Austria | Austrian Lakes Cycling
Independent Cycling, hotel to hotel
This popular 10 night cycling holiday in the Austrian Lakes is fantastically varied with something to suit travellers of all ages. It's a glorious mix of spectacular scenic views, gentle shoreline routes and swimming opportunities galore! The cycling is mainly level with the option to extend your route on most cycling days.
| Duration: | 11 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW66 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | Every 2 days from May to Sep |
| Price: | From $2,055 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Trip Details
Every stop brings new discoveries such as St Wolfgang's antique cog railway to the summit of Schafberg,Mozart's museum in St Gilgen, and Mondsee's frescoed high street - the church here was the location of the famous wedding in "The Sound ofMusic"! When you fancy a change from cycling, local buses and boats shuttle between delightful lakeside villages making exploration easy.
Regional highlights include Emperor Franz Josef's summer residence in Bad Ischl (he declared war on Serbia here, which lead toWW1), Gmunden's "floating" castle Seeschloss Orth, and its porcelain Town Hall bells, and an unforgettable paddle steamer on Lake Traunsee below spectacular mountain peaks. Not to mention a trip to Salzburg itself. Our hotels throughout are extremely friendly and form pleasant contrasts en route - from unashamed four star luxury with swimming pools and steam baths in Bad Ischl, to a converted watermill in Attersee.
Day 1 - Arrive in Mondsee
We meet you at Salzburg airport and take you to your hotel (45 mins) in Mondsee. Time to explore Mondsee then a soak in the spa whirlpool before dinner.
Day 2 - Mondsee to St Georgen - 27km/17mi
Pedal past yachts and wooden boathouses this morning on Mondsee's north shore. Onwards through rolling pasture dotted with country churches, before the triangular white sails scoring the blue surface of Lake Attersee hove into view as you descend to the lake shore. Then heading inland, you pass a deer farm and roadside stalls piled high with bright local produce, before receiving a warm welcome from the Sollinger family.
Day 3 - In St Georgen
You can follow in the footsteps of Gustav Mahler in Attersee - he composed prolifically here. Enjoy lunch local style - freshly smoked fish are on sale along the lakeshore - and there's a fabulous swimming pool complex. Then perhaps take a boat ride to the pretty village of Weyregg beneath craggy mountains on the Eastern shore.
Day 4 - St Georgen to Gmunden - 38km/24mi
You'll enjoy views of the 1000m high peaks on the east shore of Attersee Lake as you freewheel down to Schorfling, whose castle was painted by Gustav Klimt with its reflection mirrored on the lake surface. Fields of wheat fringed with poppies and cornflowers pass by before you coast into Gmunden with its cobbled marketplace and painted buildings. Dinner on the terrace of the hotel is delightful, with Gmunden's lights shimmering above the surface of Lake Traunsee.
Day 5 - In Gmunden
Take a trip on the Gisela - the last coal fired paddle steamer, also used by Archduke Franz Ferdinand.The cable car to the top of Grunberg (984m) offers wonderful views at the top, where you looking down on Gmunden's esplanade and the romantic Seeschloss Orth - 'floating'castle on the lake dating from the 17C.
Day 6 - Gmunden to Bad Ischl - 19km/12mi
Today you take the Traunsee boat from the pontoon below the hotel to Ebensee on the south shore. Well worth taking the cable car up to the Feuerkogel Peak for spectacular views. Then back along a beautiful riverside route, criss-crossing the sparkling River Traun, and on through scented pinewoods to Bad Ischl. Perhaps relax in the opera house gardens before returning to the hotel for a swim.
Day 7 -In Bad Ischl
There is simply so much to see and do in and around Bad Ischl: Imperial Spa, ice caves, thermal salt baths, cable cars, people-watching on the riverside esplanade or a day trip to Salzburg. If you've time, we suggest you extend your holiday to spend 4 nights here.
