Vienna Training Conference 2024

ENROLL 15 TRAVELERS ON YOUR FIRST PASSPORTS TOUR OR USE 1,000 REWARDS POINTS FOR YOUR FREE SPOT

Vienna, Austria's illustrious capital, is renowned for its imperial history, magnificent palaces, classical music scene, and exquisite coffee culture. As a setting for Passports tours, it provides an exceptional opportunity to broaden your leadership skills and gain new insights into managing diverse groups, all while immersed in an environment of historical grandeur and artistic brilliance.

This teacher training conference will provide you with an opportunity to network with other educators, learn new techniques, and gain a better understanding of how a group tour works and what to expect on your upcoming Passports tour. In addition, you will have the chance to explore the city and immerse yourself in the local culture. Please, join us in Vienna for an unforgettable experience!

Agenda

Learn the ins-and-outs of what to expect on a Passports tour

Meet Passports Tour Directors and Passports staff

Experience Passports tour services for yourself

What’s Included

Roundtrip airfare to Vienna, Austria

Meet and greet transfer from Vienna airport to your hotel

Hotel accommodations for the duration of your stay

All breakfasts and dinners

A half-day instructional session on the finer points of being a group leader

Welcome Reception, Activities, Special Farewell Dinner

Detailed Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: Arrival in Vienna, Tour Director-led Walking Tours, Welcome Reception

Arrival Vienna
As your flight soars over the European landscape, you're greeted by the picturesque vistas of Austria, a prelude to the enchanting city of Vienna. The excitement builds as your plane touches down at Vienna International Airport, where the majestic allure of this storied city begins to unfold.
Upon arrival, you're whisked away to your hotel, nestled in the heart of the city. As you settle in, the echoes of classical music and the scent of fresh Viennese pastries fill the air, inviting you to explore the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Tour director-led walking tour in the Vienna’s Old Town
Enjoy a stroll in the Altstadt. Hearken to the music: it floats in the air, in waltz time, in this imperial city by the River Danube. Why not treat yourself to a slice of traditional Sachertorte?

Welcome Reception
This evening, join passports staff and fellow organizers for a delightful welcome reception. Engage in lively conversations, share your exciting travel experiences, and create new connections while savoring delectable refreshments and mouthwatering hor d'oeuvres.

Day 3: Training Conference, Optional Activity, Dinner

Group Leader Training Conference
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, our group leader training conference can provide an invaluable opportunity to network with other group leaders and learn from their experiences. Attendees can expect to receive plenty of practical advice on everything from itinerary planning to dealing with difficult travel situations. If you're serious about becoming a successful group leader, our travel training conference is a must-attend event.

Optional Half-day City Sightseeing
A wealth of sights is yours to discover today. See the Opera House, the Houses of Parliament and Emperor Franz Joseph's Hofburg Palace. A city within a city with more than 2,600 rooms, the Hofburg also houses the Imperial Treasury and the Burgkapelle, which features the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. See the Heldenplatz, where Hitler announced the Anschluss (Annexation) of Austria to the German Reich in 1938. A half-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Vienna, will accompany your group.

Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
Enter Domkirche St. Stephan, one of Vienna's most famous landmarks, distinguished by its steep tile-covered roof and tall Gothic steeple known as Old Steffel. Consecrated in 1147, but rebuilt in the 15th century, St. Stephen's Cathedral is filled with ornate altars, chapels, artwork and tombs, in particular the imposing sarcophagus of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.

Visit to Schönbrunn Palace with audioguide
Enjoy a visit to a royal hunting lodge which was transformed into a magnificent summer palace for the Hapsburg monarchs. Outside and inside, Schloss Schönbrunn presents a dizzying display of Baroque and Rococo art. The park, with its fountains, is one of the finest examples of 18th-century landscape architecture.

Dinner in Vienna
The day culminates with a sumptuous dinner, where we will dine together and savor delicious Viennese cuisine.

Day 4: Optional Excursions, Farewell Dinner

Optional Spanish Riding Lipizzaner Performance
Attend a performance of the world-renowned Lipizzaner horses trained at the Spanish Riding School. Marvel at the skills an obedience of this unique breed known for its beauty and stamina.

Optional Excursion to Bratislava
Known during the Austrian occupation by its German name, Pressburg, Slovakia's capital city can be traced back to a fort built by the Romans on the edge of their empire. Its castle testifies to centuries of Slavic invasions and stormy struggles between the kings of Central Europe. See landmarks such as the castle's Gothic gateways, the Castle Steps, patrician houses clustered below Castle Hill, the Cathedral of St. Martin, where Hungary's kings were crowned, the Baroque Town Hall, the Archbishop's Palace, and the site of a university founded in 1465.

Visit to St. Martin's Cathedral
Visit the Katedrála svätého Martina, a National Slovak Monument where Hungary's kings were crowned from 1563 to 1830. The very first performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is said to have taken place in this sanctuary in the early 1820s.

Bratislava Castle
On a visit to Bratislava Castle, whose silhouette dominates the city, you will see Gothic gateways, the Castle Steps and old patrician houses huddled at the base of the hill on which the castle is built.

Farewell Dinner
Gather for an enchanting farewell dinner together. Sure to be an evening of gastronomic delight, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences shared in Vienna.

Day 5: Departure

Depart Vienna
As your plane ascends, the grandeur of Vienna shrinks away, but the memories of its palatial wonders, melodic streets, and the warmth of its culture remain etched in your heart. As you recline in your seat, the spirit of Vienna lingers, beckoning you to return to its embrace.

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