Small but perfectly-formed, Austria is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts, with skiing in the Alps and the Salzburgerland, wonderful hiking in the summer months, and some world-class thermal spas. There are more urban pleasures too; cities such as Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg boast elegant Hapsburg-era architecture, world-class art galleries and musical heritage that encompasses everything from Mozart to the Sound of Music.
As a non-natural skier, if I'm going to hurtle down a mountain at speed, it has to be Austrian. Nowhere in the Alps offers the same levels of hospitality, with many hotels owned by the same families for generations. A post-piste gluhwein and plate of kasepsatzl (Austrian macaroni cheese) in a mountain hut is one of my favourite things on a ski holiday, while in the summer months, a night at the alfresco Bregenz Festival, with its stunning lake stage, is an annual treat.
Walk through the magnificent mountains of Salzkammergut and you will experience probably the best scenery the Austrian Alps has to offer.
Autumn in Vienna from CICERONI Travel; Comprehensive introduction to one of Europe’s most important cities. The Habsburg dynasty - their patronage explored. Artists of the Viennese Secession – Klimt, Schiele, Wagner & Loos all featured. Comfortable 4* hotel in Vienna’s historic centre. Opportunity to attend Opera, Ballet & Concert performances.
Discover the crystal clear lakes of Austria’s Salzkammergut on foot
We return to Austria for opera combined with walks in an Alpine setting. This new tour focuses on the states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg and their respective capitals, Innsbruck and Bregenz. Amongst the tour’s highlights will be walks in the hills above Innsbruck and Verdi’s Rigoletto set on the floating stage on Lake Constance.
Visit an ‘undiscovered’ northern Italy. Stunning alpine & valley scenery.
A chance to discover two very handsome Italian towns – Trento & Bolzano.
Gothic, Renaissance & Baroque art & architecture.
Comfortable 4* hotels, both with swimming pools.
Superb local food & wine.
A walking holiday around Hoher Dachstein (2996m) in Austria
Discover the glittering lakes and dramatic mountains of this enchanting region on two wheels. Scenic, easy routes link Abersee, Mondsee, Traunsee and Hallstattersee
From flower-filled meadows to high mountain passes, this walk offers rewarding views as you walk from one Tyrolean village to the next.
Hut to hut trekking on the Berliner Hohenweg in the Austrian Tyrol
With inviting footpaths leading into the mountains in all directions, Pertisau is a real walker's paradise.
