Full Day Private Tour for St Martin Day in the Wachau Valley

Vienna , Austria

Full Day Private Tour for St Martin Day in the Wachau Valley

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About this experience

This private tour allows you to immers into the St. Martin's Day festivities in the Wachau valley that includes having an early roasted goose dinner before the mass in the Weißenkirchen parish church, a fortified church from the 13th century, which is surrounded by a tower fortification. The mass is attended by women wearing their costumes with typical Wachau valley golden caps.

The music for blessing of the new wine from the Wachau wine-growing region is performed by the Weißenkirchen men’s choir dressed in their local costume. In addition you get the chance to taste the light, fragrant new wine served in the Teisenhoferhof following the blessing in the church. The Teisenhoferhof is an extensive, castle-like four-winged complex around a wide, irregular courtyard with two-storey arcades that was built in the middle of the 15th century. There you can see men in their local costumes wearing typical "Steinfeder" stone feathers on their hats. Steinfeder is the name given to light wines.

Available options

Full Day Private Tour for St Martin Day in the Wachau Valley

Pickup included

What's included

Private transportation

Wine blessing in the Weißenkirchen parish church with Weißenkirchen men’s choir performing the music

Air-conditioned vehicle

Consumption of roasted St. Martin's Day goose with a glas of red wine at the Loibner Hof Restaurant in the Wachau valley in the afternoon before the blessing of the new wine at 6:00 p.m. is included

A ceremony in the Teisenhoferhof with tasting of the new wine from the Wachau wine-growing region

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

In Austria a tradition on St. Martin's Day is to share a roasted goose for dinner. Tradition has it that out of humility, St. Martin hid in a barn full of geese to avoid being ordained a bishop, only to have his whereabouts revealed by the gaggle’s squawks. To commemorate St. Martin, children walk in processions carrying lanterns singing Martin songs, the new wine is blessed and tasted and people come together to have roasted goose.

The parish church of Weißenkirchen in the Wachau valley is a Roman Catholic church consecrated on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The church dominates the village with its mighty west tower visible from afar. The church is surrounded by an important fortification from the 16th century with 3 round corner towers and embrasures, breech embrasures and key embrasures as well as spy holes at the height of the battlements. On St. Martin’s Day at 6:00 p.m. a holy mass is celebrated with the blessing of the new wine that is brought by local people and placed in front of the altar.

Following the blessing of the new wine in the Weißenkirchen parish church on St. Martin's Day a ceremony with tasting of the new wine follows in the Teisenhoferhof. The Teisenhoferhof is an extensive, castle-like four-winged complex around a wide, irregular courtyard with two-storey arcades with a monopitch roof. On the ground floor there are deep round-arched niches on massive console pillars, on the upper floor a circumferential arcade with round-arched openings.
The Teisenhoferhof was built by Heinrich Teisenhofer in the middle of the 15th century. It is located at the western foot of the church plateau with a massive, fortress-like west front which consists of a crenellated blind wall towering over two storeys high. The Teisenhoferhof houses the Wachau Museum, where you can see exhibits of traditional Wachau costume. However, during the festivities on St. Martin’s Day one can see local people wearing their traditional Wachau costumes with the stone feathered hats most outstanding.

What's not included

Bottled water

Available languages

Guide guide

Important information

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

About Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is renowned for its rich imperial history, vibrant arts scene, and stunning architecture. Known as the 'City of Music', it has been home to legendary composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The city's elegant cafes, grand palaces, and world-class museums make it a cultural treasure trove.

Top Attractions

Schönbrunn Palace

A former imperial summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. The palace and its gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical/Architecture 2-3 hours €18 for Imperial Tour, €24 for Grand Tour

St. Stephen's Cathedral

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a symbol of Vienna. The cathedral's multi-colored tile roof is iconic.

Religious/Architecture 1-2 hours Free entry, €6 for tower climb, €7 for treasury

Belvedere Palace

A historic building complex with two Baroque palaces, the Belvedere houses the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including 'The Kiss'.

Historical/Art/Museum 2-3 hours €16 for Upper Belvedere, €14 for Lower Belvedere

Vienna State Opera

One of the world's leading opera houses, the Vienna State Opera offers performances of opera, ballet, and concerts.

Cultural/Entertainment 2-4 hours (performance length) €10-200 depending on performance and seat

Hofburg Palace

The former imperial palace, Hofburg Palace is now home to several museums, the Austrian National Library, and the Spanish Riding School.

Historical/Museum 2-3 hours €14 for Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments, €20 for Silver Collection

Must-Try Local Dishes

Wiener Schnitzel

A thin, breaded, and fried veal cutlet, traditionally served with lemon and potato salad or dumplings.

Dinner Contains gluten and dairy

Tafelspitz

Boiled beef, usually served with root vegetables, apple sauce, and horseradish.

Dinner Gluten-free, dairy-free

Sachertorte

A famous chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered in dark chocolate glaze.

Dessert Contains gluten and dairy

Apfelstrudel

A thin pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and sugar, often served with vanilla sauce or ice cream.

Dessert Contains gluten

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Vienna Woods Cycling along the Danube Kayaking on the Danube Coffee house hopping Spa day at a luxury hotel Strolling through Schönbrunn Palace Gardens Visiting museums and galleries Attending opera or concert performances

Best Time to Visit

May to September

This is the best time to visit Vienna for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during these months.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: German
Widely spoken: English, Austro-Bavarian dialect
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas, moderately spoken elsewhere

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET), GMT+2 (CEST during daylight saving time)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Vienna is a safe city with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services

Getting there

By air

Vienna International Airport • 18 km from city center

By train

Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Main Station), Vienna Westbahnhof

By bus

Vienna International Bus Terminal, Erdberg Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Vienna's metro system is efficient and user-friendly, with four lines (U1, U2, U3, U4).

Taxis

Available • Apps: Bolt, FreeNow

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Innere Stadt Leopoldstadt Wieden Hietzing

Day trips

Bratislava

80 km (50 miles) • Full day

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Salzburg

300 km (186 miles) • Full day or overnight

The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a beautiful city with a rich musical heritage, stunning architecture, and scenic surroundings.

Hallstatt

200 km (124 miles) • Full day or overnight

A picturesque lakeside village in the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt is known for its stunning natural beauty and historic salt mines.

Festivals

Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) • May to June Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball) • Late February or early March Vienna Christmas Markets (Wiener Christkindlmarkt) • Late November to December 26

Pro tips

Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds
Purchase a Vienna Pass for unlimited transport and attractions, saving time and money
Explore the city's coffee house culture and try traditional pastries like Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel
Take a day trip to nearby cities like Bratislava or Salzburg for a change of pace
Use public transport or walk to explore the city, as driving can be challenging and expensive