We meet our Tour Manager at Great Rail Journeys' dedicated
Departure Office in London St Pancras International today before
leaving for Brussels by Eurostar. As we travel in Standard Premier
Class, a 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 a centrally located
hotel. We dine together in the hotel this evening.
Includes
Dinner
Eurostar Meal
Day 2 - To Zell am See
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 SalzburgerLand, at the heart of the mountainous Hohe
Tauern National Park and 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. We stay for 6 nights at the Hotel Berner, a family-run
hotel boasting a panoramic view over the village and lake.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - At leisure in Zell am See
Today we are free to explore the area. Why not use your included
visitors card for free access to the boats and operating cable-cars
in the area?
Includes
Breakfast
Day 4 - The Eagle’s Nest
Accompanied by a local guide, we travel north by coach into
Germany, for a visit to the Eagle's Nest, perched at the top of a
6,000-feet 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 reminder of the atrocities
committed during WWII.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Pinzgaubahn and the Krimml Waterfalls
Today we take a journey by steam train on the narrow-gauge
Pinzgau Railway, an archetypal rural railway which runs between
Zell am See and the village of Mittersill. The line was built in
the late 1890s, with the first train leaving from Zell am See in
1898. The railway has never closed, and now runs regular trains
along the foothills of the Pinzgau Mountains, from which the line
takes its name. In recent years, a special summer steam service was
introduced to the line, allowing passengers to experience the
beautiful line as it winds across barndotted meadows whilst
reliving the 'Golden Age' of steam.
From Mittersill, we ascend to the 'Wonder World of Water' Centre
above Krimml, in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The park is the
second biggest wildlife preserve in Europe and the biggest in the
Alps, extending over a territory of 694 square miles. A variety of
endangered animal and plant species can be found in this beautiful,
diverse park. From here it's a short walk to the magnificent Krimml
Waterfalls. The Krimml Waterfalls are thought to be the largest in
Europe, and truly are a sight to savour. Water plummets into the
Krimmler Valley from a height of more than 1247 feet at a volume of
about 160 million gallons per hour. The frothy water makes its way
through thick forests and the spray drenches the various walkways
lining the waterfalls. On reaching the valley it rejoins the
Krimmler Ache River, a tranquil waterway meandering through the
Hohe Tauern National Park. The stark contrast between the raging
waterfalls and the placid flow of Krimmler Ache adds to the beauty
of the national park.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Days 6-7 - Historic Salzburg by rail
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 city of Innsbruck - the
capital of the Tyrol region, which is easily reached by train. The
delightful city has a beautiful Old Town which is ideal for
exploring on foot. Visit the Imperial Palace and the famous 'Golden
Roof', with 2,738 dazzling roof tiles.
The next day 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 returning to Zell am See.
Includes
Day 6 - Breakfast
Day 7 - Breakfast, Dinner
Days 8-9 - The Journey Home
We travel in Standard Class rail for the short journey to Worgl,
before continuing by high-speed rail to Cologne, where we overnight
in a central hotel. Day 9 is spent travelling to
London, first by train to Brussels and then underneath the Channel
on the Eurostar.
