BACKROADS OF THE HABSBURG EMPIRE – 13 Days – Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy
BACKROADS OF THE HABSBURG EMPIRE – 13 Days – Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy
Vienna – Budapest – Villány Wine Region – Zagreb – Rovinj – Ljubljana – Vienna
DAY 1 – ARRIVE VIENNA
Your private driver awaits you upon arriving at Vienna’s airport or train station. Depending on your arrival time, you may want to take a stroll through the Stadtpark, Vienna’s inner city park, followed by dinner and a classical concert brought to you in a palace where Johann Strauss, the King of Waltz himself, used to conduct his orchestra to the delight of the 19th-century Viennese.
DAY 2 – VIENNA
Begin your explorations with a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, residence of the last de-facto Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph, before it opens to the public. Then drive downtown, and continue with the Imperial Crypt (Kapuzinergruft), last resting place for dozens of Habsburg Emperors, Empresses, Archdukes and their spouses and offspring.
In the afternoon drive into the Vienna Woods, and visit Heiligenkreuz Abbey, and Mayerling, where in 1889 a series of events lead to the apparent murder-suicide of Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria, only son of Emperor Franz Joseph, and his mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera.
DAY 3 – VIENNA – BRATISLAVA – BUDAPEST
A short drive east, and you will arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, in time for an orientation walk with our local historian. Cross over into Hungary, and follow the Danube downstream to each Budapest, third national capital for today.
DAY 4 – BUDAPEST
This morning’s tour begins at Gellert Hill for spectacular views of the city; then your guide will show you the Castle District, including Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. Later descend into Pest, the commercial hub of the city, and drive down Andrassy Avenue to Heroes Square. Conclude your eventful day with a festive dinner cruise on the Danube to the backdrop of one of Eastern Europe’s most stunning illuminations.
DAY 5 – BUDAPEST – LAKE BALATON – VILLÁNY
Head south-west to Hungary’s largest freshwater reserve, Lake Balaton. This lake is the result of a tectonic sinking and one of the oldest of its kind. Stop in the town of Tihany, famous for its Abbey, then take the ferry across to the resort of Siofok. In the afternoon continue to Villany, Hungary’s foremost wine region, known for its reds and rosés. Enjoy a wine tasting and pairing dinner at one of the town’s most acclaimed winery.
DAY 6 – SLAVONSKI BROD – ZAGREB
After a sumptuous breakfast, motor on to Croatia, and Slavonski Brod. Still far off the tourist tracks, the sixth-largest city in Croatia, on the banks of the Sava river, during the Austro-Hungarian Empire its Brod Fortress served as a stronghold against the Ottoman Empire on the other bank of the river. Your journey then continues to the country’s capital, Zagreb. Built on the hills of Kaptol and Gradec, this small metropolis is a mixture of straight-laced Austro-Hungarian architecture and rough-around-the-edges socialist structures. Your local guide will highlight the cathedral, and a 1941 inscription in Glagolitic script, an unexpected linguistic predecessor of the Cyrillic alphabet, commemorating the 1300th anniversary of the baptism of the Croatian people.
DAY 7 – ZAGREB – ZAGORJE EXCURSION
After a leisurely breakfast, depart for a pleasant drive into the bucolic rolling hills of Zagorje. Stop in the tiny town of Klanjec, birthplace of Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić, creator of the Peace monument in front of the United Nations building in New York City. Then motor on to Kumrovec, where former Yugoslavian dictator Josip Broz “Tito” hailed from. Today, Kumrovec is a fully-operating village-come-museum, and literally a snapshot of rural life in Croatia in the 19th century. Lunch of local specialties, all made from scratch, will be served in the middle of a vineyard, before you return to Zagreb for an afternoon at leisure.
DAY 8 – OPATIJA – ROVINJ
Travel west to genteel Opatija, the most fashionable seaside resort for the Viennese elite during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – evidenced by many beautiful belle époque villas that remain. Then cross the mountainous Istria peninsula to arrive in Rovinj, a gem on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
DAY 9 – ISTRIA EXCURSION
Begin today’s full-day outing with a stint to Pula, and visit its magnificent Roman arena. Then head for the peninsula’s interior, and sample white truffles and fascinating local wines in the hill towns of Istria. Depending on the season, you could join a truffle hunting party, or assist with the grape harvest at a local vineyard. Alternatively, we will be happy to arrange an excursion by
private boat to the stunning Brijuni islands and national park. Return to Rovinj for a relaxing evening.
DAY 10 – KOPER – TRIESTE – LJUBLJANA
Cross the border into Slovenia; the largest town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, Koper, was founded during the Middle Bronze Ages on what was then a rocky island off the shore. Now a modern and attractive destination for visitors, Koper still wears its history on its sleeve, most notably the five centuries of Venetian rule, which has left a distinctive mark on the town.
A short drive on and you are entering Italy, and arrive at enchanting Trieste. Join your local guide for an informative stroll of the city almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia. Its geographical and historical singularity is also no accident as from as long ago as the 1300s, Trieste has faced east, becoming a free port under Austrian rule. The city blossomed under the 18th – and 19th-century Habsburgs; Vienna’s seaside salon was also a fluid borderland where Italian, Slavic, Jewish, Germanic and even Greek cultures openly intermingled.
DAY 11 – LJUBLJANA – LAKE BLED EXCURSION
Return to Slovenia this morning, and arrive at the country’s lively capital Ljubljana. We have arranged for an early check-in, allowing you to freshen up for your excursion to stunning Lake Bled. Visit its iconic island, home to the Assumption of Mary pilgrimage church, and ring the church bell for good luck. Once back on the mainland, enjoy a local famous vanilla pastry called Kremšnita in Slovenian.
DAY 12 – GRAZ – VIENNA
Motor past rolling hills and fertile vineyards into Austria’s Styria province, known as the country’s “green heart”, and arrive in Graz. Hike up to the clock tower for magnificent views of the city located on the banks of the river Mur, then motor on to Vienna.
You may want to compare notes of this once-in-a-lifetime journey with your travel companions at a celebration dinner at a truly unique Habsburg-themed restaurant on the city’s northern fringes.
DAY 13 – DEPART VIENNA
Your private airport or station transfer collects you from your hotel after breakfast in time for your onward journey.
