Lake views in Hallstatt, pleasing bike paths and rock stars of art nouveau.
Read the names painted amid the crosses, roses and other details on some 600 skulls in the Charnel House (or “bone house”) in the otherwise perfectly picturesque town of Hallstatt. Sandwiched between soaring mountains and a tranquil blue lake, the town also has a museum of early Iron Age civilization. Other options for this day trip include visiting ancient salt mines, a cruise on the lake, and thrilling alpine adventures.
Cruise through Austria’s gently rolling Waldviertel, a landscape of wildflower-dappled hills and tidy forests, to the stately Schloss Rosenburg, owned by the Hoyos family since 1681. Take in a falconry demonstration and enjoy a schnitzel lunch before pedaling on to the Kamptal wine region. This six-day, two-country, familyfriendly biking tour is active yet relaxed, with plenty of time to explore. In the Czech Republic, stay two nights in the city of Ceský Krumlov before arriving in Prague.
Study the golden sheen of Gustav Klimt’s masterwork, The Kiss, up close and without crowds in Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. The museum’s two baroque palaces are themselves a UNESCO World Heritage site; within, browse a collection of 24 Klimts, plus works by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka and other Austrian artists. This afterhours tour is exclusive to your tour group and includes a catered welcome reception.
An abundance of cultural treasures
Traveling across Europe opens your eyes to a world of unparalleled culture and history. It often seems impossible to choose between the Renaissance art of Florence and the Impressionist paintings of Paris; Germany’s Bavarian castles and the bustling multicultural London streets. The wealth of knowledge acquired in Europe is an asset of a lifetime – its only rivals being the people and food you’ll encounter along the way! Close proximity of individual countries makes it easy to incorporate any number of them into your trip, while each country is more than worthy of a focused, extended stay as you immerse yourself in the culture and communities.
The Possibilities Are Endless
Set to a backdrop of an impressive variety of landscapes, from lush tropical rainforests to the breath-taking Rocky Mountain range, North America offers a unique adventure for every traveler. Take a road trip along the Pacific Coast highway, zip-line through Canada’s temperate rainforests, or journey through Mexico’s Copper Canyon by train. The endless opportunities of the land will leave you wanting to discover more.
