Lovers of fine art will enjoy this tour that visits some of Vienna's most eminent art destinations. Begin at the Albertina, a grand neo-classical Viennese palace turned art museum in the center of the city. Its famed collection includes over one million old masters prints along with tens of thousands of drawings, including works by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Venture to Belvedere Palace, where the Upper Belvedere houses the largest Gustav Klimt in the world, featuring masterpieces including "The Kiss" and "Judith."  Then travel to the Museum of Fine Arts located nearby the Imperial Palace, built to showcase the art holdings of Vienna's royal family. Revel at a myriad of notable art works, including the largest collection of Pieter Bruegel paintings in the world.

On this half-day excursion, be introduced to the region known as Vienna Woods. With is exquisite forested highlands, it is one of Austria’s most stunning landscapes and historically served as the prince’s hunting grounds until the 16th century. Begin in the Roman city of Barden, renowned for its invigorating thermal spa resort with its magnificent Biedermeier architecture.  Then travel to the small village of Mayerling, home of the Mayerling Hunting Lodge. Once a royal retreat, it was transformed into a convent for Carmelite Nuns after the mysterious death of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera in 1889.  Finally, venture to the southern part of the Vienna Woods to the village of Heiligenkreuz, home of the 12th century Cistercian monastery, the oldest continuously occupied Cistercian monastery in the world.

During the six weeks before Christmas, festive holiday-themed markets open throughout Vienna and Salzburg at historic locations such as Prater Park, Hellbrunn Palace and Mirabell Palace.  As joyous seasonal music fills the air, be transported to a centuries-old tradition of the holiday market, decorated with garlands of illuminated red hearts. Meander through a cozy, winter wonderland featuring handmade gifts, life-size ginger bread houses while enjoying the sounds of choral groups performing beloved holiday carols.

Surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of the Bavarian Mountains in the Königsee River Valley stands Eagle’s Nest. Built initially as a mountaintop hideaway for Hitler for his fiftieth birthday, after World War II, the Allies established it as part of the US Armed Forces, before returning the land to Germany in 1990. From the nearby village of Obersalzburg, board a specially-equipped bus and pass rock walls and gorges while ascending the steep mountain. At the top lies a stunning marble-lined tunnel and a brass elevator that takes guests 400 feet up to the top of mountain to the entrance of Eagle's Nest. Wander amongst the grounds and revel at the magnificent views of the scenery, before returning to Berchtesgaden for refreshments and shopping.