Vienna's Life Ball Prepares to Celebrate 19th Year

NEW YORK, NY, March, 2011 - 2011 marks the 19th year of the legendary Life Ball in Vienna, Austria, the annual fundraising event that gathers people from around the world in the name of AIDS awareness and research. As it has always been from the beginning, the concept of the Life Ball is rooted in the traditional Viennese ball merging an important cause with "opulence, extravagance, glamour, provocation, fancy performances, committed speeches as well as emotional moments."

Each year Life Ball encourages its revelers to get creative and come in original costume according to a theme inspired by the elements (earth, air, fire, water). 2011 brings "air" as the featured element to encourage attendees to "Spread the Wings of Tolerance." The creativity and the outlandish costumes is a part of Viennese tradition and infuses an extra sense of "mischief" into the celebration.

The night begins with the opening ceremonies, which usually include a fashion show with a series of music and dance performances by international artists in front of the picturesque Vienna City Hall.

Each year, some 40,000 people, international media, and visitors from around the globe gather on the square to experience this glittering spectacle. Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferr�, Missoni, Moschino and many other A-list designers have presented their creations in previous years. Elton John, Scissor Sisters, Grace Jones and Kylie Minogue have all performed at this event; and Fran Drescher, Eva Longeria, Sharon Stone, Ivana Trump and other international celebrities have attended. Guest of honour, the former U.S. president and committed combatant in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Bill Clinton has been known to attend as well.

The festivities continue as the exclusive 3,780 Life Ball ticket holders are ushered into the gorgeous and gothic Vienna City Hall whose corridors and courtyards have been transformed into a wonderland of celebration --a virtual feast for the eyes. Various rooms are transformed into opulent ballrooms while live performances by world-famous DJs get the party going and inspiring speeches sprinkle the evening. The full-on extravaganza lasts until sunrise. A star studded guest list of A-list celebrities always brings out the international media, and Life Ball is televised live on Austrian National TV.

The Life Ball is the event where the world converges in a celebration of life to bring a crucial issue to the global stage; AIDS and HIV awareness and prevention. With the help of celebrities, artists, designers, and philanthropists, the ultimate goal of the evening is to raise funds for the two primary non-profits that are the leaders in AIDS research and education, amfAR and AIDS LIFE.

A staggering 33.4 million people are living with HIV worldwide. It is a virus that does not discriminate and equally affects all ages, genders, the rich, and the poor. Both amfAR and AIDS LIFE have been an essential part of providing support for those living with AIDS or HIV, in their incessant quest to promote awareness, educating the public on prevention and treatment, and of course providing funding for AIDS research.

&"The Life Ball in Vienna, Austria, is one of the biggest annual AIDS charity events in the world and an internationally unique ball. Ever since 1993, the Life Ball has greatly contributed to removing the taboos from the topic of AIDS in our society, generating great international interest and media attention every year. The Life Ball is an exuberant festivity with extraordinary performances, which year after year celebrates life and makes a loud and sound statement in the fight against HIV and AIDS - resounding far beyond the boundaries of Vienna and Austria. This way the event sets an example of tolerance and sends the signals of solidarity to society and the whole world."

Once again, Steele Luxury Travel has been chosen as the exclusive North American tour operator with access to the Life Ball. We have tailored an extraordinary package to bring you the best of Vienna and of course, tickets to the highly sought after Life Ball (each year there are over 80,000 requests for tickets to this exclusive event, yet there are only 3,780 tickets made available). Steele Luxury Travel arranges everything from business class flights on Austrian Airlines, 4 nights at The Ring Hotel, along with fabulous culinary experiences and city tours.

In past years, Steele Luxury Travel has organized a tour of the city, a Vienna Nightlife tour, a wine tour of Vienna with lunch, a pastry tasting at the Demel confectionary house, and an extravagant post Life Ball Brunch Party at Halle in the Museum Quartier. The beauty of this trip is your chance to experience the enchanting city of Vienna with all it has to offer along with the exhilaration of the Life Ball all while contributing to a charitable cause. With every Life Ball Package that is purchased, a percentage of the revenue is donated to the Life Ball organization.

PACKAGE DETAILS:
Business Class Flights + Land Package: $4,999 Double Occupancy
Economy Class Flights + Land Package: $3,500 Double Occupancy
Land Only- No flights: $2,300 Double Occupancy

Steele Luxury Travel provides unique and top rate travel experiences to exotic destinations worldwide. Steele destinations are typically selected for their international celebrations and world-renowned cultural events. Steele has partnered with five-star centrally located hotels and leading tour operators to provide you with the most luxurious and culturally rich experience possible. Destinations include Rio de Janeiro New Year's Reveillon, Bondi Bliss: Sydney Mardi Gras, Hamilton Island and the Gold Coast, The Life Ball in Vienna, Milk Honey - Israel & Tel Aviv Pride, Madrid Gay Pride and the Mykonos Island Villa Escape.

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LINKS: Life Ball 2011

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