See the famous 'Equine Ballet' at the Spanish Riding School in the Imperial Palace in Vienna
This is the last Riding School in the world where classic dressage is still practised in its purest form. Visit the superb baroque arena in the Habsburg palace to see these beautiful white stallions perform to music under the portrait of their founder, the Emperor Karl VI. Visit the Royal Stable and have a tour of the Lipizzaner Museum. Take some time to wander through the old town or take a carriage ride to see the historic sites. We are able to offer accommodation in some great Viennese hotels which we have hand picked for their location in the heart of old Vienna. Vienna is one of Europe's great cultural centres, so there is much to see for for all the family with the superb art museums, the Toy Museum, the Prater funfair, the markets, the concert halls, the palaces,.... a stand alone holiday destination or combine it with a riding trip to one of our other Austrian destinations.
Breaks of three nights (or more!) in Vienna staying in the heart of the old town, take a visit to the Spanish Riding School and a horse and carriage ride around the historic centre. Combine a visit to Vienna with a few days of riding at one of our riding hotels The Medieval Castle , the Avance Family Hotel and also the 5*Supreme Hotel, which are about one hour from Vienna by train or private transfer. Both venues offer dressage, carriage driving and rides out.
Gala performances in full costume with music take place on either Saturday or Sunday mornings at 11.00 a.m. (and some Fridays at 6pm). Tickets cost between £31 and £112 depending on the seats, with an additional booking fee applicable, with tickets hand delivered to your hotel. Alternatively you can book your own tickets online to ensure you get the exact seats you want. In July and August the horses return to graze the summer pastures at the Piber stud near Graz. Also closed on Mondays, public holidays and in January. Seats for gala performances have to be booked in advance.
The morning training session with music takes place from Tuesday to Saturday (except public holidays) from 10.00 a.m to 12.00 noon. In February the training also takes place on Mondays. Free entry to the Lipizzaner Museum with your ticket. Tickets available on the door (Michaelerplatz 1, Tues to Sat) and at Josefplatz on the day. Cost c. €12
A guided tour including the stables takes place in the afternoons, up to 3 times daily with a maximum of 25 people on each tour. Cost c. €16
A combined ticket for the tour and to watch morning exercise cost c. €26 and these are available on the door as detailed above. Ask for Ticket Plus.
This trip is available as a three night extension at either end of your holiday, or as a stand alone short break of any duration. Fly into Vienna then take a spectacular train journey to join your holiday.
Hotels:
We have extended our range of hotels for 2011 in Vienna and you can choose from one of the following, subject to availability or leave the choice to us, just choose between 3* and 5*, modern or traditional. We will place you close to or within the old town, many of our hotels are within walking distance of the Spanish Riding School.
Hotel Imperial 5* This famous hotel has an impeccable history of offering excellent service and luxury to its guests. Furnished beautifully with antiques, crystal chandeliers and marble bathrooms, it makes any stay in Vienna a memorable one. Centrally situated in the heart of the city, the Hotel Imperial is within walking distance of such renowned sites as the Vienna State Opera: the oldest theatrical institution in the German-speaking world, the Musikverein: one of the top three concert halls in the world, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, consecrated in 1147. Equally accessible is Vienna’s best shopping. The city is renowned for Swarovski crystal, Augarten porcelain, linen, and quilts-along with the Imperial Torte. All this and Lipizzaners too.
Hotel Sacher Wien 5* This privately run hotel first opened in 1876; it stands in the centre of Vienna, opposite the Opera House. Air-conditioned guest rooms feature silk wall coverings, valuable carpets, authentic baroque furniture, and original paintings by 19th century masters as well as modern amenities. The Sacher Spa and fitness centre opens in September. The Sacher is both luxurious and traditional and is as much part of Vienna as the State Opera, the Ferris Wheel, the Fiaker and the Lipizzaner horses. There is a gourmet restaurant 'Anna Sacher', the decadent Blaue Bar, and the famous atmospheric 'Rote Bar' restaurant which has a covered terrace facing the Opera House and piano music in the evenings. In addition there is the famous Cafe Sacher where the original Sacher Torte, a delicious chocolate cake, was created for the Austro-Hungarian Emperors.
