A Taste of the Tyrol 2012 

We meet at St Pancras International in London to begin our holiday to the Tyrol. Our first journey is on the iconic Eurostar to Brussels. Here we change trains, continuing by express train into Germany for an overnight stay in the delightful city of Cologne. We stay at the Grand City Hotel, located a short distance from Cologne Cathedral. We enjoy a first meal together in the hotel this evening. (D)

Today we leave Cologne and make our way by high-speed train towards Austria. After passing through Munich, we change trains in Rosenheim and continue over the border into Austria, making our way to Jenbach, a small Tyrolean town surrounded by beautiful scenery and a plethora of walking trails. Our base for the next seven nights is the Hotel Jenbacherhof, a charming family-run hotel just a short walk from the town centre. We dine together in the hotel this evening. (B,D)

Our full-day excursion today is by coach to the picturesque town of Kufstein, dominated by a magnificent fortress and located on the River Inn, just a few kilometres from the Bavarian border. The Old Town of Kufstein, centred around the charming Römerhofgasse, is a real delight to stroll through. The elaborately renovated Kufstein Fortress houses the 'Heroe's Organ', built in the Citizens' Tower of the fortress. The magnificent organ is the largest freestanding organ in the world, with 4,307 pipes, 46 registers and four manual playing aids. The sound created by the organ can be heard throughout the town, although the organ is only played by the most skilled organists - the sound arrives approximately three seconds late. We also travel to Rattenberg, the smallest town in the Tyrol. Visiting Rattenberg feels like a journey back in time, as the town's centre remains virtually unchanged since its medieval heyday. Rattenberg is also known as the 'glass town of the Tyrol' thanks to the fine glassware and crystal which has been produced in the town for centuries. Several of the shops in Rattenberg sell fantastic glassware that is still made locally. (B,D)

Today is free for you to spend as you wish. You may want to relax at the hotel or go for an energising walk into the surrounding area. Why not visit the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck, just a short train ride away? Here you could explore the city's elegant streets, admire its fine buildings and stroll around the maze of cobbled alleyways in the medieval Old Town. Innsbruck enjoys a spectacular location in the Inn Valley surrounded by lofty snowcapped peaks. The delightful city has a beautiful Old Town that is part of a generous pedestrianised area, which makes Innsbruck ideal for exploring on foot. There are also many wonderful journeys from the city into the beautiful countryside. You could also travel from Innsbruck by tram to the charming town of Igls or take a trip up to the Stubaital, high above the Brenner Pass. (B)

Today we travel on the scenic Achenseebahn Mountain Railway. Having opened in 1889, the Achenseebahn is now Europe's oldest steam-powered cog railway, and it still operates with beautifully restored carriages dating back to the 1890s which runs four miles from Jenbach to Seespitz on the shores of Achensee. The route passes through beautiful scenery on its way to the mountains. The emerald green Achensee is the Tyrol's largest lake, set in the stunning surrounds of Europe's largest nature reserve, the Karwendel Mountains. At the lake we take to the water for a relaxing cruise. During the cruise you have the option of leaving the ship to join one of the many signposted walks along the lake. You could take this chance to visit Pertisau, the lake's principal town, and return on a later ship. (B,D)

A coach tour takes us over the Gerlos Pass to Krimml in Hohe Tauern National Park. Here we visit the spectacular Krimml Waterfalls, which at 1,250 feet (381m) are the highest in Europe. We make a short stop at the viewpoint overlooking the three-part falls and then travel to the Falls Park area, from where a short walk through the forest will take you to the base fall. Leaving the falls, we continue to the small lakeside town of Zell am See, where the cream-coloured buildings of the Old Town huddle around the well-preserved 13th century Romanesque church of St Hippolyte. Here you have time to enjoy lunch and perhaps a short stroll along the shores of the lake before our leisurely return past numerous peaceful Tyrolean villages. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a journey through the lush pastures of the stunning Ziller Valley on the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn Railway, which opened in 1902. We travel on a steam-hauled service in wonderfully restored four-wheel carriages. The line takes us past pretty, remote villages of traditional chalets and half-timbered houses to Mayrhofen, located at the head of the valley. Here you are free to explore the town, wandering through the cobbled streets lined with shops, restaurants and pavement cafés. The charming resort lies between the Penken and the Ahorn mountains, which provide miles of green Alpine pastures and create a perfect playground for hiking or rambling. The Penken is reached by a gondola system (seasonal opening) which is located on the main street in the centre of the village, while the Ahorn cable car (as of 2008 the largest cable car in Austria, carrying 160 passengers) is situated at the southern end of the town. (B,D)

Your last day in Jenbach is free to relax. If you are feeling energetic, you could take one of the signposted walks in the area to the Wolfsklamm Waterfall or the Abbey of St Georgenberg. Otherwise, the Schloss Tratzberg, a former residence of the Emperor Maximillian, is also within walking distance of Jenbach. For those wishing to go a little further afield, Salzburg is within easy reach by train. Famous for being the birthplace of Mozart and setting for 'The Sound of Music', Salzburg's sights include Getreidegasse, the Residenz and Mirabell Gardens, as well as its fine examples of Baroque architecture. During a visit, it is well worth making the journey by funicular railway to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for fantastic views of the city and the alpine peaks. (B)

We leave Jenbach and travel northwards through Germany, as we make our way to Cologne. Enjoy the scenery during our journey along the Rhine Gorge with its fairytale castles nestled amongst vineyards. In Cologne we spend a night at the Grand City Hotel. Our late-afternoon arrival gives you a little time before dinner to explore the city, with its historic streets, elegant squares and medieval churches, and to perhaps take a gentle stroll along the Rhine. (B,D)

This morning we depart Cologne, and travel by high-speed train to Brussels. On arrival in the Belgian capital, we connect with the Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday