Music Capitals of Europe and the Beerfest
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Tour Description (Sept 18 - Oct 1)
Visit some of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities of Europe and experience their rich history, and heritage, and enjoy spectacular musical and folklore performances throughout the trip.
Join us on this beautiful tour to Europe, sampling its many delights....
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Tour Highlights
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St. Petersburg
One of the world's most beautiful cities, home to high art, lavish architecture, an extraordinary history and rich cultural traditions that have inspired and nurtured some of the modern world's greatest literature, music, and visual art.
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Budapest
Situated in the very heart of Europe, Budapest is a lively, friendly city which integrates modern innovations and architecture alongside a rich historical heritage. It offers a wealth of entertainment and cultural activities including museums, concerts, theatres and opera as well as elegant shops and good food.
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Vienna
Vienna was an imperial city for more than six centuries. The city still bears witness to its Habsburg past, as shown by its imperial palace. Vienna however, is particularly known for its music. It became a center of music as early as the 12C, and became a music capital when Maximilian I transferred his chapel royal, here. The city is also known for its elegant shops, pedestrian precincts, coffee shops and wonderful pastries.
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Salzburg
Mozart's birthplace delights visitors with an undefinable charm. The Hohensalzburg (fortress), symbol of the prince-archbishops' power stands high above the city crossed by the River Salzach. The city is blessed with an outstanding geographical location, magnificent palaces and churches, and prestigious music events of world renown.
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Munich
The capital of Bavaria and the centre of economic and cultural activity in southern Germany. Munich boasts a variety of architectural styles and a unique atmosphere. The city is renowned for its excellent beer, which can be tasted in the many beer gardens. During the Oktoberfest, brasseries serve a special beer known as Wiesnbier which is still transported in the traditional way by horse-drawn wagons.
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Tour itinerary
Day 1 - St. Petersburg
Arrival in St. Petersburg (own flight arrangements) and transfer to your hotel. St. Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter I on May 27, 1703. It was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years. It is Russia's second largest city, a major European cultural center, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel
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Day 2 - St. Petersburg
After a buffet breakfast, depart on a half day guided tour of St. Petersburg to include the city's main attractions. You will pass the canals and beautiful palaces facing the Neva River. Tour to the Nevsky Prospect, St. Isaac's Square, the Church on Spilled Blood, and Peter and Paul Fortress. In the afternoon, visit Yusupov Palace, notoriously famous for Rasputin's murder, which took place in one of the cell rooms in 1916. Dinner will be at your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a musical performance at the Mariinsky Theatre or a Ballet performance.
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Day 3 - St. Petersburg
This morning, enjoy a half day guided tour of Peterhoff Palace and Park, founded in the beginning of the 18th C by Emperor Peter the Great. The palace is actually a series of palaces and gardens referred to as the "Russian Versailles". It boasts 176 fountains, four cascades and numerous gilded statues. The palace is reached by hydrofoil. In the afternoon, visit Catherine's Palace and Park, the Rococo summer residence of the Russian Tsars, located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km south-east of St. Petersburg. It was originally the residence of Catherine I. The great Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin was educated here. After the Revolution of 1917 the palace and park were made into a museum. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel. After dinner, enjoy a folkloric Show at Nikolaevsky Palace.
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Day 4 - St. Petersburg
Today, we will visit the State Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. It was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, and open to the public in 1852. The collection occupies a large complex of six historic buildings, including the Winter Palace, former residence of Russian Emperors. The collection includes more than 3 million items. After a break for independent lunch, visit St. Isaac's Cathedral, which dominates the St. Petersburg skyline. It took 40 years to build, can accommodate 14,000 worshippers. Today it serves as a museum and services are held only on significant ecclesiastical holidays. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel.
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Day 5 - Budapest
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in order to take your flight to Budapest. On arrival in Budapest, you will be met by our ground operator and taken on a half day guided tour, which will show you 1000 years of Hungarian history. During a short walk, you will see the main attractions of the Castle District, walk to Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. Continue to Gellert Hill (Citadel) for the most spectacular view of Budapest. Then across Elisabeth Bridge to Pest to see Central Market Hall, followed by the largest Synagogue of Europe and the City Park. There will be a stop at Heroes' Square (with statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes), continue past the Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica and the neo-gothic House of Parliament. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel.
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Day 6 - Budapest
Take a journey to the Hungarian countryside, and visit a puszta. Framed by the Danube and Tisza rivers, these vast flatlands offer an insight into rural life. Spend the day on a traditional farm where you will watch a spectacular horse show and take part in a Hungarian feast. Return to Budapest. This evening, enjoy a typical Hungarian dinner with Folklore at a local restaurant.
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Day 7 - Vienna
Depart for Vienna by coach. On arrival, enjoy a half day guided tour to include the Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings, the Danube, Belvedere Palace Gardens, St. Stephen's Square and Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. All sights to be seen from outside only. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Dinner will be at your hotel, followed by a performance at the Musikverein.
