Austrian Airlines launches Christmas Markets in Vienna Promotion

By the middle of November, one can tell that Vienna's holiday season has started - the wonderful, evocative fragrances of candied fruits, cotton candy, gluhwein and roasted chestnuts waft in the air, and the city sparkles with lights and decorations. Traditional Christmas Markets with their small wooden stalls filled with toys, candles, garlands and specialty foods pop up all over the city.

Starting from $1,199 per person, double occupancy, Austrian Airlines, together with Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, operated by IMTC, Inc, is offering the 2008 Vienna Christmas Market Package which includes roundtrip economy class air transportation between either New York (JFK) or Washington, DC (IAD) and Vienna, three nights hotel accommodation in the superior tourist class Alpha Hotel, roundtrip transfers, a concert performance in Vienna’s Kursalon, daily buffet breakfast, hotel service charges and hotel taxes. This package is valid for departure between November 11 – December 10, 2008.

Here is a sampling of this year’s Christmas Markets in Vienna:

Vienna City Hall - Christmas Market, Nov. 15-Dec. 24, 2008

This famous Christmas Market is located in the park facing Vienna's City Hall. For the last 700 years, this market situated in the heart of festive Vienna has been the focal point of Austria's Advent season. Enjoy glazed fruits, baked apples, cotton candy and other culinary delights. The Magic of Advent unfolds throughout the park as well: decorated trees create a lovely winter wonderland where fairy-tale scenes enchant children and grown-ups. Don't leave without tasting "Punch & Schmalzbrot," a typical Viennese snack - perfect on cold winter afternoons.

Schoenbrunn Palace Christmas Market, Nov. 22-Dec. 26, 2008

Austrian handicrafts and other original gifts can be found here, such as handmade Christmas decorations, mangers and organic toys. The fragrance of fresh Christmas cakes and cookies, plus some delicious punch, contributes to the atmosphere of Christmas right outside the Hapsburg Summer Place. Choirs, brass bands and other music ensembles perform carols on the stage in front of a giant Christmas tree. On the weekends, an interactive Christmas game for children takes place in the Ehrenhof, and kids can decorate Christmas cookies and gingerbread with stars, bells and other Christmas symbols in the Imperial Bakery of Cafe Residenz Schoenbrunn.

Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 2008

The Belvedere, one of Europe's most beautiful baroque palaces, features two major art museums – so you can combine a visit to see the famous Klimt painting "The Kiss" with a fun visit to the Christmas Market in front of the palace! You will find extraordinary Christmas gifts, lavish decorations, small souvenirs and a wide range of splendid gingerbread, cinnamon star cookies, mulled wine and hot punch. The traditional carousel makes this Christmas Market even more memorable.

Christmas Magic at the Old General Hospital, Nov. 15-Dec. 24, 2008

Before Christmas, the beautiful grounds of Vienna's former General Hospital (Altes AKH) changes into a fairground alive with lights and colors, merry sounds and tempting smells. There is a merry-go-round and a Christmas train for kids, and adults appreciate the specialty food items and fragrant mulled wine. This is the place to experience a true traditional Viennese Christmas Market.

In addition to this three-night 2008 Vienna Christmas Market Package, a variety of other vacation packages (called City Steals and Combo City Steals) are offered for travel this winter. Single supplements, upgrades, additional combinations and extensions are available upon request.

All packages must be paid in full within 7 days after reservations are confirmed, and no later than 14 days prior to departure. Once confirmed, the packages are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be changed. All packages will be booked on Austrian Airlines in economy class and are subject to schedule and space availability.

The minimum stay is 3 nights or one Saturday overnight, and the maximum stay in Europe is 30 days.

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