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

Austria was spectacular! It really blew us away and the trip and country as a whole exceeded our expectations.

In advance, setting up the itinerary with Zicasso's tour operator was seamless—they were very prompt to change details and move things around to give us the exact trip we had in mind. The interactive itinerary web pages they generated were great—we could look through the timeline and fill in comments with our thoughts/suggestions on each item, making for an easy back-and-forth.

We loved the pace and layout of our trip—it gave us enough time to relax and do some exploring of our own, while at the same time hitting all the highlights of each city we visited. The hotels chosen were exceptional and exactly what we were looking for. All of the guides and drivers chosen by the tour operator did a great job and we liked receiving the information of our guide/driver the night before, with a contact number and confirmation. Throughout the trip, the tour operator checked in multiple times and was readily available to assist with any problems or questions.

Highlights were the city tour in Vienna, seeing an opera in Vienna, Wachau Valley scenery (although in hindsight, we should have spent more time here!), Innsbruck town, and our favorite—a day hike in the Alps.

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 trip to Austria and Germany was initiated with a desire to see the Christmas markets. And yes, these were magical, but Zicasso’s travel company also included guided trips at each location to fully enjoy our trip. The private ride through Bavaria to Neuschwanstein Castle was Christmas-card picturesque. Walking through Vienna on a guided tour was as if we were visiting Franz Joseph and Sisi. The travel company created an itinerary that balanced the needs of a group with different ages, interests, and budgets, and everyone had a magnificent time.

Zicasso's travel expert pulled together a great itinerary and was very responsive to all of our questions, regardless of the time or the day of the week. He checked in with us during the tour and arranged for a birthday cake when we were in Vienna.

We were more than pleased with our guide. He was helpful, always on time, and just a pleasure to be with. He was always helpful with restaurant suggestions and always made reservations for us. He was always ready to help us with our luggage and he even carried a backpack for us during one tour. He even played a "Sound of Music" recording for us while we traveled to Salzburg. It was like we were traveling with a new friend. We would highly recommend our travel company and our guide, We are in the process of planning another tour with them.

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.

The trip was exactly what we wished for this past Christmas. We had all our grown children together for Christmas for the first time in years.

We started the trip in Vienna, where we took a walking tour of the city and saw its wonderful Christmas markets, Schönbrunn Palace, the Lipizzaner stallions, and learned how to best make apple strudel. From there, we went to Filzmoos, where we took a sleigh ride up the mountain for a traditional Austrian dinner. We also spent Christmas Day up on Kitzsteinhorn. Then we went on to Salzburg, where we took a city tour and enjoyed the late Christmas market opportunities. From there, we drove to Prague to spend our New Year’s.

Zicasso’s travel company gave us just what we wanted. And the most important component of the trip was the people we met along the way. The drivers and the tour guides were all fabulous. Many seemed like old friends by the time our trip was over. Please send our thanks to all those involved in making our trip one we will never forget.