Cows Down Festival - Tyrolean Traditions

Every autumn throughout the Alps, the valleys begin to chime with the clang of cowbells. The traditional 'Almabtrieb' (literally meaning 'driving down the mountain') is one of the main highlights of the Tyrolean festival calendar and marks the closing of the high alpine pastures after a summer of grazing in the mountain meadows. Experience this time-honoured Tyrolean tradition in Reith im Alpbachtal as herds of cows, beautifully decorated in lavish floral headdresses, form a spectacular procession as the village takes on a colourful, carnival atmosphere. Combine this wonderful experience with the very essence of all things Alpine Austrian - crystal clear lakes, snowy mountain peaks, chocolate box villages and impossibly cute chalets bedecked with colourful flowers, not to mention Alpine boats and trains - for a panoramic tour of Tyrolean highlights.
Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 6 nights in the Tyrol with breakfast & dinner- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast- Welcome drink & porterage at main hotel- Entrance to the Almabtrieb in Reith im Alpbachtal- Achensee boat trip- Ride with the Zillertalbahn train (Mayrhofen - Kaltenbach) with on board musician and a schnapps- 'Apfelstrudel' demonstration with tasting & coffee

The very essence of all things Tyrolean
Day 1 - FAfter joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Then continue via the auto-routes of France and Belgium heading to Germany to the overnight stop. BB\n\nDay 2 - The journey continues through Germany and then as the Alpine scenery unfolds, you cross the border into Austria and your hotel for your 6-night stay at the well located 4* Hotel Alexander in Kirchberg in Tirol. Welcome drink and porterage assistance on arrival. DBB\n\nDays 3 - 7 - At leisure in the Tyrol with three included excursions and one optional excursion\n\nHotel Alexander is located in the middle of the village of Kirchberg in Tirol which nestles between gentle grassy mountains and vast alpine pastures in the heart of the Brixental Valley - just 6 kilometres from Kitzbühel. The imposing church on the mountain in the middle of the village contributes to its beautiful townscape and gives the village its name. The Gaisberg chairlift is 10 mins walk from the hotel and there is an extensive network of walking trails to suit all levels of ability should you wish to discover the unspoilt nature\n\nOn your free day you may like to take the local train (Kirchberg station approx. 10 mins walk from the hotel) into nearby Kitzbühel. There is a regular rail service with journey time of approx. 8 - 10 mins. The world-famous resort of fashionable Kitzbühel with its glorious setting nestled between the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Hahnenkamm has a charming medieval pedestrianised centre with a relaxed, take your time atmosphere and offers a wealth of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops, ideal for picking up a few souvenirs.\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nSaturday 26th September 2026 - Join in the fun on this fantastic festive occasion as one of the largest Alpine cattle drives marks the start of autumn in Reith im Alpbachtal. This folk festival brings people together in a joyful celebration of Alpine traditions. The festivities include hand-made craft stalls and a lively famers' market with plenty of opportunity to eat and drink local specialities as well as enjoy traditional Tyrolean folk music. Locals just love the opportunity to celebrate and to don their Lederhosen and pretty Dirndl dresses. The cows pass through the village on their way to their winter quarters from around 11.00.\n\nAchen Lake Boat Trip & 'Apfelstrudel'\nA visit today to the largest Alpine lake in the Tyrol, Lake Achen (9km long and 1.3km wide). You will enjoy a boat cruise from Achenkirch (Scholastika) to Pertisau where there is free time to enjoy lunch in the lakeside resort or a stroll along the promenade. This afternoon head to nearby Rattenberg, Austria's smallest town. It has just 400 inhabitants and a wonderfully preserved medieval pedestrianised centre, dominated by unique displays of glass and crystal ware in the shop windows. In Rattenberg, you will learn the secrets of making the perfect apple strudel with a demonstration followed by a coffee and a slice of this much-loved, traditional Austrian delicacy!\n\nMayrhofen, Zillertalbahn & Krimml Falls\nTake a drive through classic, picture book Tyrol - fertile farmland, wooded slopes, snowy peaks and the racing rivers. This spectacular scenic road offers amazing views with superb stopping points to photograph the breath-taking Krimml Falls, at 380m the highest waterfalls in Europe. Enjoy free time at the visitor centre or why not walk to the base of the falls (approx. 10 - 15 minutes relatively flat walk - entrance to the Falls not included). Continue on over the panoramic Gerlos Alpine Pass, a spectacular scenic road offering amazing views, to the popular, year-round resort of Mayrhofen. Here you will board the Zillertalbahn train to Kaltenbach with musician and a shot of schnapps to make the journey go with a swing!\n\nNB This day may operate in a different order depending on the train timetable at the time of travel i.e. Kaltenbach to Mayrhofen on the Zillertalbahn with time for lunch and Krimml Falls in the afternoon\n\nOPTIONAL EXCURSION\nGrossglockner & Zell am See\nAlmost certainly one of Europe's greatest drives, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a stupendous feat of 1930's engineering, allowing what was once the domain of mountaineers and alpinists to be accessible to all. The 36 bends and turns on the 48km mountain road make for a one-of-a-kind mountain experience right up to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2369m) where you can enjoy the superlative glacier and mountain views as well as time for refreshments. Head back via the charming lakeside town of Zell am See with its compact centre and brightly painted chalets.\n\nDay 8 - Farewell to Austria today as you head northwards to the final overnight stop. BB\n\nDay 9 - After breakfast, travel back through France to the port for the return to England.Hotel Alexander, Kirchberg in Tirol
Surrounded by the Kitzbühel Alps, this homely 4* Tyrolean-style village hotel is located in the centre of Kirchberg and is a 10-minute walk from both Kirchberg in Tirol railway station and the Gaisberg chairlift. \n\nCosy, wood-panelled guestrooms feature colourful accents, Wi-Fi access, TV, hairdryer and safe. Twin rooms are Austrian twins (two mattresses on one bedframe). Most rooms have balconies and singles are double for sole use. \n\nThere is a wellness area with sauna, steam bath and solarium (charges may apply)\n\nThere is a rustic Austrian/Italian restaurant and bar area. There is a lift