The Radisson 5* A beautiful Viennese Palais excellently located on the famous Ringstrasse, which surrounds the Old City. Originally built in 1872 as two palaces, this 5* hotel has lost none of its original splendor. It is opposite the Park and the Kursalon where you can hear nightly recitals of Classical music with dance. Just ten minutes walk and you are in the heart of the old city, the St. Stephan's Cathedral and the smart pedestrianised shopping areas. Excellent location, award-winning romantic restaurant, tea salon, fitness centre and spa.
The König von Ungarn 4* In a 16th century building, this historic 4* hotel lies in the heart of the Old Imperial City, just a stone's throw from Vienna's most famous landmark, St. Stephen's Cathedral. A beautiful internal courtyard/atrium offers a welcome refuge from the bustling city and serves Viennese coffee specialites and international drinks from the bar. All the bedrooms are air-conditioned, spacious and individually decorated. The vaulted restaurant is renowned not only for its excellent cuisine but as the building in which Mozart lived and composed 'The Marriage of Figaro'. One of our favourites!
Starlight Suitenhotel Renngasse 4* opened in 2009 and just 500m (15 minute walk) from the Spanish Riding School, this hotel offers quality, large modern suite rooms in central Vienna plus a fitness room and sauna free to guests. Light buffet breakfast is included in the price and a the first child up to age 11 stays free if sharing with 2 parents. It offers a great value break with 4* comfort.
Guest Comment: The Starlight Suiten Hotel was just great for our needs. Breakfast was fine, location great, couldn't ask for more!
Melissa, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. March 2011
The Wiener Staatsoper 3* This traditional 3* family run hotel has an excellent location just off the pedestrianised shopping area, minutes from most of the cultural and historical sites. St Stephan's cathedral is just a few minutes walk. This charming old-fashioned hotel has 22 en-suite bedrooms and a small breakfast room.
Hotel Wandl 3* The Wandl is part of Viennese tradition dating back to 1700, centrally situated just 200m from St Stephan's Square. Despite its age, rooms are light and modern whilst period features remain to give the hotel great character.
Vienna is one of Europe's most beautiful cities. The historical and cultural heart of the city is compact and easy to wander around on foot. There is plenty to do for a short break here: climb up the tower of St.Stephan's cathedral for a breath-taking view of the city, stroll around the formal gardens of the dazzling Schönbrunn palace, see the crown jewels at The Hofburg, visit The Belvedere or the Lichtenstein palaces with their unique art collections or just stroll around the cobbled streets shopping, listening to the street musicians, then refresh yourself in one of the famous imperial coffee houses or deep underground in a medieval vaulted wine cellar. Vienna has some of world's greatest museums, including an outstanding collection of Old Master paintings at the Kunsthistorische Museum, and one of Europe's largest centres of modern art in the new 'MQ' or Museums' Quarter.
Vienna is also a city of music; composers such as Strauss, Mozart, Brahms, Haydn, Mahler, Schubert and Beethoven all lived here. We can organise tickets for the famous Vienna Boys' Choir at the Burgkapelle, the Strauss Salon Orchestra at the charming Kursalon in the park, or for a Mozart dinner concert in the Orangery of the Schönbrunn Palace.
Sightseeing Tours: We are delighted to be able to offer the following tours with an English speaking guide.
