Zell am See and the Eagles Nest Rail Holiday, Austria

Discuss this spectacular holiday with our dedicated team of travel professionals, telephone: 01904 734182

Day 1
Depart St Pancras International to Brussels by Eurostar, with complimentary meal and drinks served at our seats. Once in Brussels, we continue by train to Stuttgart for an overnight stay at the Maritim Hotel.

Day 2
Early morning journey to Zell am See, reaching the Grand Hotel on the shores of Lake Zell in the afternoon, where we'll be staying for seven nights. At the heart of the mountainous Hohe Tauern National Park, Zell am See is a charming little town full of medieval sights.

Day 3
A leisurely day spent unwinding at the hotel, enjoying a day in Zell am See or opting for a cruise around the lake to take in the fabulous scenery.

Day 4
An excursion starting with a coach journey along the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, a renowned high alpine road, passing through the most spectacular landscapes in the Alps. We travel through the Hohe Tauern National Park, visit Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain at 12,460 feet (3,798m) and make a stop at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe Visitor Centre at 7,700 feet (2,347m).

Day 5
Travel by train to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting for the film 'The Sound of Music'. The guided tour includes the Getreidegasse, the Residenz and the magnificent Mirabell Gardens.

Day 6
Travel north by coach into Germany to visit the historical monument Eagle's Nest, once Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat, above a 6,000 feet (1,829m) mountain near the town of Berchtesgaden. We'll finish the day with a cruise on Lake Königsee and enjoy beautiful views of the Bavarian Alps.

Day 7
Reaching 1,250 feet (381m), the Krimml Waterfalls are one of Europe's most breathtaking natural phenomena. We take the narrow gauge steam train to the village of Mittersill, ascend to the 'Wonder World of Water' Centre above Krimml and walk over to the spectacular falls themselves.

Day 8
Enjoy a relaxing day in Zell am Zee strolling along the lakeside promenade, taking a cable car up the Schmittenhöhe or visiting the historic Tyrolean city of Innsbruck just a two hour train journey away.

Day 9
Depart Zell am See and travel to Cologne, passing through the city of Munich to join the ICE service. We reach Cologne in the early evening and spend a night at the Hotel Euro Garden or Four Points Hotel Central.

Day 10
Leave Cologne early morning by Thalys to Brusels which connects with the Eurostar to London. Savour a complimentary meal and drinks at our Leisure Select seats before we arrive into St Pancras International.

Discuss this spectacular holiday with our dedicated team of travel professionals, telephone: 01904 734182

More about the trains 

Eurostar: The high speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris, Lille and Brussels. In your dedicated Standard Premier (the highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers) 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.

Where you’ll stay

Best Western Grand City Hotel Cologne, Cologne: The modern Best Western Grand City Hotel Cologne (formerly called the Four Points Hotel) is located immediately opposite Cologne's railway station and a short walk from the impressive Gothic Cathedral. The hotel houses a bar and restaurant. Rooms feature minibar, television, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and air conditioning.

Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre, Cologne: The 4-star Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre is situated just a short walk from Cologne's main railway station and the Cathedral. The hotel benefits from a bar, lounge, and sauna. Room facilities include a telephone, television, hairdryer and a safe.

Grand Hotel, Zell am See: The 4-star Grand Hotel, one of the famous landmarks of Zell am See, is situated on a small promontory between the railway and the lake. Completed in 1896, in its early years the hotel was a favourite summer residence of the European aristocracy. It was completely rebuilt in 1984 in the same traditional style.The hotel has a restaurant, bar and café. There is also a Wellness Centre, ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring. This has an indoor pool with views out over the lake, a hot whirlpool and steam bath. Our accommodation is in balcony rooms overlooking the lake and the mountains beyond. Winner of Great Rail Journeys Silver Award in the 'Best Hotel' category