13th - 17th December 2025
Experience a magical music trip to Vienna this December!
Enjoy the dramatic opera Elektra, the romantic melodies of La Bohème, and a premiere of Fidelio, all from the best seats in the house.
Between performances, immerse yourself in the festive spirit at the famous Christmas market in front of City Hall, where you can savour delicious treats and shop for unique gifts. Join a delightful walking tour of Vienna, exploring its historic streets and iconic landmarks, while learning about the city's rich musical heritage. And don't miss the stunning Belvedere Palace, home to incredible art and beautiful gardens.
This unforgettable journey blends world-class opera with enchanting holiday charm, making it a perfect winter getaway!
£2,495 per person based on two people sharing including flights from London
£2,245 per person based on two sharing excluding flights
Single supplement: £400
Trip type for this trip: Classic
This trip is GUARANTEED
If you have chosen a land only package, you may go ahead and book your flights or other travel arrangements.
Details are correct at time of publishing (May 2025) but may be subject to change. Anyone already booked on the trip will be contacted in advance.
Below are expected flight times and airlines but these may vary on confirmation of the booking.
Should you wish to:
make your own way to and from the trip
depart from a regional airport in the UK
depart from another country
request an extension to the trip
or request an upgrade
please email [email protected]
2h 20m
2h 40m
Musical programme - best available seats for Elektra, La Bohème and Fidelio
Accommodation - 4 nights bed and breakfast at the 4* Hotel XXX
Flights & transfers - return flights from London Heathrow to Vienna and airport transfers in Vienna.
Regional flights are available on request.
Welcome drink & meals - pre-dinner drink on the first evening plus 2 lunches and 1 dinner with wine
Excursions - a guided tour in Vienna, a visit to the Christmas market in the Ratshausplatz, and a trip to Belvedere Palace
Tour management - services of an experienced Musica Europa tour escort
Extras - all tips and gratuities
Personal travel insurance is not included
Archduchess Marie Thèrese, a close friend of the builder of the hotel, lobbied her brother-in-law Emperor Franz Joseph I to be allowed to call it the “Kaiserhof”. The name and our values have remained with them. Just like the imperial claim: in a fine city hotel with a Viennese difference.
From the rooms and the delicious breakfast to the empathetic staff, always with imperial style and standards: high-quality, elegant, sophisticated. A service-rich offer that makes a subtle difference. This also includes a relaxed and genuine Viennese atmosphere in the heart of Vienna!
Fly to Vienna and transfer to the city centre where you'll check in to Hotel Kaiserhof (or similar).
🕰️18.00 - Welcome drink
🕰️19.00 - Dinner in the hotel restaurant
All times are approximate
After breakfast in the hotel, you will enjoy a morning tour of Vienna followed by lunch before an afternoon at leisure. The evening sees the first performance of the trip, Elektra.
🕰️10.00 - City tour
🕰️12.30 - Lunch at Cafe Imperial
Free afternoon
🕰️TBC - Walk or taxi to the State Opera
🕰️TBC - Elektra (Strauss)
All times are approximate
Some suggestions for your free time in Vienna include:
Schonbrunn Palace - explore the grand summer residence of the Hapsburg emperors which lies approximately 6km from the city centre
Hofburg Palace - this imperial palace complex includes historical apartments, cultural museums and the renowned Spanish Riding School
Horse and carriage ride - what better way to see Vienna than on an elegant horse and carriage. Tours start from the corner of Rappachgasse 34a and Wachthausgasse in the 11th district
Experience the charm of Vienna's old city on a walking tour, exploring historic landmarks, stunning architecture, and vibrant squares. Discover hidden gems and immerse yourself in the city's rich culture.
Far-travelled guests will find no better way to connect with the Viennese than in their coffeehouses. In fact, the famous Wiener Melange (a Viennese coffee specialty) also describes the unique blend of visitors in these cafés. Opened for the Universal Exhibition in 1873 and located in the former private residence of the Prince of Württemberg, now the Hotel Imperial, Café Imperial Wien quickly became the social hub of Vienna.
Elektra is a powerful opera by Richard Strauss, depicting the story of a woman's obsessive quest for vengeance against her mother, Clytemnestra, for the murder of her father, Agamemnon.
Synopsis and cast list:
Today you will visit Belvedere Palace followed by an afternoon at leisure ahead of tonight's performance of La Bohème.
🕰️09.30 - Belvedere Palace visit
Independent lunch
🕰️TBC - Walk or taxi to the State Opera
🕰️TBC - La Bohème (Puccini)
All times are approximate
Belvedere Palace, a stunning baroque masterpiece in Vienna, showcases exquisite architecture and art. Home to the Austrian Gallery, it features works by Klimt and Schiele. The palace’s beautiful gardens and remarkable views of the city enhance its charm, making it a must-visit destination for culture enthusiasts.
You will embark on a guided tour of the Highlights of the Upper Belvedere before exploring at your leisure.
La Bohème is a poignant opera by Puccini, telling the love story of struggling artists in Paris, exploring themes of romance, loss, and the bittersweet nature of life.
Synopsis and cast list:
Visit the Christmas market in Rathausplatz before enjoying lunch in City Hall. The final performance fo the trip tonight is Fidelio (Beethoven).
🕰️ 10.00 - Rathausplatz Christmas market visit
🕰️ 12.30 - Lunch at Rathauskeller
Free afternoon
🕰️TBC - Walk or taxi to the State Opera
🕰️TBC - Fidelio (Beethoven)
All times are approximate
Experience the magic of the Rathausplatz Christmas Market in Vienna! Nestled in front of the stunning City Hall, this festive market is adorned with twinkling lights and charming stalls. Enjoy traditional treats, sip warm mulled wine, and find unique handcrafted gifts, all while soaking in the enchanting holiday atmosphere.
