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  Adventure Travel > Railway & Train Tours > Society of International Railway Travelers > Tours > Austrian Steam Safari

THE SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY TRAVELERS

Louisville, Kentucky
United States
www.irtsociety.com
The Society of International Railway Travelers - Worldwide Train Tour. International Train Vacation
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Austrian Steam Safari

Join IRT on a wonderful 11-day tour of Austria’s modern transport system and narrow-gauge railways (Zillertalbahn, Ybbstalbahn and Mariazellerbahn). Spend three nights in Innsbruck and two nights in Vienna, one of the world’s most romantic cities. In addition to in-depth exploration of the country’s railways, you’ll take two scenic cruises on delightful Austrian lakes.

Tour Details

Duration 11 Days
Location Austria
Season August
Tour Type Guided Tour
Nearest City London
Physical Condition Required Fair
Destination(s)  Austria
 England, United Kingdom
 Germany
Tour Highlights
  • Steam-hauled train on the Achenseebahn, a rack railway utilizing locomotives and carriages over 100 years old.
  • Narrow-gauge steam charter on the Mariazellerbahn, hauled by MH6, with lunch on board in the restaurant car.
  • Special steam-hauled train up the remarkable Schafbergbahn rack railway to the summit of the Schafberg for breathtaking mountain views.
  • Crossing over high trestle viaduct on Ybbstalbahn with steam.
  • Vintage steam-hauled narrow-gauge train of the Zillertalbahn on the Mayrhofen line in the beautiful Ziller Valley.
  • Strasshof Railway Museum, with its magnificent collection of steam locomotives.
  • Lake cruises in Achensee and St. Wolfgang.
  • High-speed trips on Eurostar and ICE trains.
  • Rates Visit www.irtsociety.com for rates
    Additional Rate Info Double £1,695
    Single £1,940

    Website www.irtsociety.com

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    Tour Itinerary

    Day 1: London to Cologne
    Depart London on the Eurostar in a first-class carriage and enjoy lunch served with chilled champagne. At Brussels, change trains for Cologne, where you have dinner and overnight at the Hotel Sofitel. There should be time to visit the River Rhine and Cologne’s famous cathedral next to the station. (L,D)

    Day 2: Cologne to Innsbruck
    Travel by train from Cologne across southern Germany and the River Rhine, past vineyards and castles perched on hillsides. Continue through Bavaria’s mountainous terrain to Munich, then cross the border into Austria and on to Innsbruck. On arrival, transfer to the Hotel Europa Tyrol, one of the best hotels in town, where you’ll stay for three nights. The hotel is conveniently located next to the station. (B,D)

    Day 3: Achenseebahn and Lake Cruise
    Hop a quick train to Jenbach where you join a steam-hauled train on the Achenseebahn, a rack railway. The locomotives and carriages on this railway are over 100 years old and maintained in near-perfect condition, recreating the nostalgia of a bygone era. The four-mile (7km) journey takes 45 minutes, climbing through stunning alpine scenery to Achensee Lake, where you enjoy a cruise. For those who want a more active day, there’s an opportunity to walk around this beautiful lake and return by a later train. Return to Innsbruck. (B,D)

    Day 4: Innsbruck and the Zillertalbahn
    The morning is free to explore Innsbruck, the 800-year-old capital city of the Tyrol. Scenically squeezed between two impressive mountain chains, it is the cultural center of Austria. This afternoon, return to Jenbach and pick up a vintage steam-hauled, narrow-gauge train of the Zillertalbahn on the Mayrhofen line in the beautiful Ziller Valley. Return to Innsbruck. (B,D)

    Day 5: Lake Wolfgang and the Schafbergbahn
    Board a morning train from Innsbruck to Bischofshofen; from here, transfer by coach to the town of St. Wolfgang for a paddle-steamer cruise on the Wolfgangsee. After a break for exploration and lunch at your leisure, take a special steam-hauled train up the remarkable Schafbergbahn rack railway to the summit at Schafberg for breathtaking mountain views. After returning to St. Wolfgang, travel by coach to Steyr and check into the Romantik Hotel, on the bank of the River Steyr. (B,D)

    Day 6: Steyrtalbahn and Ybbstalbahn
    Transfer to Steyr station to join a special steam charter on the narrow-gauge Steyrtalbahn to Grünburg and back; a delightful little railway. Afterwards, take a break in Steyr either to find a restaurant for lunch or have a snack. Continue the journey further east arriving early afternoon at the delightful narrow-gauge Ybbstalbahn. The group has its own private steam charter to take you from Kienberg-Gaming to Lunz am See, a spectacular line famous for its high trestle viaduct. Dinner and overnight accommodations are at a hotel in St. Pölten. (B,D)

    Day 7: Steam Charter on the Mariazellerbahn
    After breakfast, join a special narrow-gauge steam charter on the Mariazellerbahn to Mariazell. The steam special, hauled by MH6, includes a bar and restaurant car, where you’ll be served a tasty lunch. You will have around two hours to explore Mariazell town. In St. Pölten, change onto an intercity train to Vienna, where you’ll stop for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D)

    Day 8: Strasshof Museum or Free Day in Vienna
    After breakfast, you can choose to visit the Strasshof Railway Museum’s magnificent collection of steam locomotives. The rest of the day is left free for you to enjoy Vienna, perhaps take a ride on its extensive tram system, sample the suburban railway (designed by architect Otto Wagner) or admire the city’s imposing architecture. (B)

    Day 9: Steam Train from Gmünd to Gross Gerungs
    Take a train to Gmünd on the Czech border in a first-class vintage coach attached especially for the group. After a visit to the town, the group has their own chartered narrow-gauge steam train to take you to Gross Gerungs and back. Alternatively, you may wish to spend a leisurely day in Vienna, perhaps exploring the fascinating visitor center of the Spanish Riding School or touring the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace. (B,D)

    Day 10: Train to Würzburg
    This morning is at your leisure to explore Vienna. Depart this afternoon on the ‘Johann Strauss,’ a EuroCity train to Würzburg. Stay the night at the Hotel Maritim in Würzburg. (B,D)

    Day 11: Würzburg to London by Train
    After breakfast, board the 9:30am ICE high-speed train to Cologne and on to Brussels, where you join the 5:00pm Eurostar. Dinner will be served before arrival at London St. Pancras at 7:00pm. (B,D)


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