Tours include Grindelwald foodie haven for cheese making, decadent chocolatiers and fondue
By George Shaw
Tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel has expanded its programme into Central Europe to include new destinations, Austria and Switzerland, making multi-travel across the region possible for UK clients.
The Core Cities, Lakes and Mountains of Austria
The stunning lakes and alpine landscapes of Austria have long proven popular for the UK market, as well as key cities Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck which are in easy reach of these regions, allowing travellers to enjoy a variety of experiences within a single trip, which is why Audley has added each to its growing portfolio.
In the space of just one week, clients can combine the culture and history of Austria’s cities with the natural beauty of its countryside, creating a bespoke trip that offers three or four completely different experiences, including vibrant urban exploration, to relaxing lakeside stays and mountainous adventures. Audley recommends learning about classical music and following Mozart’s footsteps in Salzburg, exploring the coffeehouse culture of Vienna and experiencing the famous Lipizzaner horses perform inside the Imperial Palace, or exploring the Alpine peaks and glacial lakes of the Salzkammergut region, and catching a show at the Vienna Opera House, or taking a boat ride around Lake Hallstatt.
As part of a tailor-made trip, the Signature Austria: Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck itinerary combines each of these experiences with highlights including:
- Tasting Austrian wine varietals at a traditional winery in northern Vienna
- Indulging in a night at Vienna’s prestigious State Opera
- Basking in classical music at a dinner concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Hiking the postcard-worthy mountains of the Salzkammergut.
A 14-day Signature Austria: Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck tailor-made itinerary costs from £9,975 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions.
Alpine-scapes and First-Class experiences in Switzerland
Known for being the health capital of the world thanks to its fresh air and pristine Alpine mountainscapes, the prestige of Switzerland has long been an alluring destination for travellers and is now part of the bespoke offering of Audley.
From French-speaking Geneva in the west, to the glitzy mountain retreat St. Moritz in the east, where Swiss-German is the main language, Switzerland offers a spectrum of first-class experiences. As well as these must-visit destinations, clients will now be also able to access the iconic Lauterbrunnen Valley and its 72 waterfalls, tour the car-free mountain village of Wengen, take in the stunning panoramic views of Mürren via cable car, and visit the foodie haven of Grindelwald for cheese making, decadent chocolatiers and fondue experiences, as part of a custom trip.
Audley also recommends visiting a wine region during a jazz festival in Montreux, walking through an intact medieval town in Swiss-German Bern, and taking sight of the world’s longest glacier from a mountain summit in the Swiss Alps. As well as shopping Zürich’s fashionable streets, hearing alphorn players in the Emmental Valley, and seeing the Matterhorn mirrored in a glassy lake.
As part of a tailor-made experience, the Highlights of Switzerland itinerary highlights include:
- Visiting two medieval cities, Zürich and Bern, both laced with history
- Heading to the Top of Europe at Jungfraujoch to admire the Bernese Alps
- Riding the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the top of Pilatus Kulm
- Journeying First Class on the GoldenPass Panoramic train through some of Switzerland’s most inspiring scenery
An 8-day ‘Lakes & Mountains’ tailor-made itinerary costs from £6,450 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers, accommodation and excursions.