September 28th: At Leisure in Vienna - New Photos Added!

Today was left completely free for travelers to explore Vienna at leisure - there is so much to see in the city depending on ones tastes.

In the morning a group rode the tram around the city's famous Ringstrasse, before many then went on to attend the morning training session at the Spanish Riding School and/or to visit The Belvedere to see Klimt’s masterpiece The Kiss amongst other works.

This evening many of the group are attend a variety of classical concerts in historical venues - there are always many performances to choose from.

September 27th: Vienna, with an Evening at the Vienna State Opera

With its long history as capital of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna has been home to many artists, composers & intellectuals, Vienna is both unique & fascinating.  This morning we took a walking tour of central Vienna, our expert guide Wolfgang introducing us to monument, palaces, & hidden corners of the city as well as the central St. Stephan’s Cathedral.  

After lunch our sightseeing continued with a group visit to the Hofburg, the ‘city palace’ of the Hapsburgs, including a guided tour of the Sisi Museum, dedicated to the tragic Empress Elizabeth, & the Imperial Apartments.  We were also able to view the Habsburg's Silver Collection. 

The remainder of the afternoon was free for our group members to get to know the city better, either exploring individually or with other group members.  

This evening we rendezvoused for a performance of Verdi’s La Traviata at the Wienerstaatsoper (Vienna State Opera House)!

September 26th: The Long Road from Venice to Vienna, via Ljubljana

Our journey to Vienna today took us northeast, from Italy into Slovenia & then Austria.

This morning’s departure from our hotel was by private water shuttle, after which we boarded our private air-conditioned coach for the journey around the Gulf of Trieste.

After a delayed departure we made a shortened stop in Slovenia’s charming capital city Ljubljana at lunchtime.

Arriving in Vienna in the early evening, we checked-in for a three night stay then took an evening stroll to our restaurant in the Altstadt, the city’s historic center, to enjoy a great group dinner at a traditional 'heuriger' restaurant.

September 25th: Venice at Leisure

Today dawned bright & with just a few clouds in the sky, a marked difference to yesterday's downpours!

Our day had been mostly left free for all travelers to enjoy Venice, ‘La Serenissima’, at their own pace & whim.

This morning there was an option to visit Saint Mark’s Basilica which almost everyne took, & we then enjoyed our rescheduled gondola ride (after yesterday's rain), starting & finishing in the charming Campo Santa Maria Formosa - just slightly of the main tourist thoroughfare but infinitely less crowded.

There are countless other opportunities for sightseeing in Venice & the group took full advantage - some made a beeline for the Accademia & Guggenheim art collections, others to the more intimate Scuola di San Rocco & Frari Church, whilst a few rode the water buses to explore the lagoon’s outer islands of Murano, Burano & Torcello.  No doubt most got lost in the city’s streets & alleys at some point!  This evening many stayed in the city center to enjoy a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons close to where he lived & worked!