2024 Austrian Lakes & Peaks

Pretty as a picture, the Austrian Lakes District, is a glorious region of sparkling blue lakes, soaring mountains, lush green valleys and idyllic villages. As popular as ever, we have taken an old favourite and given it a bit of 'makeover' with some brand new itinerary inclusions

You will see the region at its best when you visit picturesque St Wolfgang and photogenic Hallstatt. You also visit the 'Sound of Music' city of Salzburg, renowned for its elegant palaces, gardens and magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress as well as for being Mozart's birthplace. New for 2024 are a visit to pretty Zell am See, entrance to the Kaiservilla plus rides on Schafberg Mountain Railway, the Hallstatt cable railway and a boat trip on Lake Wolfgang.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.A Crusader Favourite!
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head south to Dover for your ferry crossing to Calais. Continue through France and into Germany for your overnight hotel stop. BB

Day 2 - Drive on for your first sight of the magnificent Alps and scenic Austrian countryside to the quiet district of Plankenau, not far from the resort town of St Johann im Pongau, for your 6-night stay. DBB

Day 3 - 7 - At leisure in Plankenau with five included excursions. The hotel enjoys an idyllic rural location surrounded by meadows and forests. Enjoy an included visit or excursion every day of your stay in the beautiful nature of the Salzburger Land

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

Salzburg
Salzburg - one of Europe's most enchanting cities, famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for "The Sound of Music". A charming Baroque city in its own right, it is dominated by the magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress, church steeples, quaint courtyards, pedestrian alleyways and magnificent buildings. Don't miss the famous Getreidegasse, the narrow lane in which Mozart was born and of course who could resist skipping and dancing through the glorious Mirabell gardens? A walking tour (2 hours) is included for you to gain an orientation of Salzburg before enjoying time to explore at leisure

Hallstatt & Bad Ischl - Pretty as a Picture
Head to Bad Ischl, the handsome spa town made famous by Emperor Franz Josef as the location of his summer residence, the Kaiservilla, where entrance is included for a self-guided visit. Then it is off to the UNESCO World Heritage site of picturesque Hallstatt, nestled on the banks of the Halstättersee with a backdrop of the towering Dachstein mountains - truly a photographer's delight. A return ride on the cable railway takes you comfortably up to the Hallstatt high valley. A panoramic lift and sky bridge takes you to a viewing platform and free-floating skywalk, 360m above the town, from where you can admire a fabulous view of the historic town centre, the lake and Salzkammergut region - breathtaking!

Lake Wolfgang & Schafberg Mountain Railway
Journey through the Salzkammergut to the traffic-free village of St Gilgen, a place that was a source of inspiration for Mozart and home to his mother. Full of character with its frescoed houses, take a stroll past interesting shops and bustling cafes. Take a 30-minute cruise across the water to the picture perfect resort town of St Wolfgang where you will board the steepest cog railway in Austria, the Schafberg Mountain Railway. In just 35 minutes, the railway rises 1190 vertical metres and on a clear day, you will be treated to a 360 degree panoramic view of the sparkling lakes of Wolfgang in Austria and Chiemsee in Germany with soaring mountains majestically framing the spectacular scenery

Zell am See (will operate with local coach)
Visit the pretty town of Zell am See, which is nestled on the shores of its bluer-than-blue lake (Zeller See) and is one of Austria's most popular resorts. Enjoy free time to stroll through the compact medieval centre with its brightly painted chalets and along the lake shores with tha backdrop of the snowcapped peaks of the Hohe Tauern. You may also wish to take in the beautiful scenery with a picturesque boat cruise (not included - approx €17 pp in 2023 for 45-minute Panorama Cruise - departs form the Esplanade)

Berchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest
Nip over the border into Germany today to the small alpine town of Berchtesgaden, best known for the 'Eagle's Nest', perched 1,834m high on the Obersalzburg mountain. The 'Kehlstein' lodge was infamously used by Hitler and other Nazi party members during World War II and since 1952, the building has been open to the public as a mountain top restaurant offering the most spectacular views across the region and the serene Lake Konigssee. The Eagle's Nest was originally designed by Martin Bormann and is one of the few undamaged monuments of the Hitler era. Due to its high elevation, the Eagle's Nest is only accessible by special mountain buses and then by lift. There will be a brief introduction and tour be a local guide.

Day 8 - Today it's farewell to Austria as you return through Germany for the final overnight stop. BB

Day 9 - After breakfast, continue through Belgium and France to Calais for the return to England

Inclusions
- Hotel for 6 nights with continental breakfast buffet & 3-course set dinner (choice of main course)- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast- Porterage & welcome drink at resort hotel- Themed buffet or BBQ dinner one evening (depending on weather)- Coffee & cake one afternoon in the hotel- Five included excursions & entrances as stated- Guided walking tour of Salzburg- Entrance and self-guided visit to Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl- Return ride on Hallstatt Cable Railway- One way cruise St Gilgen - St Wolfgang- Return ride on the Schafberg Mountain Railway- Visit & introduction to the Eagle's NestLandhotel Lerch Plankenau 3* family run hotel
A warm welcome awaits at this family run 3* hotel, located in the quiet district of Plankenau, close to the resort town of St Johann im Pongau. Guestrooms are bright and comfortable and equipped with TV and hairdryer. All singles are double for sole use. Twin rooms are continental twins (2 matresses on one bedframe). The traditional restaurant, bar and lounge area are welcoming and tastefully decorated and there is a pleasant outdoor terrace. There is a spa area with sauna, steam and whirlpool and a natural outdoor swimming pond (open in the summer), complete with sun loungers and parasols on the lawn. NB There is no lift at the hotel and guestsrooms are on either the first or second floor