On this custom 10-day music appreciation tour, you'll experience the finest art and culture that Austria has to offer! Learn about the legends who helped define a genre as you visit the European capital of classical music. Feed your mind, body, and spirit as you dine at the nation's premier restaurants and enjoy an assortment of hand selected wines from local vineyards. With a number of unique and memorable experiences including a visit to the Augarten Palace to attend a rehearsal of the Vienna Boys' Choir (typically off-limits to the public), a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Opera House, and a private champagne reception on the rooftop of St. Stephen's Cathedral, find out why Encore means more.
Register now with a $200 risk-free deposit and all payments are fully refundable through March 1, 2021. Space is limited to 20 participants, so sign up today to save your spot.
Depart from the US
Arrive into Vienna, a city of incomparable musical heritage. You will meet your Encore tour manager at the airport and transfer to the 5-star Hotel Imperial to freshen up and relax. This evening, the group will meet in the hotel lobby and walk to St. Stephen´s Cathedral where we will have an exclusive reception with a glass of Champagne in the roof attic, overlooking the wonderful Stephansplatz! Enjoy a traditional Wiener Schnitzel in one of Vienna's restaurants tonight! (D)
After a hearty breakfast, visit the Central Cemetery where you can view the resting places of Europe’s Musical Greats; Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Schoenberg and many more are buried here. On returning to the city center, you will see the Ringstrasse with its impressive architecture, vast squares and parks. This afternoon enjoy a traditional Viennese coffee & cake at Café Frauenhuber, where Mozart and Beethoven performed chamber music several times. In the afternoon, a guide will take you on a walking tour of the city center. You will walk with your expert guide in the footsteps of Mozart, seeing the locales where he composed his most famous pieces, where he died and St. Michael’s Church, where his Requiem was premiered at his own death mass. Included is a visit to the famous Mozart House hidden in the little streets of Vienna. End at the magnificent St. Stephen´s Cathedral, where many composers married, were laid out to rest or had their funeral masses. Tonight, enjoy your individual dinner in one of the city’s many renowned restaurants. (B)
This morning, visit the home of Johann Strauss, composer of the famous Donauwalzer (Blue Danube Waltz). Afterwards, you will have the unique opportunity to visit the home of the Vienna Boys Choir, the Augarten Palace, which is not normally open to the public. Here, attend a rehearsal and enjoy an exclusive lunch in the refectory of their boarding school. Later this afternoon, explore the life of the great Ludwig van Beethoven with visits to his houses, that are now museums, where he lived, wrote his testament and where he composed his only opera, Fidelio, and famous third symphony. Enjoy a glass of wine and dinner at the Heurigen (wine tavern) Mayer am Pfarrplatz, where Beethoven lived in 1817. (B,D)
This morning, we will journey through the life of Joseph Haydn as we visit the Haydn house in the 6th district before departing for nearby Eisenstadt. Here, we will visit the Esterhazy Palace where Haydn worked and where he would perform to the wealthy elite in the famous “Haydnsaal.” While visiting the town, you will also see the architecturally unique Bergkirche where Haydn rests and where you will learn about the strange story of Haydn´s lost head! This afternoon, enjoy a special behind-the-scenes tour of the State Opera House followed by a talk given by the Opera's Youth Choir Director (subject to final scheduling). Enjoy dinner on your own, followed by an evening performance, such as Mozart’s ‘Die Entführung aus dem Serail’ (The Abduction from the Seraglio) in the State Opera House! (B)
This morning, you will visit the birth place of Schubert in the 9th district of Vienna. It is hard to imagine that in these small rooms and kitchen, 16 children were born and raised! You will then visit the beautiful Liechtental Schubert Church just around the corner, where the composer was baptized, had his first musical education and where he played the organ. Next, enjoy a guided visit to the famed Musikverein where you will learn the history of Vienna's most beautiful and famous concert hall, followed by a music lecture from a current member of the Vienna Philharmonic! The afternoon is free for leisure and shopping in town. A great stop is at the famous music shop, Doblinger's, where you can buy some scores or stroll through the lovely little pathways of Vienna. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own, then attend a performance, such as Concentus Musicus Wien Mozart, Michael & Joseph Haydn Vienna's magnificent Musikverein! (B)
Check out of the Vienna hotel today and depart for Salzburg. En route, you will stop at the St. Florian monastery, where Anton Bruckner played the organ and where he is buried in the crypt directly beneath the instrument. You'll have the chance to hear the organ being played during a short recital performance. On arrival in Salzburg, check into the Hotel Goldener Hirsch and relax. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight. (B)
This morning's walking tour is dedicated to the early years of Mozart. You will visit the birth place of the great composer and Salzburg Cathedral where he was baptized. Walk to St. Sebastian Cemetery to view the graves of his parents, his wife and her second husband. You will also have an exclusive guided tour through the collection of Mozart manuscripts in the Salzburg Tanzmeisterhaus. Enjoy a visit to the magnificent fortress that overlooks the city of Salzburg, then have time to explore at your own pace. Dinner is on your own this evening, followed by a concert performance at one of Salzburg's many venues! (B)
This morning, visit the gorgeous Salzkammergut region just outside of Salzburg, which has incredible mountain scenery. The first stop is the Mondsee Church, where the wedding scene from Sound of Music was filmed. Then visit the picturesque, lakeside village of Hallstatt. Famed for its mines, as well as its charming scenery, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Tonight, return to Salzburg where you'll have a special farewell dinner with music at the world-renowned St. Peter's Restaurant! (B,D)
Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)
Please join us on this exceptional musical adventure!
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