Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, lakes and picture-perfect Tyrolean towns on this discovery of the Austrian Alps

Gathering at London St Pancras this morning, your holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travellers ahead of this tour to the beautiful Austrian Alps.

Boarding the Eurostar service, we travel to Brussels in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at our seats on the way. In the Belgian capital, we change trains, continuing in First Class via Cologne to the German city of Munich for an overnight stop.

The capital of Bavaria, Munich effortlessly blends traditional charm with modern urban life. Famous for its historic Old Town, world-renowned beer gardens and close proximity to the Bavarian Alps, the city offers a rich mix of culture, history and everyday life. At its heart lies Marienplatz, the city's central square, where the ornate Neues Rathaus draws crowds with its famous Glockenspiel. Nearby, the twin domes of Frauenkirche rise above the skyline, a lasting symbol of the city. On arrival, we check in to our nearby hotel for the night and enjoy our first dinner together as a group this evening.

Setting off after a lesiurely breakfast this morning, we return to Munich station to carry on our journey. Boarding a scenic local train, we travel across the Austrian border to Wörgl, watching as the gentle Bavarian countryside gives way to the dramatic landscapes of the majestic Alps.

From here, a coach transfers us to St Johann, where we check in to our hotel for the next six nights. Set in a broad amphitheatre-like valley and surrounded by the towering summits of the Tyrolean Alps, this charming town enjoys an idyllic setting. It's a beautiful and peaceful base for our alpine holiday - brimming with traditional buildings adorned by colourful flowerboxes.

Our family-run hotel has an idyllic chalet-style façade, and we settle down to enjoy dinner with beers, local wines and soft drinks included, as they are every night of our stay.

After our first breakfast in Austria, there is free time to explore St Johann at leisure, with a picnic lunch for you to enjoy as you wish.

The quaint Mariä Himmelfahrt church, with a yellow façade and twin Baroque towers, has an ornately decorated interior and sits in the main square, while the town's museum details the region's social and natural history - and is housed in an 18th-century penitentiary for dissolute priests. Leaving from near our hotel, the Harschbichl cable car delivers incredible views of peaks and valleys on its way to the mountain more than 5,000ft above sea level, where the taller Kitzbühel Horn dominates the skyline and breathtaking vistas stretch as far as the eye can see.

Returning to the hotel at leisure, you can enjoy coffee and cake this afternoon, before dinner.

A visit to the Hohe Tauern National Park after breakfast is a holiday highlight as we ride over the highest surfaced mountain pass in Austria.

Our first stop is the evocatively named Edelweissspitze, an 8,400ft peak accessible by road that offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of snow-capped mountains. Afterwards, we travel through the wilderness to the summit of the Hochtor Pass. As the route winds gently down the mountains, we take a short diversion to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe. Named after the Habsburg emperor who stopped here in 1856, this viewpoint commands mind-blowing views of the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain, and the snaking Pasterze Glacier, the largest in the eastern Alps. There is free time here to enjoy your picnic lunch while soaking up the scenery and keeping an eye out for native ibex and marmots.

Next, we continue to our next destination, journeying through alpine valleys to the lakeside town of Zell am See. Here, we enjoy a relaxing cruise across the sapphire-blue Lake Zell, a great way to admire the lush forests, rolling hills and towering mountains beyond. Back on land, we return to to St Johann, ready for dinner this evening.

Travelling by coach to Jenbach after breakfast, we join the narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway for a 19-mile journey through the picturesque Ziller Valley. First opened in 1902, the route is operated by a steam engine hauling beautifully restored carriages through lush green pastures stretching between rolling hills. Views of remote villages of half-timbered houses and traditional chalets guide our way to Mayrhofen.

This popular alpine town at the head of a valley is backdropped by increasingly tall peaks, and you're free to explore the pretty streets lined with cafés and shops. Alternatively, take a cable car higher into the mountains to enjoy panoramic views while savouring your picnic lunch. The Penken cable car carries passengers to a mountainside meadow offering breathtaking views of Mayrhofen and its surrounding snow-capped peaks. At the top of the Ahorn cable car is a rustic amphitheatre, crystal-clear lakes, pastoral huts and spectacular views.

