With a greater diversity of landscapes, history and heritage than one would expect in a small, landlocked country, Austria enthrals and entertains in equal measure. Enthralling for its breathtaking scenery of soaring mountains and verdant valleys; and for its mesmerising city streets, buzzing with contemporary life, at the foot of façades several centuries old. Entertaining with the remarkable repertoires of its most famous sons, Mozart and Strauss, operettas by Austro-Hungarian Lehár, and the classical compositions of Beethoven, who made Vienna his adoptive home. The journey begins in the capital, a place of grace and grandeur, parks, palaces, and chic shops; where we view the regal squares, historic churches, and iconic landmarks in the city and its surrounds. In Salzburg, Baroque and medieval buildings line the lanes of the UNESCO listed old town, where Mozart’s birthplace is now a museum of his childhood. Innsbruck, the capital of the Tirol, has an air of exuberance and a list of attractions which ranges from the Olympic ski-jump to the Habsburg Imperial Palace, and 995ft rise of the Hungerburg funicular. A river runs through each of the cities, the Danube, Salzach and Sill (respectively) adding a natural soundtrack.
Fly from your chosen airport to Vienna and transfer to the 4-star Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier for four nights.
A morning walking tour of Vienna includes the pedestrianised Kohlmarkt and Graben, lined with Vienna’s most exclusive shops; a tour of the gloriously grand Hofburg Imperial Palace, its 13th century origins extended by every emperor to form the sprawling 2,600-room edifice it is today, includes a visit to the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum; and a visit to the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, piercing the skyline with its spire and witnessing almost 800 years of Habsburg and Austrian history. Enjoy coffee and cake at a typical Viennese Coffee House and, this evening, a concert by the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, with the music of Strauss, Mozart and Lehár.
(B)
Travel to Klosterneuburg Abbey, a twelfth-century Augustinian monastery in Klosterneuburg, overlooking the Danube, north of Vienna. The visit includes a tour of the abbey, founded in 1114 by Saint Leopold II of Babenberg, the patron saint of Austria, the abbey contains the Verduner Altar, made in 1181 by Nicholas of Verdun. The visit concludes with a wine tasting at Austria’s oldest winery.
(B)
A morning tour of the Leopoldmuseum, housed in the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna, home to one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art, featuring artists such as Egon Schiele, the Secession founder Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka. Afternoon at leisure to explore independently, perhaps to people-watch from a riverbank restaurant. This evening, enjoy a Viennese Dinner with a local.
(B, D)
Take the train to Salzburg (3hrs approx.) and transfer to the 4-star Hotel am Mirabellplatz for a two-night stay. Discover the best of Salzburg on a walking tour of the Altstadt (old town), a UNESCO listed and beautifully preserved enclave, where cobbled streets converge in convivial squares, lined with Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance buildings; and we include a visit to Mozart’s birthplace, now a museum of his early life, with musical artefacts and family portraits.
(B)
Salzburg’s surrounds are the super-scenic setting for The Sound of Music. Enjoy the landscapes on a morning tour of the Salzkammergut lake district, including the crystal-clear Lake Fuschl, and the crescent shaped Mondsee, backed by limestone cliffs; travel to picturesque St. Gilgen and sail on the famously turquoise waters of Lake Wolfgang to the town of St. Wolfgang, its 15th century church an historic pilgrimage destination, its beautiful backdrop a forested mountain slope. Optional Dinner in the Panorama Restaurant on Fortress Hohensalzburg followed by a Mozart – Strauss concert on the fortress (£85, pre-bookable).
(B)
Drive through magnificent mountain scenery to Innsbruck, and check-in at the 4-star Hotel Grauer Bär for two nights. Discover the narrow streets of medieval houses and arcades on an afternoon guided walking tour of the old town, where landmark monuments include the 16th century Franciscan church, the Hofburg ducal palace; and we visit the Hofkirche (Court Church), housing the cenotaph of Habsburg Emperor Maximilian l, surrounded by Renaissance sculptures.
(B)
Take the ingeniously designed funicular up to the Hungerburg station, and walk across Hermann Buhl Square to the cable car station for Hafelekar, at 2,334m, where fantastic, 360-degree panoramas encompass the city, the Inn Valley, and the surrounding mountain peaks. A spectacular viewing experience, effortlessly reached in a matter of minutes from Innsbruck.
(B)
Transfer to Innsbruck airport for your return flights.
(B)
Visits include some uneven surfaces and small inclines. The tour involves carrying luggage on and off a train.
Enjoy an original Wiener Schnitzel dinner at a typical restaurant in the company of our Viennese host. Wiener Schnitzel are prepared from thin veal slices, slightly salted, and rolled in flour, whipped eggs, and bread crumbs and fried in butter. In Austria it is traditionally served with potato salad or parsley potatoes.
Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.
19 Dec 25, 14 Jan 26 and 3 more
A winter wonderland week in Austria, this tour is based in the typically Tirolean village of Obsteig, staying in a family-run hotel, and revealing the region’s character with a snowshoe walk, horse-drawn sleigh ride, and visits to Seefeld, Stams Abbey, and Innsbruck
From £1245 pp
incl Flight
26 Apr 25, 3 May 25 and 24 more
A journey through the cities and the centuries, via coasts, peaks and plateaus, enjoy a comprehensive circling of significant sights, from Istanbul, at ‘the bridge of continents’, to ancient sites, intriguing culture and ethereal landscapes
From £2925 pp
incl Flight
5 May 25, 16 Jun 25 and 6 more
A wonderful waltz with the Danube’s drift, this classic cruise goes with the flow from Austrian Melk and Vienna to Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava; and sails the natural, national border to Hungary, to visit the Puszta prairie, beautiful Budapest, and Esztergom’s Basilica
From £2465 pp
incl FlightThe below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 dinner, itinerary as described, services of local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Hotel Regina
(per night) £100
Single supplement £40
Hotel Central
(per night) £100
Single supplement £55