Group Tour Operator for holidays to Austria
Little Trains and Boats of Austria – BEST SELLER
Welcome to the Austria’s Tyrol! Here you can be sure of a warm welcome and excellent hospitality. Stay at the beautiful Hotel Tyrol in Söll – a firm favourite with Greatdays’ groups! Take trains up mountain railways to enjoy the views, and enjoy a scenic lake cruise. Located near to Innsbruck, this trip allows you to visit a fabulous city as well as accessing Austria’s rural beauties.
Innsbruck
The cultural capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck is a charming city to wander around. Stroll past the pretty pastel buildings lining the river, or view Innsbruck from above. Take the funicular to Hungerburg to take in the splendid panorama. Perhaps stop in at the Alpine zoo to see the wolves whilst up the mountain. Having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1976, Innsbruck is watched over by the Bergisel Ski Jump which is a prominent landmark in the city’s skyline. Visitors can access a viewing platform – look out and imagine you are a ski jumper about to jump! A short excursion from the city takes you to the magical cave world of Swarovski. Inside the crystal dome, the many facets glisten and sparkle. Explore the crystal forest, ‘Eden’, designed to celebrate the magnificence of nature.
Mountains, Lakes and Little Towns
During this trip, you can take a cruise around the gloriously blue Lake Achensee. Arrive at the lake by taking a steam train along narrow gauge railway, and admiring the stunning scenery en route. You will also visit the quaint medieval town of Rattenberg where you can indulge in an Austrian classic: apple strudel! Furthermore, you can visit the glass factory and watch an absorbing glass-making demonstration.
Dates
April - October 2023
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive
Transfer to your hotel in the Tyrol and settle in. If time permits, begin exploring the town and enjoying the undeniable beauty of the area.
Day 2
Ziller Valley Steam Railway, Mayrhofen and Krimml Falls
The first of our little trains is the historic Ziller Valley Steam train which will take you on a nostalgic journey, winding its way through magnificent scenery up the valley from Jenbach to picturesque Mayrhofen. Explore this famous Alpine town before we travel via the spectacular Gerlos Pass to visit the world-famous and very popular Krimml Waterfalls. There’s a 30 minute walk to reach Europe’s longest free-falling water cascades, but it is well worth the effort.
Day 3
At leisure
There’s free time today to relax in the hotel and explore the local area. Enjoy the hotel’s facilities and explore the beautiful village of Söll.
Day 4
Zell am See and Kitzbühel
The busy town of Zell am See has long been a favourite with visitors from the UK. Sitting on the banks of Lake Zell, and with the Hohe Tauern mountains behind, the setting is often described as one of Austria’s most beautiful. We take a relaxing cruise on the lake followed by time to explore the cobbled streets of the historic town centre. Visit the charming medieval centre of Kitzbühel where there’s time to explore the town with its brightly coloured facades and quaint churches.
Day 5
Salzburg
Today we drive to Salzburg, the city of dreaming spires, romantic gardens, the birthplace of Mozart and home to ‘The Sound of Music’. Perhaps take a funicular up to the medieval Hohensalzburg fortress that overlooks the old town. There’s an option to include a walking tour to help bring this beautiful city alive.
Day 6
Achensee Cog Railway and Lake Cruise
This morning we return to Jenbach to take a ride on our second little train, the steam operated Achensee Cog Railway. A steam locomotive, dating from 1889, takes us on a memorable journey up the side of the mountain to join a relaxing cruise on the scenic Achensee, the Tyrol’s biggest lake.
Day 7
Innsbruck and Rattenberg
Today we visit the beautiful alpine city of Innsbruck, the cultural capital of the Tyrol. With a spectacular backdrop of snow-capped mountains, Innsbruck offers a picture-book old town full of historical buildings. Spend some time in the historic old town, wandering through the cobbled streets and admiring the pastel hues of the buildings overlooking the river. Enjoy a walking tour that includes the Imperial Palace and the famous Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), the symbol of the city.
We then continue to the medieval town of Rattenberg where you could watch a demonstration of strudel-making at the family-owned Café Hacker – and a tasting, of course! The town is also home of the Kisslinger Glass Factory where you can witness the process of glassblowing in a mesmerising demonstration.
Day 8
Return to the UK
If time permits, enjoy some final sightseeing or souvenir shopping before saying ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Austria and commencing your return journey to the UK.
Additional idea!
Visit Germany
Enjoy an excursion by coach into Germany to visit King Ludwig’s most famous castles – Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The setting for these fairy tale castles high in the mountains is truly superb and at St. Mary’s Bridge (Marienbrücke), high above the Pöllat Gorge, you will have views of Hohenschwangau and Alpsee lake. Alternatively, it would also be possible to visit the Herrenchiemsee Palace, located on an island in the middle of Bavaria’s largest lake, accessible by a special boat.
Suggested hotels – Inspected by Greatdays’ staff in August 2017
Hotel Tyrol, Söll ****
Popular centrally located hotel. Heated outdoor swimming pool, four course dinners and menu choice. Coach parking is available nearby.
- Hotel Tyrol Entrance
- Tyrol Hotel Restaurant
- Tyrol Hotel Bar
Hotel Bon Alpina, Igls ***
Family-run, centrally located only 4km from Innsbruck. Consists of three connected buildings surrounding an outdoor swimming pool. Facilities include a restaurant, pizzeria and bar. All inclusive arrangements possible. The coach can load/unload in front of the hotel and a coach parking is 2 minutes walk away.
Harmony Hotel Sonnschein, Niederau ****
Located in the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps. The hotel has indoor & outdoor heated pools, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, sun terrace, restaurant and bar. Seasonal entertainment. Coach parking next to the hotel.
- Harmony Hotel Sonnschein in Niederau – swimming pool
- Harmony Hotel Sonnschein in Niederau – main entrance
- Harmony Hotel Sonnschein in Niederau – double room
You may also be interested in:
Hotel | Half Twin | Single Supplement | |
April – October 2023 | Hotel Tyrol, Söll | From £695.00 per person | From £139.00 per person |
We can help with your German VAT
When Greatdays Holidays Services Ltd purchases hotel accommodation in Germany, under the European VAT Refund Scheme it is now able to re-claim some of the tax it has paid out. With effect from 1 January 2016 any German accommodation tax paid out by Greatdays on tours will be reclaimed by Greatdays from the German tax authorities. Upon successful collection from the German Tax authorities this tax will be reimbursed to the Coach Operator. Greatdays will make claims on an annual basis in the first quarter of each year, following the year of travel and the claim can be subject to challenge by the German Tax authorities. Therefore, Greatdays Holidays Services Ltd cannot be held liable for any unsuccessful claims, by way of a commitment to refund the Coach Operator. Upon receipt of the annual refund from the German Tax authorities, Greatdays will request an invoice from the Coach Operator for the relevant amount, which will be paid to the Coach Operator within 30 days of receipt of invoice. Greatdays accepts no liability for the Coach Operators Vat status or liabilities in any territory whatsoever.