All-Inclusive Austria: Alps, Lakes & Salzburg

Meeting our Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras, we board the Eurostar service to Brussels. In the Belgian capital, we switch trains as we continue to the German city of Mannheim, via Cologne.

Set at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, Mannheim is renowned for its expansive palace. The terracotta and ochre Mannheim Baroque Palace is one of the largest in Europe and is just a short walk from our hotel near the station. Construction of the palace started in 1720 but it was not fully completed until 1760 and now houses the city's revered university. With a façade measuring more than 1,400 feet, it's a remarkable building that displays the importance of the Prince-Electors of Palatinate, a branch of the influential Wittelsbach dynasty who resided here between 1731 and 1777.

This evening, we gather in our hotel's restaurant for our first dinner together as a group.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we take the short walk to Mannheim station and embark on a train journey to Austria. As we enter Ulm, look out for its majestic minster, the spire of which is the tallest in the world. Changing in Munich, we travel across the Austrian border passing beautiful alpine valleys surrounded by impressive, craggy peaks.

In Wörgl, we are transferred by coach to the resort of Kirchberg, where we check into our hotel for six nights. This charming Tyrolean town of part-timbered chalets is nestled amid gentle mountains and extensive alpine pastures. Our hotel is on the edge of the village and provides excellent views of the surrounding scenery. With a pool, spa and wellness centre and typical Tyrolean hospitality, the hotel is a great place to unwind after sightseeing.

After time to relax, we enjoy our first dinner in Austria in the hotel this evening. The all-inclusive package includes drinks from 9am to 10pm, afternoon coffee and cakes, and breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We return to Germany after breakfast today, travelling through some incredible alpine scenery to a location that is as emotive as it is spectacular.

Towering at the top of a mountain high above the Bavarian town of Berchtesgaden is the Eagle's Nest, originally built to coincide with Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday. Despite its infamous past, the site was saved from post-war destruction and is preserved as an important historical monument, and a guide is with us all day to explain its history. The summit is reached by way of a lift inside the mountain, and we are greeted by astonishing panoramic views. While the Eagle's Nest building itself is privately owned, there's free time to explore the surroundings of this unique piece of 20th-century history.

Descending the mountain by coach, we can enjoy our picnic lunch in Berchtesgaden. The picture-book centre is a fairytale collection of pastel-coloured buildings painted with folk murals, while the Castle Square is surrounded by arcaded shops, a Baroque castle, and a twin-towered 12th-century church.

Returning to Kirchberg, we can relax this afternoon before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There's a full day at leisure today to either unwind and make use of the hotel's spa facilities or familiarise yourself with Kirchberg in Tirol.

Peeking through the huddle of traditional chalets is the green spire of the parish church, perched on a small hill. Legend has it that the church was originally going to be built in the town centre, but before the wooden shingles could be attached to the roof, pigeons carried them up the hill. The residents saw this as a sign from God and decided to relocate the church to its current location. Kirchberg is ideally located for scenic hillside strolls offering great views of the valley, while popular activity is swimming in the 'badesee' or bathing lake. The crystal-clear waters of this artificial lake and the heated outdoor pool offer relaxation in full view of beautiful forests and rolling hills.

With lunch available at the hotel, as well as coffee and cakes between 3pm and 4.30pm, today is an ideal day to take it easy and relax.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transferring by coach to Salzburg, we discover the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music in the company of Trudy, our singing tour guide. Overlooked by the huge 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, set high on a hill, you stroll through the charming Old Town. The churches, squares and alleyways here are incredibly well preserved and dominated by Baroque spires in a UNESCO World Heritage site.

With an afternoon to explore independently, there are many options available to you. Salzburg is renowned for its musical and culture heritage and Mozart was instrumental in this. You can visit the former residence of the Mozart family, who lived at Getreidegasse 9 from 1747 to 1773. It is where Wolfgang was born in 1756 and is now a house museum detailing his young life. His old Makartplatz home is also a museum displaying artefacts from the composer's life.

You could also take a walk along the river or through the Mirabell Garden before we return to Kirchberg by coach in the early evening for dinner and drinks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Taking a coach transfer to Jenbach after breakfast, we join the narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway*. First opened in 1902, this 18-mile journey passes through the picturesque Ziller Valley. Travelling through lush green pastures stretching between rolling alpine hills, we pass remote villages of half-timbered houses and traditional chalets on our way to charming Mayrhofen, at the head of the valley, backdropped by increasingly tall peaks.

On arrival in Mayrhofen, we return by coach down the valley to Pertisau on the shores of Achensee. As the largest lake in the region, it is referred to as the 'Tyrolean Sea' or the 'Fjord of the Alps'. Renowned for its natural beauty, the emerald waters nestle between the stunning scenery of the Karwendel and Rofan mountains. There's free time in the lakeside village of Pertisau to enjoy your picnic lunch overlooking the serene waters and panoramic mountains. Afterwards, we embark on a boat ride the length of Achensee.

Disembarking in Scholastika, we return to our hotel for dinner and drinks this evening.

*On early/late season departures, today will feature a journey on the Achensee Railway from Jenbach to Seespitz instead of the Zillertal Railway

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is at leisure and there is no shortage of options if you want to explore further afield. The famous mountain resort of Kitzbühel is just a short train journey away. With charming medieval streets filled with colourful buildings containing chic shops, bars and cafés, this attractive town oozes Tyrolean character.

St Johann is home to the quaint Mariä Himmelfahrt church with a yellow façade and an ornately decorated interior. Housed in an 18th-century penitentiary for dissolute priests, the town's museum details the social and natural history of the region. A picturesque train journey through valleys can take you to gorgeous Lake Zell and the lakeside town of Zell am See. Stroll along the lakefront promenade, savouring delightful views while enjoying your picnic lunch, before discovering the picture-book Stadtplatz in the centre. From Zell am See, you can also take the local bus to the Krimml Waterfalls, the highest in Austria.

Regrouping at our hotel this evening, we gather for dinner on our last night in Austria.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving beautiful Kirchberg after breakfast this morning, we are transferred by coach to Wörgl, where we swap to a train across the German border bound for Munich.

Continuing through Germany, we can admire views of picturesque towns and rolling countryside, with broad rivers, perching castles and dense forests lining the route. Our destination is Cologne, an important city on the mighty Rhine. Famed for its iconic Gothic cathedral with its intricate, piercing spires, Cologne was an important Roman city and the remains of the northern gate still stand outside the cathedral.

On arrival in this fine city this evening, we check in to a central hotel for the night and have our final dinner as a group.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Making our way back to Cologne station after breakfast this morning, we board the train to Brussels, switching here to the Eurostar service bound for London St Pancras.

As we travel through the Channel Tunnel and across the English countryside, we can look back on this incredible holiday and the alpine scenery we have witnessed. From our base in Kirchberg, the natural beauty of Austria's picturesque Tyrol region has charmed us with a journey on the Zillertal Railway and a boat ride on Achensee, while an enjoyable musical tour of Salzburg revealed this pretty city's cultural heritage. Crossing into Germany, we encountered the elemental Berchtesgaden Alps and their fairytale town. The warm hospitality and incredible vistas of beautiful Tyrol have left us with many wonderful memories we can treasure for years to come.

• Breakfast