Austrian Steam Safari
August 6-16, 2008
Wednesday 6th August
London to Cologne
We say goodbye to London in a Eurostar first class carriage whilst enjoying lunch served with chilled champagne. This is the perfect way to gently relax into a European holiday. At Brussels we change trains for Cologne where we have dinner and stay overnight. There should be time to visit the famous cathedral next to the station and the Rhine. (L D)Thursday 7th August
Cologne to Innsbruck
Our train from Cologne takes us across southern Germany, past the Rhine with castles perched on hillsides and vineyards. Our train continues through Bavaria with its mountainous terrain to Munich before crossing the border into Austria and to Innsbruck. On arrival we transfer to the Hotel Europa Tyrol, one of the best in Innsbruck, for three nights. It is conveniently located next to the station. (B D)
Friday 8th August
Achenseebahn and Lake Cruise
We travel the short distance to Jenbach by train. Here we join a steam hauled train on the Achenseebahn, a rack railway. The locomotives and carriages on this railway are over 100 years old but are maintained in near perfect condition, recreating the nostalgia of a bygone era. The 7km journey takes 45 minutes, climbing through stunning alpine scenery to the Achensee Lake where we join a lake cruise. For those of you who want a more active day, there’s an opportunity to walk around this beautiful lake and return by a later train. We return to Innsbruck for a second night at the Hotel Europa Tyrol. (B D)Saturday 9th August
Innsbruck and the Zillertalbahn
The morning is free to explore Innsbruck, the 800-year-old capital city of the Tyrol. Scenically squeezed between two impressive mountain chains it is renowned as the cultural centre of Austria, where past and future meet in the heart of the Alps. Its world famous sights are testament to the province’s great past. In the afternoon, we again travel by train to Jenbach and take a vintage steam hauled narrow gauge train on the Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen,
at the head of the beautiful Ziller Valley, before returning to Innsbruck for our final night at the Hotel Europa Tyrol.
(B D)Sunday 10th August
Lake Wolfgang and the Schafbergbahn
We board the morning train from Innsbruck to Bischofshofen. On arrival we transfer by coach to the town of St Wolfgang to enjoy paddle steamer cruise on the Wolfgangsee. After a break for us to explore, possibly to find a place for lunch, we take a special steam hauled train up the remarkable Schafbergbahn rack railway to reach the summit at Schafberg, providing the perfect opportunity to capture the superb mountain views.
After returning to St Wolfgang our coach takes us to Steyr to check into the Romantik Hotel, situated on the bank of the River Steyr. (B D)
Monday 11th August
Steyrtalbahn and Ybbstalbahn
We transfer to Steyr station to join our special steam charter on the narrow gauge Steyrtalbahn, to Grunburg and back. This is a delightful little railway. Afterwards we take a break in Steyr either to find a restaurant for lunch, or just have a snack. We continue our journey further east arriving early afternoon at the delightful narrow gauge Ybbstalbahn. We have a private steam charter for our group from Kienberg-Gaming to Lunz am See, a spectacular line famous for its high trestle viaduct. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at a hotel in St Poulton. (B D)Tuesday 12th August
Steam Charter on the Mariazellerbahn
After breakfast we join our special narrow gauge steam charter on the Mariazellerbahn, to Mariazell. Included in our steam special hauled by MH6 will be a bar and restaurant car and lunch will be served during the journey. We will have around two hours in Mariazell to explore the town. On arrival back at St Poulton we change for an intercity train to Vienna. Dinner and overnight accommodation is in Vienna. (B L D)Wednesday 13th August
Strasshoff Museum or Free Day in Vienna
After breakfast there is an optional visit to the Strasshoff Railway Museum to see a most magnificent collection of steam locomotives.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy Vienna, perhaps a ride on its extensive tram system or to look at the imposing architecture of Vienna’s famous buildings? (B)
Thursday 14th August
Steam Train from Gmünd to Gross Gerungs
We take a train to Gmünd on the Czech border in a first class vintage coach attached especially for our group. After a visit to the town we have our own chartered narrow gauge steam train for Gross Gerungs and back. Those that prefer can again spend a leisurely day in Vienna, perhaps go to the visitor centre of the Spanish Riding School or to the Schönbrunn Palace. (B D)Friday 15th August
Train to Würzburg
Today there is a free morning to finish exploring Vienna before leaving just after 14:00 on the “Johann Strauss”, a EuroCity train for Würzburg, where we check into the Hotel Maritim. (B D)
Saturday 16th August
Würzburg to London by Train
They say all good things have to end and so our tour must. After breakfast we board the 09:30 ICE high speed train to Cologne and onto Brussels where we join the 17:00 Eurostar. Dinner will be served before arrival at London St Pancras at 18:00. (B D)
Tour Cost:
£1,395 per person, double occupancy (U.S. $2,860*)
£205 single supplement (U.S. $420*)
*Rates provided in U.S. dollars are estimated using a 1£=$2.05 rate. U.S. dollar rate is subject to fluctuate based on the value of the dollar when final payment is made.Click here to download our tour booking form.
Deposit required: £100 per person
Click here for complete tour terms and conditions.
Price includes:
• First class rail travel throughout (vintage accommodation on the steam trains is second class)
• 10 nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner in 3 or 4 star hotels (except dinner in Vienna on August 13th)
• All seat reservations and transfers
• Luggage transfer between hotels in Austria
• The services of a dedicated tour manager
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881
www.irtsociety.com
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