Austrian Lakes, Salzburg & Vienna

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then on to your overnight hotel in Belgium.

Travel to St. Georgen im Attergau, Austria for a six-night stay.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Salzburg

Today we include a visit to Salzburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Austria. Salzburg has something to offer every visitor, from lovely squares and medieval lanes to Gothic churches and quaint cafés. The city dates back to Celtic times and prospered in the Middle Ages on account to the salt industry from where the city derives its name. Many beautiful baroque buildings are a testament to the city’s illustrious past when it was controlled by the powerful and wealthy bishops. The city is also famed in the world of music, as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and more recently as the setting for the film The Sound of Music and is also home to the Getriedegasse, one of the most beautiful shopping streets in Austria. Why not join our optional guided walking tour to introduce you to the city before spending the afternoon at leisure? Accompanied by our local English-speaking guide, the walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and takes in the many sights and attractions of this famous Alpine city.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Salzkammergut

Our included excursion takes us into the old salt mining region of the Salzkammergut Lakes, which has developed into one of the most popular destinations in Austria on account of its outstanding natural beauty. We visit the crystal clear Lake Mondsee, one of the largest lakes in the region and also one of the warmest. We spend time in the delightful and principle resort of Mondsee, located on the banks of the lake. Mondsee is home to the Basilica of St. Michael, the famous wedding church where Maria married Georg von Trapp in the film The Sound of Music. This Gothic former monastery is just as striking today as ever with its two towers stretching 52 metres high. The basilica reached international fame when the wedding scene, with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was filmed inside. This is the reason why more than 200,000 people visit the church every year and make it one of the most photographed churches in the world. Almost every day a wedding takes places at the church, so don’t forget to applaud if the newlyweds emerge from the church whilst you’re there! We continue to St. Gilgen, birthplace of Mozart’s mother and home to one of the most attractive town squares in Austria. Here you can stroll along the lakeside, explore the shops or relax in one of the cafés. This afternoon we pause in Hallstatt, one of the most photographed spots in Austria.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Vienna

Join our full-day included excursion to the Imperial City of Vienna, which is without question, one of Europe’s great cities. As the home of the former Habsburg monarchy and the present day capital of Austria, it has much to charm the visitor. There is a lot of walking involved to see all the sights, so why not let us introduce you to Vienna on our optional guided sightseeing tour? We begin by coach, where we will be taken along the Imperial Boulevard known as the Ringstrasse. Here you will see the Hofburg Palace, the Parliament building, the Opera House, National Theatre and City Hall. During our tour we will also see the majestic Danube River, and later as we pass by the Prater amusement park a chance to view the famous Giant Wheel, built over 100 years ago, and today one of the most well-known landmarks of the city. There will be frequent stops during the drive, where you will have photo opportunities and the chance to admire Vienna at its very best. Our guide will provide commentary throughout, revealing the history, culture and stories of, without question, one of Europe’s most fascinating cities. Following the tour you will have time at leisure to visit many of the city’s famous landmarks, or you may decide to sit back and relax with a traditional Viennese coffee and a slice of the local Sachertorte chocolate cake in one of the cities tempting street cafés – the choice is yours!

• Included meals: Breakfast

Cesky Krumlov

We cross the border into the Czech Republic and to the delightful town of Ceský Krumlov on our optional excursion. This charming town experienced its greatest prosperity during the rule of Lords of Rožmberk (1302-1602), who chose Ceský Krumlov to become the seat of their kingdom. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a lively cosmopolitan town with a unique atmosphere surrounded by unspoiled countryside. Dominated by a castle stretching over the meandering Vltava River, Ceský Krumlov's narrow cobblestone streets wind along romantic nooks between patrician houses. Here you will find cosy inns, coffee shops, and ancient taverns.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Salzkammergut

Today, our optional excursion takes us up the Schafbergspitze on the Schafberg Train, the steepest steam cog railway in Austria. Running since 1893, it climbs over 1000m, to award you with a stunning view of the Salzkammergut Lakes. You will see breathtaking mountain views over the Salzkammergut region. On a clear day there is a panoramic view of the glistening Salzkammergut lakes including Wolfgangsee, Irrsee, Mondsee, Attersee and Traunsee. We descend the mountain and spend time in the pretty village of St. Wolfgang. We then continue to Bad Ischl the former summer residence of the great Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The town has been associated with the Habsburg dynasty for over 700 years and is home to the Imperial Villa which the Emperor, Franz Joesf I, called “heaven on earth” for him and his family.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to your overnight hotel in Belgium.

• Included meals: Breakfast

Return home.

• Included meals: Breakfast