Austria with Europe Tour Packages

A land of contrasts, from the soaring Alps to the verdant swathes of the Danube Valley, its historical buildings, awe-inspiring museum sand galleries, its world-class skiing conditions and breathtaking mountain scenery...does this land really need any introduction!

A land where majestic mountains, tranquil lakes, fast flowing rivers and streams, deep forests, undulating meadows, charming villages which cling fiercely to their architectural traditions and cultural heritage and cities which still reflect the artistic grandeur of the old Austro Hungarian empire...this is the magical land of Austria with Europe tour packages!

A land which is caught between Mozart and the plucky Von Traps, who embrace you whilst you take a tour that allows you to view this lovely country through Edelweiss-tinted glasses.

Like the rest of its neighbours, Austria”s history has had its share of trials and tribulations. But the country has retained its elegance and sophistication over the centuries that reflect even today in its love for the life”s finer things. The Celtic races of Western Europe were the first rulers of modern Austria. The notable ruler was Charlemagne, the king of Franks who created the Ostmark.

Some 100 years later Rudolf I emerged with the crown beginning six centuries of Hapsburg rule in Austria. The centrepiece of their realm was the Imperial Palace of Vienna, which provides an in-depth look into their history. The Hapsburg defeated the Turks in the Turkish Wars winning control of a major part of Hungary.

Post-war Austria saw its Golden Age with architectural masterpieces like Schloss Schonbrunn, Salzburger Dam and other major buildings. The French Revolution reached Austria but the rulers promptly squashed the rebellion. The second part of the Biedermeier period was marked by growing urbanization and industrialization that lead to new urban middle class. Artists of this time include painters like Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller and Friedrich Gauermann, the composer Franz Schubert, and the poets Adalbert Stifter, Ferdinand Raimund and Franz Grillparzer.

The reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I, whose 68-year reign was one of Austria”s longest. Under his rule Vienna became of Europe”s most important metropolises extending from Hungary to North Italy and deep into southern Europe. Johann Strauß, the King of Waltz, was celebrated all over the world for his wonderful musical compositions. Sigmund Freud was the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, a movement that popularized the theory that unconscious motives control much behaviour. Around 1900 the Vienna Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) peaked during which forward-looking artists and designers seceded from the mainstream salon exhibitions, to exhibit on their own in more congenial surroundings.

The Austrian monarchy ended in 1916 with death of Emperor Franz Joseph ending the 640-year rule of Hapsburg dynasty. The young republic was plagued with massive inflation, unemployment and near economic collapse. Nazis captured Austria in 1938 and kept under the victorious Allies for a decade after WWII.

Austria”s capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture by best Europe tour packages. Vienna, which as a population 1.6 million inhabitants, is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm.

City Sights:

The city is characterized by abundance of baroque buildings created under the rule of Empress Maria Theresia and Emperor Franz Joseph who was largely responsible for the monumental architecture around the Ringstraße. Schloss Schönbrunn, the former imperial summer residence, is one of most popular sights. The sumptuous palace with the beautifully tended formal gardens, the Gloriette monument, the Palm House and the zoo attract hordes of visitors each year. The huge Hofburg (Imperial Palace) was the base of the Habsburgs for over six centuries, and is an impressive repository of culture and heritage. The splendid baroque Belvedere Palace houses Austrian Gallery displaying the largest collection of works by Klimt, Kokoschka and Schiele. The prime city landmarks are the Gothic Stephansdom (St. Stephen”s Cathedral), the giant Ferris wheel, Vienna”s old recreational park, and the Spanish Riding School with their world-famous Lipizzan.

Museums & Galleries & Music:

• Vienna has a great collection of museums and galleries that will show you some of the greatest masterpieces of all times.

• Kunsthistorischen Museum has the world”s largest collection of Bruegel paintings.

• MuseumsQuartier with Leopold Museum (Schiele!), Museum Moderner Kunst (Museum of Modern Art), Architekturzentrum (Architectural Center) and Kunsthalle rank among the cities most important cultural venues.

• Albertina is home to the world”s largest collection of graphic arts and prints (60,000 drawings, 1 million prints).

