An exclusive trip to discover gardens and parks characterized by roses
Arrival at Vienna Airport. Meeting with the local tour guide and transfer by bus. Guided tour of the old town centre and check in to a four-star hotel.
Dinner in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel.
Transfer to Baden bei Wien, the imperial spa town, well known outside Austria for the sulphurous hot springs and its healing properties. The curative water is the basis for numerous treatments in the fields of prevention, spa treatment, wellness and water Park. Next is Doblhoffpark Rose Garden. The park covers an area of 8 hectares and is the biggest in Austria, ideal for nice strolls all year around. It boasts 30.000 rosebushes, 175 flowerbeds, and 600 types of roses with names such as “Märchenkönigin”, ( the queen of fairy tales), “Goldmarie” e “Kaiserin Elisabeth”( empress Elisabeth). Afterwards, stroll inside KurPark , the biggest Park in Europe. The garden houses numerousness subtropical plants, and flowers that decorate the garden. On Kalvarienberg, the park merges itself with the black pine forests of Wienerwald, crossed by numerous paths.
Time for lunch.
After lunch, drive to Laxemburg to visit Franzensburg Castle. The heart of Laxemburg is the castle, and is one of the most impressive in Europe. The park of the castle is a unique example of horticulture and floriculture historic art of 18° and 19° century. During the life span of Empress Mary Teresia and Emperor Francis, the park was enlarged up to 280 hectares. Near the blue courtyard, there are numerous pavilions, mystical caves, temples, a medieval arena. The Empress Sisi, and Emperor Francis spent their honeymoon here. His rides in the nearby woods were well known. His son Rudolfo was born in the castle. After the visit, transfer to Vienna.
Dinner in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel.
Drive to the Region Marchfeld to visit the marvellous baroque castle Festschloss Hof, the biggest countryside residence in Austria. The garden covers an area of 50 hectares, and features even today lots of parterre, statues and fountains, and is unchanged since the 700’. The Garden is made of seven terraces , and the palace is on the second one from the top, with a small garden in front, and another building in the back. All terraces are linked with stairs. The project was designed by the architect Dominique Girard, well known because of his work relationship with Luigi XIV due to the construction of fountains. He designed the garden like that, because it was easier to supply the fountains with water, giving rise to a magical flow to embellish the garden. Time for lunch. ( not included in the tour).
In the afternoon visit to the ancient religious monastery Klosterneuburg, ( Augustinian monastery), 12km north of Vienna, overlooking the Danube river. It was built at the beginning of 700’ during the empire of Charles VI, and finished in the middle of 800’. The museum preserves interesting medieval paintings, and the genealogical tree of the Hapsburg Family. The baroque style has been added to the church with the two spire bell towers. Saint Leopold chapel features 51 tables made of gold by the goldsmith Verdum. The baroque monastery is the residence of the priests, and it is possible to visit some parts of it such as the baroque stair, marble room, Emperor room, tapestries room, and the treasure room. The property owns 108 hectares of vineyards, producing wonderful wine and liquors, “Stift Klosterneuburg”. Next is the garden of the Abbey, baroque greenhouse, and the orangerie. Return to the hotel. Dinner in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel.
Full-day excurtion to Schonbrunn Castle and its park.
The harmony between the Palace and the park, is an example of the concept “Baroque palace”, which pays attention to the nature and the architecture. Regardless the restoration works in the last decade during Mary Teresa life, the park has kept its baroque style. Walking through the long paths among hedges, statues, fountains, and flowerbeds in bloom, it is possible to visit the Palm greenhouse built in 1882, the biggest in Europe, the maze, o the Japanese garden, or walk up the hill up to the Gloriette, where you can enjoy a lovely coffee. In the ancient garden adjacent to the castle, once owned by the Emperor, there is a baroque style garden, and inside the desert house, built in 1904, you can visit a unique cactus collection. The zoological garden , the oldest zoo in the world, houses exotic and local animals. Time for lunch in the castle,( not included in the tour). In the afternoon, visit to the imperial apartments. Due to its eventful history, the castle with its park and buildings, is one of the most important landmarks of Austria. In 1996 it became UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit, return to the hotel.
Dinner and concert in Kursalon, a baroque concert hall, inside Stadpark. The concert hall of Vienna, in the heart of Vienna, is one of most beautiful halls, and dates back to Johann Strauss life time. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel, and check out.
Visit to Vienna and its park, the Stadpark, the restored gardens of Liechtenstein Palace, Alpine garden, and Belvedere Palace.
Free time and transfer to the airport
End of the tour.