Europe & Ireland 2024

AUSTRIA

St Gilgen & Wolfgangsee

The Lakes are Alive with The Sound of Music Thanks to our proximity to the Austria-Germany border, our new tour features some memorable highlights in both countries. We spend time exploring brilliant Salzburg, the famous home of ‘The Sound of Music’ and birthplace of Mozart, and pretty Passau, with its charming buildings and scenic riverside setting. We also make the most of Austria’s stunning lakes with a lovely lake cruise and enjoy a tour of the magnificent Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl. PACKAGED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Passau We spend today in Passau, Germany, known as the ‘city of three rivers’ due to its unique position as the point at which the three rivers of Danube, Inn and Ilz meet. The Baroque Old Town of Passau was designed by Italian architects in the 17th century and is brimming with colourful buildings and Italian flair. Attractions here include St Stephen’s Cathedral, which houses the largest organ in the world, the 13th century Veste Oberhaus Fortress and the Mariahilf Monastery. After a day of exploring, we return to Wels with a scenic drive along the shore of the Danube. Day 3 Salzburg Today we head to the regional capital of Salzburgerland and the home of ‘The Sound of Music’, historic Salzburg. The old town is a maze of charming pedestrian alleyways with many famous and historic landmarks. We can explore Mozart’s Birthplace at No. 9 Getreidegasse, where the composer was born in 1756 and which now serves as a museum depicting his early life, and view the memorial statue of Mozart in the Plaza de Mozart public square. We may also wish to visit the impressive 17th century Salzburg Cathedral with its mighty dome and two towers, which still contains the baptismal font in which Mozart was baptised the day after his birth. Other attractions to discover include the 11th century Fortress Hohensalzburg perched on a hilltop overlooking the city and the beautiful 17th century Mirabell Palace and Gardens – where the song ‘Do-Re-Mi’ was filmed for ‘The Sound of Music’. Please note, there are special drop off and pick up conditions for coaches that drivers will need to be aware of. Day 4 Wels Driver’s Day Off We enjoy today at leisure in Wels. We may wish to explore the city, catching a glimpse of the striking Ledererturm tower, the last remnant of medieval Wels and the fortifications that used to surround it. Alternatively, we may wish to take the local train directly to nearby Linz where highlights include the pretty Baroque Old Town and Altes Rathaus (old town hall) and the New and Old Cathedrals. The riverside Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz houses a modern art collection, while across the river, the Ars Electronica Center is This morning we head to the traffic-free village of St Gilgen. From here, we enjoy a scenic lake cruise across the beautiful water to the famous resort town of St Wolfgang, where we arrive in time for some lunch and a stroll. Later this afternoon we visit the delightful spa town of Bad Ischl, where the emperors of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy spent their summers. We enjoy a guided tour of the Kaiservilla , the former summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria which he described as “heaven on earth” for himself and his family. We then return to our hotel, taking the scenic route via the Traunsee lake. Day 6 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home. home to technology-based exhibitions. Day 5 Austrian Lakes & Kaiservilla

Passau

Linz

Mirabell Palace & Gardens, Salzburg

Hotel Ploberger Wels, Austria

Plus (predicted)

This family-owned 4 star hotel is centrally located in Wels, within easy walking distance of the city’s many cafés, bars and restaurants. The 97 bedrooms are traditionally furnished and offered in a range of styles, with all equipped with air-conditioning, TV, safe, Wi-Fi and tea/ coffee making facilities. The restaurant is bright and tastefully decorated, serving classic dishes alongside regional offerings and new twists on traditional Austrian dishes. Guests can relax with a drink in the pleasant lounge bar and there is also a gym and sauna. • Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Tea/coffee in room • Coach parking is off-site & free of charge

Inclusions • Return short sea crossing • Porterage • Choice of main • Tea/coffee after dinner • One way lake cruise St Gilgen - St Wolfgang • Guided tour of the Kaiservilla

5 Nights Half Board Based on Sunday arrivals

80

Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded

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