What better way to celebrate the millennium than with a hosted a party at the world famous New Year’s Eve Imperial Ball in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna? We hosted this event for a very special party of 18 guests from all over the world.
At 1900 hours our horse drawn carriages awaited to transfer everyone to Hofburg Palace. Upon arrival the evening commenced with a drinks reception in the main entrance hall whilst watching the ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony and having official photographs taken. The Emperor and Empress of the evening welcomed guests as we climbed the Grand Staircase and found our way to the glorious Ceremonial Hall and our tables for the gala banquet. The Ceremonial Hall is one of the most beautiful rooms in the Hofburg Palace with glistening chandeliers and rich golden baroque decor. It is also one of the main ballrooms. Different military bands and orchestras played throughout the evening enabling guests to waltz between courses during the banquet and into the early hours of the New Millennium. The adjacent Festival Hall is the largest ballroom in the Palace and is where we heard the bells of St Stephen’s Cathedral ring in the New Millennium and guests waltz to classic Danube waltzes. Access was provided to the roof of the Hofburg Palace enabling us to watch Vienna’s spectacular fireworks display. Back in the Festival Hall there was a special show performed by members Vienna’s opera and ballet companies. The rest of the evening was spent wandering through the numerous Staterooms, dancing to different orchestras and socialising at our tables. We all retired at different times. It was a pleasant fifteen minutes stroll back to the hotel.
Our hosted programme to Vienna’s New Year’s Eve Imperial Ball 1999
28 December Transfer by private car to the centrally located five star Hotel InterContinental.
1900 hours Welcome champagne reception in the hotel, followed by dinner in the Brasserie Restaurant.
29 December Full day at leisure to enjoy the sights of Vienna. Evening to the ballet – Cinderella at the State Opera House.
30 December Full day at leisure to visit the museums and sights in and around Vienna. Dinner in one of Vienna’s fine eating establishments.
31 December Full day at leisure. Champagne will be served in guests rooms during the afternoon, whilst you dress for this evenings Millennium Imperial Ball at the Hofburg Palace.
1 January New Year’s Day champagne brunch in the hotel whilst watching the live broadcast of the famous New Year’s Day Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
2 January Departure day. Private car transfer to the airport.
