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Winter Stars

Artisans &
Christmas Markets

15 - 22 November 2026

This tour is for the maker in you - and the inner child, who believes in the magic of Christmas. We learn from Burgenland's artisans, have a try at pottery and polishing semi-precious stones, and visit Christmas markets to ring in the season. A day at a thermal spa and adventures in Vienna round off the program.

Ciconia_ciconia_nest,_Rust,_Burgenland,_

15 Nov 2026 - Day 1

Our shuttle brings you from Vienna International Airport to Rust in Burgenland, where the tour begins. Not only known as the "City of Storks" but also part of the Neusiedl UNESCO World Heritage region, Rust has been shaped by wine-making since the 15th century. After checking in to our hotel, we're off for a walking tour of Rust‘s Old Town. We recommend a wine-tasting, a visit to the Stork Observation Tower or a nap, before we enjoy a welcome dinner in the garden courtyard of a local guesthouse

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  • Shuttle from Vienna airport

  • Walking tour

  • Welcome dinner and drink

Indigo dyeworks

16 Nov 2026 - Day 2

Today we head south.  First stop is to learn about brush and broom-making at a family-owned business in its 4th generation. After lunch (on your own), we make our way to one of Europe's last indigo dyeworks to learn about how traditional patterns are dyed into natural fabrics in ancient vats.  By late afternoon, we travel to Schlaining Castle to check in to our hotel before going for a gourmet meal at one of Burgenland's best (and smallest) restaurants. 

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  • Breakfast

  • Guided tours in artisan workshops (2)

  • Gourmet dinner and drink

Petra Lindenbauer

17 Nov 2026 - Day 3

Today is a hands-on day. Our morning is all about pottery, visiting two ceramic artists, Petra Lindenbauer and Isa Gabriel. Petra will give us a tour of her atelier and discuss what she means by "letting the clay speak" in her work. We then get creative in a clay workshop at Isa Gabriel's atelier, another local ceramicist well-known for her whimsical designs. After lunch at a local guesthouse (on your own), the afternoon is spent with Erich Lendl, one of Burgenland's finest pastry chefs and master bakers, in a Lebkuchen-making workshop in a small town bordering Hungary.  We learn about Lebkuchen, the regional gingerbred with a long history. We also visit the small, but excellently done village museum to learn more about the history and culture in this Austro-Hungarian region.  Dinner at Schlaining Castle's restaurant.

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  • Breakfast

  • Pottery workshop and studio tours

  • Lebkuchen workshop 

  • Dinner and drink​

Christmas markets

18 Nov 2026 - Day 4

Our last artisan visit is to the precious serpentine workshop - a rare, semi-precious gemstone found in a single known deposit near Bernstein in Burgenland. After learning about how it is mined and refined, we polish our own stones as a keepsake. After lunch (on your own) at a guesthouse, it's time for our first Christmas market at Burgau Castle with three floors of tasteful, opulent decorations, many handmade. We then check in to Rogner Bad Blumau, a thermal spa hotel, and enjoy a relaxing evening on your own with dinner.

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  • Breakfast

  • Precious gemstone workshop

  • Admission fee

  • Dinner​

Thermal Spa Bad Blumau

19 Nov 2026 - Day 5

Time to relax, rejuvenate and experience spa culture in Austria! We have the day to enjoy the beautiful Rogner Bad Blumau designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who celebrated humanity and the natural world through his playful architecture and lush vegetation. â€‹The thermal spa‘s one-of-a-kind Vulkania® healing waters spring from a depth of over 3,000m (10,000 ft). With a salt content of 17.6g per liter, the spring waters are comparable to sea water and that means a relaxing floating experience. Cool and warm pools are available. 

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We will take a walking tour of the spa and grounds, where we will learn more about its history and architectural details. If you are free and not relaxing in a sauna or having an optional spa treatment you can join us. 

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  • Breakfast

  • Thermal spas and saunas 

  • Walking tour

  • Lunch or dinner at hotel included (your choice)

Vienna Christmas market

20 Nov 2026 - Day 6

We say goodbye to "Austria's Tuscany" and arrive in Vienna to check in at our boutique hotel. Free of our luggage and fitted out with our transportation passes, we head off to our first Christmas market in Vienna. After lunch (on your own), we tour the iconic imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace, and afterwards enjoy a mulled wine and shopping at the Christmas market on the grounds. The evening is free for you to explore one of the world's most liveable cities. Dinner on your own. 

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  • Breakfast

  • Guided tour 

  • Vienna card (public transportation, Hop-on-off bus) 

Wiener Weihnachtstraum Rathausplatz,  Wien

21 Nov 2026 - Day 7

On our last day, Vienna is calling! Enjoy a free day exploring the city. Meet us at a traditional coffeehouse in the afternoon (optional). We gather together in the late afternoon at the favorite Christmas market of the Viennese, then go for our farewell dinner, a final culinary treat to enjoy a last taste of Austria.

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  • Breakfast

  • Farewell dinner and drink

  • Vienna card (public transportation, Hop-on-off bus) 

Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer

22 Nov 2026 - Day 8

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and saying "Auf Wiederschauen" to Austria!

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  • Breakfast

  • Vienna Card ( public transportation to Vienna airport )

Christmas Ornaments

Artisans & Christmas Markets Tour Price:  $4,850 per person

The price includes the curated themed itinerary led by local experts as described, with cultural interpreters to guide you through the entire tour. Also included:

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  • Comfortable hotels with single rooms (unless double requested)

  • Breakfast daily and most dinners (see descriptions)

  • All admission fees and tips

  • Transportation to and from Vienna International Airport

  • Private van and driver, public transportation in Vienna

  • Personalized customer service, pre-departure planning sessions on Zoom

  • Interess Tours Travelers Only online resources

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We recommend budgeting $50 per day for meals not included and incidentals.

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