St. Johann, Salzburg, Lake Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee Palace

Stay amidst the unmatchable natural beauty of Austria, discovering some of its hidden treasures, stunning scenery and a warm and friendly welcome that is typical of the area.

Topflight’s unique Escorted Tour Holidays allow you to relax and get the very best from your holiday experience. We offer great accommodation and lots of free time to do as you please, combined with carefully selected excursions. Austria is a land that is steeped in history and framed by awe-inspiring mountains. There is so much to experience and this particular Escorted Tour Holiday showcases some of Austria's very best attractions.

Your Holiday Itinerary

Day1Fly to Munich

Fly direct from Dublin to Munich where will be met at the airport by Topflight’s Resort Manager and transferred by coach to St. Johann. Your base for the duration of your stay will be the wonderful Panoramahotel Garni. This family owned hotel is bursting with traditional Austrian charm and boasts a wonderful location in the centre of St. Johann in Tirol, close to all amenities and activities that the area has to offer.

Day2St. Johann Walkabout

Today, you will join our guide on an entertaining and informative walk through St.Johann. Enjoy a stroll through the town and get a sense of what the area has to offer as you learn about the history of this charming village and see its many highlights. This is the perfect way to kick start your Austrian adventure and you can spend the remainder of the day as you wish.

Day3Lake Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee Palace

Today you will embark on a journey towards the enchanting Bavarian lake, Chiemsee via the quaint and beautiful town of Reith in Winkl. We will take a boat trip on the lake, taking in fairy-tale-like scenes and enjoying the view from this vast expanse of water, known as the Bavarian Sea.
In addition to its stunning natural beauty, the lake is home to two islands, Herrenisel and Fraueninsel. We will dock at Herrensiel to explore Herrenchiemsee Palace, known as "little Versailles” and for good reason. In 1873, King Ludwig II of Bavaria acquired the Herreninsel as the location for his Royal Palace and had it modelled on Versailles. The palace was built as a "Temple of Fame" for King Louis XIV of France, whom the Bavarian monarch fervently admired.
We will take a guided tour of the castle which looks like something straight from a fairytale. The highlights of the large state rooms are the State Staircase, the State Bedroom and the Great Hall of Mirrors. The king's own rooms were in the intimate Small Apartment, designed in the French rococo style.
After this wonderful tour, you will have some free time to enjoy a visit to the beergardens at the port of Prien or on the island itself, perhaps tuck into a hearty Bavarian lunch.

Day4At your leisure

Today, St.Johann is your oyster! Why not take the short stroll from your hotel to the cable car and make your way up the stunning mountain to visit one of the many mountain restaurants. Or if you'd prefer to take it easy, take in the town's atmosphere and the great food, drink and hospitality that is on offer.

Day5Hidden Treasures

This excursion brings you through the northern Limestone range of the Alps into the main valley of Tirol and to the second largest city in the province, Kufstein. Here, you will have a look at the impressive Kufstein fortress, which houses the ‘Heroes’ Organ’, the largest free-standing organ in the world. You will have the opportunity to take a pleasent stroll through the old town centre here.

Your next visit is to a small mountain village called Thieresse, where for more than 200 years, every 6 years, the residents of the village perform a Passion Play and a picturesque little lake offers a scenic landscape.

Back in the valley of the river Inn, we will visit the smallest town in Austria with a population of just 450 people, Rattenberg. Famous for its ancient craft of glass art, Rattenberg is where famous glass artists such as Swarovski and Riedel started their businesses. Guests can have a wander through this quaint, historic town and even see a crystal glass blower in action.

You will be transferred from here back to your hotel in time for your evening meal.

Day6Salzburg

After breakfast, you will be picked up by coach to the enchanting city of Salzburg, home of world famous composer Mozart and, of course, the Von Trapp family in The Sound of Music.

You will start off passing Leopoldskron Castle, where the Von Trapp family lived in the film, before heading to the centre of the city. There are various locations dotted throughout the city that feature in the movie and also in the centre of the city is Mozart’s birth house. Guests will have free time to spend as they wish in this wonderful city. Enjoy a wander at your own pace or perhaps take a guided city tour of the area with a local guide, which costs around €10 per person.

After your free time, you will meet your Topflight guide once more and board the bus to travel to the beautiful St. Gilgen, another of The Sound of Music’s iconic locations. This stunningly scenic area is instantly recognisable from the opening scenes of the movie, with its lush green hills, overlooking the town’s onion-domed church spire and the blue waters of Wolfgangsee. You will then visit Mondsee Basilica, where Maria was married.

Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your base in time for your evening meal.

Day7At your leisure

You have another day to enjoy the surrounds of St. Johann at your own pace. Topflight recommends taking a trip to the Panorama Badewelt, a superb leisure center, which lies less than a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Here, you'll find a large, indoor pool, a fantastic outdoor pool, and a spa area, which features saunas, steam baths, and massage treatments. There is also a beautiful solarium, boasting splendid surrounding views, should you wish to catch a few Austrian rays.

Day8Return home

Transfer to Munich airport for your return flight home.