Austria has long proved popular with Christmas visitors for its Alpine scenery and the warm hospitality of the Austrian people. Salzburg, nestling majestically along the banks of the Salzach River, displays all the grandeur associated with a city that prospered during the reign of Franz-Josef. Its fine buildings line the narrow cobbled streets and the Getreidegasse is renowned for its wrought iron signs that adorn this lively shopping thoroughfare. Salzburg is, of course, the native city of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and both his birthplace and house are in close proximity to the centre of town. Our holiday is based at the well appointed Rogner Dorint Hotel.
Salzburg • St Wolfgang • Bad Ischl • Hallstatt Mondsee • Attersee
DAY 1 LONDON • SALZBURG
We begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service™ to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport and our direct scheduled British Airways or Lufthansa flight to Munich. On arrival our coach transfers us to the Rogner Dorint Hotel located close to Salzburg city centre. We meet our hosts for a welcome drink followed by dinner.
DAY 2 SALZBURG - CHRISTMAS EVE
After a full buffet breakfast the day is free to explore this fascinating city. The cobbled streets, old buildings and beautiful Baroque churches contribute to the charm of this old town. Its greatest native son was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and both his birthplace and house are museums of his life and works and are well worth a visit. The Getreidegasse is a lively shopping street adorned with wrought iron signs which provide a picturesque touch, and the famous Christmas Market has many fascinating and unusual stalls. We are free for lunch. We return to our hotel for a traditional Austrian Christmas Eve dinner followed by music. Your tour manager will have details of local churches where you may wish to join in with the Christmas celebrations.
DAY 3 SALZBURG - CHRISTMAS DAY
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for a guided walking tour of Old Salzburg, an elegant and spacious town set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery. The old town is overlooked by the fortress of Hohenzsalzburg, a former stronghold of the Prince-Archbishops, and used as a safe retreat during the war between the Empire and the Church. The Cathedral, built between 1614 and 1655, is a fine example of the Baroque style and shows the best features of the Italian Renaissance. After working up an appetite we return to our hotel for our Christmas lunch. Afternoon at leisure. This evening you will enjoy a cold buffet followed by musical entertainment.
DAY 4 BAD ISCHL & HALLSTATT - BOXING DAY
This morning we visit the spa resort of Bad Ischl, stopping en route for morning coffee at the lakeside village of St Wolfgang, which has been a place of pilgrimage since the 12th century. More recently its White Horse Inn has become immortalised in operetta. Bad Ischl lies in the heart of the Salzkammergut Valley and it became a fashionable resort when Franz-Josef established his summer residence there during the 18th century. From here we journey through Bad Goisern and along the shores of Lake Hallstatt before reaching our final visit of the day. The village of Hallstatt clings to the steep slopes of the foothills of the Dachstein Mountains. The mining of salt has gone on in this and nearby mountains since Neolithic times and has provided a continuous source of activity. We return to our hotel for evening dinner followed by more musical entertainment.
DAY 5 LAKESIDE VILLAGES
After breakfast we leave for a tour of the Alpine lakeside villages. We start by following the shores of Lake Mondsee, a crescent shaped lake at the foot of the cliffs of the Dtachenwand and the Schafnberg, and arrive at the historic town of Mondsee with its Benedictine Abbey. We continue to Lake Attersee, the largest of the Alpine lakes with its mixture of rugged hillsides and fertile plains, and the picturesque village of Attersee. This evening we enjoy dinner with time for relaxation.
DAY 6 SALZBURG • LONDON
After breakfast we transfer by coach to Munich Airport for your British Airways or Lufthansa scheduled flight to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport. On arrival our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.
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