Discover artisan crafts from workshops and studio tours to stalls at festive Christmas markets in Vienna. Immerse yourself in hands-on workshops led by local artisans in the region of Burgenland, from pottery to gemstone polishing to traditional Lebkuchen baking and decorating. Explore the studios to learn about traditional brush-making and indigo dyeing processes.

To get in the festive spirit and experience the magic of the holidays, we begin and end the tour in the imperial city of Vienna. The city at this time is filled with Christmas decorations and neighborhood Christmas markets. Discover unique shopping opportunities and cultural experiences at Christmas markets nestled within and around historic settings. Enjoy a Glühwein in front of Schönbrunn Palace, admiring its magnificent Christmas tree, or with the iconic St. Stephen's Cathedral as your backdrop.

The tour features hand-picked boutique hotels, including a spa hotel designed by Austrian artist Hundertwasser, where nature, art, and architecture converge. Our itinerary combines organized activities and experiences, meals highlighting Austrian cuisine, and independent time for exploration. This tour is brimming with creative inspiration, unique cultural experiences, and holiday spirit!

The tour begins at 3 PM with a welcome drink and orientation at the hotel in Vienna.

After the orientation, we walk to a restaurant for the Welcome Dinner and discover the first Christmas Market in the neighborhood along the way!

Meals Included: Dinner

Hotel: Vienna

A private van will pick the group up at the hotel in Vienna after breakfast and drive through the countryside to Rust, a small town in Burgenland. Located on the western shore of Lake Neusiedl near the border with Hungary, Rust is the country's smallest royal free city and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Check in to the hotel located near the walking path along Lake Neusiedl with panoramic views.

A local historian takes us on a walking tour of the beautiful Baroque/Renaissance historic old town. During the tour, the historian will weave together stories and insights about the area's rich history.

Rust is also known as the "City of Storks" due to nesting white storks who make Rust their home during the season in chimneys atop the historic buildings. Look up and you will see stork nests everywhere.

After the walking tour ends lunch and the afternoon is on your own. You can enjoy a wine tasting, swim at the hotel, or shopping in the old town.

Rust is well-known for wine. We enjoy a group dinner at a local fine dining restaurant. The restaurant is located in a restored 16th century building in the old town filled with charm and history. The chef creates delicious regional dishes of the season daily and our dinner will be paired with local wines.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Rust

After a delicious buffet breakfast, we check out and board the private van to travel to our first artisan studio. We will learn about brush and broom-making at a family-owned business in its 4th generation.

After lunch on your own at a local restaurant, we make our way to one of Europe's last indigo dyeworks to learn about how traditional patterns are dyed into natural fabrics in ancient vats.

In the family's original workshops, a third-generation artisan and his wife will show us each step in the process which is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The experience ends with an opportunity to bring home hand-printed fabric or a handmade item designed by the artisans.

After check in to our hotel, which is located directly across from a castle, the day will end with dinner together at one of Burgenland's best (and smallest) restaurants prepared specifically by the chef for our group.

Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Schlaining

Our morning is all about ceramics! After breakfast we walk to the artist and ceramic studio of Petra Lindenbauer. Her studio is located in a typical Burgenland style building. Her studio, gallery and courtyard are hidden behind a beautiful wooden door. Petra is an applied ceramist who attaches great importance to the communicative nature of ceramics. She will give us a tour of her gallery and discuss what she means by 'letting the clay speak' in her work.

Our next stop is to the studio and workshop of Isa Gabriel, another local ceramicist well-known for her whimsical designs. We then get creative with Isa as our teacher in a clay workshop.

After the workshop lunch is on your own at a local restaurant.

The afternoon is spent with Erich Lendl, one of Burgenland's finest pastry chefs and master bakers, in a Lebkuchen-making workshop in a small town bordering Hungary. We learn about Lebkuchen, the regional gingerbread with a long history. A sweet end to the workshop includes tasting Chef Erich's delicious Lebkuchen cookies and shopping in the bakery. Make sure to leave room in your suitcase to bring some home for the holidays.

We also visit the small, but excellently done village museum to learn more about the history and culture in this Austro-Hungarian region.

We return to the hotel and enjoy a group dinner at the restaurant in the historic Schlaining Castle.

The Schlaining Castle, as it was officially named in 1786, is now home to Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution. The Friedensburg Schlaining was first mentioned in 1271 as "castrum Zloynuk."

