Day 1 - Arrival Munich

Upon arrival at Munich airport you will be welcomed to Germany by your local Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.

Today in the afternoon travel out of Munich into the countryside for a half day tour (4 hours) of the ‘Sisi Estate’ in “Wittelsbach country” around Aichach. As it was Duke Max’s favourite summer residence from 1838 to 1850. Young Sisi enjoyed a carefree childhood there and it is said that she rode her pony on the estate grounds.

Overnight: Hotel Torbräu

Day 2 - Munich - Starnberg - Munich

Today your local guide will accompany you on a 3-hour walking tour through the compact Old Town centre with its multitude of fantastic shops, markets and always busy beer halls such as the "Hofbrauhaus" that Munich is so famous for.

See the Karlsplatz fountain, the Frauenkirche - Munich's Cathedral - as well as the Marienplatz with the New Rathaus and its chiming clock, playing daily at 11.00am and noon (and also 5:00pm between March - October). 

In the afternoon meet your private vehicle and head to Lake Starnberg which is located south-west of Munich where Possenhofen castle can be found. From 1834 onwards it served as the summer residence of Sisi's family. Unfortunately, the building is now privately owned, but you might like to see it from the outside and have a stroll through the gardens which can still be found there. Even after becoming the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth visited her home on Lake Starnberg regularly in the summer. In Possenhofen train station you will find the 'Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum' which was established from a privately owned collection. A special emphasis lies on Lake Starnberg and its roll in the family's lives.

Just a few minutes away (by car) is Rose Island - the place of retreat where Sisi met with her cousin King Ludwig II and where both withdrew from the ceremonial court and the public – it was one of their favourite places.

You will be transferred back to Munich afterwards.

Overnight: Hotel Torbräu

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Munich- Salzburg - Fuschl

Leave Munich behind this morning as you venture to Salzburg. Upon arrival, you take in the highlights of the city of Mozart during a walking tour. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, stroll along the inviting Getreidegasse, probably Salzburg's most famous shopping street. Here you see Mozart’s birthplace. Known as the ‘Hagenauer House’, Mozart lived at no. 9 Getreidegasse from 1756 until 1773. Continue to Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz, named after Salzburg's second-greatest musical son. Next it’s time for a refreshment stop at one of the many local coffeehouses that were once part of the aristocratic Imperial Era, during which this unique café culture flourished and attracted artists, poets and writers from across the globe.

Later, stroll along to Peter's Abbey to see its lavish rococo interior before taking the funicular railway up to visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the largest fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. Explore the lavish staterooms and enjoy marvellous views of Salzburg and the surrounding countryside. Your tour finishes at the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, best known for being part of the background in 'The Sound of Music'.

After your exploration of Salzburg, you are privately transferred the short distance to your charming lakeside accommodation.

Overnight: Schloss Fuschl, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Fuschl- Salzkammergut - Ischl - Fuschl

Today enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour (8 hours) with your local guide and private driver to the beautiful Salzkammergut lake district, east of Salzburg. Stop at Lake Fuschl, a small lake renowned for its pure blue deep waters. Continue to nearby St. Gilgen and take a public boat cruise along one of Austria's most beautiful lakes to St. Wolfgang.

St. Wolfgang is set against a dramatic backdrop of the mountains and is home to the famous 'White Horse Inn', setting for the operetta and film musical of the same name, where you may wish to savour a coffee and apple strudel with cream on the terrace.

Continue to the town of Bad Ischl, known for its fine pastry, and visit the yellow Kaiservilla, so coloured as a sign of wealth and power of Emperor Franz Joseph, who spent so many summers in his beloved summer residence for a period of 60 years. It was here that the 23-year old emperor and the 15-year old native of Wittelsbach were engaged in 1853. The Kaiservilla and the “Marmorschlössl” (Little Marble Palace) especially designed for Elisabeth on the palace grounds are reminders of the imperial couple.

Overnight: Schloss Fuschl, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Fuschl - Salzburg - Vienna

Today you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred with your Guardian Angel to Salzburg railway station to begin your Concierge Rail journey. Here you will be shown to your pre-reserved 1st class seating and your luggage will be handled onboard for you. Upon arrival at Vienna railway station you will be met from the door of the train and your luggage will be handled for you. You will then be privately transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in.

A&K EUROPE’S CONCIERGE RAIL

Travel by modern express rail in Europe is an excellent way of travelling between destinations in comfort, style and at speed. The benefits of rail travel in Europe are numerous, and in many instances rail travel can be quicker than air travel so no waiting in airport departure lounges or lost luggage!  

1st Class rail travel is also a very cost effective and comfortable method of covering mid-distance travel when compared to air travel or road transfers.  

A&K’s unique Concierge Rail means that you will be accompanied to your reserved 1st class seating on departure and met on the platform at the arrival terminal, whilst your luggage will be handled for you at both ends of the journey.

In the afternoon meet your local guide for a 4 hour walking tour of the Imperial city of Vienna. Walk along the famous 'Ringstrasse' with its 19th century buildings and visit the Hofburg Palace complex, the residence of the Habsburg family who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. In 1857 Elisabeth and Franz Joseph moved into the “imperial apartments” in the Hofburg - stroll through the bedroom, the private exercise and beauty room as well as the bathroom. Furthermore, see the large salon of the empress which is still kept in its original form today. You will have the chance to marvel at Sisi’s personal belongings and discover for yourself both - myth and truth- about the empress. Continue to the gothic St Stephen's Cathedral, whose soaring structure enshrines the heart of Vienna.

