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. Experience 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 palaces, gardens and magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress as well as for being Mozart's birth place. Excursions include entrance to the Kaiservilla plus rides on Schafberg Mountain Railway, the Hallstatt cable railway and a boat trip on Lake Wolfgang. Simply stunning!\n\nFor details of an 11-day Austrian Lakes & Peaks with extended tour to / from Austria, please click hereA Crusader Favourite!
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head south to Dover for your ferry crossing to France. Continue through France for your overnight hotel stop. BB\n\nDay 2 - Drive on for your first sight of the magnificent Alps and scenic Austrian countryside to check into your resort hotel for your 6-night stay at 3* Hotel Attergauhof, centrally located in Sankt Georgen im Attergau. DBB\n\nDay 3 - 7 - At leisure in Sankt Georgen im Attergau with four included excursions and a full day at leisure.\n\nThe hotel is located in the heart of the village and just 500m from St. Georgen railway station with regular local train services to the Attersee Lake (approx. 8 mins by train). From Attersee village you can take various boat trips across and around the lake (prices vary depending on which route is taken eg in 2025, €20 pp for a 1hr 10m northern circuit and €29.50 pp for a 2hr 20m southern circuit). There is also an easy (signposted) path that leads from the chemist's in the village centre to the lake (approx. 4km / one hour walk)\n\nIncluded Excursions\nSalzburg\nSalzburg - 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\n\nHallstatt & Bad Ischl - Pretty as a Picture\nHead 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!\n\nLake Wolfgang & Schafberg Mountain Railway\nJourney 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.\n\nBerchtesgaden & Eagle's Nest\nNip 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 by a local guide.\n\nDay 8 - Today it's farewell to Austria as you return through Germany to your final overnight stop. BB\n\nDay 9 - After breakfast, continue through France to the port for the return to England.\nIMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION EES (European Entry & Exit System). This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en.At present there is no fixed start date - planned October 2025.The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) 'Visa-waiver' programme is currently expected to be implemented 6 months after the EES comes into place. Please note: Once implemented ETIAS will be compulsory, like a Passport. No ETIAS - No Entry. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required documentation in place.For the latest information regarding ETIAS please visit: 'travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en' or 'Gov.uk'.Passport\nFor advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/

Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 6 nights in Austria with continental breakfast buffet & 3-course dinner- Porterage in Austria- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast- Four 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 Nest with local shuttle bus serviceAttergauhof Hotel, Sankt Georgen im Attergau 3* family owned hotel
This 3* traditional, family-owned hotel is located in the centre of Sankt Georgen im Attergau (539m above sea level). Charming and refined, the Attergauhof offers a sophisticated ambiance with a personal touch. All bathrooms in the hotel were recently renovated and guestrooms offer modern amenities including WiFi, satellite TV, hairdryer and in-room safe. NB Twin rooms are continental twins (two mattresses on one bedframe). There is a small wellness / spa area. The cosy restaurant serves typical Austrian cuisine as well as international dishes. There is a bar, terrace and garden. There is a lift