Day 1
Ferry to Calais and overnight stay in France on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Continue to our hotel in Oberperfuss.
Day 3 – Rattenberg & Achen Cog Railway
For our first excursion we head to Rattenberg, the smallest town in Austria. Built in the shadow of Rat Mountain, the town has a long history of glass-blowing plus a picturesque well-preserved medieval centre and rows of brightly-painted townhouses. Here, we visit the magical world of glass - the famous Kissling Glass factory and showroom, where we watch glass blowers, engravers and painters at work. We then enjoy a trip on the steam-operated Achen Cog Railway, which has delighted passengers for 130 years on locomotives named Hannah, Georg, Hermann and Theodor! Beginning in Jenbach, we climb 440 metres up the mountain and along the picturesque Lake Achensee to Seespitz.
Day 4 – Ziller Valley Steam Train & Cheese Dairy
Our first stop today is the Zillertal Railway where we board a steam train for a journey along the valley of the river Ziller and take in the stunning Zillertal Valley. We travel between the towns of Mayrhofen and Jenbach, surrounded by spectacular rugged mountains. Afterwards, we enjoy a delicious cheese tasting in a local dairy farm; certain to delight all culinary tastes!
Day 5 – Day at leisure
Day 6 – Krimml Waterfalls & Pinzgau Narrow-Gauge Railway
Today we discover the natural beauty of the Austrian Tyrol as we take in some of the most picturesque parts of the region, including the stunning Krimml Waterfalls, the highest falls in Austria. We then take a memorable journey on Pinzgau Narrow-Gauge Railway, in operation since 1898, meandering through the Salzach Valley and the impressive Pinzgau mountains. We disembark in Zell am See for some free time in the picture-postcard town, nestled by the glorious reflective waters of Lake Zell and popular for its charming medieval centre, dotted with colourful chalets and bursting with Austrian charm.
Day 7 – Innsbruck & Swarovski Crystal Worlds
A guided city tour of beautiful Innsbruck awaits today, with its magnificent backdrop of snow-capped peaks. There is plenty to see around the city, including the Old Town and the Golden Roof, built for Emperor Maximilian I as a royal box from which to view tournaments in the square below. Next we head to Swarovski Crystal Worlds, created by Austrian artist André Heller and opened in 1995 to mark the company’s hundredth anniversary. From the magical Chambers of Wonder to the unique gardens, there is plenty to discover, and don’t forget to pick up a souvenir in the shop.
Day 8
Travel to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.
Day 9
Continue to Calais for our return ferry home.