SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Travel from London to Zurich

Begin your holiday by travelling on the midmorning Eurostar train to Paris.

After changing stations in Paris, catch a direct train to Zurich, arriving in the evening. Stay in Zurich overnight.

Day 2: Travel from Zurich to Innsbruck, along the Arlberg Pass

After breakfast at your hotel in Zurich, travel by train to Innsbruck. The journey will take around 3.5 hours and offers spectacular scenery.

First the train hugs the southern shore of Lake Zurich, with its bathing places and little harbours, whilst the Gold Coast gleams on the other side of the lake. Then comes the Walensee, with its turquoise waters and deep cliffs dropping into the lake. The landscape opens up as you approach the eastern edge of Switzerland, where Liechtenstein perches and the borders of Austria and Switzerland meet south of Lake Constance. The high mountains, the roof of Europe, loom in the distance. You sense them more than you see them.

Suddenly reaching Feldkirch you are in Austria, and after Bludenz the train climbs up along the Arlberg. As cars disappear into the road tunnel below, the train continues to climb, ducking in and out of tunnels for the last part of the climb, until you emerge at St Anton.

After the descent into the Inn Valley, it is definitely the Austrian Tyrol - with traditional haystacks, onion domed churches, wayside chapels. From the Oetztal station, the road heads south to Obergurgl and the Timmelsjoch high Alpine road into Italy. The train continues along the Inn Valley, passing lush pastureland and Tirolean villages, including Stams that is famous for its monastery. The Olympic ski jump at Igls on the right of the train indicates your imminent arrival in Innsbruck.

Arrive in Innsbruck in the afternoon. You have the rest of the day and the evening to explore the city and its array of architectural gems from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical periods.

Day 3: Innsbruck to Salzburg by train

After breakfast at your hotel, board a direct train to Salzburg where you will arrive in under 2 hours. As you leave Innsbruck, ski slopes are visible in the distance, and the winter resort of Kitzbuehel is off to the south-east.

At Kufstein the train crosses temporarily into Germany and the landscape flattens slightly, with fields and forests, and the Chiemgau Alps in the near distance. The train travels to the south of the Chiemsee and then into Austria once more.

There is a spectacular although fleeting moment as the train crosses the Salzach River, and on the right you are dazzled by the spires and turrets of the old city of Salzburg and its hilltop fortress on the horizon. Check in to your hotel for two nights.

Day 4: In Salzburg

You have a full day in Salzburg to discover this compact and very attractive city. Famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, and the location for “The Sound of Music” film, there are numerous gardens and intricate architecture to enjoy, including notably striking Baroque churches and buildings designed by Fischer von Erlach.

The piercing green-grey waters of the Salzach River flow through the city, with the Old Town on its left bank. Here you can find the Hohensalzburg Fortress, an 11th century castle which sits upon the Festungsberg. Other places of interest include the Mirabell Palace Gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and Mozart’s birthplace, which has a museum that tells the compelling story of his life, relationships and musical inspirations.

The Salzburg Festival is held in July and August each year, offering an array of opera, music and drama.

Day 5: Travel from Salzburg to Vienna by train

After a leisurely breakfast in Salzburg, board a direct rail service to Vienna, where you will arrive in under 2.5 hours.

After Salzburg the countryside becomes a patchwork of arable fields and large farmhouses, before the more built-up stretch between Wels and Linz. It is at Linz that you meet the Danube and cross from Upper Austria into Lower Austria, leaving the trail of the Danube to meander further north, cutting its own gorge above the Wienerwald. Check in to your hotel in Vienna for three nights.

Days 6 & 7: In Vienna

You have two full days to explore Vienna. Situated on the banks of the Danube River, it has been at the heart of central European history since Roman times and was the focal point of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Vienna never fails to impress and satisfy the visitor eager for historical and cultural references. ‘Dream and reality’ still resonate and your days in Vienna can be filled with a mixture of galleries, museums, opera, concerts or eating and drinking in a ‘heuriger’ (tavern) in the Vienna Woods.

The history of Vienna can be witnessed in the Roman Museum, the Neidhart frescoes dating from the 1400s, the medieval Basiliskenhaus, Imperial Palace and the numerous Jugendstil buildings, and of course in the City of Vienna Museum. The Hofburg contains numerous national collections, from the Crown Jewels to the Imperial armoury.

On your second day in Vienna, perhaps explore the city’s inextricable link with music. Take time to listen to the Mozart Orchestra playing in the Musikverein, and enjoy coffee and cake at Demel’s. A fun way to see the sights of the city is to take a tram around the Ringstrasse, hopping off and on as often as you want.

Day 8: Vienna to Budapest by train

Leave Vienna midmorning to continue your rail holiday to Budapest. The journey takes under 3 hours, following the course of the River Danube.

Arrive in Budapest in the afternoon and check in to your hotel for three nights.

Days 9 & 10: In Budapest

Enjoy two full days in Budapest exploring the tree-lined boulevards of Pest and the cobbled hilly streets of Buda, which are linked by the magnificent Chain Bridge built in the mid 19th century. The city straddles a curve in the River Danube and is packed with interesting sights to visit on foot, but it is also easy to get around by bus or underground.

Visit the Castle District in Buda where you can find medieval buildings such as the Royal Palace, which has been rebuilt several times over the past seven centuries and houses the National Gallery, Budapest Historical Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. You can also visit the 13th century Matthias Church and the neo-Gothic Fishermen’s Bastion nearby.

On the east of the river, you will find Pest which is home to historical buildings such as the vast neo-Gothic Parliament building, which houses the Hungarian crown jewels. On the two mile long, tree-lined boulevard of Andrassy út you will find elegant shops and houses, Heroes Square and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Your second day in Budapest gives ample time to explore another building not to miss. The Hungarian State Opera House offers guided tours and opera performances.

The thermal springs of Budapest have been enjoyed since Roman times and baths are to be found in both Buda and in Pest. The Szechenyi Baths built in modern Renaissance style are one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe, with both outdoor and indoor pools.

The world-famous Gellért Thermal Baths are highly favoured by locals and tourists alike. Margaret Island is a pretty park situated in the middle of the Danube reachable by tram or bus. It boasts more than 10,000 trees, beautiful gardens and a swimming pool.

Day 11: Budapest to Munich by Railjet

After breakfast in Budapest, board the Railjet train in the morning and you will arrive in Munich less than seven hours later.

The route takes you back through Vienna, on to Linz and Salzburg. Watch out for the Salzburg fortress on your left-hand side as you cross the River Salzach shortly after departing from Salzburg station. Stay overnight in Munich.

Note: Alternatively you can fly home direct from Budapest.

Day 12: Munich to London

Enjoy a full German breakfast at your hotel, before checking out for your journey back to London.

You will take a train from Munich to Brussels, with an easy change of trains in Frankfurt, before boarding the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes second class rail travel, with supplement for first class and standard premier on Eurostar of about £580 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.