Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Continue south to our 4-star hotel in Niederau, Austria for an eight-night stay.

Sit back and relax as the old locomotive takes you on a historic journey through the panoramic Ziller Valley on our included excursion. We start the day in the famous resort town of Mayrhofen which, nestled at the end of the Ziller Valley, is the 3rd largest community in the Tyrol.

We then board the Ziller Valley Railway for our train journey to Fügen. The Zillertal is one of Austria’s most famous narrow railways. It was opened on the last day of 1902 and has been in operation ever since. Nevertheless, the line was almost closed in 1965 as tourism and goods traffic was not enough to keep it open. Thankfully, it was saved by the construction of the Schlegleisspeicher Dam high in the mountains. The building of the dam required 325,000 tons of cement and ballast, all of which was transported on the Zillertalbahn. On arrival, you will have time at leisure in the picturesque town of Fügen.

Please note: the Ziller Valley Railway does not always feature a steam engine.

Today we visit Kitzbühel, the renowned resort of the rich and famous. Here you will have free time to explore or perhaps opt to take a cable car ride up the mighty Hahnenkamm Mountain for some spectacular views of the region (extra cost, approximately €27 payable locally). We continue over the Thurn Pass to Mittersill where we board the Pinzgau train. The train journey takes us to the town of Krimml, where there will be further free time before returning to our hotel.

After breakfast we leave the hotel and travel to Innsbruck on our optional excursion. The capital of the Tyrol, on the River Inn and at the foot of the Karwendel Alps, Innsbruck is the fifth largest city in Austria. There will be free time for you to discover the old quarter with its charming arcaded streets, the famous Golden Roof, stroll along the Maria Theresien Strasse with its bustling shops or climb the Tower of the City for magnificent views.

Alternatively, if you purchase the optional excursion to Innsbruck combined with a trip on board the Nordkettenbahnen, you will be transported from the bustle of the city centre high into the mountain terrain. We travel up to the Hungerburg mountain station where you can enjoy a breathtaking view Innsbruck. The panorama is cloud free for an average of 350 days a year!

We then take the cable car further up the mountain to the Seegrube restaurant located at an altitude of 1905 metres above sea level. Here we have an included 2-course lunch at the restaurant whilst enjoying the fantastic views of the Middle Inn Valley, the Stubai and Zillertal Valley Alps and the Wipptal Valley over the Italian border. If you wish to venture even higher, you can join the cable car to the Hafelekar, the highest viewpoint at 2256 metres. A truly unforgettable excursion.

Today’s optional excursion takes us to the Salzkammergut, Austria’s beautiful lake district which has developed into one of the most popular destinations in Austria on account of its outstanding natural beauty. Our first stop is the town of St. Gilgen, which boasts one of the most attractive town squares in Austria. Famed as the birthplace of Mozart’s mother, you will have free time to stroll along the lakeside, explore the shops or relax in one of the cafes.

We then take a boat cruise on St. Wolfgangsee, one of the largest and most famous lakes of the Austrian Lake District, which lies in the heart of the region. We arrive in the resort of St. Wolfgang where we board the cog railway and ascend the Schafberg Mountain for some spectacular views. Be sure to have your camera ready!

This morning our included excursion takes us along the scenic Alpenstrasse to the shore of the lovely Lake Achensee, the largest and deepest lake in the Austrian Tyrol. Surrounded by pine-clad slopes, you will have time at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You may decide to take an optional cruise on the serene waters of the lake which offers amazing views of the area.

Today our optional excursion takes us Salzburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Austria. To make the most of your visit, why not join our optional guided walking tour accompanied by our local English-speaking guide. This walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and takes in the many sights and attractions of this famous alpine city. Admire the Baroque splendour of the churches and cathedral, the might of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and also the quaint Getriedegasse, which with its wrought iron signs that overhang the doors, is one of the most beautiful shopping streets of Austria.

Salzburg is also known as the ‘Sound of Music’ city and during our tour you will see many sights featured in the film. A visit to Salzburg would not be complete without a mention of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and before the tour is over we see his former birthhouse and also the square that is named after and dedicated to the famous composer. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure for you to explore independently.

A free day for you to relax and explore at your leisure.

We leave the Austrian Tyrol and head north into Germany, with a stop made on the Romantic Road in the pretty town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Continue to our overnight hotel in central Germany.

We depart our overnight hotel and commence our journey north to our overnight hotel in Belgium. En route we pause in the Rhine Valley, with the opportunity to join our optional cruise on the Rhine. A cruise through the Rhine gorge, famous for its ancient castles, picturesque villages and vine-clad slopes is a perfect way to view the splendour of the Rhine. The cruise will last for approximately 2½ hours during which time you will be served a lunch on board.

Return home.