Vienna is surely one of Europe’s grandest and most elegant cities, and the imperious buildings provide a particularly splendid backdrop for the Christmas markets, or Christkindlmarkt. The three main markets, wherein huddle hundreds of twinkling stalls, are very different in character, so they enchant every visitor to Vienna at this special time of year. The market in the square in front of the City Hall, set around elaborately decorated trees, is Vienna’s classic Christmas market, still a meeting place where the Viennese come to buy their gifts and supplies and catch up on local news, just as they did seven centuries ago. In contrast, the festively illuminated Schönbrunn Castle is a spectacular backdrop for its own Christmas ‘village’, with myriad stalls displaying traditional Austrian handicrafts and with the tantalizing aroma of spiced wine and gingerbread drifting into the air. For a more authentic Christmas market experience, try the Spittelberg, which is set in a historical quarter on narrow granite-stone paved alleyways, niches and courtyards. All this, in a city of culture and elegance, will ensure a joyous start to your Christmas festivities.

Day 1 London • Vienna
We begin our holiday with a VIP Home Departure Service™ to London Heathrow Airport and our direct scheduled British Airways or Austrian Airline flight to Vienna. On arrival, our coach will transfer us to our hotel, the Lindner am Belvedere Hotel, where dinner is included tonight.

Day 2 Vienna
Today we enjoy a good breakfast before meeting our guide for a walking tour of Old Vienna. In a city known for its imposing and architecturally fine buildings, and ruled for seven centuries from the Imperial Palace by the great empire of the Habsburgs, we will see the Parliament Buildings, Eugene’s Belvedere Palace, the Hofburg residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and the glorious State Opera House, where generations of audiences have been awed by the world’s greatest singers. For Vienna is a city of music and art, which manifests itself in the diverse variety of galleries and theatres, from Strauss to Mozart and Klimt to Raphael. This afternoon is free to further discover Vienna, or perhaps you will prefer to relax in one of Vienna’s famous tea rooms over your first slice of chocolate sacher-torte, best taken with a spoon of whipped cream, before beginning your Christmas shopping.

Days 3 - 4 Vienna
These two days of your pre Christmas break will be spent exploring Vienna at leisure. Breakfast is included, to set you up for the crisp Austrian air, which is all the more bracing when taken from the top of the world famous Giant Ferris Wheel, in Prater Park, which will be open subject to weather conditions. A highlight of your holiday will undoubtedly be a trip out to the Schönbrunn Palace, set in manicured gardens and host to a bustling Christmas market, which is laid out in front of the illuminated façade. The Baroque palace was the summer residence of the imperial family, the most famous of which were Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, Empress Sisi, who in recent years has been compared to our Princess Diana. A charismatic character, and beloved by her people, her story unfolds in the sumptuous palace, which today houses many of the furnishings of her time. Vienna offers you endless diverse attractions, but we are sure that no one will resist trying a warming ceramic cup of hot punch, or glühwein, along the way!

Day 5 Vienna • London
After our last breakfast, we will be transferred by coach to Vienna airport for our direct scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow. On arrival, our staff will greet you and then transfer your transport for your journey home to your own front door.