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:

Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre St Petersburg, conductor Valery Gergiev

Prokofiev: Symphony no.5

Rimsky-Korsakov: ‘Scheherazade’ Symphonic Suite for Orchestra

Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra, conductor Paavo Järvi

Piano: Rudolf Buchbinder

Beethoven: Piano concerto no. 5 and Symphony no. 5

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

L, D included

After meeting in Vienna airport by late morning, a short private road transfer takes us out into the Austrian countryside. Following a light lunch in a traditional Austrian tavern we visit Tulln Minorite church, one of the most beautiful late-Baroque churches in Austria and see the 3C AD Roman Tower on the Danube. We settle into our luxury 4 star hotel, set high above the Danube, and have time to stroll in the surrounding vineyards or relax in the infinity pool or spa, before we drive to Grafenegg castle (30 minutes) for the first Festival performance - afterwards we enjoy a candle-lit dinner in the castle grounds.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

After a leisurely breakfast (an Austrian breakfast is quite a spread!) we set off on foot for a morning guided tour of the atmospheric mediaeval towns of Stein and Krems, with their cobbled lanes, Romanesque and Gothic churches and 14C frescoes. A traditional ferry takes us up the Danube to Dürnstein for lunch in an historic inn, accompanied by wines from the surrounding Wachau vineyards. 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 returning to our hotel. The second Grafenegg Festival performance is followed by dinner in the Gault Millau rated restaurant of our hotel.

DAY 3

B, L included

Departing from our hotel after breakfast, we drive across the Danube to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Goettweig (founded in 1083), situated on the Austrian section of the Camino de Santiago and often referred to as the Austrian ‘Montecassino’ because of its dramatic setting. We see the monumental imperial staircase, the museum and the frescoes by Paul Troger (1739) before walking down through the arboretum containing giant sequoias and other rare species. We enjoy a final traditional Austrian lunch before continuing to Vienna airport for flights home, or an optional extension in Vienna.

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 3, 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

Good 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 information on 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.