Day 1: We make our way through France for our overnight stay in Saarbrucken
Day 2: Departing after breakfast we arrive at the delightful Landhotel Kirchenwirt Unken before freshening up in time for dinner
Day 3: Today we head to the regional capital of Salzburgerland and the home of ‘The Sound of Music’, historic Salzburg. With stunning baroque architecture, the old town is a maze of charming pedestrian alleyways with an abundance of famous and historic landmarks. Explore Hagenauer Haus, Mozart’s Birthplace, now one of the most visited museums in Austria which chronicles the composer’s early life. The impressive 17th century Salzburg Cathedral with its mighty dome and two towers, still contains the baptismal font in which Mozart was baptised and his memorial statue can be viewed in Plaza de Mozart. A visit to the city would not be complete without seeing the iconic 17th century Mirabell Palace and Gardens, where the Von Trapp children danced through its beautiful gardens singing ‘Do, Re, Mi’ in ‘The Sound of Music’.
Day 4: Enjoy a full day at leisure in our resort today. The lovely town of Unken is surrounded by the spectacular Reiter Steinberge mountain range and is the perfect place to switch off from it all and marvel at the breathtaking scenery. With its fresh mountain air and beautiful trails with hidden nature and waterfalls it is the perfect base for walking and hiking. Perhaps use the local bus and make the short journey to the pretty market town of Lofer. This traditional, immaculately maintained Austrian town has an open-air swimming pool set against a backdrop of the Loferer Steinberge mountain range. There is also an 8-seated cable car where you travel in comfort to the summit and marvel at the breathtaking views of the pastures and landscapes below.
Day 5: This morning, we travel through the spectacular mountain scenery to Lake Chiemsee, with its glistening deep blue water against a backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. From Prien we take a leisurely ferry cruise across the lake to visit the Herrenchiemsee Palace. Located in a magnificent garden setting on its own island, the land was originally acquired in 1873 by King Ludvig II of Bavaria. Designed to replicate Versailles, the palace was built in honour of King Louis XIV of France whom the Bavarian Monarch fervently admired. There will be time wander through the opulently styled, neo-baroque state rooms and ornamental gardens. After our visit we board the return ferry to Prien and travel back to the hotel.
Day 6: Today we enjoy a full day visiting the charming town of Zell am See, nestled on the shores of breathtaking Lake Zell it’s not surprising this picture-perfect town is one of Austria’s most popular resorts in both summer and winter. We enjoy a 45-minute panoramic cruise to admire the beautiful scenery of alpine peaks, green meadows and the historic town from this alternative viewpoint. After our relaxing voyage there is free time to explore the town. Stroll through the medieval centre with its colourful buildings and cosy café’s or you may also wish to take a gondola ride up the Schmittenhöhe mountain that overlooks the town, for stunning views of the valley and beyond. Alternatively, perhaps take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. With several public lidos, with grassed sunbathing areas, dotted along its shores some even feature diving boards and slides into the water.
Day 7: After breakfast, we begin our journey home making an overnight stop in Saarbrucken.
Day 8: After breakfast we continue our journey home