2010/2011
New Year's Eve in Vienna
December 26, 2010 to January 2, 2011
Hosted by Maestro Alan Heatherington
Join Alan Heatherington for a glorious music lovers' week in Vienna
Your trip will include:
- Famous Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert at the Musikverein
- The Imperial New Year's Eve Ball at the Hofburg Palace
- Die Fledermaus at the Vienna Volksoper (a New Year's tradition)
- Beethoven's 9th Symphony by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Vienna Singverein at the Konzerthaus
- Guided Tour of Schönbrunn Palace
- Tours of the Beethoven and Mozart houses
- Tour of the Musical Instruments Museum
- Visit to the fascinating Hundertwasser House
- Musical commentary by Maestro Heatherington
- Daily breakfasts and three group dinners
- Accommodations at the deluxe 5-star Vienna Marriott
- Motorcoach transportation to all events
- Entrance fees to museums
Daily itinerary
Statue of Johann Strauss, across
from the Vienna Marriott Hotel
Vienna Art History Museum
Sunday December 26, 2010
- Depart US for your destination: Vienna, Austria. Airfare is not included, but we will provide reservation assistance to any who may wish it.
Monday December 27, 2010
- Arrive Vienna and check in at the luxurious 5-star Vienna Marriott on the Schubertring, a segment of the Ringstrasse that circles Vienna’s romantic core. Directly across the street in the Staatpark is one of Vienna’s most famous landmarks, a gleaming statue of Johann Strauss, Jr. playing the violin.
- The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring the magical sights of Vienna.
- 7:30 p.m. Welcome dinner at the hotel with a brief orientation to Vienna and an overview of the week’s events.
Musical Instrument Collection
at the Hofburg Palace
Courtyard outside
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Schönbrunn Palace
Hundertwasser Haus
Tuesday December 28, 2010
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- 9:00 a.m. Alan Heatherington will speak about the performances we will be sharing.
- 10:00 a.m. This morning you will be treated to a guided tour of Musical Vienna, including the Mozart Figaro House, Beethoven House and the Hofburg Palace with its priceless Musical Instrument Collection. This afternoon you will be free to enjoy the shops and streets of Vienna at your own pace. Restaurants for lunch and/or dinner will be recommended.
- Consider an afternoon visit to the incomparable Kunsthistoriches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) or to the Upper Belvedere Palace where famous works of Klimt are exhibited
The famous Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert in the Musikverein
Vienna Musikverein
Beethoven 9 with the Vienna Symphony and the Wiener Singverein
Wednesday December 29, 2010
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a guided tour of the sumptuous Schönbrunn Palace, followed by a stop at the fascinating Hundertwasser Haus and a return to the Marriott.
Now that you have made or renewed your acquaintance with this remarkable and romantic city, you will have a free afternoon and evening to experience its many delights. - Optional performance of Rossini's Barber of Seville at the Vienna Staatsoper with opera at its best: the musicians of the Vienna Philharmonic led by one of the world's great conductors with a stellar cast.
Thursday December 30, 2010
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- 9:00 a.m. Learn from Alan Heatherington about the music of Johann Strauss and the background of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in preparation for today’s memorable concerts.
- 10:15 a.m. Transfer to the Musikverein to attend a performance of the world famous New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or strolling through the streets of Vienna. - 7:00 p.m. Motorcoach transfer to the Konzerthaus. A highlight of every Viennese holiday season is the performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 ("Choral") with outstanding soloists and the famous Vienna Singakademie.
Imperial Ball at the Hofburg Palace
Friday December 31, 2010
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- 9:00 a.m. Enjoy learning more about Johann Strauss and his most famous operetta, Die Fledermaus, as Alan Heatherington prepares you for tomorrow’s performance at the Volksoper.
- The remainder of this day is free to use as you wish in preparation for the evening’s festivities. Consider attending the New Year’s Eve mass with soloists, chorus and orchestra at the Augustinerkirche in the wall of the Hofburg Palace, where many historic events have taken place.
- 5:00 p.m. Motorcoach transfer to the Hofburg Palace
For many, this evening's New Year's Eve Gala Ball will be the pièce de résistance of the trip. Immerse yourself in the elegance and splendor of theHofburg Palace as you enjoy dinner, dancing and the irresistible music of the waltz king, Johann Strauss, Jr., in the grand ballroom! Bringing in the New Year are stunning performances by some of Vienna’s finest singers, musicians and dancers from the Staatsoper and Volksoper. This evening will linger in your memory for every New Year's Eve to come.
Die Fledermaus at the
Vienna Volksoper
Saturday January 1, 2011
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- Morning and afternoon at leisure to “recover” from New Year’s Eve.
- 5:00 p.m. Share a special celebratory farewell dinner at the Marriott with your traveling colleagues to reflect on the extraordinary experiences we have shared throughout the week.
- 7:00 p.m. Motorcoach transfer to the glorious Vienna Volksoper for an unforgettable experience: a festive holiday performance of the most popular operetta of them all, Die Fledermaus!
Sunday January 2, 2011
- American full buffet breakfast at the Vienna Marriott
- Consider attending a sung mass at St. Stephen’s Cathedral or another of Vienna’s beautiful churches.
- Return flight to Chicago (reservation assistance provided on request)
The trip of a lifetime!
$5,495 per person*
Compare our trip (and price) to any others! You will not find a better bargain.
Includes hotel, breakfasts, three group dinners, tours, all concert tickets and the New Year's Ball. (excludes airfare)
Accommodations at the 5-star deluxe
Vienna Marriott
located opposite the Stadtpark, within walking distance of St. Stephen's
Cathedral, Staatsoper and the Hofburg Palace.
Commentary on musical events by
Alan Heatherington
* price based on double occupancy.
