Vienna, Salzburg and the Danube

We board the Eurostar to Brussels after meeting at our Departure
Office at London St Pancras. On arrival, our rail journey continues
to Cologne, where we stay for the night.

Leaving Cologne behind, today we continue by high-speed rail to
Austria. Our route takes us southwards across Germany and into the
state of Bavaria. We continue across the Austrian border and travel
through to Vienna, its ineffably elegant Baroque capital city. Upon
arrival, we check into our hotel, the 4-Star Marriott Imperial
Riding School Renaissance, where we stay for the next
four-nights.

We enjoy a tour of the Vienna's main sights, taking in the
magnificent Imperial architecture on the famous Ringstrasse and
impressive Hofburg Palace, a vast complex of buildings built by the
Hapsburgs over six centuries. Other highlights include the ornate
Opera House, which houses the Vienna Philharmonic, the grand
Parliament building overlooking the historical Ringstraße, and the
Neo-Gothic 'Rathaus'. After our tour, we visit Schönbrunn Palace,
the former summer residence of the Imperial family, situated on the
outskirts of Vienna in its own beautifully landscaped parkland. One
of the most beautiful rooms in this honey-coloured palace is the
Great Gallery, reminiscent of the 'Hall of Mirrors' at the Palace
of Versailles. We enjoy a guided tour followed by free time to
stroll through its acres of formal gardens, filled with exquisitely
designed gardens and delightfully blooming blossoms.

Day 4 takes us to Melk, where we visit
Melk Abbey. This grand Benedictine Abbey dates back to the 11th
century and boasts a stunning peach and white exterior, and arched
ceilings and gilded golden walls inside. Next, we take to the
waters for a scenic cruise aboard a riverboat, gliding through the
picturesque Danube through the Wachau Valley to Krems. Famed for
its vineyards and castles, easily visible from the water, keep
watch for Dürnstein Castle, once used to imprison Richard the
Lionheart.

With free time in both Melk and Krems, you could visit the
prestigious Marble Room and Abbey Church in Krems, generally
considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the
Alps. With wine-producing popular in the area, you could also enjoy
a tasting of local vintages.

Taking the train south, we travel through the spectacular
mountain landscapes of the Semmering Railway, the very first
standard-gauge mountain railway which is now a protected UNESCO
World Heritage site. Changing in Villach, we continue past the
Tauern range en-route to Salzburg, where we stay for the next three
nights.

On Day 6, we enjoy a guided tour of the
lakes and mountains around Salzburg. This stunning area is renowned
for its natural beauty, and some of the locations we visit were
featured in the classic film 'The Sound of Music.' Our first stop
is Hellbrunn Castle Gardens before we continue to St Gilgen, a
small town on the shores of Wolfgangsee that exudes traditional
charm and romantic lakeside views. Enjoy free time here to explore
the picturesque streets lined with lively cafés, shops, and
frescoed houses before we continue to Mondsee and St Wolfgang, on
the north shore of the lake.

Known as the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is one of Austria's
most famous cities. We enjoy a guided tour on Day
7, soaking in the sumptuous Baroque architecture and
seeing the churches, squares and alleyways of the city's beautiful
Old Town. With free time afterwards, you might like to go shopping
on the Getreidegasse, take a stroll through the beautiful Mirabell
Gardens, or visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress for superb views
across the city. The courtyard café here is a great place to relax
with a strudel and a coffee. This evening we make our way to
Mirabell Palace to take our seats for a classical music concert, a
truly memorable experience. This is the palace where Mozart himself
once enchanted crowds with his classical music, and we spend an
evening immersed in timeless culture as we watch the skilled
musicians perform.

We leave Salzburg by high-speed rail, travelling to Cologne for
the night.

On Day 9, we continue by rail to Brussels
and board the Eurostar to London St Pancras.