A Tyrolean Winter Wonderland

Day 1 - Saturday

A taxi will call at your home to take you to the coach and we make an early start for Folkestone. The train journey through the Channel Tunnel takes just 35 minutes and, on arrival in Calais, we drive through Belgium and Luxembourg to our overnight hotel in the Saarbrucken/Saarlouis area, with dinner and breakfast included.

Day 2 - Sunday

Today our route takes us through Bavaria, over the Fern Pass and along the Inn Valley to the Hotel Plankenhof in Pill near Innsbruck, where a welcome drink awaits before dinner.

Day 3 - Monday

An ascent by one of Austria's oldest cable cars to the Mutteralm, with a light lunch included in the restaurant. From the top there are magnificent views of the Inn Valley. This afternoon we enjoy an exciting snowshoe hike

Day 4 - Tuesday

We drive along the Inn Valley to medieval Kufstein, with its mighty 13th century fortress towering high above the town. We will use the short funicular railway to reach the castle, with admission included. This afternoon we will visit the Riedel Glass Factory, where some of the world's finest wine glasses are made. Experience the 2,000 year-old art of glass blowing and admire the highly skilled craftspeople creating beautiful glasses and decanters.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Close to our Hotel in Schwaz is "The Mother of all Mines". In the Middle Ages, Schwaz was the largest and wealthiest silver mine in the world. We will board a miniature train and venture 800 metres underground to gain an understanding of the gruelling work undertaken by the miners in their quest for silver and copper. After our guided tour we will rejoin the coach and travel to Seefeld, a traditional Tyrolean ski resort with a pretty onion-domed baroque church. There will be a guided walk and free time for lunch.

Day 6 - Thursday

To Jenbach this morning, from where we will take a train for a scenic ride through the Ziller Valley. The narrow-gauge railway dates from the 19th century and our diesel-powered train covers the 32km journey to Mayrhofen in just under an hour. We pass spectacular winter scenery, frosted forests and snow covered fields as we make our way along the valley, calling at a number of small stations along the way. Explore and find lunch in the attractive village of Mayrhofen before returning to Pill on the coach. Back at the Hotel, we will visit the Schnapps Museum and enjoy a tutored tasting of some of the local firewater.

Day 7 - Friday

Departure after breakfast and return to Saarbrucken/Saarlouis for an overnight stay.

Day 8 - Saturday

Homeward bound, with happy memories of our snowy Alpine holiday. We return through the Channel Tunnel, reaching Sussex early evening. Taxis will be waiting to take you to your door.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner