Legends of Classical Music

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday September 19: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday September 20: Vienna

Arrive into Vienna, a city of incomparable musical heritage. You will meet your Encore Tours manager at the airport and transfer to your hotel to freshen up and relax. This evening, the group will meet in the hotel lobby and walk to St. Stephen´s Cathedral where we will have an exclusive reception with a glass of Champagne in the roof attic, overlooking the wonderful Stephansplatz! Enjoy a traditional Wiener Schnitzel in one of Vienna's restaurants tonight! (D)

Day 3, Wednesday September 21: Vienna

After a hearty breakfast, a guide will take you on a walking tour of the city center. You will walk with your expert guide in the footsteps of Mozart, seeing the locales where he composed his most famous pieces, where he died and St. Michael’s Church, where his Requiem was premiered at his own death mass. Included is a visit to the famous Mozart House hidden in the little streets of Vienna. End at the magnificent St. Stephen´s Cathedral, where many composers married, were laid out to rest or had their funeral masses. This afternoon enjoy a traditional Viennese coffee & cake at Café Frauenhuber, where Mozart and Beethoven performed chamber music several times. Then visit the Central Cemetery where you can view the resting places of Europe’s Musical Greats; Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Schoenberg and many more are buried here. On returning to the city center, you will see the Ringstrasse with its impressive architecture, vast squares and parks. Tonight, enjoy your individual dinner in one of the city’s many renowned restaurants. (B)

Day 4, Thursday September 22: Vienna

This morning, visit the home of Johann Strauss, composer of the famous Donauwalzer (Blue Danube Waltz). Afterwards, you will have the unique opportunity to visit the home of the Vienna Boys Choir, the Augarten Palace, which is not normally open to the public. Here, attend a rehearsal and enjoy an exclusive lunch in the refectory of their boarding school. Later this afternoon, explore the life of the great Ludwig van Beethoven with visits to his houses, that are now museums, where he lived, wrote his testament and where he composed his only opera, Fidelio, and famous third symphony. Enjoy a glass of wine and dinner at the Heurigen (wine tavern) Mayer am Pfarrplatz, where Beethoven lived in 1817. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday September 23: Vienna

This morning, we will journey through the life of Joseph Haydn as we visit the Haydn house in the 6th district before departing for nearby Eisenstadt. Here, we will visit the Esterhazy Palace where Haydn worked and where he would perform to the wealthy elite in the famous “Haydnsaal.” While visiting the town, you will also see the architecturally unique Bergkirche where Haydn rests and where you will learn about the strange story of Haydn´s lost head! This afternoon, enjoy a special behind-the-scenes tour of the State Opera House followed by a talk given by the Opera's Youth Choir Director (subject to final scheduling). Enjoy dinner on your own. Tonight, attend a performance in one of Vienna’s famed concert venues! (B)

Day 6, Saturday September 24: Vienna

This morning, you will visit the birth place of Schubert in the 9th district of Vienna. It is hard to imagine that in these small rooms and kitchen, 16 children were born and raised! You will then visit the beautiful Liechtental Schubert Church just around the corner, where the composer was baptized, had his first musical education and where he played the organ. Next, enjoy a guided visit to the famed Musikverein where you will learn the history of Vienna's most beautiful and famous concert hall, followed by a music lecture from a current member of the Vienna Philharmonic! The afternoon is free for leisure and shopping in town. A great stop is at the famous music shop, Doblinger's, where you can buy some scores or stroll through the lovely little pathways of Vienna. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own, then you may opt to attend a performance at the Musikverein! (B)

Day 7, Sunday September 25: Salzburg

Check out of the Vienna hotel today and depart for Salzburg. En route, you will stop at the St. Florian monastery, where Anton Bruckner played the organ and where he is buried in the crypt directly beneath the instrument. You'll have the chance to hear the organ being played during a short recital performance. On arrival in Salzburg, check into your next hotel and relax. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight. (B)

Day 8, Monday September 26: Salzburg

This morning's walking tour is dedicated to the early years of Mozart. You will visit the birth place of the great composer and Salzburg Cathedral where he was baptized. Walk to St. Sebastian Cemetery to view the graves of his parents, his wife and her second husband. You will also have an exclusive guided tour through the collection of Mozart's manuscripts, which is not open to the public, in the Salzburg Tanzmeisterhaus. Enjoy a visit to the magnificent Hohensalzburg fortress that overlooks the city of Salzburg, then have time to explore at your own pace. Dinner is on your own this evening. Tonight you may opt to attend a concert performance at one of Salzburg's many venues! (B)

Day 9, Tuesday September 27: Salzburg

This morning, visit the gorgeous Salzkammergut region just outside of Salzburg, which has incredible alpine scenery. The first stop is the Mondsee Church, where the wedding scene from Sound of Music was filmed. Then visit the picturesque lakeside village of Hallstatt. Famed for its mines, as well as its charming scenery, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Tonight, return to Salzburg where you'll have a special farewell dinner with music at the world-renowned St. Peter's Restaurant! (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday September 28: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)