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Austrian Lakes Activity
Day 1 - Arrive in Strobol
We meet you at Salzburg airport and take you to your hotel (55 mins) in Strobl where our rep will go through suggestions for the week with you before dinner.
Day 2 - Walk or cycle to St. Wolfgang 12kms/7mi
A very gentle start to the week heading first by the river then along the north shore of the lake to St. Wolfgang. Renowned for its beautiful C15 church, this famously pretty village boasts a maze of cobbled streets lined with attractive frescoed houses, shops and café terraces affording superb lake views. Culture and music are very much part of St Wolfgang’s fine tradition, so be sure to explore the boutique craft and chocolate shops! After lunch, perhaps hop on the antique cog railway as it chugs up to the summit of Schafberg (1,782m) for unrivalled Alpine views.
Day 3 - Cycle to St. Gilgen 24kms/13mi
Keeping close to Lake Wolfgang’s southern lakeshore, a level cycling track through a tiny nature reserve brings you into lovely St Gilgen where the busy waterfront is filled with restaurants, cafés and attractive frescoed houses. Visit Mozart’s museum (his mother was born here!), or take the cable car up Zwolferhorn for stunning 360deg views. Alternatively, try your hand at waterskiing on Lake Wolfgang, have a cooling swim on the beach then, perhaps, enjoy an afternoon of pampering at the hotel’s elegant spa.
Day 4 - Cycle to Bad Ischl 24kms or walk/bus 10kms/6mi
Freewheeling east this morning through poppy-strewn meadows, you soon arrive in the famous elitist holiday town of Bad Ischl. The late Emperor Franz Joseph was born here – make sure you visit his Kaiservilla– and the spirit of the monarchy remains strong. Lots of restaurants for lunch then, in the afternoon, why not visit the imperial hot spa that comprises salt baths, a 30-32deg C outdoor swimming pool, Alhambra baths, steam room, hammam and oriental gardens? Cyclists return to Strobl along the banks of the River Ischl, passing tiny shrines hidden below the Leonsberg and Bleckwand peaks. Walkers simply hop on the local bus!
Day 5 - Free day : Exploring Salzburg
Why not give yourself a break from cycling today and take the local bus (80mins) to Mozart’s fairytale city of Salzburg? Described as a Baroque jewel, and recognised by UNESCO, its idyllic setting – surrounded by the Alps and bisected by the gentle Salzach river – cannot be bettered by any other city in Europe. Take time too to explore its historic heart and you’ll find a wealth of Baroque Palaces, Renaissance gardens, elegant Viennese cafés and the oldest open-air theatre in Europe.
Day 6 - Cycle or walk to Lake Nussen 13kms or 16kms/8mi
The cycling route takes you along quiet country lanes and through rural farming hamlets bordered by low Alpine meadows – look out for the neat woodpiles to be used for heating over the winter months. Lunch at the popular Zur Wacht restaurant then head down to beautiful Lake Nussen, a hidden gem completely off the tourist trail – look out for rare orchids scattered round its sun-kissed shore. Lots of time to swim, sunbathe, etc before completing a circular loop back to Strobl.
Day 7 - Cycle or walk to Lake Schwarzen 22km/14mi or 14kms/9mi
A choice of walking or cycling routes today across the valley and up through the forest towards Lake Schwarzen, perfectly positioned beneath the shadows of the Vormauerstein, Hoheneck and Breiten Berg peaks. Have lunch in one of the restaurants basking in sunshine beneath the snow-capped mountains then a delightful valley descent back to Strobl.
Day 8 - Leave Strobl
We take you to Salzburg airport after breakfast. Either catch your flight home or opt to spend some extra nights in this beautiful city.