A Cultural Exploration of Germany, Austria and Hungary

Leave the city today to explore the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace that sits on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau. The palace was originally commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and was opened to the public 1886. This captivating building has appeared in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. En route to the castle you’ll stop by Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, two picturesque, rural Bavarian towns. The citizens here decorate their houses with frescoes of fairy tales and typical Bavarian scenes. The region is naturally stunning with plenty of opportunities for hiking around Germany’s highest mountains and crystal clear lakes.

On March 22, 1933, a few weeks after Adolf Hitler had been appointed Reich Chancellor, a concentration camp for political prisoners was set up in Dachau. In the 12 years of its existence, over 200,000 persons from all over Europe were imprisoned here and in the numerous subsidiary camps. 41,500 were murdered. On April 29, 1945, American troops liberated the survivors. The Memorial Site was established in 1965 on the initiative of and in accordance with the plans of the surviving prisoners who had joined together to form the Comité International de Dachau. A sober visit and one of deep historical significance.

The houses along the shores of Lake Hallstatt are seemingly stacked one on top of another, creating a picturesque small town where time seems to have stood still. The historically listed houses are clearly lovingly maintained and preserved by their residents. Look out for the traditionally painted skulls on the charnel house, and, just next door, the adjacent Catholic parish church and its winged altar are also well worth seeing. The breath-taking Alpine panorama of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt can be viewed from the ‘World Heritage Skywalk’ which hovers 350 metres above the roofs of Hallstatt.

Start your Sound of Music tour with a trip to the Mirabell Gardens, which is shown scenes where Maria and the children dance around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse singing “Do-Re-Mi”. You will also visit The Gazebo and Hellbrunn Palace where Rolf and Liesl sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and Maria and the Baron sang “Something Good”. Next up is the Palace of Leopoldskron, the historical 18th Century palace where the boating scene took place, the terrace was also where the family would relax with drinks.

Travel from Vienna to the picturesque Wachau Valley, renowned for its excellent wine. On a peaceful boat trip through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll see monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, charming old villages, steep vineyards and mediaeval castles, including Dürnstein castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Visit the old wine-merchants’ town of Krems and end your day at Melk, home to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a brilliant example of Austrian Baroque architecture.

Today you’ll take a private transfer to Vienna’s famed Spanish Riding School. Start with a cocktail in the reception room and an introduction to the school’s history, followed by a rehearsal performance. The Spanish Riding School, the only institution preserving classic haute école equestrian skills, offers an unforgettable show with Lipizzan horses moving in harmony with music. Experience the pinnacle of horse-riding art in the Baroque ambiance of the Imperial Palace.

Visit the industrial town of Esztergom, the former capital of mediaeval Hungary, found just outside the current capital Budapest. In Esztergom you’ll visit the Basilica, the largest one in Europe and the highest building in Hungary. Built between 1822 and 1856 the current structure has been painstakingly restored and is beautifully maintained, with a rich treasury of ecclesiastical art for you to discover. 

Travel out of Budapest today to visit the tiny town of Visegrád. The fortified citadel is set on top of a hill with spectacular 360 degree views of the rural landscapes, including the Danube river. Your guide will be able to lead you around the ancient roads and pathways that wind along the hilltop with stops at the historical exhibition about the fortress, and of the Holy Crown.

Head to Szentendre, a Mediterranean town just 20 kilometres outside of Budapest that’s become a thriving place for galleries, ateliers and museums, including a curious marzipan museum. Also known as the ‘town of churches’ you’ll see a dozen spires of various denominations here. Wander the promenade by the riverside before hopping on a boat back to Budapest.