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)

Luxurious Travel of Zimbabwe and Botswana

Zambezi National Park:

Known for the famous Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls town lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the eastern end of the Victoria Falls with South Africa wildlife tours. It is a lovely tourist town which is easy to explore on foot and which offers a wide range of activities from the challenge of white water rafting and bungi jumping, to the awe-inspiring elephant back safaris and sunset cruises. The Victoria Falls are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the largest sheet of falling water on earth - a spellbinding and mesmerizing spectacle. The sheer mass of water cascading down the 100m drop across nearly 2km makes a thunderous roar and creates a magnificent spray of water that can be seen for miles - hence the local name 'mosi oa tunya' meaning 'the smoke that thunders'.

Arrive at the lodge and check in. Victoria Falls River Lodge is the first private game lodge to be set in the Zambezi National Park. The luxury tented lodge is situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, just minutes from the Victoria Falls. Each en suite tent has been decorated in earthy hues and offers a freestanding bath, sitting area, indoor and outdoor shower and a private viewing deck where one can sit and watch the exceptional wildlife. Some of Africa's most amazing animals are right on the doorstep. Elephants, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and even the occasional big cat can be viewed in the park Overnight at Victoria Falls River Lodge.

Zambezi National Park - Chobe National Park:

After a leisurely morning breakfast, you will be transferred from Victoria Falls to Kasane Airport by road and light aircraft to Savute Elephant Camp, in Chobe National Park where you will stay for 2 nights.

Chobe National Park, in northern Botswana, has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa. By size, it is the third largest park of the country and is the most diverse. It is also the country's first national park. This wildlife sanctuary also boasts the largest elephant population in Africa. You can see 4 of the Big 5 in Chobe: elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo - but not (or rarely) rhino.

The Savute area offers a harsh and desert-like landscape in the dry season when the wildlife is supported by the now flowing Savute channel. This contrasts dramatically with the rainy season where the seasonal pans fill with water and the Savute Marsh and surrounds are covered with lush green vegetation that attracts an annual migration of zebra and wildebeest, as well as an abundance of birdlife. The Savute Marsh has been the stage for many of the most dramatic wildlife documentaries in Africa. The wide open country and particularly strong prides of lion and hyena clans make for dramatic wildlife interaction and excellent viewing opportunities. The marsh is prime cheetah country and it is not unusual to see wild dog hunting in the Savute in the wet season.

The Savute Elephant Camp lies in the heart of the Chobe National Park, perched on the banks of the Savute Channel. This luxurious lodge consists of twelve twin-bedded canvas tents, well shaded under thatch and air-conditioned which offer respite from the warmer temperatures and feature lavishly appointed en-suite bathrooms and dressing areas by South Africa safari tours. They also have private viewing decks and comfortable outdoor lounges overlooking. Adjacent waterhole just metres away offer a bird’s eye view of elephant in their natural habitat Overnight at Savute Elephant Camp.

Khwai, Moremi Game Reserve:

Following the morning activity, you will be transferred by a light aircraft to Khwai River Lodge where you will stay for 2 nights. Moremi Game Reserve is a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary, encompassing the Okavango Delta. The reserve is un-fenced and its boundaries are defined naturally by river systems. The vegetation is varied, with dry land complemented by permanent and seasonal swamplands, resulting in an excellent diversity of both wildlife and birdlife. Khwai is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals and is ideal as an year round destination for wildlife and predators can regularly be seen in the area.

Khwai River Lodge, situated in the Khwai Concession, overlooks the vast Khwai River floodplains across to the Moremi Game Reserve. The exceptional location of Khwai makes it a regular host to elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard, cheetah and wild dogs. All luxury tented rooms are housed on raised wooden platforms, offering great views, and shaded by a traditional African thatch roof. The tent interiors are luxuriously appointed with such comforts as an en suite bathroom, fully stocked mini bar, a four-poster bed complete with mosquito netting, as well as discreet air conditioning Overnight at Khwai River Lodge.

Okavango Delta:

The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland deltas situated in the middle of the largest stretch of continuous sand in the world - the Kalahari basin with South Africa tourism. This oasis in the middle of the desert is a rich yet fragile ecosystem, providing a life source for an incredible variety of wildlife. A wealth of species have adapted to the contrasting conditions created by living in the harsh Kalahari desert. The Xaxaba area is one of the Delta's most pristine natural locations, a region of myriad waterways, palm-tree covered islands and vast flood plains.

Situated on this island of Xaxaba, overlooking a lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the delta and surrounded by llala Palms, is the paradise called Eagle Island Camp. The Eagle Island Lodge has twelve luxury tents housed on raised wooden platforms, offering great views, and shaded by a traditional African thatch roof. The tent interiors have an en suite bathroom, four-poster beds complete with mosquito netting as well as discreet air conditioning Overnight at Eagle Island Camp.

Cape Town: South Africa Tourism

South Africa’s lawmaking capital is located at the foot of Table Mountain, the famous flat-topped mountain with views out across the peninsula to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. There is a cable car, which take you to the top of Table Mountain. The main hub of the city is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the beautifully restored old Victorian harbor, from where boat trips leave for the notorious Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other nationalist leaders were locked up. The relics of early colonial government are centered on Government Avenue, with many fine old buildings and museums, including the Parliament Buildings; Groote Kerk; the Cultural History Museum; National Museum; National Gallery; Bertram House; and Company’s Garden, planted in 1652 to provide food for passing sailors.

