Austria’s Alpine Crescendo. The Sound of Music, Mozart & Swarovski Crystals.

Welcome! Meet the group at the airport and board our flight to Austria. 

Upon our arrival in Innsbruck we will transfer to the 4* Austria Trend Hotel where we will be staying for 3 nights.Breakfast is included each morning.

Austria Trend Hotel Congress is located opposite the Hungerburgbahn (cable car), and just a few steps away from the historic city centre, just perfect for sightseeing. 

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, coffee making facilities, hairdryers and wifi is included throughout. 

During the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 7 nights  the supplement will be £290. The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.      

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

Feel free to do as much or as little research as you like, some members will know what they would like to visit as soon as they book the trip, Others will just turn up at the airport and have not researched at all. Either is absolutely fine. We all have different ideas as to what constitutes a great time away! 

This morning we will walk to the train station (around 25 minutes) to take the shuttle bus to the Swarovski Crystal Museum which  offers a highly unique, immersive art experience, featuring the famous giant with a water-spouting mouth, 18 sparkling “Chambers of Wonder”, and extensive outdoor gardens.

Return shuttle transfers and entrance tickets are included.

After some free time this afternoon we will enjoy a typical Tyrolean folk show with a welcome drink and a three-course dinner.

Here, we meet the Gundolf Family and enjoy the show that they have been organizing since 1967. This family is the musical ambassador representing Innsbruck and Tyrolean Music worldwide. It is considered one of the best folk performances across Europe which only includes authentic Tyrolean music, folk dances, and “shoe-slapping” as well as typical Tyrolean songs and “yodeling”. 

Today we have a free day to do as we choose. There is lot’s to see and do according to what you love and we normally split into smaller groups according to everyone’s preferences, that way we all have a great day doing exactly as we choose, you will never be alone… unless you choose to be. 

Some of the must sees are as follows;

Ascend by funicular to either the Hungerburg viewing platform ( approx £14 for the round trip) Upon arriving at Hungerburg, there is an alpine zoo. Perched on the mountainside, this is the highest zoo in Europe and a fantastic place to see over 2,000 alpine animals like eagles, wolves, and bears. Or,  you can immediately transfer to the Seegrubenbahn and Hafelekarbahn cable cars to reach the “Top of Innsbruck” at 2,256 meters (around £50 for the return ticket)

Visit Hofburg Imperial Palace – This imperial palace is a former royal residence and one of the top 3 most important historical and cultural monuments in Austria. 

Visit Ambras Castle :Take the 20-minute tram or Sightseer bus to this 16th-century Renaissance castle, famous for its grand Chamber of Art and Wonders and historical armory.

Visit the Markthalle to see a huge variety of tasty treats and wines from all over the region. 

Visit the Golden Roof . Constructed in the early 15th century by Archduke Friedrich IV as a residence, it’s famous for its shimmering roof adorned with thousands of gilded copper tiles. These tiles give it its distinctive golden appearance, hence the name. The Golden Roof served as a royal box for observing festivals and events in the square below. Today, it houses a museum dedicated to Emperor Maximilian I, showcasing exhibits related to his life and reign.

This evening we will take the short walk to the famous Stifskellar restaurant and alehouse which serves traditional Tyrolean cuisine, think cheese Spaetzle, roasted pork and hearty beef goulash. 

This morning after checking out and taking our transfer to the train station we will take the incredibly scenic train ride to Salzburg. We will pass towering alpine peaks, cross the River Inn, and enjoy views of the Chiemgau Alps.

Upon arrival we will take our transfer to the 4* Dorint City Hotel Salzburg where we will be staying for 4 nights.

All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryers and free wifi and breakfast is included each morning.

The hotel is around a  15 minute walk to many of the main attractions.

After some time to settle in we will go out for dinner locally.

Today we are off on a full day guided tour to visit the Austrian fairytale-like lakeside village of Hallstatt  where we have plenty of time to enjoy the stunning lakeside views over coffee, visit the museums or take a ferry ride on the lake.

During the afternoon we will visit  the “Sound of Music” filming locations.  With plenty of music from the soundtrack and stops for pictures as well as lots of singing, it goes without saying. 🙂

There will be a stop for lunch during the day( not included)

Dinner Locally

The next 48 hours can be filled with as much or as little sightseeing as we choose with our 48 hour Salzburg card  : It gets us  free and fast entrance to all of Salzburg’s tourist attractions and museums and all public transportation in the city is also included.

So… what is there to do?

We can explore the Hohensalzburg Fortress,;Take the funicular (or a steep 20-minute walk) up to one of Europe’s largest fully preserved medieval castles. The ramparts offer panoramic views of the city and the Alps. 

Augustiner Bräustübl:  A massive, 1,400-seat monk-founded beer hall. Grab a stone mug straight from the wooden tap and enjoy hearty Austrian classics (like pork knuckle and pretzels) from the indoor deli stalls 

Step inside Mozart’s Birthplace Museum where we will find the world’s most comprehensive collection of original family treasures, musical instruments, and personal artifacts from the composer’s early life. 

Visit the marionette museum, Salzburg open air museum, The folklore museum, Mozart museum of audio and visual collection, the Salzburg museum of modern art …. And so so much more. 

refreshment stop venues  throughout the day will include….

Cafe Konditorei Fürst. For the Mozartkugel 

Invented in 1891 by master confectioner Paul Fürst, this round chocolate confection consists of a green pistachio marzipan core, wrapped in thick nougat, and hand dipped in dark chocolate with silver foil and a blue Mozart portrait. 

Salzburger Nockerl: A sweet, fluffy egg soufflé baked to look like the three snow-capped mountains surrounding Salzburg. It is a must-try at the historic Café Mozart on the Getreidegasse pedestrian street. 

This evening we will experience classical music on an outstanding level at the baroque Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace. Listen to the works of Mozart and his contemporaries where even Young Mozart performed. The Marble Hall is considered to be one of the most beautiful and historically significant concert halls of Salzburg and the world. The concert lasts for around 100 minutes. 

Dinner Locally

Today we can visit all of the places we didn’t have time to see yesterday with our included Salzburg passes. 

All entrance and public transport costs are included. 

Final dinner locally

This morning after a relaxing morning, check out or time to explore or do a final spot of shopping we will take our private transfer to the airport for our flight home.