Seniors’ Exploration of Austria: Vienna, Salzburg, Kaprun Tour

This travel company handled all the arrangements for our trip to Austria and Switzerland in August. I'll focus here mainly on the Austria segment, because they needed to handle much more for us in that segment.

We spent 6 days in Vienna, and 1 in Salzburg. The travel company booked us into the most amazing hotel in Vienna. It was in the older part of Vienna, very central and easy to walk to all the major sights, but on a very quiet street - exactly what we had hoped to get!  The rooms were suites - sparkling clean, comfortable and modern, and the breakfasts were amazing! 

We also booked 2 tours through them - one was a Vienna highlights tour, including entry into Schoenbrunn Palace. The other tour was a Vienna Woods tour. Our tour guide and our driver, who also did the transfers, were absolutely wonderful. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us great historical and cultural insights we would not have got by ourselves. For both our tours, we actually continued on by ourselves from where we ended the tour (Schonbrunn Palace and Baden respectively) and our agent made sure to tell us how to get back to our hotel. Our driver was terrific all round, and specially helpful on the transfer to the train station, where he showed us how to decode the wagon locations location so we had no trouble with all our other segments in Vienna and Switzerland from there on. He actually waited an hour with us at the train station for the Vienna-Salzburg segment to make sure we had no trouble.

The hotel in Salzburg was also wonderfully central and had a lot of charm, with an amazing breakfast. We did only self-guided touristing that day, but had an efficient and on-time transfer to the train station the next day on our way to Switzerland.

In Switzerland we stayed in Lauterbrunnen for 4 days and in Weggis on Lake Luzern for 3 days. Our hotel in Weggis was amazing, and here again all the train travel and transfers were very efficient and on time. We did not have any guided tours in Switzerland, since we were focused on hiking amidst all the scenic splendors, and there is a wealth of information on hiking trails and how to get to them available online.

I would highly recommend this company for travel to Austria and Switzerland. 

(My sole caveat, unrelated to the travel company, is to go with hotels, not privately owned apartments, as we did in Lauterbrunnen, where we had hosts from hell, who were as inhospitable as it is possible to be.)

The planning and organization for our trip to Germany and Austria was expertly handled by Zicasso's travel partner. We could not have asked for a better trip. 

We gathered our adult children and friends together to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the Old World. In and around Munich, we saw Neuschwanstein and many of the city's beautifully ornate churches. We also visited the Christmas markets and beer halls, and ate way to much fabulous German food. 

Our agent contracted private guides in Munich and Salzburg. These guides were superior. They had detailed knowledge of the area, its history, and people. 

We spent Christmas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is a lovely, magical town in the shadow of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze. On Christmas Day, I took the cable car up the mountain and the sights from the top were tremendous. On the day we were there, we could see 230km in all directions. Of course, when in the Alps, you must ski, so we visited Hintertux for a day of skiing and glacier exploration.  

Then we went to Salzburg to explore the sites of Mozart's birthplace, but there is so much more to the town than that. The town has over 1,000 years of history and the people there could not have been more hospitable. 

From there, we went back to Munich to celebrate New Year at Tollwood. 

Thank you, and a special thanks to our travel team for all the planning that went into the trip. It was pleasantly unforgettable. And I cannot forget our guides. The guides in Munich and Salzburg were excellent – extremely knowledgeable, personable, and always there when needed. I cannot wait to go back, and when I do, I will be planning our trip through your company.

Our three-week winter escapade to France, Switzerland, and Austria was nothing short of a magical journey through some of the most enchanting winter wonderlands Europe has to offer. From the romance of horse-drawn carriage rides to the charm of bustling Christmas markets, every moment was incredible.

France: A Parisian Winter Dream

We began our adventure in Paris, the City of Lights, which becomes even more captivating during the winter. The Eiffel Tower sparkled against the night sky and Paris offered a blend of elegance and festive cheer that set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip.

Another highlight was our visit to Colmar, a charming Alsace town that felt like stepping into a storybook. Its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and magical Christmas market made it an unforgettable experience, with festive lights and holiday spirit around every corner.

Switzerland: A Snow-Capped Wonderland

Next, we ventured to Switzerland, where the true magic of winter revealed itself. The highlight was our trip to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe." The journey up was as breathtaking as the destination itself, with panoramic views of snow-draped peaks and charming alpine villages. Once at Jungfraujoch, we were mesmerized by the endless expanse of snow and ice.

Equally unforgettable was our visit to First Mountain. The crisp air, thrilling walk, and ziplining added an adventurous touch. The view from the suspension bridge, with the mountains stretching endlessly into the horizon, was a sight that will forever be etched in our memories.

We also had the thrill of dog sledding near the Matterhorn. Gliding across snowy trails with a team of eager huskies was an exhilarating and unique way to experience the majestic mountain landscapes.

Austria: A Symphony of Tradition and Festivity

Our final stop was Austria, where the Christmas spirit was alive in every corner. The Vienna Christmas Market was a dream come true, with its illuminated stalls offering everything from handcrafted ornaments to mouthwatering strudels and mulled wine. Salzburg, with its Baroque architecture and snow-dusted rooftops, felt like stepping into a fairy tale. We also attended a classical music performance that added a touch of cultural richness to our holiday.

To top it off, we enjoyed a cozy, horse-drawn carriage ride through a picturesque Austrian village. Wrapped in warm blankets, we listened to the rhythmic clopping of hooves as we glided past snow-covered chalets and twinkling lights – a truly enchanting experience!

The entire trip was a seamless blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and festive joy. Each destination brought its own unique charm, leaving us with unforgettable memories of twinkling lights, snowy peaks, and the warm glow of holiday cheer. Winter in Europe is truly a season to behold and this journey was nothing short of spectacular.

Our Zicasso travel representative made sure every small detail was organized and even double-checked the drivers, tours, etc, in advance. This is the perfect travel company and we will surely use them again! Our agents communicated with us throughout the trip to ensure everything was flawless! Thank you for the most magical holiday ever! We shall cherish these memories forever.

We enjoyed every minute of our vacation. Our Zicasso travel agent exceeded all our expectations. She put in a lot of effort to craft an itinerary that perfectly reflected our interests and needs, ensuring we experienced the best of what Austria and Germany had to offer. Her ability to understand and cater to our preferences made our trip truly unforgettable.

We learned how to make Viennese strudel in a palace kitchen and dance a waltz in the best waltz school in Vienna. We marveled at classical music concerts in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna and at Salzburg fortress. Even the seats our agent chose were exactly what I asked for. We climbed the rocky paths of Eagle's Nest and walked around the cobbled streets of ancient German towns.

Our agent’s recommendations for accommodations and transfers between towns and countries were spot-on, providing us with comfort and convenience throughout our trip. The private guided tours and activities she arranged were not only insightful, but added a unique touch to our journey, making it truly memorable.

Her attention to detail and prompt responses to all our queries made the entire experience stress-free.

Our agent’s deep knowledge of both countries shone through in every interaction, making our vacation an extraordinary adventure. We were very grateful for her exceptional service and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to explore the wonders of these beautiful countries.

Thank you, for creating memories that will last a lifetime!