TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN Christmas in Vienna December 2011 (7 days / 6 nights) Tour Leader: Brian Ladd

Transcription

1 TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2011 Christmas in December 2011 (7 days / 6 nights) Tour Leader: Brian Ladd

2 Christmas in Tour Leader Brian Ladd Dip.F.A. (Sculpture), Dip.Ed. A specialist in European and Australian sculpture, Brian Ladd brings a broad knowledge and enthusiasm to the study of visual art. From Brian was head of the Public Programs Department at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. He was responsible for wide ranging, innovative education and public programs that enlivened the Art Gallery and engaged diverse audiences with art. Join Brian Ladd for a magical Christmas in the magnificent Imperial city of. Once the heart of the Habsburg Monarchy, and the dual-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is renowned for its outstanding music and opera. It is also widely regarded as one of the major art capitals of Europe. Visit the celebrated Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian National Gallery, the Albertina Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the new Museum Quarter. No trip to is complete without a visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs. At the height of winter, comes alive to enchant you with its famed Christmas Markets, filled with wooden stalls selling warming mulled wine, hot roasted chestnuts and handcrafted decorations. The monumental nineteenth century buildings lining the elegant Ringstrasse, add to the city s festive feel with their brightly illuminated facades. This in-depth visit, without the crush of summer crowds, will allow plenty of time not only to explore the city s exceptional art museums and galleries, but also to soak up the beguiling atmosphere of a traditional Central European Christmas. This tour is designed to be combined with New Year in Krakow & Prague, 28 December January Brian lectures for the Art Gallery Society and, since 1995, has led tours to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Central Europe and the United States of America. Christmas Markets at the Town Hall (Rathaus)

3 Itinerary Wed 21 December 2011 Depart Australia Depart Australia on Emirates (suggested airline) flights to via Dubai. Thu 22 December 2011 Arrive Arrive in. Check-in to your hotel located only a short walk away from the State Opera, the Ringstrasse, the Naschmarkt market, and the shops of the Kärntner Strasse. This evening, join Brian Ladd and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. (D) Fri 23 December Full day introductory tour of the imperial capital of the ruling Habsburg Dynasty. Drive around the famous Ringstrasse, past the State Opera House, the Hofburg Palace, the Museums of Natural History and Fine Arts, the Town Hall and Parliament. Visit the modernist Secession Building, one of the masterworks of Viennese Jugendstil architecture and view its interior with mural by Gustav Klimt. After lunch enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, the historical heart of within the Ringstrasse. Visit Stephansdom or St Stephen s Cathedral, the Imperial pastry shop Demel and the narrow streets of s old town. Spend time at the Christmas market in front of the Town Hall where the aromas of candied fruits, cotton candy and other delicacies like Christmas punch and roasted chestnuts wafting around the wooden market stalls still retain their magical power. (BL) Sat 24 December Morning visit to the Kunsthistorische Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), to view s outstanding collection of old master paintings. This imposing St Stephen s Cathedral Courtesy Tourism. Sucession Building Klimt Mural at the Sucession Building St Stephen s Cathedral

4 museum, designed by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer and built from , is the repository for the vast art collections assembled by the imperial family. The Museum ranks among the richest and most important art collections in the world. At the core of the museum s unique Picture Gallery are celebrated works by Brueghel, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Dürer, Raphael, Titian and Velazquez. Afternoon at leisure to remain at the museum. Tonight celebrate a traditional European Christmas Dinner. (BD) Sun 25 December This morning attend Christmas Mass accompanied by music from members of the orchestra and choir of the State Opera and the Boys Choir. The service will be held in the Court Chapel of the Hofburg Imperial Palace (subject to confirmation). Mid-morning visit to Schönbrunn Palace. In the possession of the Habsburg rulers since Maximilian II (ruled ), but significantly enlarged under Empress Maria Theresa ( ), Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburgs. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new republic. Owing to its historical importance, its beautiful location, magnificent architecture and the splendid layout of its gardens, this palace is among the major sights in. (BL) Kunsthistorisches Museum Mon 26 December After breakfast visit Belvedere Palace, comprising two Baroque palaces located in a beautiful park with wonderful views over the city skyline and to the Woods. Explore the Österreichische Gallerie (Austrian National Gallery) in the upper palace housing the world s largest Gustav Klimt collection, with the iconic paintings, The Kiss and Judith I. In the afternoon explore the Museum Quarter. This vibrant new precinct is one of the largest cultural sites in The Kiss and Judith I by Gustav Klimt Belvedere Palace in Winter

