Grafenegg International Festival (Austria)

Austria: Grafenegg International Festival

The Grafenegg International Festival burst onto the world stage in 2007 and received instant acclaim for the outstanding calibre of its artists and performances.

Set in the grounds of the historic Grafenegg Castle, close to the Danube and only 40 minutes from Vienna, the Festival offers concerts by the world’s leading orchestras, soloists and conductors on a ‘state-of-the-art’ platform - during our visit we will attend the following performances:

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Franz Welser-Most

Dvorak: Symphony no. 5

Schubert: ‘Death and the Maiden’ Quartet, transcribed for Orchestra

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conductor Manfred Honeck

Piano: Hélene Grimaud

Beethoven: Piano concerto no. 4
Mahler: Symphony no. 5

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting in Vienna airport mid afternoon, a private road transfer (an hour and a half) takes us to Krems where we settle into our luxury 4 star hotel, set high above the Danube. We have time to stroll in the surrounding vineyards or relax in the spa, before dinner in the Gault Millau rated restaurant of our hotel.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

After a leisurely breakfast (an Austrian breakfast is quite a spread!) we set off for a guided walking tour of the atmospheric mediaeval towns of Stein and Krems (World Heritage Sites) with their cobbled lanes, Romanesque and Gothic churches and 14C frescoes. After lunch we continue our explorations before returning to our hotel with time to enjoy the facilities (both indoor and outdoor pools). We drive to Grafenegg castle (30 minutes) for the first Festival performance and afterwards enjoy a candle-lit dinner in the castle grounds.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

This morning a traditional ferry takes us up the Danube to Dürnstein. We have some free time to explore this famously pretty mediaeval village, with its castle from which Richard the Lionheart was rescued by his minstrel Blondel, before a country walk and lunch in an historic inn, accompanied by white wines from the surrounding Wachau vineyards. We return to Grafenegg castle for dinner and the second Festival performance.

DAY 4

B, L included

Departing from our hotel after breakfast, we drive to Vienna and alight within the historic ‘Ring’ for a guided walking tour passing St. Stefan’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace (the Hapsburg imperial palace), the stables of the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna State Opera House, with the opportunity to sample the celebrated ‘Sachertorte’ en route. A tram takes us on the scenic route around the Ring for lunch in the courtyard of the Liechtenstein Palace. We see the impressive Princely Collections before continuing to Vienna airport for flights home.

Caveat

The Grafenegg International Festival events described are (rarely) subject to change by the organizers. Actual activities or their order may therefore vary from those described in the itinerary.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through through 4, on a twin shared basis

All meals (with wine at lunches and dinners) as listed in the daily notation

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Ticket for a boat trip on the Danube as described

Top category tickets for two performances of the Grafenegg International Festival

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU and the US currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Austria. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Austria.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Austria. Residents of countries in the EU can claim free (emergency) medical treatment in Austria by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is issued in the UK by the Department of Health. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.