2026 Biennial Meeting Activities
Saturday, May 16
Dinner and Viewing Party | 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Meet in the Lobby of the Le Meridien Vienna at 5:45 PM to walk to Wiener Rathauskeller Restaurant for a casual dinner
directly across from the Eurovision Song Contest viewing area at Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square).
6:00 PM – Dinner at the Wiener Rathauskeller Restaurant
Each person will pay individually for their own meal.
No Registration or RSVP is needed — if you would like to join, simply meet us in the hotel lobby or at the restaurant.
After dinner, anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the public viewing of the Eurovision Song Contest at Rathausplatz.
Sunday, May 17th
Two-Hour Walking Tour of Vienna | 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Cost: US $ 20/per person
Meet in the lobby of the Le Méridien Vienna at 2:00 PM for a walking tour of Vienna. Discover the history, architecture,
and charm of Vienna on a two-hour guided walking tour through the city centre. Stroll through the historic streets as your
guide introduces some of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, the State Opera,
and the elegant shopping streets and squares of the Innere Stadt. Along the way, learn about Vienna’s imperial past,
cultural traditions, and famous residents while enjoying the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most beautiful historic capitals.
Registration required.
Monday, May 18
Schönbrunn Palace Tour | 2:30 – 6:00 PM | Cost: US $40/per person
Meet in the lobby of the Le Méridien Vienna, where a private bus will depart at 14:30 to the Schönbrunn Palace.
Upon arrival, participants will enjoy time exploring the magnificent palace grounds and Baroque gardens before joining
a guided 45-minute palace tour beginning at 16:25.
At the conclusion of the tour, the bus will transfer the group directly to the dinner venue.
Registration required - Limited to 30 participants.
Biennial Meeting Banquet | 6:00 - 9:00 PM | Heuriger Mayer am Pfarrplatz
Meet in the lobby of the Le Méridien Vienna, where a private bus will depart at 5:30 PM to take guests (not attending the Palace tour) to the Biennial Meeting Banquet.
The Banquet is hosted at a traditional wine tavern, Mayer am Pfarrplatz.
Tuesday, May 19
Spanish Riding School Demonstration | 11:30 - 1:00 PM | Buy Tickets
Tuesday is the departure day for Prague, but for those who would like to enjoy one last experience in Vienna,
there is an opportunity to attend a performance at the Spanish Riding School from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Tickets are €29 per person and should be purchased directly through the venue in advance.
If you would like to attend, please purchase your ticket individually and meet the group at the venue.
Because performances are known to sell out, especially during the summer months, we strongly encourage purchasing tickets as early as possible.
Spanish Riding School: https://www.srs.at/
Ticket Link: https://www.viennaticketoffice.com/spanische-hofreitschule-training-mit-musik-tickets-378-de.html
Recommended Companion Activities
Vienna is a wonderful city for a relaxed afternoon of strolling, shopping, and coffee. For companions with a few free hours, we recommend exploring the historic city center near the Hofburg, Kohlmarkt, Graben, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
This area is easy to enjoy on foot and offers some of Vienna’s most iconic cafés, shops, and locally made gifts.
Noteworthy Cafés
Demel
A beautiful Viennese pastry and confectionery shop located near the Hofburg on Kohlmarkt. Demel is a lovely stop for coffee, cake, chocolates, or elegant gifts to bring home.
Café Sacher
Located near the Vienna State Opera, Café Sacher is the classic place to try the famous Original Sacher-Torte, one of Vienna’s most iconic desserts. (EN)
Café Central
A grand Viennese coffeehouse experience, perfect for coffee, pastries, breakfast, or a light lunch in a historic setting.
Café Landtmann
An elegant traditional café near the Burgtheater and City Hall, ideal for a more polished sit-down coffee or lunch experience.
More: Visit the most beautiful cafes in Vienna’s City Center
Noteworthy Shops & Local Gifts
Augarten Porcelain
A beautiful option for a special Viennese gift. Augarten porcelain is known for handmade and hand-painted pieces, including cups, dishes, ornaments, and decorative items.
Lobmeyr
A historic Viennese glass and crystal shop offering beautiful tableware, lighting, and design pieces. This is a special stop for those who enjoy craftsmanship and home décor.
Manner Shop
A fun and easy stop for gifts. Manner wafers are one of Vienna’s most recognizable sweets and make great suitcase-friendly souvenirs.
Original Vienna Snow Globe
Vienna is known for its original snow globes, which are still handcrafted in Vienna. Many feature classic
Viennese landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, City Hall, or the Giant Ferris Wheel. (vienna.info)
Things Made or Associated with Vienna
Visitors looking for something distinctly Viennese may enjoy browsing for:
- Sacher-Torte or other Viennese pastries
- Demel chocolates and confections
- Augarten porcelain
- Lobmeyr glass and crystal
- Original Viennese snow globes
- Manner wafers
- Klimt or Secession-inspired gifts from museum shops
- Viennese coffee or coffeehouse items
Easy 2-Hour Walking Route
For a simple self-guided outing, we suggest beginning near the Hofburg Palace, visiting Demel on Kohlmarkt, strolling along Kohlmarkt and Graben,
browsing shops along the way, and ending near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This route offers a beautiful taste of Vienna’s historic center without requiring advance tickets
or a formal tour…. or, see it all from a Horse-drawn carriage ride in Vienna
View Shopping Route Map