Austrian Tyrol & Little Trains

Experience the scenic highlights and delights of one of Austria's most beautiful regions. The Tyrol is the very essence of everything that Alpine Austria is known for - crystal clear lakes, snowy mountain peaks, chocolate box villages and impossibly cute chalets bedecked with colourful flowers. Based in the village of Achenkirch at the northern end of Achen Lake (the largest Alpine lake in the Tyrol) in a traditional, family-run hotel, this panoramic tour takes you on a classic journey through strikingly picturesque Alpine scenery.

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.Tour Highlights
- Hotel for 6 nights with buffet breakfast & dinner- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast & set dinner- Porterage in / out at the main hotel- Welcome Schnapps at hotel- Austrian coffee & cake one afternoon in the hotel- One speciality hot & cold buffet one evening in the hotel- Traditional Tyrolean entertainment one evening in the hotel- Excursions as stated- Ride on the Achensee Cog Railway from Seespitz to Jenbach- Ride with the Zillertalbahn steam train (Fügen - Mayrhofen)- Apple Strudel demonstration in Rattenberg with coffee & tasting- Visits to Innsbruck, Rattenberg & Mayrhofen

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Then continue via the auto-routes of France to your overnight stop in the Saarbruecken area with 3-course set dinner. DBB

Day 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 in the resort of Achenkirch. A welcome Schapps awaits whilst porters take your luggage to your room. There is a choice of main course for dinner with fixed starter and dessert. Self-service tea/coffee is included after dinner. There is one evening of traditional Tyrolean entertainment during your stay DBB

Days 3 - 7 - At leisure in the Tyrol with THREE included excursions and one optional excursion.
On your free day take time to explore the beautiful Achen Lake (the largest Alpine lake in the Tyrol - 9km long and 1.3km wide). You may like to purchase a one day 'Hop-on, Hop-off' boat ticket to discover the lake at your leisure. Board at Scholastika (just a short walk for the hotel) and then settle on board as you head around the lake and several different ports of call. You may like to stop in popular Pertisau to enjoy this lakeside resort with a stroll along the promenade before heading back up the lake (approx. cost in 2023 €27.50 - Prices vary for different journeys or simple return fares). Austrian cake and coffee will be served in the hotel on the afternoon of your free day.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Achen Lake Cog Railway & Apple Strudel in Rattenberg
Take a scenic drive along the shores of Achensee to Seespitz to board the original Achenseebahn cog railway. Dating back to 1889, these steam engines are some of the oldest in the world still in service for public transport. The train winds its way down the Inn Valley to its destination, Jenbach where your coach awaits to take you to 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. At the award-winning Cafe Hacker in the heart of 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!

Zillertalbahn & Mayrhofen
This morning you will drive to the small town of Fügen at the top of the valley to board the nostalgic narrow-gauge Ziller Valley Railway for the scenic journey to Mayrhofen. An experience for all the senses with classic, picture book Tyrol scenery of fertile farmland, wooded slopes, snowy peaks and the racing Ziller River -immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a bygone era with the clackety-clack of the rails! Enjoy leisure time in the wonderful resort of Mayrhofen where the spire of the pretty pink and white parish church dominates the centre. Explore the town, maybe take in the views over a coffee, shop for some traditional souvenirs or perhaps take a picturesque cable car ride. Return to the hotel by coach for dinner this evening.

Innsbruck for the Day
Enjoy a day in the charming capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck, with its famous Little Golden Roof. 'Alpine-urban' Innsbruck is bursting with cultural treasures, traditional charm and cosmopolitan appeal. The Karwendal Alps form an impressive backdrop to Innsbruck's pretty traffic-free streets, ideal for discovering treasures such as the Hofburg, a cream-and-pistachio imperial palace from the mighty Austrian-Hungarian empire days; the Hofkirche, a masterpiece of renaissance Church architecture and some great cafes and shopping amongst the pretty streets (entrances not included). Your driver may be able to offer an optional guided city tour with a local guide

OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Gerlos Pass & Kitzbuhel
A grand day out with a journey through the Ziller Valley (this time by coach) and along the Gerlos Alpine Road and over the panoramic pass, a spectacular scenic road offering amazing views at every turn. A photo stop will be made at the breath-taking Krimml Falls, at 380m the highest waterfalls in Europe. Continue on to the world-famous resort of fashionable Kitzbuhel with its glorious setting nestled between the Kitzbuhler Horn and the Hahnenkamm. Its charming medieval pedestrianised centre has a relaxed, take your time atmosphere and offers a wealth of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops, ideal for picking up a few souvenirs. Return to the hotel making a complete loop through the wonderful Alpine scenery

Day 8 - Farewell to Austria today as you head northwards to the final overnight stop in the Saarbruecken area with set dinner included. DBB.

Day 9 - After breakfast, travel back through France to Calais for the return to England.3* Hotel Fischerwirt am Achensee

This traditional Tyrolean style 3* hotel is family run and is surrounded by forested mountains at the northern tip of Achen Lake just 400m from the lake shore. Bedrooms offer comfortable furnishings, wooden decor, flatscreen TV, hair dryer, and have a balcony / terrace. All rooms have walk-in showers (with a step into the cubicle). Twin rooms are traditional Austrian twins (two mattresses on one bed frame). NB Single rooms are true singles (no balcony) - supplement applies for double room with balcony for sole use (subject to availablilty). The restaurant serves fresh, local specialities and there is a cosy bar as well as a large outdoor terrace / garden. There is a lift to all floors with some rooms accessible via a couple of internal steps. As with many continental hotels, there are no tea / coffee making facilities in the guestrooms.