Main attraction around Cape Town with South Africa tour packages:

• Chapman's Peak Drive:

Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most stunning coastal roads in South Africa. It starts at the charming fishing harbor of Hout Bay and then winds up to Chapman's Point, enlightening breathtaking views of the sandy bays down below, until the road reaches sea level again at Noordhoek. Built between 1915 and 1922, this stretch was blasted into the partially vertical rock and is a masterpiece of road construction. There are numerous parking bays and picnic spots along the road and on the slopes.

• Cape Point and its Nature Reserve:

Cape Point is one of the greatest landmarks in the world: a wild and scenically stunning area at the tip of the Cape Peninsula and African continent. It was here that the fearless Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Dias first rounded the Cape in 1488, and the large stone cross seen in the reserve, commemorate his accomplishment. Cape Point is situated in the Cape Peninsula National Park and brown and white bontebok antelopes, dawdling tortoises and dashing ostriches can be seen on a drive through the pristine nature reserve. The flora too deserves your attention with 2200 species of plants including giant headed protea bushes flowering in winter and pretty little Erica’s which you will not see anywhere else on earth.

• Penguin Colony:

Boulder’s Beach is famous for its penguin colony. Newly construct boardwalks take visitors really close to the birds. Visitors can even swim in the sea with them. In the evening the penguins come back from their fishing expedition and waddle up to the beaches to go to their nests. If you visit this place between Aug-Dec, you may be lucky enough to spot the Southern Right and Bryde Whale. 

• Simon's Town:

This is a essentially English seaside town with intricate Victorian wrought iron balustrades and the flag flying British Hotel dominating the main street. Enticing alley ways lead up to the whitewashed houses on the hillside and they overlook a delightful waterfront complex and the False Bay Yacht Club alongside extensive Navy buildings.

• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens:

Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It consists of landscaped gardens of indigenous plants and trees, watered by the Liesbeek River, as well as natural forest that extend up the lower slopes. Kirstenbosch covers an area of 828Ha, 60 ha of which are cultivated; the remainder is a natural flora reserve. It is a living display featuring 4 700 of the estimated 20 000 species of indigenous South African flora, and close to 50 per cent of the Peninsula's floral wealth.

• Table Mountain: 

The exhilarating ascent of Cape Town's Table Mountain is a must for any visitor and provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches by South Africa holiday packages. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day one has a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and it rises 1086 meters above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km from end to end. The mountain is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Many of these are endemic, i.e. appearing nowhere else on earth. Included are the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora.

Why South Africa - South Africa Tour Packages

Firstly, a far more normally beautiful region could well be difficult to get: on the serrated peaks in the Drakensberg Hills, to the contorted along with ageless semi-desert panoramas in the Karoo. The particular forested sea-shores along with mirror-like ponds in the Back garden Option, the particular stunning temperate valleys in the Wine beverage gets South Africa tours, the particular rare area to be able to character found in the particular countrywide theme parks plus the instantly familiar symbol in the region, Desk Pile -- many beneath an endless azure-blue air. As well as proceeding the particular Wanderers technique -- the idea is focused on discovering the particular miraculous in the Zulu terrain in an offbeat technique.

Welcome to South Africa...welcome to the world where beauty and magic transforms the Wanderer into a devout.

The particular rainbow region promises a terrific vacation. Their impressive splendor along with modern community comes with a delight with each and every stage. From the limitations involving Southern region Africa usually are a lot of the world's many exceptional panoramas; canyons, wildernesses promoting game along with coves shedding to the water. Solar City offers several exciting theme parks, golf clubs, and restaurants along with casinos, where you could celebration until eventually the particular early several hours involving beginning.

Highlights: Be spoiled for choices in South Africa, drive a jeep through the Kruger National Park, take a dip in the Valley of the Waves, taste some of the finest wines in the Garden Route, romance on some beautiful bays, ride on a ostrich in Oudtshoorn go abseiling in Knysna and enjoy at the trendy restaurants, night clubs and casinos at Cape Town.

Best Time to Visit: Southern region Africa is often a fabulous year-round getaway, which means your visit depends upon exactly what you would want to complete. Local plumber pertaining to game seeing, for instance, will be springtime (August to be able to October). The particular lower appropriate whales are seen off our own coasts from in relation to mid-June to the stop involving March plus the humpback whales from Aug-Dec. The particular diving is often ideal from April to be able to September, therefore may be the surfing, however these kinds of pursuits will be certainly not limited to these kinds of intervals. Plants have the most beautiful inside May along with September with South Africa holiday package. Lake rafting is best towards the end involving winter weather from the cape.

Seasons:

Summer: Northern region: Johannesburg, Mpumalanga - October to March hot days, afternoon thunderstorms Average temp. 26-35 degrees (79-95F)
Winter:  Northern region: Johannesburg, Mpumalanga - May to September warm to cool days with no rain Average temp 8-20 degrees (46-69F).
Summer: Southern region: Cape Town and the Garden Route - October to March Average temp. 25-32 degrees (77-89F)