Day 1 |December 22nd|:On the road, towards Arad and the Christmas Market.
Departure at 05:00 from in front of the Montana Agency. Travel on the route: Galati/Braila-Brasov-Sibiu-Arad. Accommodation Hotel Continental Forum 4*. After accommodation, you can take a walk through Mihai Eminescu Park, where the Christmas Fair takes place (the hotel is centrally located – km 0). In this, at the fair we will be able to find various culinary dishes, mulled wine, sweets, gifts, toys, hand-made products, decorations and artisanal products; all in a fairytale setting, full of garlands and lights.
Day 2 |December 23|:Budapest-Vienna, the two imperial cities
Breakfast. Departure for BUDAPEST. Panoramic city tour (by bus): Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Royal Palace, Opera House, Parliament, Cathedral, Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Margaret Island. BONUS: We will go by bus to Heroes’ Square, a monument on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Arrival in Vienna in the evening. Accommodation Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe 4*
Day 3 |December 24|: Vienna, under the magic of “Ajjulu”
Breakfast. In the morning, panoramic bus tour along the famous VIENNA RING: State Opera, Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of History, Ministry of War, MAK – Museum of Contemporary Art, Hofburg Palace – former winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty, Maria Theresa Square, Parliament, City Hall and Burgtheater. Walking tour of the historic center: Hofburg Palace, Riding School, Pest Monument, St. Stephen’s Cathedral; free time. Afternoon: free time for shopping and the Christmas Market (open until 9:00 p.m.). Don’t miss the CHRISTMAS MARKET in the Town Hall Park, Rathausplatz and/or the CHRISTMAS MARKET with the Christmas Village in Maria-Theresien-Platz. With the traditional Viennese charm of Advent, the Town Hall Square Rathausplatz is transformed into a fairy tale. The approximately 150 sales stands offer Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets and hot drinks. And the trees in the park surrounding the Town Hall are festively decorated and shine in a sea of lights. Here you will find many things for children. Not far from here is the Christmas Village in Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Museum of Art History and the Museum of Natural Sciences. During Advent, there are over 60 stands with traditional folk art items and original gift ideas. Accommodation Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe 4*
Day 4 |December 25|:Vienna-Melk Abbey (the most beautiful baroque abbey, also mentioned in the famous novel “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco).
Breakfast. OPTIONAL: Excursion to Melk, where the famous Melk Abbey is located, a stunning Baroque monument, over 900 years old and of particular cultural importance (the Melk Abbey library holds an impressive collection of medieval manuscripts, of immeasurable value). Participation in the Christmas Service in the magnificent Benedictine Melk Abbey (a unique experience). This is visibly a tribute to the Baroque style, (considered the most beautiful church built in the Baroque style, north of the Alps) both through the extraordinary statues of the abbot of that time, Berthold Dietmayr, and through the beautiful facades of the buildings within the complex. The interior is remarkable for its architecture, statues and paintings and the red and gold color. A unique effect was achieved by positioning the main altar and the dome where the light from the windows can shine on them. The frescoes in the nave, by the Salzburg master Michael Rottmayr (1722), depict the glorification of Saint Benedict; according to legend, two monks watched him ascend to Heaven. The side altars are designed as chapels, each referring to the life of a saint, for example, John the Baptist and Saint Sebastian. Of particular importance are the choir stalls, the confessional chair, the organ, the artistically carved pulpit and the main altar, with portraits of the church’s patron saints, Saints Peter and Paul (made in the 18th century by Peter Widerin). The paintings on the vaulted ceiling portray the Holy Trinity surrounded by saints. In 1976, a modern altar was erected, incorporating parts of the old Baroque furniture.
Afternoon: Free time in VIENNA, City Hall area – Maria Theresa Square: walk, souvenirs, traditional snacks (wine, traditional sausage, cascane, baked potato, etc.)
OPTIONAL: In the evening, you are invited to the Christmas Concert at the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Accommodation Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe 4*
Day 5 | December 26 |: Vienna (Schonbrunn Palace) – Arad
Breakfast. In the morning BONUS transport to visit one of the most important cultural monuments in the country, SCHONBRUNN PALACE, the former imperial summer residence of the Habsburg family. The palace and gardens illustrate their tastes, interests and aspirations. Those who choose to visit (the entrance ticket to the objective and the guide for it are not included) have the opportunity to admire the wonderful rooms furnished in rococo style, decorated with Bohemian chandeliers: the office, the living room, the bedrooms, the playrooms, the Chinese round room, the Blue Salon, the Hall of Mirrors, etc. Those who do not want to visit the interior of the palace can spend their time in the Christmas Market located near the entrance (traditional and handmade products).
In the afternoon, we head to our accommodation, where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation Hotel Continental Forum 4* – Arad (centrally located)
Day 6 |December 27th|:Home…
Breakfast. Arrival in Galati approx. 11:00 PM, depending on traffic conditions.
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