Siragusa Tours Ltd

Description

Vienna, capital of the Republic of Austria and the heart of Central Europe is also the countries cultural centre. From Baroque palaces : Hofburg (the Habsburgs Winter Residence) ; Schönbrunn (their summer house); the Belvedere – meant to be a symbolic reflection of their glory – now houses an art collection ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day, but once was privy to performances by Mozart. In the 19th century Emperor Franz Joseph ushered in a new age of grandeur building, the Ringstrasse, linking Vienna’s cultural institutions. However the turn of the century saw intellectual ferment in Vienna. The age of Freud, the Seccession and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). The artists Klimt and Schiele, architects Otto Wagner and Adolph Loos and the Wiener Werkstatte created revolutionary new styles. Modern Vienna has seen many political struggles but also gave birth to Wittgenstein and Hundertwasser. Vienna was also the capital of music and welcomed Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahams, Bruckner, Strauss, Mahler, Berg, Schonberg and Webern – and the Vienna Philharmonic is still one of the finest orchestras in the world – not to forget the State Opera (and its famous Opera House) and the Boys Choir. Add to this the Burgtheatre, the Prater, the Karlskirche, the Spanish Riding School . However Vienna is also a compact city and most of its sights are contained within a small area – including a well established Museums Quartier. There is also the contemporary memorial at the new Museum Judenplatz (winner of the Turner Prize with her ‘House’).

Other Details

Accommodation

Centrally located Hotel Austria***. Bed and Breakfast tariff in twin-share room with private facilities.

Course Cost

£575 inclusive of tuition, airport transfers (airport transfers are only available for the Siragusa Tours Ltd nominated flight), accommodation and breakfast.

Single Room Supplement

£175

Travel Insurance

Once tour is viable and if we have booked a flight for you through Travelpack, you can call Larraine on 08444 930465 for an immediate quote (unless you already have insurance)

Flight

Ca. £200 scheduled flight to Vienna. Note that this is an estimate (if it is less you play less), please see Booking Conditions for more information concerning nominated flights.

Local Transport

Airport transfers by minibus

Group Size

16

Tutor

Jackie Parry MA, is an experienced lecturer and art historian who has led many gallery visits and study tours. She teaches art history at the University of Sussex and the Open University. She has also lectured for NADFAS, the U3A and the National Trust. Her interests are mostly based around 18th century art and culture and the development of modernism from 19th century to the present. Her MA research included issues of gender and critical theory.

Related OU Courses

General Interest

Itinerary / Study Programme

Day 1, Thursday, 24 May 2012

Arrive; Orientation; If time we can visit the Karlskirche (J B Fischer von Erlach’s eclectic Baroque masterpiece) and/or the Secession Building. The Opera House is nearby as are many examples of Art Nouveau architecture.

Day 2, Friday, 25 May 2012

Am & Pm: Kuntshistorisches Museum: one of the best collections of Old Masters in the world

Day 3, Saturday, 26 May 2012

Am & Pm: The Albertina: this museum houses temporary exhibtions and also houses a famous collection of prints and drawings (including Durer’s ‘Hare’, Michelangelo), and has 500 works of art from the Bartliner Collection on permanent loan. The Habsburg’s State Rooms are now also open. St Stephens and Whiteread’s ‘Holocaust Memorial’ are in walking distance.

Day 4, Sunday, 27 May 2012

Am: Museums Quartier: Leopold Museum : the world’s largest collection of Egon Schiele and exhibits of Secessionists and Art Nouveau (Klimt and Kokoshka).

Pm: The Belvedere: The Upper Belvedere houses art from the middle ages onwards – and also is home to Klimt’s'Kiss’. The Lower Belvedere and Orangery often houses temporary exhibitions.

Day 5, Monday, 28 May 2012

Depending on flight times we will visit Secession (if not done on day 1) .

This itinerary and study programme is provisional and may be subject to change in response to local conditions