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.
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.
Discover the crystal clear lakes of Austria’s Salzkammergut on foot
Follow the route of the “Romantic Road” by train from Würzburg in the north to Füssen in the south of Bavaria. We continue into Austria and visit the best known Castles and Palaces of King Ludwig. Our travels also include a rack railway and cable car to the summit of Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitz.
Elaborate architecture and exceptional cuisine, legendary landscapes and live history on the streets – western and central Europe is a place well worth its accolades
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.
• Nine guest Tour Directors, who will join us at different stages of our journey, shine a spectrum of lights on the history of this commanding waterway, its artistic and musical heritage
• Journey from Passau to Budapest, taking in the treasures of Melk, Vienna, Bratislava and Esztergom en route
An iconic performance that takes place just once every decade, Oberammergau is something you won't want to miss. Along with witnessing this spectacle, you'll enjoy an 18th century inspired dinner concert at St. Peter's Monastery, visit the Nymphenburg Palace, dine at the legendary Hofbräuhaus, explore the Munich Residenz and tour Salzburg.
The Hollweger Hotel is our luxury choice, offering an exceptional experience. Set on Wolfgangsee, just an hours' drive from Salzburg, this holiday offers a classic Lakes and Mountains experience.
A walking holiday around Hoher Dachstein (2996m) in Austria
