The great Hungarian nobleman, Prince Miklós Esterházy (1741-1790), endowed the world with an extraordinary legacy of music and architecture. As Haydn's patron for four decades, he provided the setting in which the composer produced his finest works - the entire court moving twice annually between the Esterházy Palaces in Fertód in Hungary and Eisenstadt, which was in Hungary until 1921 border adjustments placed it in Austria.
During our 9 day visit to this fascinating area of central Europe we attend two performances of the International Festival in the magnificent Esterházy palace in Eisenstadt; enjoy forest, lakeside and vineyard walks; partake of wine-tastings; and explore the Gothic and Baroque heritage of Hungary's quiet small towns - Western Transdanubia escaped the Mongol and Turkish invasions by a whisker.
We begin the holiday with two days in Vienna, that most elegant and cultural of cities, with a performance of Puccini’s opera ‘Madama Butterfly’ in the Vienna State Opera house; and conclude with two days in a splendid 11C castle, now a charming 4 star hotel.
HIGHLIGHTS of our Hungary and Austria walking tour include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
'A wonderful trip! Varied, dynamic, educational and fun. Fi's bubbling enthusiasm was delightful and infectious. The trip was informative and helped make the local history more personal and meaningful. All in all, we were very happy with the trip.'
‘The combination of good to excellent hotel choices, consistently good to great food & wine, a well judged balance of walks through interesting & varied countryside & places of historic & architectural interest together with some delightful concerts made for a lovely holiday.'
DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Vienna international airport in the early afternoon, we have a short transfer into the city centre and an orientation walk which brings us to our very comfortable (4 star) historic hotel, ideally situated within ‘the Ring’, Vienna's mainly pedestrianised historic centre. Once settled in we visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum housing one of the most important collections of paintings in the world.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
A full day to explore Vienna, partly guided and partly following individual interests: the possibilities include the treasures of St. Stephan's cathedral; the bustling, colourful Naschmarkt – Vienna’s oldest food market; the magnificent Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School; the Hapsburg imperial palace, the Hofburg (containing the imperial jewellery collection in the Schatzkammer); Sigmund Freud’s consulting rooms; or savouring Sachertorte in a Viennese traditional coffee houses. After an early dinner we attend a performance of Puccini’s ‘Madama Butterfly’ in the celebrated Vienna State Opera House.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
Heading east of Vienna, we visit the archaeological museum of Carnuntum (housed in a replica Roman villa) and then explore the site of Roman Carnuntum, the XV Legion’s camp from which they defended the boundaries of the empire on the Danube. We see the charming small cottage where Haydn was born before a walk through woodland in the hills above Eisenstadt and a stroll in the vineyards where the wine harvest should already be under way. We settle into our hotel (4 star, modern and central) and enjoy a dinner of Burgenland specialities accompanied by first class local wines.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
Following a visit to the Haydn Museum, housed in the composer's home from 1766 to 1778, we walk to the splendid Schloss Esterházy for a performance of works by Haydn, Vanhal and von Dittersdorf by the ensemble ‘Dolce Risonanza’ (violins, organ and harpsichord). This afternoon we visit the Landesmuseum, which contains remarkable Celtic artefacts, Roman mosaics and Liszt’s ‘Blue Salon’. An early dinner in an excellent contemporary restaurant in the former Baroque Riding Hall of the Esterházy Princes precedes a performance of works by Haydn and Vanhal, presented by the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra with the renowned cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, in the Schloss Esterházy.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
In the nearby village of Rust we have free time to wander - many of the 17th century houses are crowned with huge storks nests, and the 12th - 16th century Fischerkirche contains faded Romanesque frescoes – then partake of lunch in a traditional heuriger (rustic wine tavern). A small foot ferry takes us across lake Neusiedlersee to Hungary where we have a leisurely stroll in the Fertod National Park, ecologically part of the puszta or Hungarian steppes. We walk along an historically important section of the former Iron Curtain (site of the ‘Sopron Picnic’) before continuing to Sopron and our hotel, a recently restored Renaissance mansion (4 star) in the quiet historic centre.
We travel a short distance to Fertod to visit the Esterhazy Palace - often referred to as the ‘Hungarian Versailles’, this opulent palace was Prince Miklos Esterházy’s summer residence where Haydn composed an enormous number of works - during the golden years between 1770 and 1790, at least one new opera performance was given each month! Returning to Sopron (where the nine year old Liszt dazzled audiences at his debut) the afternoon is free for exploring Hungary's most delightful mediaeval town - since neither the Mongols nor the Turks reached here the walled Inner Town is a treasury of Gothic and early Baroque architecture. Highlights include the Old and New Synagogues (both built in the 14th century and amongst the greatest Jewish Gothic monuments in Europe); climbing the Fire Tower (which has a square 10th century base on top of a Roman gate, a 16th century cylindrical section and a Baroque arcaded balcony and spire); and the Storno Collection of Gothic furnishings. This evening an informal wine-tasting accompanies dinner in an excellent local restaurant.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
Half an hour’s drive brings us to Kószeg, a tranquil little town with a charming Renaissance square and an illustrious history. During the 1532 siege of the town castle by Suleyman the Magnificent’s troops, a handful of Hungarian soldiers successfully held the fortress for 25 days against 100,000 Turks who finally withdrew at 11 a.m. on 30th August, sparing Kószeg (and Vienna for the next 150 years). Church bells peal an hour before noon to this day. Continuing to Cák, we walk in the landscape reserve and lunch near a picturesque row of thatched above-ground wine cellars. In the sleepy village of Ják we pause to visit Hungary's most important Romanesque architectural monument - the Benedictine Abbey Church. Founded in 1214 and miraculously escaping destruction by the Mongol hordes, its chief glory is the Norman-style portal. After crossing the border back into Austria our destination is a privately owned castle hotel (4 star) dating from 1065, superbly sited in the forested hills which form the present borders with Hungary and Slovenia. The castle's long history includes five centuries as part of the Hungarian Crown Lands and successfully surviving a number of sieges and invasions from the east.
DAY 8
B, L, D included
After breakfast we set off on foot for a morning exploring the forest trails - early autumn colours, wild cyclamen and fungi, and the whitewashed small wayside chapels which characterise this rural corner of Styria. Returning to the hotel we tour the castle's own 17th century ‘Long Cellar’, where the estate wine is aged in barrique casks made from their own oak trees - and taste the highly acclaimed results. A formal dinner of Styrian specialties is given a light and creative touch by the noted chef-patron.
DAY 9
B, L included
We travel north, pausing for a guided visit of the Augustinian Abbey of Vorau with its richly frescoed interior, remarkable double organ and organ loft and 18th century Rococo library. After a light lunch our trip concludes with a transfer to Vienna airport for late afternoon flights.
Caveat
The Haydn Festival events described are (rarely) subject to change by the organizers. Actual activities or their order may therefore vary from those described in the itinerary.
Please note that the single room supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable.
On Kudu trips you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
2 nights in a privately owned castle hotel (4 star) dating from 1065, superbly sited in the forested hills on the border with Hungary and Slovenia
PLEASE NOTE THAT EARLY BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MUSIC AND OPERA TRIPS.
Kudu Travel reserves a block of seats for each performance, approximately 1 year in advance, and unsold seats will eventually be released. Once released, it may not be possible to retrieve seats in the same category, or indeed, to obtain any tickets at all for sold out performances.
Visa and Health Requirements
Visitors from the EU and USA currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Austria and Hungary. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassies of Austria and Hungary.
At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Austria or Hungary. Residents of countries in the EU can only claim free (emergency) medical treatment in Austria and Hungary by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
