Vienna in 4 Days: Palaces, Strudel, Coffee & Dürnstein｜Austria

Day 1: Vienna

Begin your adventure with a welcome meeting in Vienna. Set off on an orientation walk through the city’s compact center. Stop at the Gothic-style St. Stephen’s Cathedral, wander past the grand neo-classical Graben, and on to the Hofburg Palace. Visit Vollpension, where you can buy sweet eats just like your grandma made. This cafe aims to bridge the generation gap and bring people together through food, by employing baking masters who happen to be grandmas and grandpas. Finish your walk at the State Opera House.

After, visit the Hundertwasserhaus, which forms a mosaic of shapes, colors, and pillars typically associated with the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Recognized for its creative and sustainable gardens, be sure to have your camera ready to capture the beauty of this landmark. Later, join your group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and indulge in some authentic Austrian flavors.

Day 2: Vienna

Start your day with pastries and coffee on a coffee and market tour. Get a thorough introduction to Vienna’s food and drink scene with a local showing you the best places to stop for both sweet and savory delights. Stroll through a local market in the Grätzls neighborhood and discover historic gems and local hot spots. Treat your taste buds to a traditional Viennese coffee at some of your leader's favorite places. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral or take a spin on the famous Prater Ferris Wheel nearby for a bird’s eye view of the city.

Day 3: Wachau Valley

Spend today exploring Durnstein in the Wachau Valley. Board a train to Krems – the gateway to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage region of Wachau. From there, hop aboard one of the famous Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft (Danube Steamboat Shipping Company) boats to Durnstein. When you arrive, visit the Durnstein Monastery and the ruins of Durnstein Castle. Spend some time exploring the historic site, then make your way back into town. Here, perhaps opt to sample some of the region’s local wines at one of the nearby Heuriger wine bars. This afternoon, return to Krems, where you'll have a couple of hours to explore before heading back to Vienna. Tonight, maybe head out for one last dinner with your group and celebrate a trip well-traveled!

Day 4: Vienna

Join an audio-guided tour of Schonbrunn Palace – the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Wander through the private apartments of the imperial couple Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, and see the private rooms once occupied by Maria Theresa. Discover the importance of strudel to Austrian and Viennese culture during a strudel baking workshop. Learn how to make the beloved pastry and walk away with a full stomach and a diploma in strudel baking! After today’s activities, your adventure comes to an end this afternoon.