Day 1 | DIRECT FLIGHT TO BRATISLAVA, CITY TOUR, VIENNA, FIRST MEETING
Meet at the airport, where you will meet our agency representative, a guide specialized in this particular destination. Security check and direct flight to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, where we will walk through its well-preserved historic center, unique in Europe. A journey to another era. This is what Bratislava offers us with the Danube, its castle, and its UFO-like bridge. Its location is also its great asset. It is the only European capital located on the border of three other countries. We will walk through the Old Town, entering through St. Michael's Gate. We will see St. Martin's Cathedral, where the royal coronation took place, the Franciscan Monastery, the Capuchin Church on the large Kapucinska pedestrian street, the National Theater, the palaces, and the famous Blue Church, which looks like it came straight out of Eurodisney. The famous Castle stands above the city, overlooking the waters of the Danube as far as Austria. The Bridge, at the end of which stands the UFO tower, a large structure resembling a UFO, offers the most spectacular view of the city. There is also a luxurious restaurant on the top floor. We will also see the Presidential Palace and then depart for the Austrian capital, Vienna. Arrival at our hotel and free time to get acquainted with the city.
Day 2 | VIENNA, CITY TOUR, SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our tour of Vienna. Starting the city tour, we see the Kunsthaus, a complex of abstract buildings, and the baroque Belvedere palace complex of Prince Eugene of Savoy, now an art gallery with works by artists of the modern period and the Modernist movement. We continue to Charles Square, where we find the Church of St. Charles Borromeo and the Hall of the Society of Friends of Music, and enter the famous Ringstrasse (ring road of the historic center). Here we will see the State Opera, the winter imperial palace complex of the Hofburg, the twin Museums of Art History and Natural History, the Museum Quarter, the Parliament, the former Imperial Theater opposite the City Hall, the University, and the Votivkirche (Votive Church). Walking through the historic center, with the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral, we will discover the historic Greek quarter with the Greek Orthodox churches of St. George and Holy Trinity. Then, optionally, we will visit one of the most important sights in Europe, the famous Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the summer residence of the Habsburgs from the 18th century until 1918. See the imperial apartments, the amazing works of art, see the magnificent gardens and feel what it is like to live as an emperor.
Day 3 | VIENNA, LAKES, SALZBURG
Breakfast and then we set off on a fairytale optional excursion to Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg. Our route to the central Alps takes us through four of Austria's federal states, offering a variety of rich visual experiences. We cross the "Republic of the Alps" from east to west, climbing from the Danube valley to the alpine zone in the idyllic region of the Salzburger Land lakes. Here we see some of the largest lakes in the country, including the legendary Monsee of Celtic and Old Germanic myths. But the architecture of the rural landscape and the Alpine hinterland is also of particular interest. Then we arrive at the "Rome of the Alps," the "Jerusalem of the German-speaking Christian world," the fairytale city of Salzburg. We walk through the gardens of Mirabell Palace, leaving the Mozarteum University of Music on our left, and see the City Theater, the Mozart family home, the birthplace of King Otto of Greece, and the Greek-born composer Herbert von Karajan. We cross the Makart Bridge, or "Locked Hearts" Bridge, over the Salzach River and enter the Old Town, with its Renaissance and Medieval architecture. Walking through arcades and narrow alleys, we reach the famous Getreidegasse street, where Mozart's birthplace and the Town Hall are located. We continue to the Palace of the Prince Archbishops next to the Renaissance Cathedral of St. Peter, the Abbeys of St. Peter and the Franciscans. Free time for a walk and coffee. Return to Vienna.
Day 4 | VIENNA, THESSALONIKI
The day begins with a hearty breakfast at the hotel and free time for a last stroll in this magical city. Then transfer to Vienna airport where we will board our return flight. Arrival in Thessaloniki with the best impressions.