Returning to Jenbach by rail in the early afternoon, we travel by coach back at our St Johann hotel with free time to relax or explore before gathering for tonight's dinner.

The birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is our destination after breakfast today and we explore this musical city's impressive sights during a guided tour. Overlooked by the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, set high on a hill, we stroll through the well-preserved and UNESCO-listed Old Town, admiring churches, squares, alleyways and Baroque spires.

With an afternoon at leisure, there are many appealing options. You might choose to 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. Alternatively, you could take a walk along the river, visit Mirabell Garden or take a cable-car ride up Untersberg Mountain for spectacular views across the Berchtesgaden Alps.

This evening, we enjoy dinner at our St Johann hotel.

Today you are free to enjoy St Johann and the surrounding areas at your own pace. You might choose to visit nearby Kitzbühel, just a short train journey away. Known for its attractive medieval centre, it's a delight to explore, with colourful buildings, boutique shops and inviting cafés. You might also like to take the Hahnenkamm cable car for panoramic views across the mountain landscape, with a selection of scenic walking trails to enjoy at the top.

Alternatively, you could travel further afield to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, where historic architecture meets a vibrant alpine setting. While here, you might consider a visit to the renowned Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a glittering attraction just outside the city.

If you would prefer a more relaxed, St Johann offers the perfect setting for a gentle walk or simply soaking up the atmosphere of this charming Tyrolean town. However you choose to spend your day, we reconvene this evening for a traditional Tyrolean dinner, featuring regional specialities.

Leaving St Johann this morning, a coach transfers us to nearby Wörgl. Here, we board a local train and say goodbye to the wonderful Austrian Alps as we journey towards Munich.

In the Bavarian capital, we board the service to Cologne in First Class. Passing through the charming city of Ulm, look out for its majestic minster, whose spire is the tallest completed church tower in the world.

Arriving in Cologne the early evening, our hotel is just a short distance from the main station. Set on the banks of the Rhine, this city boasts a rich history, from its origins as the Roman settlement of Colonia to its status today as one of Germany's great cultural centres. After checking in, we have our final dinner together as a group.

Our time in St Johann allowed us to experience the stunning Austrian Alps, from its awe-inspiring landscapes to its charming towns. After exploring the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, riding the Zillertal railway to Mayrhofen, cruising Lake Zell and discovering the beauty of Salzburg.

After breakfast this morning, we return to Cologne station to board the train to Brussels in First Class. In the Belgian capital, we switch to the Eurostar service in Plus class and enjoy a light meal at our seats as we travel to London St Pancras, where you exploration of the Austrian Alps concludes.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

In the heart of Austria's breathtaking Tyrol region, the Zillertalbahn wends its way across open meadows, through the scenic Ziller valley and below the mountains. The train's cheerful red carriages and engine are easy to spot, as the Zillertalbahn crawls like a bright caterpillar across the Ziller valley floor offering a glimpse into the distinct charm of Austria's verdant countryside. Beginning at the market town of Jenbach near the shimmering Achen Lake, the Zillertalbahn snakes its way through the enchanting small Tyrolean towns and villages on its way to the ski resort of Mayrhofen. In winter, the route becomes a dazzling gallery of spectacular winter scenery encompassing frosted forests, white snow fields and awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains. In summer, the flower filled meadows and rolling green foothills are drenched in sunlight, showing an entirely different side of Austria.

The train line was officially opened in 1902, mainly operating as a passenger service for residents of the Ziller valley and the rest of the Tyrol region. The line has expanded to take on freight services, and the line actually owns a series of steam engines which are put on occasionally to take passengers and tourists back in time.

The family-run 4-Star Hotel Park with an idyllic chalet-style façade is a short stroll from the heart of the alpine town of St Johann. Amenities include a bar, Tyrolean restaurant, small fitness room, sauna, free bicycle hire and access to the local swimming pools. Our stay here is on an all-inclusive basis with breakfast, lunch and dinner, and selected soft drinks, wine and beer are included with dinner. All ensuite rooms have a telephone, cable television, radio and a safe. Some of the rooms in the hotel have a balcony.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.