TOURS & EXCURSIONS

This tour covers some of the most impressive places in Vienna, bearing witness to the city’s history as an imperial capital and royal residence. Walking through the fascinating complex of the Hofburg, you will have a look at the Spanish Riding School. Afterwards you will pass by the so-called “Loos Haus”, a famous Art Nouveau building which now houses a bank and you will have a look into quiet old courtyards and tiny streets. Get a sense of the luster and glory of the old empire by visiting one of Vienna’s most famous sites, St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 10 a.m., Hofburg
Duration: approximately 1.5 – 2 hours

Colorful areas, irregular forms, many grown over with lush green plants: this is how painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser encouraged new impulses – and not only to Vienna’s architecture. He also created the exhibition center KunstHausWien which offers a permanent exhibition of his main works as well as changing exhibitions of exciting contemporary art. During the tour the guests will be shown his architectural projects hidden in various areas of the city. Hundertwasser’s revolutionary architectural designs incorporate natural features of the landscape and are also highly affected by his painting style. His buildings are very colourful, made up of irregular forms, uneven sloping floors, plenty of wood and natural material, fl owing mosaics and many trees and plants.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 3 p.m., Hofburg
Duration: approximately 1.5 – 2 hours

Start your walking tour with a visit to Imperial Apartments, former residence of Empress Elizabeth (nicknamed Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph in the Hofburg. Admire numerous personal objects once owned by the celebrated Empress and get an impression of her restless life: her rebellion against the court ceremony and her escape into a beauty cult, athletic performance and art. Discover the Imperial Crypt, the principal place of entombment of the Habsburg dynasty, where also Sisi has found her resting place. After following Sisi’s footsteps you will have the unique opportunity to experience the training of the world’s legendary Lipizzaner horses live in the baroque ambiance of the Imperial Palace. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world where the classic equestrian skills (haute école) has been preserved and is still practiced in its original form. The audience is treated to an unforgettable experience by the precision of movement of the Lipizzan horses in perfect harmony with the music.

Thursday, May 14, 2009, 9 a.m., Hofburg
Duration: approximately 2 hours

This tour will give you an overall impression of the most significant historical sights of Vienna. Starting with a tour along Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings like the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts, the imperial palace “Hofburg”, the Houses of Parliament, the City Hall and the University. The highlight of this tour is a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Austrian imperial family – the Habsburgs – where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of the monarchs while visiting the Imperial Apartments, the former private apartments of the imperial family.

Thursday, May 14, 2009, 3 p.m., Hofburg
Duration: approximately 2.5 – 3 hours

Be enchanted by the charm of the historic Viennese tram of past decades and enjoy the trip on one of the largest tram-nets in Europe through one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Start your private sightseeing tour through Vienna over the Ringstrasse, a circular boulevard surrounding the inner city was built in the mid 19th century. The trip on the Ringstrasse takes you past architectural gems such as the Vienna State Opera, the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), the Parliament, the City Hall and the famous State Opera. Moreover this boulevard is graced with a number of beautiful parks. Find out more about the Danube and its branches and visit the Prater with the Giant Ferris Wheel. Before returning to the Ring Boulevard you will pass the so-called “Hundertwasser-Haus”, Vienna’s most original public housing complex which has been created by the famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Friday, May 15, 2009, 10 a.m., Tram stop Burgring, Meeting time 9.45 a.m.
Duration: approximately 1.5 hours

In 1900 Vienna saw political stagnation and decadence, but at the same time a cultural and intellectual renaissance started. It was the age of Freud, Mahler and Schoenberg, but also of men like Gustav Klimt, Otto Wagner and Josef Hoffmann, the most inspirational talents of the Vienna Secession Movement which broke new grounds in the fi elds of architecture, painting and design. This tour will take you to their most important works in the city.

Friday, May 15, 2009, 3 p.m., Hofburg
Duration: approximately 2 hours, walking tour including public transportation also