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Slow Lane Magazine, May 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • favourite (but oft-forgotten) festivals
  • Nepal's secret valley
  • boutique beauty in Drôme Provençale
  • carving out a future in southern Italy
  • Inntravellers' Tales – our new writing competition
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Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee

The mountain-framed lakes of Salzkammergut
 
Cycle self-guided along rewarding routes through impressive scenery while your luggage is transported to the next hotel offering traditional Austrian hospitality. Explore Austria’s most famous lakes – including Wolfgangsee and Hallstättersee – and swim in their crystal-clear waters.
Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee. 9 nights
Salzburg's Lake District & Traunsee. 9 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in Salzkammergut

The spellbinding Austrian Lake District is perfect for exploration on two wheels. Located just to the east of Salzburg, the majestic mountain scenery is reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the many lakes, and the views from the shores as you cycle are sublime.
This wonderful yet reasonably gentle route is an extension of our classic Salzburg's Lake District cycling holiday, with the addition of lesser-known, but nevertheless dramatic, Traunsee.
It features charming, traditional hotels in picturesque towns and villages, and reveals dramatic Alpine scenery, leading past several of Austria’s most spectacular lakes ('Seen' in German) and finishing with a visit to UNESCO-protected Hallstatt, the jewel of the region.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 2 4 8 13 18 21 23 22 19 14 7 2
    mm 74 71 78 97 126 167 176 157 99 79 84 88
  • Arrival in Abersee
    Night 1: at Seehotel Huber (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Choice of routes from Abersee: 23km or 36km

    Circular route via Bad Ischl: 36km
    After your bikes have been delivered to you, your day starts with a short boat journey (included) across the narrows of Wolfgangsee. It’s then time to hop on your bikes and make your way along the lake’s northern shore and then through a wide, scenic valley to the elegant spa town of Bad Ischl, former summer residence of Emperor Franz Josef. Take time to explore – the stately Kaiservilla and its immaculate gardens are well worth a visit – and perhaps have lunch in the town, before the leisurely ride back to Abersee, the latter part of which is alongside the lake.

    Circular route around Abersee: 23km
    If you would prefer a shorter day, you needn’t cycle as far as Bad Ischl, and thus avoid the short ascents on the approach to and out of the town. This would give you time to experience the world’s steepest steam cog railway with a ride up and down the Schafberg Mountain (pay locally) for views over all seven of Salzkammergut’s lakes.
    Circular route around Abersee
  • Abersee to Mondsee: 23km
    Your day begins with a lakeside cycle to the beautiful village of St Gilgen, where you may wish to linger over a coffee in one of the many delightful cafés. The town has a number of fascinating museums, including one dedicated to Mozart in the house where his mother, Anna Pertl, lived. After leaving St Gilgen, you rise gently over the shoulder of rolling foothills and are then rewarded with a long, gentle descent into Mondsee, with wonderful views of the lake of the same name and the surrounding slopes. Your base for two nights is either the Hotel Krone or Hotel Leitnerbrau.
  • Circular route from Mondsee: 27km; longer option 32km
    Standing at the head of the lake beneath the towering cliffs of the Drachenwand, Mondsee is a delightful place to linger in, famed for providing the setting of the wedding in the 'Sound of Music', which was filmed in the basilica. If you have time after visiting the town’s impressive cathedral and museums, you could follow our gentle cycling route which circumnavigates peaceful Irrsee, often overlooked by visitors. From here, we offer a short extension to the village of Oberhofen, where you can enjoy a relaxed lunch. When you're ready to return to Mondsee, there are two routes to choose from – cycle via Leidingerhof for some really wonderful scenery; or Haidermühle for a gentler ride.
  • Mondsee to Seefeld: 27km
    Admire the dramatic scenery on a superb lakeside route along the shores of Mondsee. The landscape becomes even more breathtaking as you round the southern tip of Attersee, the largest lake in the area. Your destination is the Hotel Föttinger in the village of Seefeld, where Gustav Mahler spent summers composing some of his great symphonies in the small cabin (open by appointment) built on the shores of the lake. So inviting is the water that you should leave yourselves time in the afternoon for a dip.
  • Seefeld to Traunkirchen: 39km
    Today begins with a pleasant ride back along the side of the lake to Weissenbach and then over the saddle to reach the dramatic Traun Valley. Here, you follow the rushing, crystal-clear River Traun east between steep mountainsides to reach the southernmost tip of the lake. Your destination is the tranquil lakeside village of Traunkirchen, which is dominated by the white Johanneskapelle standing atop a small rocky headland above the lake. Here, you stay two nights at the Hotel Post, which offers wonderful views across the lake to the uninhabited far shore. Again, it's a great place for a refreshing swim.
  • Circular route from Traunkirchen: 20km
    You may wish to spend the day exploring your immediate surroundings, but our recommended cycling route is a real highlight. You begin by heading north through a string of small villages, with the soaring peak of notoriously-difficult-to-climb Traunstein (1,691 metres) looming on the far side of the lake. The sight of Schloss Ort, a castle on a tiny island linked to the shore by a wooden bridge, signals your imminent arrival in the spa town of Gmunden, whose elegant villa-style buildings line the shore. The town is also known for its ceramics, and it is worth tarrying here for a while – maybe for lunch – before continuing around the northern end of the lake and along the less-travelled eastern side to reach the small ferry dock. Here, you catch a boat (tickets included) for the short hop across this sublime lake, enjoying mountain views as you return to Traunkirchen.
  • Traunkirchen to St Agatha: 36km
    Today, you follow the lake south and retrace your tracks along a pleasant wooded route and the path of the old brine pipeline to reach Bad Ischl. Once over the ridge, it's an easy descent into St Agatha at the northern end of Hallstättersee. In early summer, the woods and meadows are carpeted with a colourful array of wild flowers, making the cycling here a real delight, while the higher, cooler pastures, too, are ablaze with the blues, purples and yellows of many alpine flowers. On your way, you pass through Bad Goisern, a spa town on the River Traun famous for its sulphur and brine spa and hand-made mountain boots. Your destination is the Agathawirt in St Agatha, where you spend your last two nights.
    Near Bad Goisern on the route from Traunkirchen to St Agatha
  • Circular route from St Agatha: 15km
    The highlight of your final route is a visit to the picturesque village of Hallstatt, the jewel of the region. The village and lake of the same name form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cycle path along the east shore enables you to appreciate fully the beauty of this spectacular region. En route you may wish to break your cycle ride with a visit to the ice caves in Obertraun, or a lazy picnic on the lake's shores, before continuing round the lake to Hallstatt. Here, there are museums to visit, an ancient church, and a funicular railway that will take you up to the salt mine above the town. When you're ready, you return to St Agatha by boat (pay locally), a chance to reflect one last time on the stunning scenery of Austria’s Lake District.

