* Austria Grand Tour

Recapture all the romance of Austria, her imperial cities, flower-filled Tyrol villages, grandiose castles and unforgettable alpine panoramas. Follow in the footsteps of Empress Sissi and let the music of Strauss accompany you as you waltz through this gloriously scenic country.

8 days / 1250 km

Ref: 12B101

Dates

January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November , December

D1 Heart of the Tyrol

Check-in to your hotel in the Innsbruck region. Dinner and overnight

D2 Innsbruck and the Crystal Town of the tyrol(190 km)

Guided tour of Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol, with its landmark Golden Roof. Lunch then on to the beautiful little town of Rattenberg, famed for its crystal and fine glassware. Visit a local crystal manufacturer or, on option, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Gallery in Wattens. Dinner and overnight in the Salzburg region.

D3 Salzburg and the Lake District (70 km)

Enjoy a guided tour of Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Explore the old town before lunch in the nearby lake district. Free time to discover St Wolfgang then take to the lake for a boat trip to St Gilgen. Time at leisure to enjoy picturesque St Gilgen and the sweeping scenic views across the whole of the Salzkammergut region. Dinner and overnight.

D4 Melk and the Vienna Woods (320 km)

Guided tour of the massive and imposing Melk Abbey, a masterpiece of Austrian Baroque architecture overlooking the Danube. Lunch then a foray into the Vienna Woods. Guided tour of the Mayerling Hunting Lodge and the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz, founded in the 12^th century. Dinner and overnight in the Vienna region.

D5 Vienna (80 km)

The whole day is given over to the Austrian capital including landmarks such as the Hofburg Palace, winter home of the Hapsburg dynasty, the Cathedral of St Stephen, and the Austrian Parliament Building. Lunch, or enjoy lunch and the Vienna skyline at the Donauturm Observation Tower (optional extra). Continue with a visit to the impressive Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial summer Residence. Dinner, or if you prefer a traditional evening out and wine grower’s dinner (on option). Overnight.

D6 Graz / Wörthersee (330 km)

Guided tour of Graz, main town of the state of Styria, and its picturesque old quarter. Lunch then take to the waterside in Klagenfurt on Lake Worthensee. Free time to enjoy Maria Wörth, an elegant resort town on the southern shores of the lake. Dinner and overnight in the region of Villach.

D7 Grossglockner High Alpine Road/ St Johann (260 km)

Journey along the famous Grossglockner alpine route (open May to mid-Oct.). From the Franz-Josephs Höhe terrace (2369 m) you can admire Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3.797 m), and the Pasterze glacier lying directly beneath. Lunch then continue to Zell am See. Dinner or, on option, a tradition folklore evening. Overnight in the St Johann in Tirol region.

D8 St Johann

Breakfast