Post Tour in Vienna

Only you can decide if staying on in a city is worth it, depending on your interests. I would see what appeals after checking in a guidebook. Perhaps museums or concerts?

It also depends on the time of year your tour is. I’m signed up for this very tour 12/01 - 12/08! I’m planning to stay one day post tour to attend mass at St. Stephen’s Cathedral and wander through the Christmas markets again, go to an art museum. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is filled with great art, and the building itself is a marvel. During my free time on the tour in Vienna, I plan to visit the Third Man museum as well as Christmas markets.

I was in Vienna on the RS Berlin Prague Vienna tour in 2015 and spent a couple extra days in Vienna revisiting some of the art museums and enjoying the cafes and basically wandering through the historic district. . I could have gone to Salzburg or to Schonnbrun Palace but didn’t. I stayed in Vienna enjoying the ambiance. It was very hot, it was July, and I was tired from the tour. This is a big reason I’m going on the MSV tour - to finally visit Salzburg. As Liz said, it depends on what your interests are.

I’m curious- when are you going?

Judy,

We visited the Third Man Museum as a group on the Dec. 2017 tour I was on. One of my favorites.

Liz,
I plan to watch the movie before I go on the tour! Glad to hear it’s a worthwhile thing to do.

Also, did you go the Christmas markets? Which cities? Any you liked especially? Would love to hear your impressions.

Vienna is a great European city, and are there so many places to visit. I like to say it's their music city, and one that was done in the grand continental style. It's at least a 4 day city. You've got the downtown palace, but also the Schoenbrunn and Belvedere Palaces to see. And the museums downtown in the Ring are incredible. Don't forget about the Opera and the Spanish Riding School. And if you get bored, ride the bus out to the Vienna Woods and take in a winery for dinner.

I was familiar with the movie and had seen it, so that's a good idea, although the museum is interesting even if you don't.

We left Munich the day the market was starting up, so no good feel for that one. Mostly enjoyed seeing the various markets available, but if I had to choose my favorite it would probably be the one at Karlsplatz in Vienna. It seemed more local crafts than imported stuff.

If the guide arranges for snow during your time in Hallstatt, that was a big plus on our tour. 😁

Absolutely! Your time will go quickly in Vienna.

The Schönbrunn Palace and grounds are beautiful. When we returned to Vienna for four days on a second trip to Austria, we skipped the palace tour that time & spent an afternoon just walking the grounds, ate at the cafe near the zoo on the grounds, and walked up to the Gloriette.

We had ballet tickets that performed in the Opera House. Excellent orchestra and performers!

I also enjoyed the gardens along the inner ring, and we walked a large portion of it. (You can just ride a tram, instead, to see it.)

Look through the RS guidebook to see what excites you. Also, google some of the history of Vienna to have a better idea of the what & why of the city and architecture.

And, don’t forget their coffee shops with amazing pastries & desserts!

Hi Jacquie, I did this tour December 2017 - first time in Vienna. The time went super fast. We did the Third Man tour as a group. In autumn/winter 2019, the Albertina Museum is having a large Dürer exhibit. I am taking this tour again and am planning on fitting that in. This time around, I plan to slow down a bit - though in truth there is not much time for each location. I did not especially care for the larger Christmas markets in Vienna as they were so crowded, but then it was the weekend. They seemed more like large drinking events. I steered clear. Our hotel was in Spittelberg and that market was fun and cosy. One evening a bunch of us squeezed into a very crowded local eatery. I had a great risotto with pumpkin.

@Judy: I am on your tour in December. I gravitate to this part of the world, and the tour length fits my work schedule. Plus, they have changed things up a bit for the better, IMO. Of course, I am thinking of extending - probably before the tour. I was thinking of Colmar, but lately I have been fixated on the Dolomites: Colfosco and environs. Hmmm. Follow that link in the AM east coast time to account for the time difference.

Debbie,
I’m excited to make your acquaintance and glad I will sorta know someone on the tour. I’m arriving to Munich 2 days early and staying 1 day in Vienna afterward. Colmar is on my bucket list but I don’t have enough time for it on this trip. I have my eye on the My Way Alpine Tour - I want to experience the Alps in every place on this tour. I’ve been to the Dolomites, so dramatic and beautiful! Definitely want to go back there.

Thanks for mentioning the Durer exhibit at the Albertina, I will make a point of seeing it. I enjoyed this small museum on my last time in Vienna.

Hi Judy - just a note to say I am trying to fit in the MyWay Alpine either over July 4 or Memorial Day. Need to work it out with my supervisor. I took this tour its first year and changes have been made, for the better, I think. No Hallstatt and no Bolzano (which were ok, but I can live without redoing them, especially in the summer - winter is different). In December, I will definitely be there early. I am sure we will converse before that! So looking forward to visiting this neck of the woods again - either in December or before.

We were on the GAS tour last year which ended in Vienna. I personally like to stay at least one extra night in the last city to unwind following the hectic pace of a tour. We chose to go to Schönbrunn Palace, but only walked the grounds (After awhile interiors of palace all blend together). The weather was gorgeous and being there was a great way to unwind.
Someone mentioned The Third Man Museum. Don't know if that is on the itinerary, but if it is, you'll appreciate it so much more if you view the film before your trip.
On our own, we also toured the Opera House. We'll need to return to the city because there are still museums I wanted to go into.