Before you return to your hotel you might like to visit the Imperial Crypt which lies below the Capuchin Church. Bodies of over 140 aristocrats are buried here, including 12 Emperors and 19 Empresses and queens of the Habsburg dynasty, like Franz Joseph (1830- 1916) & his wife Elizabeth.

Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Vienna

Meet your guide today and travel outside the city centre by horse drawn omnibus (a bigger carriage) half-day excursion (up to 4 hours) to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace with its beautiful grounds. Schönbrunn Palace was the vast summer residence of the Habsburg's and takes its name from a beautiful spring found on the estate. Sisi supposedly spent her first night in as well as her newlywed days in this palace. During a number of summer months, Empress Elisabeth resided in the apartments of the baroque palace on the west side but moved later on the first floor.

The spectacular setting of the Palace and the gardens are a prime example of Baroque planning. The beauty of the strict architectural symmetry is further enhanced by its gardens with fountains, trees and alleyways. Your guide will accompany you through many of the palace staterooms including the 'Hall of Mirrors' in which Mozart performed for the Empress Maria Theresa when he was only six years old.

Located in the palace park, is the Wagenburg – a carriage museum where you can see Sisi’s carriages – from her bridal carriage to the coronation carriage of Budapest to her travel carriage from Geneva and her hearse as well as robes of the empress. Her saddle and pictures of her horses are also displayed.

Afterwards you will be met by your driver and drive southeast to Laxenburg Palace. Sisi and her husband used this palace as a gateway. Moreover, it is the place where Crown prince Rudolf, only son of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, was born. The museum is considered the “treasury of Austria” and the castle park is one of the most beautiful English-style gardens in Europe and is truly worth visiting.

Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Vienna - Vienna Woods - Vienna

Leave the city of Vienna behind this morning with your local guide and driver for a sightseeing excursion (8 hours) to the charming Vienna Woods.

Stop en-route to see the Hermesvilla which is situated in the idyllic setting of the former imperial hunting grounds which are now the Lainzer Tiergarten. Empress Elisabeth called her villa ‘Palace of Dreams’ which was given to her by her husband in order to persuade her to spend more time in Vienna as she was a very keen traveler. Photographs, plans and documents, some still existing parts of the original furnishings, and many personal items belonging of the emperor and empress can be seen in the museum. Especially sensational is the empress’s bedroom which houses the huge royal bed which is from the time of Maria Theresa and the murals show motifs from Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" after designs by Hans Makart.

Afterwards visit Mayerling, scene of the suicide pact between Crown Prince Rudolph and Baroness Maria Vetsera. Then a hunting lodge, it was replaced by a convent by the bereaved Emperor. Continue to nearby Heiligenkreuz, a magnificent Cistercian Abbey. On the return trip to Vienna stop at the Seegrotte, a former mine and now a fascinating underground lake, where you can take a motor boat trip for the best view of the reflections before returning back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Vienna - Budapest

Today you will be privately transferred to Budapest with the assistance of your Guardian Angel. Upon arrival at your hotel you will be assisted with check-in procedures.

In the afternoon you private local guide and driver will take you on a half day (4 hours) overview tour of Budapest. Cross the graceful Chain Bridge over the Danube to Buda and ascend by funicular to Castle Hill where the former Royal Palace gracefully towers over the Danube. Explore the cobbled and colourful streets of this ancient Royal district and visit Matthias Church, which has witnessed the coronation of many Hungarian kings as well as the coronation of Sisi and Franz Joseph. A statue of Elisabeth serves as a reminder of her coronation. Enjoy stunning panoramas of the city and river from the Fishermen's Bastion and the nearby Gellért Hill before returning to your hotel. You might like to see the Elisabeth-Bridge where you will find a monument dedicated to the Empress - a woman still admired by Hungarians today. 

Before you return to your hotel you might like to visit the legendary 'Café Gerbeaud', frequented by the empress and queen.

Overnight: Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Budapest - Godollo - Budapest

Travel into the Hungarian countryside with your local guide and private vehicle to Lázár Equestrian Park in Domonyvölgy. It reminds of the empress' enthusiasm for equestrian sport with riding and dressage shows. Afterwards a caravan of carriages sets off into the picturesque wooded hills of Godollo.

Afterwards visit visit Grassalkovich Palace. The palace was once the summer residence of Hungary's Queen Elisabeth which was a gift from the Hungarians on the occasion of her and Franz Joseph’s coronation. It is known as “Hungarian Versailles” – the largest baroque palace in Hungary. It was said to be the queen's favourite palace. Along with the large stateroom, a commemorative exhibition in memory of Queen Elisabeth can be viewed in the royal chambers. The castle served as a Soviet army base during the Communist era, however it has now been transformed back to its former glory. After your visit you will be transferred back to your hotel in Budapest.

Overnight: Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Meal Plan: B

Day 10 - Departure Budapest

Today you are privately transferred to Budapest airport with the assistance of your Guardian Angel.

Meal Plan: B