, and given its final style under Empress Maria Theresa. Today it is the historical and political centre of both city and state.
Enjoy a free afternoon and evening for shopping or to join the locals on Wenceslas square, visit one of the many museums, go for a stroll in the park or along the Vltava River, maybe get a ticket for an opera tonight. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight: Hotel Moevenpick in Prague. (B)
Day 4 - VIENNA
We say goodbye to Prague this morning and head southeast to VIENNA, the capital of Austria and at one time capital of one of the largest empires in Europe. We arrive in time for lunch in Vienna, after a drive along the Ring Road which offers Vienna's most famous sights: Opera, Hofburg, National Museum, Town hall, Burgtheater, University, Parliament and much more. Afterwards join your local guide for a walking tour of the heart of Vienna, including an inside visit at St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy free time for shopping on Kaertnerstrasse or Graben or more sightseeing. We have an unforgettable dinner in a typical Heurigen tonight. Overnight: Hotel Ananas in Vienna. (B,D)
Day 5 - VIENNA, SCHONBRUNN
This morning in VIENNA we bypass the long lines with pre-arranged access to see Schonbrunn (Schönbrunn or Schonbrunn in German), Austria's answer to Louis XIV's Versailles. See Maria Theresa's summer palace and enjoy free time in the splendid baroque garden. Inside guided tour with local specialist. Afterwards you are shown how apple strudel is made in the Imperial Kitchen, and you may try it together with a cup of coffee.
Afternoon and evening at leisure. The to-do list is endless. Maybe ride the Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater, known from the movie "The Third Man", visit the Opera or the Hofburg from the inside, relax in one of the beautiful parks, spend time in a typical "Kaffehaus", or sign up for a classical concert. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight: Hotel Ananas in Vienna, (B)
Day 6 - HLUBOKA, CESKY KRUMLOV
After breakfast we leave Vienna and back into the Czech Republic to HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU. The town of Hluboka nad Vltavou (4,500 citizens) is famous, above all, for its stunning Hluboka Chateau, built in the Windsor Neo-Gothic style, with its splendid interiors. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is situated in the middle of a large English park. Adjacent to the castle is the Ales South Bohemian Gallery with a unique exposition of Bohemian medieval art (a well-known collection of Gothic Madonnas) and equally attractive twentieth-century art.
From there a very short ride to CESKY KRUMLOV, one of the best preserved medieval towns in the world. On the UNESCO World Heritage list it ranks Number Two, only after Venice. After free time for lunch, join your local guide for a tour of the Castle of Cesky Krumlov, founded by the Lords of Krumlov in the thirteenth century. It is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, after Prague Castle. Overnight: Hotel Ruze in Cesky Krumlov. (B,D)
Day 7 - SALZBURG
After breakfast we go south the scenic way - along the Vltava River to SALZBURG, this world famous city where upon arrival you are met by your local specialist for a guided walking tour. See the Mirabell Gardens, Getreidegasse with Mozart's Birthplace, the Cathedral and take the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg for an inside guided tour.
In the evening a surprise: dinner in Castle Hellbrunn, one of the settings for the Sound of Music. Enjoy a fantastic Castle Dinner and see the Trick Fountains in the famous Garden of Hellbrunn. Overnight: Hotel Austrotel in Salzburg. (B,D)
Day 8 - INNSBRUCK
Today we depart for INNSBRUCK on the scenic Alpine road via St. Johann. Upon arrival in the capital of the Tyrol enjoy a nice stroll to see the famous little Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl in German) below the impressive Austrian Alps, the fine baroque church, the Hofburg, built by Empress Maria Theresia, and maybe shop for Swarovski Crystal, which is made in Innsbruck.
In the evening, we have a nice Tyrolean dinner and a traditional folklore show with yodeling, alphorn blowing, Schuhplatting and dancing. Overnight in Innsbruck. (B,D)
Day 9 - LINDERHOF, MUNICH
Today we say goodbye to Austria and the Inn Valley and soon after leaving Innsbruck we cross the border back into Germany. Morning break in LINDERHOF, Bavarian King Ludwig II's beautiful castle hidden deep in the forest, not far from Oberammergau. Ludwig spent more time at Linderhof than his other castles, and it served as a background for the romantic fantasies of the young king. We visit the Castle from the inside with a castle guide. Afterwards we take a look into the Grotto and the Kiosk. Time to explore the beautiful gardens on your own.
From here we continue back to MUNICH. In the afternoon you have tickets to tour THE RESIDENCE, the winter palace of the Wittelsbach family that ruled Bavaria for 800 years. Although originally dating from the 14th century, subsequent additions and alterations gave the Residence a variety of architectural styles, though Renaissance features predominate. The complex of buildings contains ten courtyards and the museum displays 130 rooms. The Antiquarium, built in 1571, is the oldest part of the palace and houses the family's collection of antiquities. The Treasury holds an exquisite array of diamonds, rubies and other precious stones. Overnight in Munich. (B,D)
Day 10 - HOME FROM MUNICH
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen". One final breakfast and then transfer to MUNICH Airport for your return flight home. (B)
YOUR TOUR DIRECTOR
Astrid Baur is a German native who has successfully conducted over 200 tours throughout Europe and Germany for thousands of happy clients. Astrid organises the tour personally and will take you around Bavaria, which she knows by heart. The tour language is English only.
You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go. The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are not rushed. And there is no packing and unpacking, as we stay in the same place every night.
Inclusions
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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