Austrian Highlights – Grossglockner Glacier and Lake Zell

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Continue south through Germany and into Austria to Bad Gastein for six nights.

Today take a scenic drive through the Gastein Valley with a local guide. You will learn interesting stories about the history of the valley and also one or two funny anecdotes that cannot be found in any book!

We then travel by coach to Böckstein, where we take a short hike (approx. 30 minutes) to the Astenalm. Here, the innkeeper will initiate you into the art of baking farmer's doughnuts. We return to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

A day of stunning scenery awaits. Our included excursion takes us along the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse and up the Grossglockner, which at 3,789 metres, is Austria’s highest mountain. We view the icy world of the massive glacier from the magnificently situated Franz-Josefs-Heights panorama viewing platform.

This morning we travel to the lovely resort of Lake Zell on our included excursion. You will have time at leisure to stroll along the lakeside promenade or maybe join a cable car ride to the Scmittenhohe Mountain (extra cost payable locally).

During the day, we will enjoy an optional cruise on the serene waters of the lake, allowing you to take in the contrasting scenery of lakes and mountains. Admire the fabulous views of the Großglockner, the Kitzsteinhorn and the Steinerne Meer from the water.

Enjoy a morning at leisure to relax before we experience a Schnapps tasting at Durzbauer's in the afternoon. With the motto “From fruit to distillate”, you will learn all about the fascinating distilling process, as well as the individual nuances and differences of the schnapps during the tasting.

Join our optional excursion to the heart of the Austrian Lake District – the Salzkammergut – to visit Wolfgangsee, which is completely surrounded by mountains.

Our next port of call is Hallstatt on the shore of Hallstattersee. Here the village seems to cling to the lake shore in the shadow of towering pine-clad mountains, making it one of the most photographed spots in Austria.

To Belgium for an overnight stay.

Return home.