Optional Tours

In keeping with ISME tradition, no scientific sessions will be scheduled on Wednesday, August 23 and participants will be free to take advantage of the many leisure opportunities in Vienna and the surrounding countryside. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for all tours.

ISME Full Day Tour 1: BURGENLAND – NATURE AND CULTURE
09:30 – 17:30
Burgenland - a land tucked between the Alps and the Puszta, natured by the sun. A little Hungarian and Bohemian, a little Austria, mixed for centuries into a delightful concoction. The gentle climate, excellent soil and centuries of wine-growing tradition are the key to the works of art produced in Burgenland`s cellars. Unique species of fauna and flora, rare and exotic birds are a source fascination to scientists and nature-lovers.
In the morning we will visit the city of Eisenstadt the cultural and educational capital of the province of Burgenland and its most significant monument the Esterházy Castle. The originally Gothic castle combines Baroque pomp, classical severity and Austrian "Biedermeier". The Haydn Hall, the castle’s showpiece, is one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world.
After the visit: Lunch.
In the afternoon we will discover the fauna and flora of Lake Neusiedlersee.
After a short boat trip from Mörbisch to Illmitz we will start our guided tour in the National Park of Neusiedlersee.
Lake Neusiedl is situated in the border region next to Hungary. The largest steppe lake of Europe is a unique ecosystem surrounded by a large reed belt and has an average water depth of only 1m.
Lake Neusiedl is a protected wildlife sanctuary with an immense population of birds (spoonbills, redshanks, ruffs, black tailed godwits, storks) - up to 300 different species live at, in or close to the lake which you will observe during your tour.
Rate per person: €73 based on a minimum of 50 participants. Tour includes lunch

ISME Full Day Tour 2: WACHAU
09:30 – 17:30
We will discover the beauty of the Wachau, the most famous wine region of Austria.
We will visit Stift Melk a spiritual and cultural centre of the country for more than 1000 years, first as a castle for the Babenbergs, later as a Benedictine monastery. Valuable manuscripts have been collected and created in the library.
The magnificent baroque building has been undergoing extensive restoration work within the last years and today Melk Abbey is one of Austria’s highlights.
The Wachau is among the most popular and well-known regions in Austria. More and more visitors have come to appreciate the landscape, the culture and the world of excellent wines.
A destination never to miss out in this beautiful river landscape at the bank of the Danube is the old Kuenringer town, Dürnstein, where tradition and elegance meet in an unique way. The landscape is marked by natural beauties, the terraces of the old vineyards and numerous cultural monuments.
Rate per person: €70 based on a minimum of 25 participants. Tour includes lunch

ISME Full Day Tour 3: DISCOVER THE DONAU-AUEN NATIONAL PARK ... A WORLD OF
ITS OWN
09:30 – 17:30
The Donau-Auen National Park protects one of the last large untouched floodplain areas (Au) in Europe. Here the dynamics of the flowing stream are still active. The rise and fall of the water levels define life rhythms in the floodplain. The river shaped this landscape with its floods and still nurtures today a large diversity of plants and animals. In the National Park nature can develop free from economic restrictions.
Your tour will start with a visit to Schlossorth National Park Centre which forms the gate to the alluvial forests (Au) and opens visitors to the world of the National Park Donau-Auen. The visit will be followed by a hiking tour including a boat excursion showing you the fascinating world of the Danube floodplain.
Rate per person: €74 based on a minimum of 50 participants. Tour includes lunch

ISME Full Day Tour 4: VIENNESE HIGHLIGHTS
09:30 – 17:30
During this walk around the town, you will not only see the main sights of Vienna's inner city, such as St. Stephan’s Cathedral, Haas Haus, Imperial Palace and Kärntnerstrasse - the prestigious shopping street in the centre of the town, but also walk along small paths that are hundreds of years old and discover the history of the Viennese coffeehouse and during the city walk we will also stop at one of the many famous cafés…
After lunch the bus will take us to Schönbrunn Palace.
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. With its gardens and park the castle will take you into a magnificent world of Baroque culture. The palace houses the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, the ceremonial and state rooms, the splendid audience chamber of Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Stephan, as well as many other fascinating interiors.
The magnificent park of Schönbrunn Palace was opened to the public around 1779 and since than has provided a popular recreational area for the Viennese and international visitors alike. Extending for 12 km from east to west and approximately one kilometre from north to south, it was placed together with the palace on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1996.
Rate per person: €45 based on a minimum of 25 participants. Lunch is not included

ISME Full Day Tour 5: BIOSPHERE RESERVE WIENERWALD (VIENNESE WOODS) – NORBERTINUM
09:00 – 18:00
A short bus ride will take us directly into the Viennese Woods (Wienerwald). For a long time the Wienerwald was a contested space, being claimed for environmental protection efforts and increasing utilisation alike. In 2002, with Wienerwald millennium celebration, public attention focussed on the future of the Wienerwald and numerous discussions and cultural events took place. Finally in 2005 the Wienerwald was recognized by UNESCO as biosphere reserve. The concept of the biosphere reserve provides an ideal instrument for permanently protecting the richly structured forests and grasslands. It takes into account the character of the Wienerwald as one of the ecologically most important regions of Austria but also its function as traditional recreation area and economically utilised landscape.
A short walk (30 minutes) through the Viennese Woods will take you to “Norbertinum”, a biological farm.
Upon your arrival at the farm bio-milk and milkshakes will be served on the garden terrace.
Learn more about the different aspects of biological agriculture in Austria during a short lecture which will be followed by a walk through the bio-farm.
After lunch workshops such as “From milk to butter”, “Felting”, “Juice production” or “Corn threshing with flails” will give you impressions of traditional farm life.
Rate per person: €87 based on a minimum of 40 participants. Tour includes lunch

ISME Full Day Tour 6: RAX ... RECREATION FOR BODY AND SOUL
09:30 – 17:30
The mountainous landscape of Rax (2007m), only an hour’s drive from Vienna invites you hike through unspoilt nature. The plateau of the Rax is a perfect place to relax and recuperate.
After lunch your guide will take you to the Alpine Garden.
Lying 1600m above sea-level all the splendour and diversity of alpine flora can be found at the Alpine Garden of the Rax. Around 200 different flowers and herbs grow here.
Rate per person: €52 based on a minimum of 45 participants. Tour includes lunch