Taverns:

In Vienna old coffee houses and rustic wine taverns stand alongside with top modern restaurants and shops, time-honoured events alternate with internationally acclaimed extravaganzas (Life Ball) to create a unique and very special ambiance with international tour packages. Another special feature of Vienna is its many greenspace and recreational areas such as the Wienerwald, the Prater and the Donauinsel.

Safari Travel with Botswana Tour Packages

Botswana, the country derives its name from Botswana, the largest ethnic group in the country. The unforgettable wilderness, the Kalahari sand dunes, the splendid waterways of the Okavango and the prolific wildlife by South Africa wildlife tours, make it a jewel in the continent. A peaceful country, it is known for its diamonds, beef and bush culture. Interaction with the locals will make you marvel at their knowledge and instincts for survival, in some really harsh conditions. This pristine country remains a destination for the fearless traveler.

Safari with the Wanderers: We take you back to the days of the early African explorers, and why not? A continent as fascinating and adventurous as Africa deserves a unique experience. The essential comforts are provided along with a perfect ambience consisting of walk-in Meru tents, pure cotton linens, brass buckets and basins, and stall showers. The setting is enhanced with hurricane lanterns, lively camp fires, wide-ranging activities and a warm atmosphere. Expert and professionally trained guides take you on a memorable safari experience. Walking trails, jeep rides and the ‘Mokoro’ bring you closer to the animals. As you sleep at night under a star-lit sky, you can hear the elephant herds roaring by.

The “Mokoro”: Not surprisingly, the people of the Okavango delta are called as ‘People of the Mokoro’. The 1, 00,000 tribesmen living here use the small dugout canoe, the Mokoro to navigate through the delta. It was originally made by the Bayei fishermen of Botswana, who lived by the river. Our safaris use the Mokoro to take you through the small rivers and the marshes, with the locals as guides.

Bushmen: The safaris also give you a better insight into the incredible people of Africa. You will be amazed to see their connection with nature and wildlife. The Bugakwe and Xanekwe are the Bushmen or San people, original inhabitants of southern Africa. They are hunters-gatherers.

Health: You must take a malaria vaccination before going on a safari. A prophylaxis is also recommended after the trip. We recommend drinking only mineral water throughout the trip. However, the meals served at the camps are totally hygienic.

Best Time to Visit: The country is without question a year-round wildlife destination. However, when debating the best time to travel to Botswana, it's important to identify why you are going.

• The best time to travel to Botswana for wildlife viewings the dry winter season (May to October) when the bush is at its thinnest and the animals at their thirstiest - head for the Chobe River, Savuti and Okavango Delta for some of Africa's most awesome game viewing.

• The best time to go to Botswana for bird watching is in the summer rainy season (November to April), when the bush is brimming with breeding local birds, not to mention all the intra-African and Palaearctic migratory birds.

• The best time to visit Botswana's Kalahari areas (Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Nxai Pans National Parkand Makgadikgadi Pans National Park) is also during the summer rainy season (November to April) when many species of antelope (followed by predators) move onto the now green pans to graze - usually dropping their young at the same time. The bird watching is also great in these parks at this time of year with a combination of desert specialists and migrant birds - anything can turn up, and usually does!

• The best time to visit for matters botanical is from December to May, when the vegetation is lush and green and most plants are in flower - although bear in mind that, despite an interesting flora (including awesome trees), Botswana is not famous for acres of wild flowers.

When to go on a Botswana Safari?

• Undoubtedly the most comfortable time for a Botswana tour or safari is during the dry winter season (May to October). The rains have finished, the mosquitoes (mostly) gone and the wildlife begins to concentrate, in increasing numbers, at waterholes and rivers.

• Winter in Botswana is a pleasant affair - warm sunny days and cools to very cold nights with South Africa safari tours. Morning game drives will see you wrapped up in blankets but you'll be by the pool after lunch.

• November to April is a less popular time for taking a Botswana safari. This is the summer wet season, and due to the abundance of water it is less certain that one will see wildlife at perennial water holes. Also, the heavy rains can make some dirt roads impassable, not to mention the fact that the rains herald the beginning of the mosquito season.

• If you are thinking about when to visit Botswana and you are worried about malaria, then a dry season visit would be the best time to travel.

Seasons: Summer: November to April, average temp 25-40 degrees (77-104F).  Winter: May to August, average temp. 20-26 degrees (68-79F)