    Flower festival

    Travel in May, and you can visit the colourful Narcissus Festival in Bad Aussee near St Agatha. Take the train or bus from St Agatha, then cycle to see the spectacular flower-bedecked floats as they parade on land – and on the lake!

    On the route from St Agatha to Hallstatt
 

Accommodation

You stay in comfortable, well located three and four-star hotels.

Please note: most beds in Austrian hotels are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. We refer to these as 'Austrian Twins' and they are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.

Occasionally, due to availability, we may offer you an alternative hotel to our included accommodation. You will be informed of any change to the usual hotel (along with any price implication) prior to us confirming your holiday to you.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
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  • 9 nights: 14 May - 30 September 2019

    Start any day except Sunday or Monday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    14 May - 14 June £1145 £195
    16 - 25 June £1185 £195
    26 June - 4 July £1225 £220
    5 - 11 July £1245 £220
    12 July - 16 August £1275 £220
    17 - 27 August £1245 £220
    28 - 31 August £1225 £220
    1 - 5 September £1185 £195
    6 - 22 September £1145 £195
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £80 per person

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £8pp per day.
    Seehotel Huber (with dinner) Double room Single room
    04 May - 04 Jul 2019 £100 £125
    05 Jul - 05 Sep 2019 £116 £141
    06 Sep - 06 Oct 2019 £100 £125
    Agathawirt (with dinner) Double room Single room
    04 May - 30 Jun 2019 £85 £95
    01 Jul - 17 Jul 2019 £90 £100
    18 Jul - 21 Aug 2019 £96 £106
    22 Aug - 11 Sep 2019 £90 £100
    12 Sep - 06 Oct 2019 £85 £95
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Salzburg, Munich

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Salzburg easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Munich Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Salzburg Charter (contact us),  Eurowings,  jet2 
    Birmingham - Salzburg (via Düsseldorf) Eurowings 
    Birmingham - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Cardiff - Munich Flybe 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Munich easyJet,  Eurowings,  Lufthansa 
    Edinburgh - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Edinburgh - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Munich Lufthansa 
    Glasgow - Salzburg (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Glasgow - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Munich British Airways 
    London City - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Munich easyJet 
    Gatwick - Salzburg British Airways,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Munich British Airways,  Lufthansa 
    Heathrow - Salzburg Eurowings 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Munich easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Munich easyJet 
    Stansted - Salzburg Eurowings,  jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Munich easyJet,  Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Salzburg Charter (contact us),  TUI 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Düsseldorf) Eurowings 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Salzburg (via Hamburg) Eurowings 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Munich (via Düsseldorf) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Munich Flybe 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £30 per person for our flight booking service (£50 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Munich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Munich airport to Bad Ischl (4h30), taxi Bad Ischl to hotel (0h20) £104 1300
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Steeg-Gosau (0h05) rail Steeg-Gosau to Munich airport (5h) £92 1530

    Connecting travel options - flying via Salzburg

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Salzburg HB to Bad Ischl (1h55), taxi Bad Ischl to hotel (0h20) £54 1500
    bus Salzburg HB to St Gilgen-Abersee bus stop (1h10), hotel transfer from bus stop (0h05) £19 1800
    direct taxi Salzburg Airport to hotel (1h) £66 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Steeg-Gosau (0h05), rail Steeg-Gosau to Salzburg HB (2h30) £42 1400
    direct taxi hotel to Salzburg airport (1h) £69 flexible
What is included
  • 9 nights
  • 6 dinners,
    9 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • high-quality bicycle
  • 2 ferry journeys (Days 1 & 6)
 
Reviews

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FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help.
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a city trekking bike with 21 gears; waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes.)
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.
  • You do need to make sure you’re covered, because it’s you who is responsible for any damage to or loss of the bike during the holiday. You should always lock it (preferably to an immovable object) and remove any easy-to-steal accessories when leaving it unattended. The travel insurance policy that we offer covers you for loss and damage (provided you’ve locked or stored it appropriately). If you are arranging your own insurance, but it doesn’t cover bikes, we can provide bike-only cover for £19 per person. More details >
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 per person. More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact Abi to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Austria, but not a visa (if you are travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • (Austrian) German is the most commonly spoken language. The currency is the Euro. Austrian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 7/17/2019 11:45:04 PM