- City Tour and Schonbrunn: £37 Adult, £15 Child 3-11 yrs (Half day)
- City Tour and a boat ride on the Danube (April -October) £37 Adult, £15 Child 3-11 yrs (Half day)
- Vienna Woods and Mayerling £42 Adult, £15 Child 3-11 yrs (Half day)
- The Romantic Danube Valley £60 Adult, £30 Child 3-11 yrs (Full day)
- Viennese Serenade Evening: Songs, operettas, a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel and a meal at a wine tavern plus transfer back to your hotel - you may need it! £65 Adult, £30 Child 3-11 yrs (c.3 1/2 hrs, evenings Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun)
- Salzburg and the lakes: A day trip to the birthplace of Mozart and the Salzkammergut: £95 Adult, £45 Child 3-11 yrs
- Budapest: Follow the Danube to Budapest, a full day trip. £95 Adult, £45 Child 3-11 yrs
- Prague; Cultural capital of Bohemia, a full day trip £105 Adult, £45 Child 3-11 yrs (Weds/Fri April - November only)
Please contact us if you would like further details of any of the above.
Trips can be of any duration. Please contact us for an exact quote. Basic price per person for 3 nights bed and breakfast (based on two sharing a room), transfer to/from airport, horse and carriage/fiaker tour of the old town:
- 5* Hotel Imperial from £695
- 5* Hotel Sacher: from £721
- 5* Radisson: from £418
- 4* Hotel Kaiser von Ungarn: from £392
- 4* Starlight Suitenhotel Renngasse from £270
- 3* Wiener Staatsoper: £from £303
- 3* Wandl: from £340
Please contact us for quotes for any length of stay, our Vienna programme is expanding and we can arrange for short or longer visits. We are happy to advise you on hotels. If you wish to book on a room only basis please ask us for prices.
Supplements:
Hotel Imperial:
Extra nights B&B from £197 per person
Upgrade to deluxe room £48 pp per night
Rooms for single use available upon request, please ask for details.
Hotel Sacher:
Upgrade to Deluxe Junior suite £485 per person per holiday.
Extra night(s): £187 (per person).
Single supplement per holiday (3 nights) £74
Extra night for single occupancy £250
Child in room free up to 6 in parent's room
Rollaway bed £56
Hotel Radisson:
Single supplement per holiday (3 nights) £47
Third bed in room £61
Children 1-12 free (breakfast for children 7-12 £13)
Upgrade to suite: price on application
Hotel Kaiser von Ungarn:
Extra night(s): £89 (per person).
Single supplement per 3 day holiday £133
Extra night for single occupancy £123
Hotel Regina:
Single supplement per holiday £29
Half board supplement £14
Wiener Staatsoper:
Extra night(s): £61 (per person).
Single supplement per holiday £103
Extra night for single occupancy £85
Extras:
Spanish Riding School gala performance. Between £31 and £112 depending on seats.
For 2011 we are offering a selection of half day and full day tours of Vienna and the surrounding areas. See above for options and prices.
Prices include:
Bed and breakfast accommodation for your desired length of stay
Airport transfers.
All service charges and taxes.
A fiaker (Viennese carriage) ride
Price excludes:
Train transfer to join riding holiday (where applicable).
Entrance ticket to the Spanish Riding School (supplement required).
Flights, insurance, meals except breakfast.
City tours (prices as listed above)
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Getting there
Fly direct to Vienna or Bratislava (30 miles from Vienna).
Austrian Airlines (London Heathrow and Dublin to Vienna).
British Airways (London Heathrow and Manchester to Vienna).
Fly Niki (London Stansted and Manchester to Vienna).
Aer Lingus (Dublin to Vienna).
Air Berlin (Manchester, London Stansted, Belfast and Glasgow to Vienna).
Ryanair (London Stansted and Dublin to Bratislava).
Skyeurope (London Stansted and Manchester to Bratislava).
Easyjet (London Luton to Bratislava).
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Austrian train timetable.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
If you would like to view the location of this holiday, please refer to the overview map and detailed map.
Weather
Current weather and forecasts for the next few days can be found here and here.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Austria at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
Austria has one of the highest levels of household recycling and organic farming in Europe. It also has some of the cleanest lakes, is 47% forested and produces nearly 70% of its energy from renewable sources such as water.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
Consumer protection
As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
Please read our Terms and Conditions.