In the cellar of the Vienna City Hall you find the beautiful premises of the Wiener Rathauskeller. Since 1899 it has been a space for social gatherings, Viennese wine and good food, and we still provide all this today. Since its opening, the Vienna Rathauskeller has been regarded as the “seat of good taste” and serves you the best of Viennese cuisine with contemporary variations.
Fidelio is a powerful opera by Beethoven, telling the story of Leonore, who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, Florestan, from wrongful imprisonment and tyranny.
Synopsis and cast list:
After a leisurely breakfast, bid auf wiedersehen (goodbye) to Vienna as you return to the UK.
🕰️ 11.00 - Depart for Vienna airport
All timings are approximate
What is the dress code for Vienna State Opera House?
There is no strict dress code, however, many guests take the opportunity to dress elegantly for their visit to the opera. It is recommened tht you dress smartly for the performance of Fidelio as it is a premiere.
When choosing your clothing, please bear in mind that you will be in close contact with other guests in the rows of seats. If you are not sufficiently dressed (e.g. flip-flops, an undershirt as a top or very short shorts), you may be refused admission. Head coverings that obstruct the view of other guests are not permitted.
Are there translations for the opera?
All of the operas are sung in the original languages - these vary depending on the work but are detailed on the synopsis attachments.
At each seat, subtitles in different languages can be switched on or off via a separate subtitle screen. In addition to the original language of the opera, you can choose from up to eight languages: German, English, Italian, French, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin).
What does the trip status mean?
Each trip carries a status which is updated in real time. Statuses are as follows:
AVAILABLE - the trip has space available but is not yet guaranteed due to not yet reaching minimum numbers
GUARANTEED - the trip has reached minimum numbers and is guaranteed to go ahead
ON REQUEST - the trip is not full but at this stage we need to check flight and performance ticket availability before confirming your place
WAIT-LISTED - the trip is sold out but you are welcome to join our waitlist for a cancellation by emailing [email protected]
What are the different trip types?
At a glance you can see what style trip each one is. All trips have the same level of high quality accommodation, meals and excursions, but their location or extras may dictate their type.
Intro - Our intro trips ease you into opera and classical music with quintessential locations, backstage tours and expert talks, combined with our usual level of luxury and inclusions
Classic - When you think of opera, where comes to mind? Italy? Vienna? Paris? Then a Classic trip sounds like the one for you.
New Horizons - These trips typically go to the places you might not immediately visualise when thinking of opera, but prepare to be pleasantly surprised
The Big Ticket - Longer-haul, once-in-a-lifetime trips that you just want to add to your bucket list
I'm not available on these dates, can I travel on another date?
Each season our programme contains a variation of destinations and performances spread througout the year on set dates. If you would like the same or a similar trip on a different date, we can organise this as a private tour on a date of your choosing, dependent on opera performances of course. We would need a minimum of 6 people for this trip to run so if you have a group of music-loving friends or family, do get in touch on [email protected] to discuss options and put a tailored trip together.
Is my holiday protected?
Yes. All of our trips including flights are covered by Musica Europa's membership of ATOL (membership number: 12418). If you have chosen to arrange your own flights, then cover for the rest of the holiday is provided through Musica Europa's membership of ABTOT (membership number: 5470)
Don't miss out when we release new trips and our early bird discount offers. Sign up to our monthly newsletter at http://musica-europa.com/oc-newsletter-sign-up/
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Musica Europa is a tour company with more than 35 years' experience delivering bespoke concert tours for choirs, bands and orchestras as well as exclusive and intimate cultural holidays for opera and classical music lovers.
Our directors, Andy and Ben are experienced musicians and tour leaders, while Brigitte and Claire are multilingual travel agents with a vast knowledge of destinations in Europe and beyond.
T: +44 (0)1628 776795
M: +44 (0)7768 217507
M: +44 (0)7527564710
"We thoroughly enjoyed our Puccini in Prague! Wonderful operas, beautifully sung and superb staging. Our hotel was great and all the trips were a pleasure with lovely lunches in good company. It was great to meet old friends and making new ones."
John M
"A first class tour with nothing to curb our enjoyment. The quality of the three operas was second to none. And Musica Europa’s flair for organisation and imaginative programming ensured that all participants were on the receiving end of a most professional and enjoyable experience."
Laurence G
"Five stars. Everything we have come to expect with Musica Europa - a programme of musical, cultural and gastronomic delights, coupled with excellent accommodation, all efficiently organised with a personal touch."
Nicol M
"Great trip to Prague. Three excellent Puccini operas in 2 lovely theatres. Good sightseeing during the day and fine restaurants/food. Nice company from like minded travellers. Overall a trip we enjoyed immensely."
Peter N
"It was a truly wonderful few days. It was such a treat to be looked after so well. To see three first class opera productions was a great privilege – they were all so dramatic and moving in different ways; both the singing and the orchestral playing was excellent. So, yes, indeed, everything went OK and words can’t really express what an enriching experience it was for us both."
Margaret O
"Thank you for your lovely welcome home email, and can only say that it confirms what I feel about your Company - a wonderful sense of courtesy, patience and organisation. I had a marvellous time in Munich where we only had to "play ladies" and did not have to think about anything. I think this is the hall-mark of a superior company."
Joan F
"We have now done nine Musica Europa Opera Club holidays - a total of 27 musical events (mainly opera, but also 4 ballets and 1 concert). Each tour has been an excellent experience with memorable opera, local city tours and hotels and, above all, an interesting group of similar minded companions."
Mr and Mrs H
