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November and December 2008
Salzburg, Vienna
Celebrate the timeless magic of an old-world Yuletide season in an enchanting setting where cobblestoned streets are festooned with colorful lights, vendors display finely made handicrafts and the crisp winter air carries the sounds of your favorite carols and the aromas of freshly baked gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and hot apple strudel.
Join us for this festive winter sojourn in Austria, birthplace of Mozart and peerless setting for The Sound of Music. In magnificent Salzburg, nestled at the foot of the Austrian Alps, stroll through the city’s charming medieval quarter (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to the famous Christkindlmärkte, or Christmas Markets. Wooden kiosks display beautifully crafted ornaments, fine wooden toys and irresistible holiday treats like sausages, hot chocolate and delectable cookies. Sip hot mulled Glühwein (“glowing wine”) as a storyteller spins yarns, and delight in nostalgic traditional melodies in the quaint church on the site where “Silent Night” was first performed nearly 200 years ago. Continue the magical holiday spell in Vienna, enjoying one of Europe’s most cultured cities during the Advent season, when blankets of snow elegantly drape its magnificent Baroque buildings, and decorative trees and lights make its grand boulevards glow enchantingly. Embrace the riveting holiday pageantry as you ride aboard the private antique trolley through the streets and bake Christmas cookies in Schönbrunn Palace.
This custom-designed itinerary includes exclusive excursions that will introduce you to some of Europe’s most noteworthy landmarks: Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg; the wondrous, 900-year-old Abbey of Melk in the legendary Wachau Valley; and the glorious imperial monuments of Habsburg Vienna. Cultural enhancements, such as specially arranged performances of Christmas music, will complete your Austrian Yuletide experience.
Space is limited, and this opportunity to celebrate the Yuletide season in Austria promises to sell out quickly. We urge you to make your reservation before May 27, 2008, while Early Booking Savings are available. We look forward to celebrating the joy of the holidays in this fairy-tale setting with our alumni and friends!
Austrian Alps, Salzburg (foreground) |
