Several well-dressed women are going shopping in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vienna, Austria. They'll be chauffeured from their five-star luxury hotel and have aides with them at all times.

Who are these women? They're married to members of the U.S. Congress, the same body of lawmakers that for months has chastised bailout companies for wasteful executive perks. 

The congressional wives were in Vienna last week with their husbands, who were attending a two day conference on global security and the economy.

The bipartisan delegation was headed by Senator Benjamin Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland. Before Vienna, the group toured sites and met with officials in Israel and Syria.

INSIDE EDITION has learned that when the members of Congress attend meetings some of their spouses use the time to sightsee and shop while on their free European vacation. 

In the heart of Vienna's trendiest shopping district, INSIDE EDITION observed aides providing security for the women and even helping them with their shopping bags. Later, the wives were escorted to a private viewing area to watch the world-famous Lipizzaner Stallions.

Only four senators and three House members were on the trip, but instead of traveling on commercial airlines they flew aboard a luxury military jet, part of a fleet of aircraft that were specially designed by the Air Force so bigwigs in Washington could travel in style. The cost to the taxpayer to operate the jet for just one week can exceed $1 million.

The lawmakers did take seven aides and a medical doctor with them. But why would they take a jet that could easily accommodate twice as many people? Perhaps because only when there are empty seats can the lawmakers' spouses tag along...and they fly for free.

But the wives with Senator Cardin's delegation weren't the only spouses in Vienna at the time. Representative John Tanner, a Democrat from Tennessee, was also at the conference. He brought his own delegation of nine U.S. Representatives, many of whom brought their wives. Amazingly, Tanner's group arrived on another Air Force luxury jet. Their trip included stops in Brussels, Paris and the Bavarian Alps for more meetings.

INSIDE EDITION Senior Investigative Correspondent Matt Meagher questioned why so many people have to attend these trips and why they have to bring their spouses along.

Senator Cardin's Press Secretary told INSIDE EDITION it would not have been more cost-effective to fly commercial airlines, though they don't have the exact calculations. Nonetheless they say the Department of Defense determines what aircraft is available.

Congressman Tanner's office said lawmakers reimburse the government for the cost of meals for their spouses, but INSIDE EDITION looked, and actual receipts for these trips aren't available to the public.