Essence of Austria

The Bavarian capital of Munich is where we'll begin our journey through this picturesque and historic country. After meeting our Tour Leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, we'll clink glasses over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Stay: Hotel Drei Löwen (or similar) (D)

After this morning's breakfast, we'll move on to the picturesque lakeside town of Tegernsee and get better acquainted with the alpine lake on a scenic boat trip. Our next stop will be the village of Leeberghof, where we'll have some free time to admire the beautiful views and enjoy lunch at our leisure. We'll end our day in the delightful town of Zell am See – filled with majestic mountain landscapes and complete with its own shimmering blue lake.

This evening is free to explore the multiple restaurants in town or relax at your leisure back at the hotel. Stay: Hotel St Georg (or similar) (B)

Roll up those sleeves! Our day will begin with an included cookery class. A local expert will demonstrate how to make Austrian delicacies kaspressknödel (cheese dumplings) and apple strudel using fresh farm produce. When we've learnt the tricks of the trade, we'll try our hand at making the delicious treats ourselves – with the chance to taste the fruits of our labour for lunch.

Following that, we'll have the afternoon to delve deeper into Zell am See. We recommend taking the impressive cable car to the summit of Mt Schmittenhöhe or enjoying some boutique shopping in town. The evening is yours to spend at your leisure relaxing at the hotel or sampling the region's delicacies at a local restaurant. Stay: Hotel St Georg (or similar) (B/L)

Today, we'll head back over the border into Germany for a stop at Berchtesgaden. While we're here, we'll visit Hitler's famous Eagle's Nest, which is perched high at the top of a mountain peak overlooking the quaint Bavarian town. After wandering the very rooms where Hitler and other Nazi party officials entertained foreign diplomats and held banquets, we'll travel back down the mountain towards our next stop: Salzburg.

Nestled below steep hills on the banks of the Salzach River – Salzburg is a charming city with many medieval delights to uncover. At your leisure, enjoy the evening exploring the Baroque buildings and array of restaurants within the romantic Altstadt (Old Town). Stay: Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu (or similar) (B)

Today you'll be free to experience the fairytale atmosphere of Salzburg and explore its spectacular Baroque sights at your own pace. The birthplace of Mozart, the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg Cathedral and St Peter's Abbey are all great places to start! This evening we'll come together to enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the refined city centre, followed by a Mozart concert at the atmospheric Mirabell Palace – a frequented venue of the influential composer and his family. Stay: Hotel IMLAUER & Bräu (or similar) (B/D)

Today we'll board an old-fashioned cogwheel train (the SchafbergBahn) from St Wolfgang to the top of the Schafberg mountain – soaking up some fantastic views of the Salzkammergut region along the way. Then, we'll head back down into St Wolfgang and enjoy a few local food tastings in its artisanal shops. We'll continue to the picture-perfect ski resort town of Tauplitz.

Tonight, we'll enjoy some free time to settle in a local restaurant for a spot of dinner or relax at the hotel. Stay: Hotel Der Seebacherhof (or similar) (B)

After our breakfast in idyllic Tauplitz our road will take us to Admont Abbey: the oldest remaining monastery in Styria. We'll take some time to explore the mesmerising Baroque architecture, art and breathtaking monastic library. Our next stop will be the village of Admont where we'll have some free time to savour lunch at our leisure. Exploring is thirsty work – so it's only fitting that our next stop in Amstetten will be a local distillery! While we're here, we'll gain an insight into the cider-making process, and – of course – have a chance to taste it for ourselves.

Tonight, we'll dine in the beautiful Wachau Valley for our final dinner together. Stay: Hotel Zum Schwarzen Bären (or similar) (B/D)

Our last day together will see us travelling to Tulln an der Donau, a historic town teeming with parks and gardens where you'll be free to lunch where you choose. Then: our tour will come to a close in buzzing Vienna, with its captivating blend of Baroque architecture, imperial palaces and musical masterpieces. (B)