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Join New York Times best selling author Steena Holmes on her chocolate tour to regal Vienna during Austria’s unique Easter Festival.
Saturday April 12: Welcome to Vienna!
From Vienna airport, a transfer will be arranged for you to the superb Leo Grand 5-star boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of historical Vienna. Steena Holmes and Emma Gély, Director of Tour with Absolutely will be welcoming you at 6pm for a meet and greet cocktail followed by dinner in the hotel’s exquisite dining room.
Sunday April 13: Royalty and traditions
Your first day will be filled with the wonders of the captivating life of Empress Elisabeth “Sissi” of Austria. You’ll begin with a tour of the Sissi Museum where you will delve into the rich history of the royal family including a peak into her elegant private quarters. Because the Empress was a skilled horsewoman, you’ll be taken for a thrilling display of horsemanship and classical dressage of the Lipizzaner at the Spanish Horse Show at the 450 year old riding school. Lunch will be at @Oberlaa café for Vienna’s best assortment of beautiful desserts, pastries and chocolates. In the afternoon, you’ll mingle with Austrian families on the main square in the magnificent historical center to browse the colorful traditional Easter market stalls laden with an array of artisanal crafts and local delicacies. Conclude your day with dinner at Café Central, a historic Viennese café that has been a cultural hub for artists, intellectuals, and locals for centuries.
Monday April 14: Sweet delights, books & classical music
Your day begins with a “sweet” tour led by a Viennese guide, where you’ll sample a variety of delicious local desserts and uncover the city’s culinary delights followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll visit one of Steena’s favorite places, the magnificent 18th century Austrian National Library, one of the most beautiful in the world. The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to discovering at your own pace discovering the main landmarks on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Vienna. After an early dinner at your leisure, your day will culminate with a live classical music performance by the legendary Vienna Mozart Orchestra in the stunning Golden Hall
Tuesday April 15: Palace life, Easter market & Klimt.
You’ll begin your day with a guided tour of the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, summer home of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sissi and a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning baroque architecture. If you’ve always wanted to be treated like royalty, you’ll be taken for a leisurely carriage ride through the meticulously landscaped gardens of the Palace to admire the Spring flowers in full bloom. Your life at court will continue in the magnificent courtyard of the Palace where the Imperial children hunted for eggs. In this grand setting will be an Easter market with numerous exhibitors offering a large range of culinary delights, local specialties as well as Easter decorations and crafts . This will be an ideal opportunity for you to have lunch and the perfect place for you to pick up souvenirs or gifts to take home. After lunch, you’ll delve into the world of art at the Belvedere Museum, home to an impressive collection of artworks, especially Gustav Klimt’s iconic masterpiece, “The Kiss.” When in Vienna, you can’t miss the Schnitzel specialty dish, a thinly sliced breaded meat which you will have at the best place in town @Figmuller .
Wednesday April 16: Wachau Valley Abbey, wine tasting & saffron farm
Today you will head to Austria’s enchanting Wachau Valley for a visit of the magnificent Benedictine monastery Melk Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site to admire the baroque architecture,ornate frescoes, and impressive library. Before lunch, you’ll enjoy a tasting of a selection of exquisite wines from the renowned Wachau Valley in a remarkable cellar. You’ll have lunch at the traditional upmarket Schloss restaurant while admiring the view overlooking the Danube River. In the afternoon, you will have time off to try out some apricot chocolate in one of the cute little shops in the picturesque village of Durnstein, known for its colorful houses and cobblestone streets. To conclude your day, you will visit a family-owned saffron farm, where you will delve into the fascinating world of precious saffron ending with a tasting of saffron chocolate.Back in Vienna, dinner will be the lively and historic Cafe Diglas where you’ll savor the famous Viennese specialty, apple strudel.