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Day 8 - Vienna
Free day in Vienna to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Visit some of the city's famous coffee shops and pastry shops. The city also offers a number of exclusive shops. This evening, after dinner, attend Volksopera performance.
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Day 9 - Salzburg
Depart for Salzburg. On arrival, enjoy a half day guided tour to include the most famous sights in the city's historic center. Visit the exquisite Mirabell Gardens, the famous Horse Trough, the Great Festival Hall, St. Peter's Churchyard, Domplatz, and Mozart's birthplace. You will also see the Mozart Museum. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel.
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Day 10 - Salzburg
Today, enjoy a half day guided "Sound of Music" tour, with breath-taking views of the landscape where the opening scenes of the movie were filmed. The afternoon is at leisure to discover Salzburg at your own pace. This evening enjoy a Mozart dinner concert at the famous St. Peter Stiftkeller, the oldest restaurant in central Europe, dating back from 803 AD.
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Day 11 - Munich
After breakfast, depart for Munich, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. On arrival, enjoy a half day guided tour to include the Olympic Stadium, Ludwigstrasse and Marienplatz with the famous Glockenspiel. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a typical German Folkloric dinner with music.
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Day 12 - Munich
Today you have a full day to enjoy the Oktoberfest festival. Oktoberfest was initially a celebration of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen's wedding which was held on 12 October 1810. Over the years, this festival has become one of the most important in the world with around 6 million people attending the celebrations in Munich each year. Beer served at the festival is supplied by the Big Six, or rather six of the main breweries in Munich: Spaten, Lowenbrau, Augustiner, Hofbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Festivities include eating lots of traditional Bavarian cuisine such as sausage, kasespatzle (cheese noodles), and sauerkraut. Beer tent reservations are included at one of the big tents. The reservation includes vouchers for lunch and 2 beers. Dinner this evening will be at the Augustiner Restaurant.
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Day 13 - Munich
Your full day excursion today will take you to Linderhof, built by King Ludwig II during the 19th century as a hunting lodge. Continue to Oberammergau to buy lunch. This town is world-famous for its woodcarvers, richly painted houses and its Passion Play. Continue to Neuschwanstein, a magnify-cent neo-Romanesque style castle. It appears through the mist like something out of a fairy tale. This castle was the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Time permitting, there will be a stroll around the beautiful paths near the lake. Dinner will be at your hotel.
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Day 14 - Munich
Transfer to the airport in order to take your flight home (own flight arrangements).
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Contact Touringhouse
Our Tour Escorts are personable and knowledgeable. Contact us for more information on any of the travel experiences we offer.
Tour costs include:
Transfers between airports and hotels
One-way airfares from St. Petersburg to Budapest
13-nights accommodations in carefully selected 4-star hotels (based on double occupancy), as follows:
- 4 nights in St. Petersburg
- 2 nights in Budapest
- 2 nights in Vienna
- 2 nights in Salzburg
- 3 nights in Munich
Buffet breakfast at the hotels every morning;
4-course dinners every evening (including 1/2 Litre of wine, mineral water and coffee).
One picnic lunch (on day 9)
Sightseeing tours and excursions as follows:
- Half day tour of St. Petersburg (with a guide)
- Visit to Yusupov Palace (no guide)
- Half day tour of Peterhoff Palace and Parks (with a guide)
- Half day tour of Catherine’s Palace and Park (with a guide)
- Half day tour of the State Hermitage Museum (with a guide)
- Half day tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral (with a guide)
- Half day tour of Budapest (with a guide)
- Full day Puszta Farm Tour including a Hungarian Feast (with a guide)
- Half day tour of Vienna (with a guide)
- Half day tour of Salzburg (with a guide)
- Half day Sound of Music Tour (with a guide)
- Half day tour of Munich (with a guide)
- Full day tour to Linderhof, Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein (with a guide)
Special activities as follows:
- Musical performance at the Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg)
- Fokloric show at Nikolaevsky Palace (St. Petersburg)
- Horse Show and Hungarian Feast at a Puszta Horse Farm (Budapest)
- Typical Hungarian dinner and folklore at a local restaurant (Budapest)
- Concert at the Musikverein (Vienna)
- Opera at the Vienna Volksopera (Vienna)
- Oktoberfest Beer Tent Reservations, including lunch and 2 beers (Munich)
Includes entrance fees to the places mentioned in the itinerary.
Services of a TOURINGHOUSE representative from the time of arrival until departure
Baggage handling at the hotels and tips to the bus driver and guides
All service charges and taxes
Touringhouse Certifications
ACTA certified
Tico certified
TIDS certified
OBR certified
GST number
Offered by Touringhouse
$5,000,000.00
liability insurance