Austrian Lakes Winter Highlights

This special winter tour takes you on an odyssey of the stunning winter scenery of the Austrian Lake District. Pretty as a picture, this glorious region offers sparkling lakes, soaring snow-clad mountains, idyllic villages and beautiful lakeside towns. Included visits take you on a guided panorama through the Salzkammergut, a winter boat trip on the Lake Chiemsee as well as a day out to the famous 'Sound of Music' city of Salzburg with the magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart's birthplace. If you're looking for a fairytale wintertime escape, then this tour is just for you!Winter Wonderland
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head south to Dover for your ferry crossing to Calais. Continue through France and into Germany for your overnight hotel stop. BB\n\nDay 2 - Drive on for your first sight of the magnificent Alps and scenic Austrian countryside to the village of Fuschl on the lake of the same name, east of Salzburg for your 5-night stay. Porterage & welcome drink on arrival DBB\n\nDay 3 - 6 - At leisure in Fuschl am See with three included excursions and a full day at leisure with Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) served in the hotel in the afternoon. \nIt is just a 5 minute walk from the hotel to the Lake Fuschlsee for a winter stroll along the shore\n\nThe pretty holiday resort of Fuschl am See is located between Salzburg (20 km) and the imperial spa resort of Bad Ischl (30 km) in the beautiful Salzkammergut. Fuschl am See is located the south-eastern edge of the bright blue lake of Fuschlsee, surrounded by pine-clad mountains and perfectly placed to explore this lovely region. Some of the loveliest footpaths start right from the village, winding through pine forests and up to viewpoints, with panoramas over alpine lakes and peaks. There are public bus connections to Salzburg, St Gilgen, Strobl and Bad Ischl. In the winter, there may be horse-drawn carriage rides from the village through the winter landscape. The Tourist Office is just across the road from the hotel or ask at hotel reception for up to date information.\n\nIncluded Excursions\nSalzkammergut Winter Panorama - Mondsee, Hallstatt & St Gilgen\nA scenic journey in the company of a local guide through the wintery lake district, known as the Salzkammergut to the beautiful village of Mondsee, by the shores of a crystal-clear lake surrounded by lush forests. You can see the church where the wedding between Maria and Captain von Trapp took place and then it's on to St Gilgen, a village full of character with its frescoed houses. Head along the shore of the Wolfgangsee through the handsome spa town of Bad Ischl to picturesque Hallstatt, nestled on the banks of the Halstättersee with a backdrop of the towering Dachstein mountains - truly a photographer's delight.\n\nSalzburg \nSalzburg - one of Europe's most enchanting cities, famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for "The Sound of Music". Enjoy a guided introduction to this charming Baroque city, full of church steeples, quaint courtyards and magnificent buildings. Don't miss the famous Getreidegasse, the narrow lane in which Mozart was born. Take a trip on a funicular to the magnificent Hohensalzburg Fortress with entrance included (some steps, staircases and slopes within the fortress). There is step-free access to the panorama patio and you will also find a tavern and shop.\n\nLake Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee Palace\nWrap up warm today (with sturdy footwear) as you head across the border into Germany to explore the winter landscape of Lake Chiemsee, often called the 'Bavarian Sea', lying at the foot of the Chiemgau Alps. From Prien, you will take a boat trip (heated) to Herreninsel (Gentlemen's Island) to visit the magnificent Herrenchiemsee Palace of King Ludwig II (approx. 15 mins walk from where the boat docks). Built in 1878 it was originally intended to be a copy of the Palace of Versailles but was never completed. It does, however, house some splendidly furnished interiors, lush textiles and a very comprehensive porcelain collection. NB the fountains in the gardens will not be working as they are covered to protect them during the winter. Continue by boat to Fraueninsel (Ladies' Island), the smaller of the two islands and home to a Benedictine nunnery and a small village. Return by boat to Gstadt where your coach awaits to take you back to Fuschl\n\nDay 7 - Today it's Auf Wiedersehen as you return through Austria and Germany for your final overnight stop. BB\n\nDay 8 - After breakfast, we continue through France to Calais for the return to England.

Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 5 nights with breakfast & dinner- Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast- Porterage & welcome drink at main hotel- Introduction to Salzburg with local guide- Return funicular & entrance to Hohensalzburg Fortress- Salzkammergut Panorama with local guide- Boat trip on Lake Chiemsee (Prien - Herreninsel - Fraueninsel - Gstadt)- Entrance to Herrenchiemsee Palace- Coffee & cake one afternoon in the hotel- Included excursions as statedHotel Jakob, Fuschl am See
This chalet-style 4* hotel is located in the centre of Fuschl am See, just 300m from the lake shore. It has been family run by the Schmidlechner family for five generations and offers a modern, comfortable base from which to explore the region of the Salzkammergut. Bright guestrooms are equipped with hair dryer, TV and in-room safe. Twin rooms are continental twins with two mattresses on a single bed frame. Many rooms have showers with a step up into the cubicle. There is a restaurant which serves local cuisine and a cafe bar area. On the top floor of the hotel there is a spa complete with Finnish sauna and steam bath. There is lift access to all rooms in the main building (additional rooms in an adjacent annex building - no lift)