Alpine Lakes & Mountains and the Orient Express
- 9 Days
- From £4,899
- Austria
- Salzburg – home to Mozart and the Sound of Music
- The beautiful Austrian resort of Zell am See
- Verona with its world-famous Roman amphitheatre
- An unforgettable journey with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Verona back to London
- Choose your departure date
- Add extra nights & destinations
- Choose alternative hotels
- Let us suggest the most scenic routes
- First Class travel from London to Austria via Germany and Paris back to London
- Lounge access in German and Austrian stations
- 7 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Double cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Verona to Paris
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Leave London St Pancras late morning via Eurostar and change platforms at Brussels for your German ICE train through to Cologne. After a brief glimpse of the mighty cathedral, which looms over the station entrance, board your InterCity service which runs through one of the most picturesque routes in all of Europe, the Rhine Gorge. As your train twists and turns in time with the river, admire the castles, steep-sided vineyards and charming villages that you pass. In the evening, your train pulls into the riverside town of Heidelberg, where you will stay overnight in the Heidelberger Hof Hotel (or similar).
Heidelberg is a historic town with a fabled Schloss (Castle) and a quaint Altstadt (Old Town) that are well worth exploring in the morning. Return to the station at lunchtime to take the direct service through Germany and into Austria.
You will roll into Salzburg in the early evening. On arrival, make your way to the famous Sacher Hotel (or similar), where you will have a 2-night stay.
The birthplace of one of the world’s greatest composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg plays host to an array of concerts throughout the year that celebrate his work.
In more recent history, Salzburg was, of course, the setting of The Sound of Music, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. There are plenty of tours available if you want to explore the famous filming locations this epic motion picture, or alternatively, you can shop for the renowned local Swarovski Crystal in the various ornamental boutiques.
An ‘open’ ticket covers your onward journey today, from Salzburg to the resort of Zell am See, which means that you can make your way to the station whenever you are ready. Regional trains run every two hours through the most beautiful scenery as the rolling hills of northern Austria give way to the more dramatic scenery of the high Alps.
Upon arrival in Zell am See, you will check into the Grand Hotel Zell am See (or similar) for a 3-night stay, including dinner and breakfast.
One of Austria’s prime ski resorts in winter, Zell am See is a chocolate-box mountain resort in summertime, alongside a lake and enormous, looming mountains. Bask in the sun and fresh alpine air as you relax in the hotel’s extensive outdoor areas, or venture up onto the surrounding mountains with the help of chairlifts or cable cars. Hiking is, of course, plentiful in this area with a large number of marked trails to follow and mountain hut cafes to recharge the batteries as you go. Speckknödel (dumplings with pieces of bacon) is a famed local dish, and you can sample this along with other specialities of the region at Steinerwirt, a fabulous local restaurant that has been serving happy customers since 1493.
After a final morning in Zell am See, board your EuroCity train in the early afternoon heading west. Soak up the scenery as you enter the state of Tyrol and pass through the famous ski resort of Kitzbühel. The large overhanging roofs of the villages give way to a slightly bigger-city feel as you pass the town of Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol region.
From here continue into Italy and disembark at Verona, where you have an overnight stay at the Hotel Due Torri (or similar).
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express departs at lunchtime, so you have a free morning to explore Verona.
Around 1pm, the famous Wagons Lits coaches of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express depart Verona, hauled by an Austrian Railways locomotive. Settle into your cabin and then enjoy a leisurely four course meal as you glide along the rails of the western Tyrol, admiring the scenery of the Arlberg Pass and Liechtenstein. After dinner, head for a nightcap in the bar or simply retire to your cabin for the night.
Enjoy a continental breakfast from the comfort of your cabin as you watch the countryside of eastern France pass by.
Disembark in Paris where you will transfer to the Gare du Nord for your return Eurostar back to London.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Heidelberg
This family-run hotel is located in Heidelberg’s central university district, right next to the start of the city-centre pedestrianised zone. All non-smoking bedrooms come with sound-proofing, a 37 inch flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi internet access. The hotel also offers a sauna and a small gym.
Salzburg
One of the most famous hotels in Salzburg, the historic Hotel Sacher occupies a grand building on the banks of the river in the heart of the city. All bedrooms and suites are individually furnished, with state-of-the-art facilities. There are two restaurants to choose from as well as the Café Sacher, where you can enjoy a slice of the original Sachertorte.
Zell am See
The Grand Hotel Zell am See occupies a unique location on a private peninsula on the lake front. As well as a rooftop spa with panoramic views, there is also a lake view restaurant serving Pinzgau specialities as well as a welcoming cafe bar.
Verona
The Due Torri Hotel offers luxury and elegance in the heart of Verona, next to the Church of Saint Anastasia and a 5-minute walk from Juliet’s balcony. Guest rooms and suites are large and comfortable – they come with free Wi-Fi access and satellite TV. The hotel also has an Art-Nouveau restaurant and a lounge bar.
