Austrian Alpine Elegance: Lakes, Castles & Bad Gastein

Itinerary

9 Day Itinerary

• Day 1

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

• Day 2

  Continue our journey through Germany to our hotel in Austria for a six-night stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3 - Bad Gastein & Alpentherme Gastein Spa

  Nestled in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, Bad Gastein enchants with its Belle Époque architecture, cascading waterfall and invigorating mountain air.

  This afternoon, take advantage of your included entry to Alpentherme Spa! We allow time to enjoy this thermal spa complex, built around natural thermal springs from the Hohe Tauern Mountains.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 4 - Free Time or Grossglockner Glacier

  Enjoy a fantastic optional excursion today as we leave the hotel and travel along one of Austria’s most spectacular roads, ascending the country’s highest mountain via the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse. The Franz‑Josefs‑Höhe viewing platform offers remarkable vistas of this impressive icy landscape, so cameras are well worth having to hand.

  We continue to the charming town of Heiligenblut, nestled at the foot of the Grossglockner and enjoy some free time before returning to the hotel.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 5 - Mondsee & Hallstatt

  Our included excursion takes us into the old salt‑mining region of the Salzkammergut Lakes, now one of Austria’s most popular destinations thanks to its outstanding natural beauty. We visit the crystal‑clear Lake Mondsee, one of the largest lakes in the region, and spend time in the delightful resort of Mondsee, located on its shores. The town is home to the Basilica of St. Michael, the famous wedding church where Maria married Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

  We continue to Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most photographed locations in Austria, renowned for its picture‑perfect lakeside setting.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 - Zell am See, Lake Zell Cruise & Schnapps Tasting

  Join us today for our included excursion, as we travel to the lakeside town of Zell am See, a fashionable resort with an irresistible atmosphere and one of the best‑loved beauty spots in the area. Whilst here, we enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Zell, from where you can take in the stunning surrounding scenery.

  After time for some lunch, we continue to a traditional Alpine hut, where we enjoy a demonstration of how Schnapps is distilled and how the locals make smoked bacon. There is, of course, the chance for a tasting before we leave.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 7 - Hohenwerfen Castle & Bird of Prey Show

  We visit Hohenwerfen Castle today, a dramatic medieval fortress perched above the Salzach Valley near Werfen. Built in the 11th century, it offers rich history, interactive exhibitions and stunning mountain views, and is especially famous for its birds‑of‑prey flight demonstrations.

  Please note: There is an included funicular that transports you to the castle from the coach drop-off point. As the castle is a medieval fortress, some steps may be required to access certain areas, and some parts may not be accessible to passengers with walking difficulties.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 8

  Travel to our overnight hotel in Belgium.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 9

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for six nights at the 3-star Hotel Bergparadies in Dorfgastein.

Overnight stays in Belgium will be in city-style hotels.