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.
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 and classical music 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.
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.
A selection of wonderfully scenic rail journeys in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria together with visits to steam hauled tourist lines and free time in Vienna, makes this a holiday to suit all tastes.
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.
Short and comprehensive introduction to one of Europe’s most important cities. Comfortable 4* hotel in historic centre within easy walking distance of museums. Guided visits of the fabled Kunsthistorisches Museum. Private visit to the Lichtenstein Collection. Opportunity to attend Opera, Ballet & Concert performances
Hut to hut trekking on the Berliner Hohenweg in the Austrian Tyrol
Build up fitness with the choice of two levels of walks each day and plenty of alpine swimming on Ramblers Walking Holidays 7 night Austrian spa resort escape ‘Bad Hofgastein’. Complementing hikes through alpine vistas to high peaks, remote lakes and wild flowers adorned pastures with refreshing lake and thermal dips, book from £1175pp.