Day 8 -Bad Ischl to Strobl - 16km/10mi
Explore the Emperor Franz Josef's former holiday home, the Kaiservilla, before setting off along the banks of the River Ischl. Sunlight sparkles on the water as you pass tiny shrines hidden in the pines below Leonsberg and Bleckwand peaks. Lakeside Strobl has a popular beachfront for a cooling swim or join a boat cruise on the lake.
Day 9 - In Strobl
It's easy to spend the day in Strobl: summer toboggan run, cable cars, watersports and animal park. Alternatively, the fairy-tale city of Salzburg - Baroque jewel and UNESCO-recognised historic old centre - is just an 80 minute bus ride away.
Day 10 - Strobl to Mondsee - 30km/19mi
Keeping close to Wolfgangsee's southern lakeshore, a level cycling track through a tiny nature reserve brings you into lovely St Gilgen. Visit Mozart's Museum, or take the cable car up Zwolferhorn for stunning 360o views. In the afternoon coast downhill to Mondsee Lake, before returning to the hotel in time for an aperitif before dinner.
Day 11 - Return home
We take you to Salzburg for extra nights or to catch your flight home.
CYCLING DETAILS
This is an undemanding 10 night, hotel to hotel holiday, The cycle routes are fairly short, following riverside, lakeshore and rural country tracks. Plenty of freewheeling lakeside routes, plenty of swimming opportunities every day. Choice of 1 or 2 cycle options.
Holiday starts and ends in Mondsee - the church here was the location for the wedding in 'The Sound of Music'. It's 30 miles east of Salzburg it makes an ideal city break at the end of the holiday.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Leitnerbraeu, Mondsee (4 star)
The Leitnerbraeu Hotel, our base hotel for the cycling holiday, is one of the historic central hotels in the Mondsee High Street, right opposite the church used in "The Sound of Music". It could not be more central and is a 5 minute stroll from the lakeside where there are frequent summer shows and events. A 30 room family run property, it is broad, modern and spacious inside while retaining the typical Tyrol architecture outside. Bedrooms upstairs are extremely spacious with queen size beds and pine furnishings. All rooms have modern bathrooms, direct dial phones, cable telvision (CNN, BBC), minibar and hairdryers.
Hotel Attergauhof, St Georgen (3 star)
The Hotel Attergauhof is in the centre of St. Georgen and is proudly run by the Sollinger family who have run the hotel for the last 45 years. The sleeping accommodation is on the second and third floors - some with balcony. The hotel also has a restaurant, main bar and a wine/ice cream bar. A sauna, steam bath and table tennis are also available.
Hotel Grunberg, Gmunden (3 star)
The Hotel Grunberg has a great lakeside location directly below Grunberg Mountain which soars above the town of Gmunden. The hotel is right on the lakeside with a view over to the lights of Gmunden itself shimmering on the water. It takes about 10 minutes to cycle into the centre of town. Bedrooms are spacious and all have lake views - they are not typically Austrian but more contemporary in feel. Rooms come with direct dial phones, hairdryers and cable televison (but no English channels).
Hotel Hubertushof, Bad Ischl (4 star)
The Hubertushof Hotel is right in the centre of Bad Ischl. It is a grand historic townhouse that has been converted by the Panhuber Family into a 29 room hotel. The hotel feels like a small Austrian stately home, with oil paintings on the walls, classic Austrian furniture and pictures of the family along some of the corridors. Bedrooms are traditional with wooden furnishings and quality fabrics. All have satellite TV with BBC and CNN, hairdryers and direct dial phones.
Hotel Bergrose, Strobl (4 star)
This a beautiful 30 room hotel based a 5 minute bike ride from the eastern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee on the outskirts of the village of Strobl. It is a traditional building with wooden balconies and Gothic script on the exterior, and is located on a riverbank next to a meadow. It has a lovely secluded garden, and three floors of perfect Austrian wood panelled luxury inside. Rooms here are suites with shower or bath, direct dial phones, satellite television (CNN and BBC), hairdryers. All the rooms are luxuriously decorated with quality pine furniture and comfortable beds.
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation in 3 - 4 star hotels
- Continental breakfast daily
- 8 Evening meals
- Transfers
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