Thursday April 17: Swarovski & chocolate workshop
Your day will start with a truly special opportunity. The flagship store of the iconic Austrian jewelry brand Swarovski will open just for you to discover the world of dazzling crystal creations and innovative design while sipping a glass of champagne. After this truly exclusive visit, another special experience has been planned for you in a chocolate shop where you will don an apron to make your own sweet treat, the Mozart chocolate coated bonbon, named after the illustrious composer. You’ll have some time off to have lunch, make your last-minute purchases, head to the spa or museums and pack. Tonight, your farewell dinner will be in a a chic and unusual venue, @The Bank where you might want to throw on a special outfit.
Friday April 18: FAREWELL
This morning, after bidding farewell to Vienna and your new friends, airport transfers will be arranged for you to the airport.
Deposit
To secure a place on our tour, we ask that you fill in our reservation form, which indicates that a 30% deposit will be required. The balance will be due 2 months prior to the tour.
Included
Breakfast and all meals indicated in the program with wine at dinner, gratuities in restaurants, taxes, tour facilitator & professional tour guide, transportation by subway and on coaches for day trips, activities and admission fees as indicated in program, airport transfers on the first day of the tour April 12 and on last day of tour in the morning of April 18, accommodation in a 5-star boutique hotel.
Not Included
Round trip airfare to Austria, tips to tour guide and coach driver, any personal souvenirs or purchases outside of this tour and not indicated above, additional wine, beer or spirits beyond what is offered at meals, all the sweet treats you pick up along the way, travel insurance (highly recommended) and trip medical coverage (required for travelers over 50 years of age).
Terms and Conditions
If an insufficient number of participants register for the tour or in the event of conditions deemed unsafe for our clients, the tour may be canceled or postponed. While we endeavor to operate all trips as described, we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary owing to circumstances beyond our control or if more interesting opportunities arise. Any changes will be of similar or superior quality and content. If Steena is unable to travel, the tour will go ahead as planned with Emma Gely, director of Tour With Absolutely.
Cancelation Policy
This is a package group tour and non-refundable, even in case of injury or illness or personal emergency. Cancelation must be notified by email to emma@tourwithabsolutely.com. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance including medical assistance and cancelation. If you get sick before the trip departs or during it, you will need your own medical and trip cancelation insurance to cover any costs incurred.
Payment
We accept Visa and MasterCard.
Travel with insurance – and rest assured
Check out SquareMouth, insurance specialists that compare coverage, including Covid, from 19 reputable providers. Just select what best suits you (cancelation for any reason, interruption, medical evacuation…). Prices are reasonable and well worth it for a stress-free trip.
Photo Release
You hereby grant Tour With Absolutely permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video or other digital media in any and all of its publications including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. In addition, you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears.
Arrival and Departure
On arrival, April 12, airport transfers are included from Vienna airport to the hotel. You will be welcomed at the meet and greet by Steena Holmes and Emma Gely Director of Tour with Absolutely who will be your tour leader for the entire stay. On the last day of the tour, April 18, airport transfers are included in the morning from the hotel to Vienna airport. When searching for flights, check out Skyscanner which compares flights and prices from numerous airlines.
Photo Release
You hereby grant Tour with Absolutely permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video or other digital media in any and all of its publications including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. In addition, you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears.
What to Pack
European adaptors, phone chargers, medication, warm clothing, umbrella, comfortable walking shoes. Amenities, iron and hairdryer are in every room. Laundry service is available.
Weather
We expect average temperatures high 17°C (62°F) and low 9°C (48°F).
Physical Requirements
This tour is “physically active”. Tour guests must be able to walk without assistance and carry their personal luggage. The best way to get around Vienna and avoid traffic jams is to take the metro which will be the main means of transportation in the city. We will also be traveling in a coach for the day trip to Wachau Valley. You may be on your feet, walking and standing, on uneven sidewalks, going up and down stairs in the metro, for a few hours, indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. If you need help climbing onto a tour bus or if you are winded after walking 50 feet, Emma will have other trips for you to join.
Accommodation
You will be staying in the luxurious 5-star boutique hotel @The Leo Grand
Additional Services
Emma Gely of Tour With Absolutely is happy to assist with roommate matching in twin occupancy as well as pre-and post-tour travel planning.
