Zell am See 2012 

We depart St Pancras International to Brussels by Eurostar. As we travel in Standard Premier Class, a complimentary light meal and drinks are served at our seats. On arrival in Brussels, we change trains and continue onwards to Germany, arriving in Cologne for an overnight stay at either the Four Points Hotel or the Grand City Hotel. We dine together in the hotel this evening. (E,D)

We leave Cologne early this morning, continuing our journey by rail to Zell am See. From Cologne we travel in First Class to Schwarzach St Veit, where we change to a local train (standard class) to Zell am See, arriving in the afternoon. Zell am See is located in the Salzburger Land at the heart of the mountainous Hohe Tauern National Park, close to Grossglockner Mountain, Austria's highest peak. Zell am See is a picturesque little town full of medieval charm, set beside the shimmering, brilliant-blue waters of Lake Zell. It is perfectly located for making some fantastic excursions into this beautiful part of Austria and is a superb base from which to enjoy gentle strolls and more adventurous walking. We stay for seven nights at the Grand Hotel Zell am See, situated on the shores of the lake. (B,D)

We travel north by coach across into Germany, for a visit to the Eagle's Nest, perched at the top of a 6,000 feet (1,829m) mountain above the town of Berchtesgaden. The Eagle's Nest was given to Adolf Hitler as his 50th birthday present. The chalet building remained unscathed by the allied bombing during World War II, and was saved from destruction in the aftermath, instead being retained as a historical monument. We also take a short cruise on the crystal-clear waters of emerald green Lake Königssee, one of the region's most picturesque lakes. Our relaxing cruise is accompanied by wonderful views of the surrounding Bavarian Alps. (B,D)

Today is free to spend as you wish, perhaps relaxing at the hotel or enjoying a day in Zell am See. Cruises around the lake are a wonderful option for a leisurely day enjoying the fabulous scenery, and the jetty is located within the hotel grounds. You may choose to visit the famous winter sports resort of Kitzbühel by train. Here you can take a stroll through the pretty cobbled streets of this charming Alpine town and discover the remains of its medieval town wall. Otherwise, you may wish to take a cable car to the summit of Schmittenhöhe, one of the finest viewing points in the Kitzbühel Alps. (B)

Today we take a narrow-gauge steam train on the Pinzgaubahn to the village of Mittersill, and from here we ascend to the 'Wonder World of Water' Centre above Krimml, in the Hohe Tauern National Park. From here it is a short walk to the magnificent Krimml Waterfalls themselves. At almost 1,250 feet (381m) high, the falls are the highest in Austria, and are one of Europe's most spectacular natural phenomena. (B,D)

Your day is free to explore Zell am See at your leisure. Perhaps enjoy a relaxing stroll along the picturesque lakeside promenade, or alternatively, visit the historic Tyrolean city of Innsbruck - the capital of the Tyrol region, which is easily reached by train. The delightful city has a beautiful Old Town that is part of a generous pedestrianised area, which makes Innsbruck ideal for exploring on foot. Visit the Old Town, the Imperial Palace and the famous 'Golden Roof', with 2,738 dazzling roof tiles. (B)

Today we take the regional train (standard class) to Salzburg for a full-day excursion. Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the film 'The Sound of Music'. The delightful, pedestrianised city centre is a mix of half-timbered taverns, medieval stone houses and grand marble palaces. The original city was designed by architects to create a Baroque version of Rome north of the Alps. During a guided tour of the city we see the Getreidegasse, the Residenz and the magnificent Mirabell Gardens, gaining a fabulous understanding of Salzburg's fascinating history. We have a little free time to explore, perhaps to visit the magnificent Salzburg Cathedral, before we return to Zell am See. (B,D)

Today's excursion begins with a coach journey along the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, the famous high Alpine road, which takes us through one of the most spectacular and unspoilt landscapes in the Alps. We travel through the Hohe Tauern National Park, crossing meadows, woods and Alpine pastures, before reaching the icy peak of the Grossglockner at 12,460 feet (3,798m). We make a stop at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs wonderful Höhe Visitor Centre at 7,700 feet (2,347m), which is located on the edge of the Pasterze Glacier. Here we visit the Grossglockner exhibition, and enjoy some free time. We return to Zell am See through the beautiful eastern Tyrol region, passing the pretty town of Lienz. (B,D)

Today we leave Zell am See and travel on the local rail service (standard class) to Schwarzach-St Veit. Here we join the onward high-speed service, travelling in First Class through the heart of Germany to Cologne. We arrive in Cologne during the early evening and spend the final night of our holiday at the Four Points Hotel or the Grand City Hotel. (B,D)

Our morning departure by high-speed train to Brussels connects with the Eurostar to London. We enjoy a complimentary light meal and drinks at our Standard Premier Class seats before we arrive into St Pancras International. (B,E)

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