In the Steps of Sisi: The Story of an Austrian Empress
Duration: 10 days
Highlights: Munich, Aichach, Starnberg, Salzburg, Fuschl, Salzkammergut, Ischl, Vienna, Vienna Woods, Budapest, Godollo
A fascinating special interest itinerary exploring the life and times of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
This is an example of a specific special interest itinerary but we would be delighted to tailor an itinerary to suit any specific interest you may have so please do contact us to
discuss your requirements.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival Munich
Upon arrival at Munich airport you will be welcomed to Germany by your local Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and transferred to your hotel where
you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
Today in the afternoon travel out of Munich into the countryside for a half day tour (4 hours) of the ‘Sisi Estate’ in “Wittelsbach country” around Aichach. As it was Duke Max’s
favourite summer residence from 1838 to 1850. Young Sisi enjoyed a carefree childhood there and it is said that she rode her pony on the estate grounds.
Overnight: Hotel Torbräu
Day 2 - Munich - Starnberg - Munich
Today your local guide will accompany you on a 3-hour walking tour through the compact Old Town centre with its multitude of fantastic shops, markets and always busy beer
halls such as the "Hofbrauhaus" that Munich is so famous for.
See the Karlsplatz fountain, the Frauenkirche - Munich's Cathedral - as well as the Marienplatz with the New Rathaus and its chiming clock, playing daily at 11.00am and
noon (and also 5:00pm between March - October).
In the afternoon meet your private vehicle and head to Lake Starnberg which is located south-west of Munich where Possenhofen castle can be found. From 1834 onwards
it served as the summer residence of Sisi's family. Unfortunately, the building is now privately owned, but you might like to see it from the outside and have a stroll through
the gardens which can still be found there. Even after becoming the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth visited her home on Lake Starnberg regularly in the summer. In
Possenhofen train station you will find the 'Kaiserin Elisabeth Museum' which was established from a privately owned collection. A special emphasis lies on Lake Starnberg
and its roll in the family's lives.
Just a few minutes away (by car) is Rose Island - the place of retreat where Sisi met with her cousin King Ludwig II and where both withdrew from the ceremonial court and
the public – it was one of their favourite places.
You will be transferred back to Munich afterwards.
Overnight: Hotel Torbräu
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - Munich- Salzburg - Fuschl
Overnight: Schloss Fuschl, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Meal Plan: B
Day 4 - Fuschl- Salzkammergut - Ischl - Fuschl
Today enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour (8 hours) with your local guide and private driver to the beautiful Salzkammergut lake district, east of Salzburg. Stop at Lake Fuschl, a
small lake renowned for its pure blue deep waters. Continue to nearby St. Gilgen and take a public boat cruise along one of Austria's most beautiful lakes to St. Wolfgang.
St. Wolfgang is set against a dramatic backdrop of the mountains and is home to the famous 'White Horse Inn', setting for the operetta and film musical of the same name,
where you may wish to savour a coffee and apple strudel with cream on the terrace.
Continue to the town of Bad Ischl, known for its fine pastry, and visit the yellow Kaiservilla, so coloured as a sign of wealth and power of Emperor Franz Joseph, who spent so
many summers in his beloved summer residence for a period of 60 years. It was here that the 23-year old emperor and the 15-year old native of Wittelsbach were engaged in
1853. The Kaiservilla and the “Marmorschlössl” (Little Marble Palace) especially designed for Elisabeth on the palace grounds are reminders of the imperial couple.
Overnight: Schloss Fuschl, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Meal Plan: B
Day 5 - Fuschl - Salzburg - Vienna
Today you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred with your Guardian Angel to Salzburg railway station to begin your Concierge Rail journey. Here you will be
shown to your pre-reserved 1st class seating and your luggage will be handled onboard for you. Upon arrival at Vienna railway station you will be met from the door of the
train and your luggage will be handled for you. You will then be privately transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in.
A&K EUROPE’S CONCIERGE RAIL
Travel by modern express rail in Europe is an excellent way of travelling between destinations in comfort, style and at speed. The benefits of rail travel in Europe are
numerous, and in many instances rail travel can be quicker than air travel so no waiting in airport departure lounges or lost luggage!
1st Class rail travel is also a very cost effective and comfortable method of covering mid-distance travel when compared to air travel or road transfers.
A&K’s unique Concierge Rail means that you will be accompanied to your reserved 1st class seating on departure and met on the platform at the arrival terminal, whilst your
luggage will be handled for you at both ends of the journey.
In the afternoon meet your local guide for a 4 hour walking tour of the Imperial city of Vienna. Walk along the famous 'Ringstrasse' with its 19th century buildings and visit
the Hofburg Palace complex, the residence of the Habsburg family who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. In 1857 Elisabeth and Franz Joseph moved into the
“imperial apartments” in the Hofburg - stroll through the bedroom, the private exercise and beauty room as well as the bathroom. Furthermore, see the large salon of the
empress which is still kept in its original form today. You will have the chance to marvel at Sisi’s personal belongings and discover for yourself both - myth and truth- about
the empress. Continue to the gothic St Stephen's Cathedral, whose soaring structure enshrines the heart of Vienna.
Before you return to your hotel you might like to visit the Imperial Crypt which lies below the Capuchin Church. Bodies of over 140 aristocrats are buried here, including 12
Emperors and 19 Empresses and queens of the Habsburg dynasty, like Franz Joseph (1830- 1916) & his wife Elizabeth.
Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien
Meal Plan: B
Day 6 - Vienna
Meet your guide today and travel outside the city centre by horse drawn omnibus (a bigger carriage) half-day excursion (up to 4 hours) to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace
with its beautiful grounds. Schönbrunn Palace was the vast summer residence of the Habsburg's and takes its name from a beautiful spring found on the estate. Sisi
supposedly spent her first night in as well as her newlywed days in this palace. During a number of summer months, Empress Elisabeth resided in the apartments of the
baroque palace on the west side but moved later on the first floor.
The spectacular setting of the Palace and the gardens are a prime example of Baroque planning. The beauty of the strict architectural symmetry is further enhanced by its
gardens with fountains, trees and alleyways. Your guide will accompany you through many of the palace staterooms including the 'Hall of Mirrors' in which Mozart performed
for the Empress Maria Theresa when he was only six years old.
Located in the palace park, is the Wagenburg – a carriage museum where you can see Sisi’s carriages – from her bridal carriage to the coronation carriage of Budapest to
her travel carriage from Geneva and her hearse as well as robes of the empress. Her saddle and pictures of her horses are also displayed.
Afterwards you will be met by your driver and drive southeast to Laxenburg Palace. Sisi and her husband used this palace as a gateway. Moreover, it is the place where
Crown prince Rudolf, only son of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, was born. The museum is considered the “treasury of Austria” and the castle park is one of the most beautiful
English-style gardens in Europe and is truly worth visiting.
Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien
Meal Plan: B
Day 7 - Vienna - Vienna Woods - Vienna
Leave the city of Vienna behind this morning with your local guide and driver for a sightseeing excursion (8 hours) to the charming Vienna Woods.
Stop en-route to see the Hermesvilla which is situated in the idyllic setting of the former imperial hunting grounds which are now the Lainzer Tiergarten. Empress Elisabeth
called her villa ‘Palace of Dreams’ which was given to her by her husband in order to persuade her to spend more time in Vienna as she was a very keen traveler.
Photographs, plans and documents, some still existing parts of the original furnishings, and many personal items belonging of the emperor and empress can be seen in the
museum. Especially sensational is the empress’s bedroom which houses the huge royal bed which is from the time of Maria Theresa and the murals show motifs from
Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" after designs by Hans Makart.
Afterwards visit Mayerling, scene of the suicide pact between Crown Prince Rudolph and Baroness Maria Vetsera. Then a hunting lodge, it was replaced by a convent by the
bereaved Emperor. Continue to nearby Heiligenkreuz, a magnificent Cistercian Abbey. On the return trip to Vienna stop at the Seegrotte, a former mine and now a
fascinating underground lake, where you can take a motor boat trip for the best view of the reflections before returning back to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Sacher Wien
Meal Plan: B
Day 8 - Vienna - Budapest
Today you will be privately transferred to Budapest with the assistance of your Guardian Angel. Upon arrival at your hotel you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
In the afternoon you private local guide and driver will take you on a half day (4 hours) overview tour of Budapest. Cross the graceful Chain Bridge over the Danube to Buda
and ascend by funicular to Castle Hill where the former Royal Palace gracefully towers over the Danube. Explore the cobbled and colourful streets of this ancient Royal
district and visit Matthias Church, which has witnessed the coronation of many Hungarian kings as well as the coronation of Sisi and Franz Joseph. A statue of Elisabeth
serves as a reminder of her coronation. Enjoy stunning panoramas of the city and river from the Fishermen's Bastion and the nearby Gellért Hill before returning to your
hotel. You might like to see the Elisabeth-Bridge where you will find a monument dedicated to the Empress - a woman still admired by Hungarians today.
Before you return to your hotel you might like to visit the legendary 'Café Gerbeaud', frequented by the empress and queen.
Overnight: Four Seasons Gresham Palace
Meal Plan: B
Day 9 - Budapest - Godollo - Budapest
Travel into the Hungarian countryside with your local guide and private vehicle to Lázár Equestrian Park in Domonyvölgy. It reminds of the empress' enthusiasm for
equestrian sport with riding and dressage shows. Afterwards a caravan of carriages sets off into the picturesque wooded hills of Godollo.
Afterwards visit visit Grassalkovich Palace. The palace was once the summer residence of Hungary's Queen Elisabeth which was a gift from the Hungarians on the occasion
of her and Franz Joseph’s coronation. It is known as “Hungarian Versailles” – the largest baroque palace in Hungary. It was said to be the queen's favourite palace. Along
with the large stateroom, a commemorative exhibition in memory of Queen Elisabeth can be viewed in the royal chambers. The castle served as a Soviet army base during
the Communist era, however it has now been transformed back to its former glory. After your visit you will be transferred back to your hotel in Budapest.
Overnight: Four Seasons Gresham Palace
Meal Plan: B
Day 10 - Departure Budapest
Today you will be privately transferred to Budapest airport with the assistance of your Guardian Angel.
Meal Plan: B