Join New York Times best selling author Steena Holmes on her chocolate tour to regal Vienna during Austria’s unique Easter Festival.
Saturday April 12: Welcome to Vienna!
From Vienna airport, a transfer will be arranged for you to the superb Leo Grand 5-star boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of historical Vienna. Steena Holmes and Emma Gély, Director of Tour with Absolutely will be welcoming you at 6pm for a meet and greet cocktail followed by dinner in the hotel’s exquisite dining room.
Sunday April 13: Royalty and traditions
Your first day will be filled with the wonders of the captivating life of Empress Elisabeth “Sissi” of Austria. You’ll begin with a tour of the Sissi Museum where you will delve into the rich history of the royal family including a peak into her elegant private quarters. Because the Empress was a skilled horsewoman, you’ll be taken for a thrilling display of horsemanship and classical dressage of the Lipizzaner at the Spanish Horse Show at the 450 year old riding school. Lunch will be at @Oberlaa café for Vienna’s best assortment of beautiful desserts, pastries and chocolates. In the afternoon, you’ll mingle with Austrian families on the main square in the magnificent historical center to browse the colorful traditional Easter market stalls laden with an array of artisanal crafts and local delicacies. Conclude your day with dinner at Café Central, a historic Viennese café that has been a cultural hub for artists, intellectuals, and locals for centuries.
Monday April 14: Sweet delights, books & classical music
Your day begins with a “sweet” tour led by a Viennese guide, where you’ll sample a variety of delicious local desserts and uncover the city’s culinary delights followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll visit one of Steena’s favorite places, the magnificent 18th century Austrian National Library, one of the most beautiful in the world. The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to discovering at your own pace discovering the main landmarks on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Vienna. After an early dinner at your leisure, your day will culminate with a live classical music performance by the legendary Vienna Mozart Orchestra in the stunning Golden Hall
Tuesday April 15: Palace life, Easter market & Klimt.
You’ll begin your day with a guided tour of the opulent Schönbrunn Palace, summer home of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sissi and a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning baroque architecture. If you’ve always wanted to be treated like royalty, you’ll be taken for a leisurely carriage ride through the meticulously landscaped gardens of the Palace to admire the Spring flowers in full bloom. Your life at court will continue in the magnificent courtyard of the Palace where the Imperial children hunted for eggs. In this grand setting will be an Easter market with numerous exhibitors offering a large range of culinary delights, local specialties as well as Easter decorations and crafts . This will be an ideal opportunity for you to have lunch and the perfect place for you to pick up souvenirs or gifts to take home. After lunch, you’ll delve into the world of art at the Belvedere Museum, home to an impressive collection of artworks, especially Gustav Klimt’s iconic masterpiece, “The Kiss.” When in Vienna, you can’t miss the Schnitzel specialty dish, a thinly sliced breaded meat which you will have at the best place in town @Figmuller .
Wednesday April 16: Wachau Valley Abbey, wine tasting & saffron farm
Today you will head to Austria’s enchanting Wachau Valley for a visit of the magnificent Benedictine monastery Melk Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site to admire the baroque architecture,ornate frescoes, and impressive library. Before lunch, you’ll enjoy a tasting of a selection of exquisite wines from the renowned Wachau Valley in a remarkable cellar. You’ll have lunch at the traditional upmarket Schloss restaurant while admiring the view overlooking the Danube River. In the afternoon, you will have time off to try out some apricot chocolate in one of the cute little shops in the picturesque village of Durnstein, known for its colorful houses and cobblestone streets. To conclude your day, you will visit a family-owned saffron farm, where you will delve into the fascinating world of precious saffron ending with a tasting of saffron chocolate.Back in Vienna, dinner will be the lively and historic Cafe Diglas where you’ll savor the famous Viennese specialty, apple strudel.
