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Around Vienna and Lower Austria
3 stops
4 nights
81 miles
For a long time, Vienna was a major world capital. What a pleasure it is to walk along its avenues in the early morning and smell the daybreak coffee as the shops begin to open. Vienna has it all: buildings with character, wonderful parks, amazing pastry shops and magnificent concert venues such as the prestigious Musikverein. In less than an hour's journey by car or train from the Imperial Palace, you can discover vineyards producing terrific sweet wines, lakes for mid-winter iceskating and castles filled with music. This route leads you into landscapes of such beauty that they have been listed by UNESCO. A route leading all the way down to the beautiful “Blue Danube”…
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Departure
Recommended duration : 1 night
Schützen/Gebirge
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Kracher wines
Produced next to Lake Neusiedl, the Kracher House's wines benefit from a continental climate and a particularly favorable soil. With its great sweet wines, the vineyard feels like an Austrian Château d'Yquem! Alois Kracher, who passed away in 2007, was awarded the title of “Winemaker of the Year' by the prestigious Wine Magazine on several occasions. It is his son Gerhard who now runs the prestigious vineyard.
During your stay
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Skating on Lake Neusiedl
Three or four times each winter without fail, the people of Vienna head for Lake Neusiedl. Families come and slide on the big frozen lake, feeling great that they are able to take advantage of winter in this way. Everyone enjoys the cafe terraces between two arabesques. Anyone can skate: children, dogs, parents, grandparents!
On the road
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The Esterhazy Family's Castle (Eisenstadt)
Esterhazy Castle is one of the jewels of the city of Eisenstadt. The princes of the same name had it built in the second half of the 17th century. It was within these walls that the famous composer Joseph Haydn, who was the choirmaster to the Court of Esterhazy, presented many of his compositions. Every year in September, the International Haydn Days are held with many concerts in honor of the famous musician…
On the road
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Mayerling Museum
It was a defining episode in Austrian history: January 30, 1889, Archduke Rudolph, the son of Emperor Franz Joseph the 1st of Austria and Empress Elizabeth (the famous Sissi), the heir to the crown, was found dead along with his young mistress in the Mayerling hunting lodge. Known to all Austrians as the 'Mayerling tragedy' the murder has never been solved. The museum is located in the old pavilion and masses are still celebrated on the site.
On the road
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The springs at Baden
Prior to taking the name of Baden, this charming little town was called Aquae in ancient times. Located close to Vienna, many personalities from the nobility used to come and bathe in its springs. Queen Béatrice of Hungary used to bath here to fight against sterility and Emperor Franz 1st and Beethoven were also regulars. The town is still one of the most important spas in Austria.
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42 milesCar
Recommended duration : 2 nights
Vienne
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40 milesCar
Recommended duration : 1 night
Feuersbrunn am Wagram
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Grafenegg Castle
An incredible music festival has been held under the windows of Grafenegg Castle in recent years. This event brings thousands of spectators and the most prestigious orchestras in the world together (the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, etc.). It is said that flight paths are diverted during the festival to avoid disturbing the music! Toni Mörwald prepares delicious picnics for his music-loving customers.
During your stay
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The Wachau Cultural Landscapes
This is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Austria: you can walk between castles and monasteries, vineyards and rivers in this Danube valley. From Krems to Melk, you can explore paths leading to the mountains. You can eat the best apricots in the country and the area also produces great wines. It was here, in the small town of Dürnstein, that Leopold V took Richard the Lionheart prisoner. Almost 30 km long, the Wachau Valley is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural landscapes.
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