Our trip was wonderful and there was so much to see with all the history around us. My favorite days were spent enjoying the Romantic Road day trip from Munich to Rothenberg with stops in walled medieval villages along the way and the excellent train trip that was so easy to do out of Munich for a day in Salzburg. We walked all around in the rain the whole day but we were determined because there was so much to explore and it is such a beautiful city.
While in Munich, the last day of Oktoberfest was held and we wanted to experience why it is such a huge celebration for Germany and people who come from all over the world to attend. We wanted to go to one of the best tents of 14, with some holding up to 9,000 people. We knew which tent had one of the top brass bands with wonderful music, including one song that we knew the words to and could sing along to very well from much practice back in our college days --- "Hey, Hey Baby, I Want To Know If You Will Be My Girl"! They love American music, even it is from the 50's-60's! Of course that drink called beer was enjoyed by all but me and I found out that the cokes are lousy but the apple cider with sparkling water was much better! 
So, there we were with 5,800 of our nearest and dearest friends in a huge, beautiful, Bavarian decorated tent at a large table of our host along with Scots, Italians, and Australians. We instantly were given big hugs and became part of their group and they insisted that we stay each time we stood up to try to leave. The world is a small place with many wonderful people and Oktoberfest is an experience that everyone should put on their list to go to once in their lifetime.
I liked that the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich which is not a Virtuoso hotel but is right beside the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz which we went to see for both day and night performances of the figures -- lords and ladies dancing and the knights on horses jousting! It is also very convient to the opera, and wonderful, old restaurants that are still owned by family that have been passed down through the generations from long ago. I loved the very private and quiet location just 1 block away from the Hotel. However, I did not think the rooms at the hotel were what they should have been but all the public spaces were exceptional. It caters to a very exclusive clientele from all over Germany as well as other Europeans.
As for The Sacher Hotel in Vienna, there is no desciption that is adequate enough for this Virtuoso property. It is above a 6 star property with the newly redone rooms and huge suites. I was able to see all the different rooms as they are all decorated differently and in beautiful taste.
All rooms and suites have no detail left unthought of....nightlights under the nightstands and under the cabinet sinks in the huge bathroom, power controls were bedside for all the blinds to the french balconies, lights in foyer, his and her closets and also to turn on the warmer to the marble floors for the bathrooms, which is such a nice touch.
When we arrived, the hotel had upgraded me to one of the new rooftop suites which was so unexpected but of course I was thrilled ....our suite was fabulous in every way including size, location and decor.
When we arrived, the hotel had upgraded me to one of the new rooftop suites which was so unexpected but of course I was thrilled ....our suite was fabulous in every way including size, location and decor.
The service is over the top by each person who is on staff at the Sacher in Viennna. Their lobby areas, Rote Bar restaurant, and the Anna Sacher restaurant that have all just been redone, were above 6 stars too. We loved the "Blaue Bar" where the bartendar was so kind to bring me hot tea in the evenings for my cough and the top-rated Swiss spa which is a "LaPrairie Spa", the same as the Ritz spa in NY City, and the Ritz in Grand Cayman. The treatments were all chocolate based to go with the famous chocolate Sacher torte served there, as were the amenities in the bathrooms in rooms and suites.
You can't get any better than walking across the street from The Sacher to The Vienna State Opera which did not have a performance while we were there but we did a tour and it is a gorgeous, grand opera house and perfect for the Vienna Balls that are held there.
We also were only a couple of blocks to the Spanish Riding School from the Sacher Hotel, where they have the performances and practices of the famous Lipizzaner horses which we took in too.
I also wanted to go to St. Stephens Cathedral because I love the architecture of different cathedrals in Europe and other locations too. St. Stephens is one of the most spectacular in Europe. Huge and gothic from the outside, the plaza surrounding it for many blocks had wonderful Viennese sidewalk cafes, local musicians performing on the cobblestone streets and designer shops that would compare to Paris or London. I took everyone in to look around late in the afternoon and to sit for a while to enjoy. It just so happened that the Archbishop of Austria and all the Bishops were there for one mass only. They led a large processional, including a huge choir, past our pew. It was Oct. 7th, which is The Celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary, and is regarded as a very special celebration such as Easter and Christmas.
Vienna is huge and is known for it's economic, cultural and political center. Seeing the architecture of so many of the museums, the state houses, palaces, etc., it is not hard to understand why Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well known in Europe for it's quality of life.
Overall, the trip was fantastic. I highly recommend it and can't wait to return!
To learn more about travel in Germany or Austria, contact Becky by clicking here.
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