Thursday April 17: Swarovski & chocolate workshop
Your day will start with a truly special opportunity. The flagship store of the iconic Austrian jewelry brand Swarovski will open just for you to discover the world of dazzling crystal creations and innovative design while sipping a glass of champagne. After this truly exclusive visit, another special experience has been planned for you in a chocolate shop where you will don an apron to make your own sweet treat, the Mozart chocolate coated bonbon, named after the illustrious composer. You’ll have some time off to have lunch, make your last-minute purchases, head to the spa or museums and pack. Tonight, your farewell dinner will be in a a chic and unusual venue, @The Bank where you might want to throw on a special outfit.
Friday April 18: FAREWELL
This morning, after bidding farewell to Vienna and your new friends, airport transfers will be arranged for you to the airport.
Deposit
To secure a place on our tour, we ask that you fill in our reservation form, which indicates that a 30% deposit will be required. The balance will be due 2 months prior to the tour.
Included
Breakfast and all meals indicated in the program with wine at dinner, gratuities in restaurants, taxes, tour facilitator & professional tour guide, transportation by subway and on coaches for day trips, activities and admission fees as indicated in program, airport transfers on the first day of the tour April 12 and on last day of tour in the morning of April 18, accommodation in a 5-star boutique hotel.
Not Included
Round trip airfare to Austria, tips to tour guide and coach driver, any personal souvenirs or purchases outside of this tour and not indicated above, additional wine, beer or spirits beyond what is offered at meals, all the sweet treats you pick up along the way, travel insurance (highly recommended) and trip medical coverage (required for travelers over 50 years of age).
Terms and Conditions
If an insufficient number of participants register for the tour or in the event of conditions deemed unsafe for our clients, the tour may be canceled or postponed. While we endeavor to operate all trips as described, we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary owing to circumstances beyond our control or if more interesting opportunities arise. Any changes will be of similar or superior quality and content. If Steena is unable to travel, the tour will go ahead as planned with Emma Gely, director of Tour With Absolutely.
Cancelation Policy
This is a package group tour and non-refundable, even in case of injury or illness or personal emergency. Cancelation must be notified by email to emma@tourwithabsolutely.com. We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance including medical assistance and cancelation. If you get sick before the trip departs or during it, you will need your own medical and trip cancelation insurance to cover any costs incurred.
Payment
We accept Visa and MasterCard.
Travel with insurance – and rest assured
Check out SquareMouth, insurance specialists that compare coverage, including Covid, from 19 reputable providers. Just select what best suits you (cancelation for any reason, interruption, medical evacuation…). Prices are reasonable and well worth it for a stress-free trip.
Photo Release
You hereby grant Tour With Absolutely permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video or other digital media in any and all of its publications including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. In addition, you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears.
Arrival and Departure
On arrival, April 12, airport transfers are included from Vienna airport to the hotel. You will be welcomed at the meet and greet by Steena Holmes and Emma Gely Director of Tour with Absolutely who will be your tour leader for the entire stay. On the last day of the tour, April 18, airport transfers are included in the morning from the hotel to Vienna airport. When searching for flights, check out Skyscanner which compares flights and prices from numerous airlines.
Photo Release
You hereby grant Tour with Absolutely permission to use your likeness in a photograph, video or other digital media in any and all of its publications including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. In addition, you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears.
What to Pack
European adaptors, phone chargers, medication, warm clothing, umbrella, comfortable walking shoes. Amenities, iron and hairdryer are in every room. Laundry service is available.
Weather
We expect average temperatures high 17°C (62°F) and low 9°C (48°F).
Physical Requirements
This tour is “physically active”. Tour guests must be able to walk without assistance and carry their personal luggage. The best way to get around Vienna and avoid traffic jams is to take the metro which will be the main means of transportation in the city. We will also be traveling in a coach for the day trip to Wachau Valley. You may be on your feet, walking and standing, on uneven sidewalks, going up and down stairs in the metro, for a few hours, indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. If you need help climbing onto a tour bus or if you are winded after walking 50 feet, Emma will have other trips for you to join.
Accommodation
You will be staying in the luxurious 5-star boutique hotel @The Leo Grand
Additional Services
Emma Gely of Tour With Absolutely is happy to assist with roommate matching in twin occupancy as well as pre-and post-tour travel planning.
