Vienna, Salzburg & the Danube

Leaving Cologne behind, today we continue by high-speed rail to Austria. Our route takes us southwards across Germany and into the state of Bavaria. We continue across the Austrian border and travel through to Vienna, its ineffably elegant Baroque capital city. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, the 4-Star Marriott Imperial Riding School Renaissance, where we stay for the next four-nights.

• Day 1 - Eurostar meal, Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a tour of the Vienna's main sights, taking in the magnificent Imperial architecture on the famous Ringstrasse and impressive Hofburg Palace, a vast complex of buildings built by the Hapsburgs over six centuries. Other highlights include the ornate Opera House, which houses the Vienna Philharmonic, the grand Parliament building overlooking the historical Ringstraße, and the Neo-Gothic 'Rathaus'. After our tour, we visit Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Imperial family, situated on the outskirts of Vienna in its own beautifully landscaped parkland. One of the most beautiful rooms in this honey-coloured palace is the Great Gallery, reminiscent of the 'Hall of Mirrors' at the Palace of Versailles. We enjoy a guided tour followed by free time to stroll through its acres of formal gardens, filled with exquisitely designed gardens and delightfully blooming blossoms.

Day 4 takes us to Melk, where we visit Melk Abbey. This grand Benedictine Abbey dates back to the 11th century and boasts a stunning peach and white exterior, and arched ceilings and gilded golden walls inside. Next, we take to the waters for a scenic cruise aboard a riverboat, gliding through the picturesque Danube through the Wachau Valley to Krems. Famed for its vineyards and castles, easily visible from the water, keep watch for Dürnstein Castle, once used to imprison Richard the Lionheart.

With free time in both Melk and Krems, you could visit the prestigious Marble Room and Abbey Church in Krems, generally considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. With wine-producing popular in the area, you could also enjoy a tasting of local vintages.

• Day 3 - Breakfast
• Day 4 - Breakfast

Taking the train south, we travel through the spectacular mountain landscapes of the Semmering Railway, the very first standard-gauge mountain railway which is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Changing in Villach, we continue past the Tauern range en-route to Salzburg, where we stay for the next three nights.

On Day 6, we enjoy a guided tour of the lakes and mountains around Salzburg. This stunning area is renowned for its natural beauty, and some of the locations we visit were featured in the classic film 'The Sound of Music.' Our first stop is Hellbrunn Castle Gardens before we continue to St Gilgen, a small town on the shores of Wolfgangsee that exudes traditional charm and romantic lakeside views. Enjoy free time here to explore the picturesque streets lined with lively cafés, shops, and frescoed houses before we continue to Mondsee and St Wolfgang, on the north shore of the lake.

Known as the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is one of Austria's most famous cities. We enjoy a guided tour on Day 7, soaking in the sumptuous Baroque architecture and seeing the churches, squares and alleyways of the city's beautiful Old Town. With free time afterwards, you might like to go shopping on the Getreidegasse, take a stroll through the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, or visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress for superb views across the city. The courtyard café here is a great place to relax with a strudel and a coffee. This evening we make our way to Mirabell Palace to take our seats for a classical music concert, a truly memorable experience. This is the palace where Mozart himself once enchanted crowds with his classical music, and we spend an evening immersed in timeless culture as we watch the skilled musicians perform.

• Day 5 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 6 - Breakfast
• Day 7 - Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Salzburg by high-speed rail, travelling to Cologne for the night. On Day 9, we continue by rail to Brussels and board the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

• Day 8 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 9 - Breakfast, Eurostar Meal