Day 1 - Travel via short sea crossing through Belgium and on to your overnight stop on half board in the Liège / Aachen area.
Day 2 - Continue to Altmunster and check in to your hotel, overlooking Lake Traun.
Day
3 - Altmünster & Lake Traun
Explore charming Altmünster at your
leisure this morning. At 191 metres, Lake Traun is the deepest and perhaps most
picturesque lake in Austria. This area became a popular holiday destination for
the aristocracy in the early 1800’s, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and the
Kings of Hanover, to name a few, established their splendid residences here.
Enjoy a boat cruise and admire the impressive castles and villas overlooking
the lake. Stroll along the promenade and perhaps enjoy afternoon coffee and cake.
Day 4 - Salzburg
The hills are alive with the sound of music! Visit Salzburg,
the Mozart capital of the world and of course home of the ever- popular movie “Sound
of Music”. Your guided walking tour of the city will show you the highlights
and you will have time to wander through this charming city at leisure. A visit
to the Baroque Hellbrunn Palace, located on the outskirts of the city, is also
included. The famous garden “pavilion” from the “Sound of
Music” is
now located in the gardens. A few surprises also await you in the amusing “Water
Gardens”.
Day 5 - Bad Ischl and Hallstatt
In the late 1800’s the
spa town of Bad Ischl rose to fame when Emperor Franz Joseph established his
summer residence here. The “Kaiservilla” is where he signed the
declaration of war on Serbia, which started World War I. Composers followed
the aristocracy to Bad Ischl, the greatest impression being left by Franz Lehar,
composer of the operetta “The
Merry Widow”. Wander the streets of this charming town and admire the
Biedermeier style villas. Continue to nearby Hallstatt, one of the most exquisite
villages in Austria, a “trademark” scene of this beautiful country.
Return to Almünster.
Day 6 - Austrian Lake District
Visit Mondsee, home
to the beautiful Baroque twin tower abbey church, which was featured in the
wedding scene of the “Sound
of Music”. Continue to St. Gilgen lying on the shores of Lake Wolfgang,
and known as the birthplace of Mozart’s mother. Cruise across the lake
to the famous pilgrimage town of St. Wolfgang. The tower of the church rises
behind the “Weisses Rössl” (White Horse Inn), which was made
famous by the operetta bearing its name in the late 1800’s. Perhaps visit
the 16th pilgrimage century church and see the great carved altar, dating back
to the late 15th century. Return to Altmünster for your final evening.
Day 7 - Depart after breakfast and make your way to your overnight stay in the Liège / Aachen area
Day 8 - Continue homeward via short sea crossing from Calais.