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Schlaining

The morning is spent at the precious serpentine workshop - a rare, semi-precious gemstone found in a single known deposit near Bernstein in Burgenland. After learning about how it is mined and refined, we polish our own stones as a keepsake to take home.

We end our time in Burgenland with lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

It's time for our first Christmas Market at Burgau Castle in the region of Styria. The Christmas Market takes place inside of the castle on three floors and is filled with tasteful, opulent decorations, many handmade and local products.

After shopping , we head to the spa hotel. The evening is yours to enjoy, including dinner on your own at one of the restaurants at the hotel. Explore the hotel complex, unwind in the thermal spa, or simply relax.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Spa hotel

Where art and architecture and nature meet relaxation!

Time to relax, rejuvenate and experience spa culture in Austria! We have the day to enjoy the beautiful Rogner Bad Blumau designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who celebrated humanity and the natural world through his playful architecture and lush vegetation. Featuring 14 different inside and outside pools and two hot springs and the thermal spa‘s one-of-a-kind Vulkania® healing waters spring from a depth of over 3,000m (10,000 ft). With a salt content of 17.6g per liter, the spring waters are comparable to sea water and that means a relaxing floating experience. Cool and warm pools are available.

Nature is an integral part of the architecture and its design. Wander along the trails, discover green roofs, and artsy buildings hidden in and amongst the landscape of the 104 acre grounds.

Sign-up for a spa treatment or spend the day lounging in your robe by the pool. The spa day is yours to enjoy however you'd like.

As part of your stay at the Rogner Bad Blumau spa hotel, dinner will be provided on your own at one of its restaurants.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Spa hotel

We say goodbye to "Austria's Tuscany" after breakfast and and make our way in the private van to Vienna.

First stop is to check in to our boutique hotel centrally located in the Spittelberg neighborhood. Free of our luggage and fitted out with our transportation passes, we head off to our first Christmas market.

After lunch on your own, we tour the iconic imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace. The Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning example of Baroque architecture. We enjoy a traditional mulled wine (glühwein) together. while enjoying the larger than life Christmas tree and extensive Christmas Market.

You are on your own for the rest of the day and evening to enjoy the the artisan stands in the festive Christmas Markets, attend a concert or to explore Vienna. Dinner is on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel: Vienna

Breakfast at the hotel and the day to explore and discover Vienna!

Take the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, browse local shops, explore a museum, attend a classical concert, or simply relax in a traditional Viennese coffee house—the day is yours!

We gather together in the late afternoon at the favorite Christmas Market of the Viennese for a glühwein before our Farewell Dinner, a final culinary treat to enjoy a last taste of Austria.​

Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Vienna

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast when you say goodbye to new friends and Austria. Return home with a suitcase full of one-of-a kind gifts and lifetime memories!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Deposit:

€500 per person required at the time of booking to confirm a spot on the tour. Deposits are refundable until July 1, 2027

Payment Options:

1. Payment in full

2. Two equal installments

   1. First payment due by May 15, 2027

   2. Balance due by August 15, 2027

Our tours are small and intimate with 8-14 travelers, we want to ensure that anyone who wants to join in has the opportunity.

Activity Level:

The tour has a Level 3 moderate/active activity level rating. The tour includes daily walking, often on uneven surfaces, inclines and slopes, as well as city walking and public transportation.

Activity Level Ratings:

Level 1: Easy

Level 2: Moderate

Level 3: Moderate/Active

Level 4: Active

Level 5: Challenging

Travelers are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in the daily activities of the tour. Health conditions that will impact or limit participation must be disclosed at the time of booking. We reserve the right to decline a booking if the condition or limitations may affect the ability to safely participate in the tour. By clicking the "Book Now" I acknowledge that I am physically able to participate in the tour/activity.

Travel Insurance:

Travelers are strongly recommended to purchase personal travelers insurance for the tour. Insurance policies can cover medical, medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, and potential losses including damage to or theft of belongings. Travelers insurance offer you access to 24/7 travel assistance and peace of mind while traveling abroad or if you have an emergency last minute and need to cancel the tour.

Passport:

A valid passport with an expiration date of six months or more is mandatory to depart the United States and to enter Europe. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. If you need a passport or to renew your passport allow sufficient time.

ETIAS:

European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required for entry into Europe beginning in late 2026 for visa exempt travelers. Travelers can apply online and submit a fee. The ETIAS is valid for three years or until passport expiration.