5 the world, with museums situated in the former imperial stables and modern buildings. The Leopold Museum, contains the largest Egon Schiele collection in the world, together with major works by Secession artists, including Gustav Klimt; Modernists and Austrian Expressionist, including Oskar Kokoschka. The Museum of Modern Art - MUMOK - has an extensive collection of international art from the 20th century to the present. (BL) Tue 27 December Morning visit to the Albertina which maintains one of the largest and most significant collections of graphic art in the world. The range of exemplary works stretches from Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens and Lorrain to Delacroix, Manet and Cézanne. The Albertina is also home to one of Europe s foremost private art collections of Impressionist and classic modern art, which is on permanent loan from the Rita und Herbert Batliner Foundation in Liechtenstein. It includes outstanding works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Modigliani, Matisse, Picasso, Degas, Giacometti and Bacon. Afternoon at leisure before a special farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of the tour. (BD) Winter street scene in Wed 28 December Depart Morning departure from for Sydney (or Krakow). A transfer to the airport will be arranged for tour members extending to Krakow. (B) Group members returning to Australia have a choice of an afternoon or evening departure on Emirates via Dubai. This tour is designed to be combined with New Year in Krakow & Prague, 28 December January Museum Quarter Albertina MUMOK (Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art) in the Museum Quarter

6 TOUR PRICES Per person twin share AUD 2,700 Single supplement* AUD 500 Deposit (per person) AUD 500 Final Payment 22 October 2011 *Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking. YOUR HOTEL... TOUR CODE AGS VIENNA SUGGESTED AIRLINE EMIRATES Please contact Renaissance Tours for assistance. TOUR PRICES INCLUDE Accommodation in a centrally located 4-star hotel with private facilities and daily breakfast (B) Meals as per itinerary (L=Lunch, D=Dinner) including a special Welcome and Farewell dinners. Wine with dinners Departure transfer if travelling on Krakow extension Comprehensive sightseeing and museum visits with Brian Ladd and local guides including entrance fees as per itinerary Lectures and talks with your tour leader throughout Gratuities for local guides and drivers Hotel porterage (1 piece per person). Airport porterage NOT included. DOES NOT INCLUDE International airfares Transfer on arrival Departure transfer (if not going on Krakow extension) Drinks with lunches Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry etc. Travel insurance Hotel Kaiserhof NB. Hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

7 Terms and Conditions How to Book Complete, sign and return the Booking Form available from Renaissance Tours with your deposit of $500 per person. Upon receipt of your Booking Form and deposit, you will receive confirmation of your place from Renaissance Tours. Deposit / Final Payments Deposit (at time of booking) AUD 500 Your deposit is used to pay supplier deposits and is nonrefundable in the event of your cancellation. Your final payment is due 60 days before departure. Failure to make your final payment by the due date may result in cancellation of your booking and loss of deposit. We reserve the right to charge a late payment fee in the event of late booking and/ or payment to cover additional communication and other expenses. Payment by cash, cheque, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa is accepted. A 3% service charge applies for payment by American Express and Diners Club. Cancellation & Refunds You may cancel the booking at any time. Written notification is essential even if verbal notification of an intention to cancel has been given. Cancellation charges will be applied as shown below, calculated from the day written notification is received by Renaissance Tours. In addition to the charges shown below, airlines may impose up to 100% cancellation charges. 60 days or more forfeit of deposit (includes any flight deposit paid) days 25% of tour cost days 50% of tour cost days 75% of tour cost Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost The above cancellation charges include applicable GST. In addition to the above cancellation charges, the full insurance premium together with any existing administration fees is also payable in the event of a cancellation by the Client. If the reason for cancellation is covered by the insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Forced Cancellations We reserve the right to cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to reach minimum tour participant numbers). Except for force majeure or the Client s failure to pay the final balance, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure. Unless the Client fails to pay the final balance, we will return all monies paid, excluding payment for travel insurance and administration fees. Passports, Visas and Vaccinations It is your responsibility to be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months after the date of your return to Australia. You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary visas, inoculations and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour. Information about these matters or related items is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of Renaissance Tours. Travel Insurance It is a condition of travel that you are covered by comprehensive travel insurance. You can make your own arrangements or your travel insurance can be arranged by Renaissance Tours. In either case all participants must provide the following information no later than 60 days prior to commencement of travel: a copy of your travel insurance policy (or details of master policy) the emergency telephone number of your insurance company next of kin emergency contact Fitness and Participation While our tours do not require a special level of fitness, for the overall benefit of the group, all tour members must possess a moderate level of mobility, including the ability to: negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities) undertake walking tour of 2-3 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces stand for long periods in museums and other sites embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance handle your own luggage If you (or we) have any doubts about your ability to participate in your chosen tour, you may be required to have a doctor s appraisal. This would require a doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour and provide you with a written confirmation of your ability to participate. Terms & Conditions You can find a copy of the full terms & conditions attached to the Renaissance Tours booking form. They can also be found on our website at: or we would be happy to post you a copy on request. No compensation will be paid in the event of cancellation by Renaissance Tours. A full refund of monies paid for tour costs will be the full extent of our liability. Airlines may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

8 TO BOOK CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA CALL RENAISSANCE TOURS ON Cover image: Christmas Markets at the Town Hall (Rathaus). Back page image: Schonbrunn Palace. ART GALLERY SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES ART GALLERY ROAD THE DOMAIN SYDNEY NSW 2000 w Your travel agent is TOUR ARRANGEMENTS BY Renaissance Tours Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001 ABN Lic. 2TA4526 Toll Free t (02) f (02) e info@renaissancetours.com.au w Brochure effective 6 May 2011