Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, Duchess in Bavaria (December 24, 1837 -September 10, 1898), of the House of Wittelsbach, was the Empress consort of Austria and Queen consort of Hungary due to her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph. Her father was Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria, and her mother was Ludovika, Royal Princess of Bavaria; her family home was Castle Possenhofen. From an early age, she was called Sisi (or Sissi in films and novels) by family and friends.

She was born in Munich, Bavaria. On her 16th birthday, Christmas Eve 1853, Elisabeth, accompanied her mother and her 19-year-old sister, Helene, on a trip to the resort of Bad Ischl, Upper Austria, where they hoped Helene would attract the attention of their cousin, 23-year-old Franz Joseph, then Emperor of Austria. Instead, Franz Joseph chose Elisabeth, and the couple were married in Vienna on the 24th of April 1854. Elisabeth later wrote that she regretted accepting this marriage for the rest of her life.

Elisabeth had difficulty adapting to the strict etiquette practiced at the Habsburg court. Nevertheless she bore the Emperor three children in quick succession: Archduchess Sophie of Austria (1855-1857), Archduchess Gisela of Austria (1856-1932), and the hoped-for crown prince, Rudolf (1858-1889). A decade later, Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria (1868-1924) followed. Elisabeth was denied any major influence on her own children's upbringing, however - they were raised by her mother-in-law Sophie, and soon after Rudolf's birth the marriage started to deteriorate, undone by Elisabeth's increasingly erratic behavior (her family, the Wittelsbachs, had a history of mental instability).

National unrest within the Habsburg monarchy caused by the rebellious Hungarians led, in 1867, to the foundation of the Austro-Hungarian double monarchy, making Elisabeth Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. Elisabeth had always sympathized with the Hungarian cause and, reconciled and reunited with her alienated husband, she joined Franz Joseph in Budapest, where their coronation took place.

The Myth
While Elisabeth's role and influence on Austro-Hungarian politics should not be overestimated (she is only marginally mentioned in scholarly books on Austrian history), she has undoubtedly become a 20th century icon, often compared to Diana, Princess of Wales. She was considered to be a free yet sexy spirit who abhorred conventional court protocol. She has inspired filmmakers and theatrical producers alike.

Elisabeth loved Hungary far more than Austria, and surrounded herself with Hungarians ladies-in-waiting, being particularly close to Marie Festetics. She insisted that her attendants speak Hungarian, which she herself spoke fluently. One of her closest friends, and most likely her lover, was Count Andrassy who later became Emperor Franz-Joseph's Foreign Minister. Elisabeth's attachment to Hungary was beneficial to the Empire because the attachment was returned by the Hungarian people, who considered her the only Hapsburg they trusted. Her flagrant and well-known preference for Hungary mollified the Hungarians (while antagonizing the Viennese) who were seething with resentment over Hapsburg arrogance, and solidified the Empire. There are several sites in Hungary named after her, particularly the beautiful Elisabet Skaya (Elisabeth Bridge)in Budapest.

DAY 1: MUNICH
Arrival to the hotel in the late afternoon, check in the hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: MUNICH - SALZKAMMERGUT
In the morning sightseeing in Munich.

The city of Munich has a lot to offer for all ages and tastes. Whether you are interested in history, architecture or art; whether you enjoy strolling through parks, fancy a trip to the Bavaria film studios or long for a visit to one of Munic's famous traditional beer gardens, you'll always find something exciting in this multi-faceted city. Lunch by own. After the lunch start to Salzkammergut.

The Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful regions in the heart of Austria. Especially in winter the breathtaking scenery appears in all its splendor. The mountains and lakes turn into a stunning white paradise. Arrival to hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: BAD ISCHL - VIENNA
After breakfast departure to Bad Ischl.

Bad Ischl lies in the southern part of the state of Upper Austria, in the area known as the Salzkammergut. During the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the town was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph.
On August 19, 1853 the engagement between Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria took place at Esplanade No. 10, which since 1989 has been the location of the Museum der Stadt Bad Ischl.
In 1854, the Emperor's mother, Archduchess Sophie, gave him the Kaiservilla (Imperial Villa) as a wedding present. The villa became the imperial family's summer residence; Franz Joseph described it as "heaven on Earth". On 28 July 1914, in the Kaiservilla, the Emperor signed a declaration of war with Serbia, signalling the start of World War I. To this day, the villa continues to be occupied by Franz Joseph and Elizabeth's descendants, although the grounds and parts of the residence are open to the public.
The Emperor Franz Joseph I built a villa named Villa Schratt in Bad Ischl for his mistress, Katharina Schratt.

Lunch by own.
After lunch transfer to Vienna.
Arrival to Vienna in the evening. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

DAY 4: VIENNA

Vienna (Wien) is a unique blend of the historic and the modern city, full of traditions. Vienna is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history but it's also a city with a lively nightlife, with plenty of late-opening Musikcafés and drinking holes. Vienna's role as the seat of the Habsburg Empire for centuries can be seen in the wealth of architecture and in the cities artistic and musical heritage. Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. In addition to this Baroque splendour, there are excellent examples of the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture that also flourished here.

After breakast fullday sightseeing in Vienna.
Visit the historical center, the St.Stephan's Dom and the most important memorial places of the Imperial couple. Lunch by own. After the lunch visit the Schönbrunn Palace - the Imperial Residence.

Schönbrunn Palace was generally used as the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Emperor Francis Joseph (ruled 1848-1916), who was born here in 1830, and liked to live the same Spartan life he imposed on the soldiers of his army, spent the last years of his life entirely in Schönbrunn. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new republic. Owing to its historical importance, its beautiful location, its magnificent architecure and the splendid layout of its gardens, this palace is among the very top sights in Vienna.

Evening dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5: VIENNA - BUDAPEST
After breakfast visit the Hofburg including the new Sissi Museum. From 1854 the Imperial couple was living in the Hofburg. The enterieur still remains the days of their life. There are different rooms to visit like the Saloon, the sleeping room, the bathroom and Sissi's fitness room. The Sissi Museum was reopened in 2004 and the exhibition shows many private things used by Sissi.

Lunch by own. Early afternoon start to Budapest. Evening arrival to Budapest, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

That Budapest - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - has developed where it is not down to some historical accident. Take a look at Gellért Hill, right next to the River Danube as it flows majestically through the centre of the modern city. It was precisely the combination of the relative ease of crossing the River here and the natural protection the hill offered against invasion that decided the earliest settlers it was the ideal place to build a town.

DAY 6: BUDAPEST - GÖDÖLLŐ
After breakfast citytour of Budapest with visiting the Buda Castle, the Fishermen's Bastion and the Matthias Church, where Sissi was crowned as Queen of Hungary. Lunch by own.

After lunch start to Gödöllő. The palace at Gödöllő, one of the largest Baroque palaces in Hungary, was originally built for the aristocratic Grassalkovich family, later Franz Josef, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary and his wife Elisabeth had their summer residence here. The Mansion was Hungary's present for the Imperial couple and Sissi's most liked place throughout the years. For 2002 the big part of the Palace was completely renewed and the reconstructions are still on.

INCLUDED SERVICES
- 5 x overnights in 3*-4* hotel
- 5 x buffet breakfasts
- 5 x dinners
- guide for halfday sightseeing in Munich, Bad Ischl, Vienna
- guide for fullday Budapest- Gödöllő excursion
- entrance to Kaiservilla / Bad Ischl, Schönbrunn Palace and Sissi Museum / Vienna, Royal Mansion / Gödöllő
- 1/20 person gratis

For detailed offer please contact info@tivoli.hu