Beautiful Austria

Allison Sanders • 12 January 2021

Salzburg and Salzkammergut

As the land of Mozart, the Sound of Music and marzipan chocolate balls, Salzburg is a world famous destination and a truly charming medieval city with an impressive hilltop fortress, framed by Alpine peaks. cobblestone alleys, soaring spires and spacious squares actually give Salzburg's old town much flair and sophistication. Just as delightful as the city is the nearby hinterland and the Austrian lakes district known as the Salzkammergut. This pastoral area takes its name from the centuries-old tradition of salt mining and is dotted by over a dozen small yet spectacular lakes. The Wolfgangsee, Hallstättersee and Zeller See are probably the best known bodies of water here, not least because they are home to such famous mountain villages as Zell am See, Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang. The lakes also form a delightful contrast to the steep mountain peaks or green panoramic hills that surround them. Indeed the famous Schafbergbahn rack railway is located in St. Wolfgang, one of Austria's three mountain railways with steam traction and ancient rack tank locomotives dating from the late 19th Century.

See for yourself and get a visual impression of both the cityscape and countryside in Salzburg and Salzkammergut:

For over 15 years, the Railway Touring Company has celebrated the very best of Austrian landscape and culture by taking travellers to Salzburg and beyond. For summer 2021, we've created an all new tour that includes the traditional favourites like the Wolfgangsee and Schafbergbahn and complements them with new exciting additions, such as the paddle steamer "Gisela" of 1873 vintage on the gorgeous Traunsee or steam-powered 'Little Trains' at the narrow gauge Taurachbahn, nestled deep in an mountainous valley south of Bischofshofen.

To view the full programme details and read the itinerary of our exciting "Cruising around the Austrian Lakes" holiday in early July 2021, please click here:

Cruising Around the Austrian Lakes

The following clips provide more inspiring footage on some of the signature steam attractions from this exciting summer getaway:

All of the footage above actually shows just a fraction of the attractions from this new tour, which may be considered a genuine "Best of Austrian Steam" holiday combined with the most relaxing and refined locations in the Eastern Alps. For the ideal introduction to Central Europe or a welcome return to Oesterreich, look no further than this wonderful travel opportunity!