Zell am See by First Class rail

The picturesque lakeside town of Zell am See is located in central Austria on the western shores of the Lake Zell, close to the Hohe Tauern National Park and magnificent Grossglockner mountain region.  Zurich is a charming city based around the lake of the same name, with an array of modern and traditional architecture. This 7 night / 8 day holiday by First Class rail also includes a stay in the beautiful German city of Munich.

Prices are from £1,250 per person based on a departure in October. Departures in June are from £1,395 per person, whilst peak season (July, August and the ski season) is from £1,550 per person.  (Please note all prices are based on two people travelling together).

Day 1 – London to Munich

Your holiday starts in the heart of London at the beautifully restored London St. Pancras International station. Be sure to admire the fantastic architectural features of this “Cathedral of Steam” before you board the Eurostar service to Brussels. Then sit back, relax and watch the countryside swish past as you travel to the Belgian capital at up to 186mph. Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class (Eurostar’s First Class for leisure travellers). On arrival in Brussels you change train and continue eastwards into Germany, ultimately reaching Munich, the Bavarian capital.
On arrival in this attractive city head for your overnight hotel, the comfortable Eurostars Book Hotel (4 star), ideally located close to the station.

Day 2 – Munich to Zell am See 

If you are up early this morning, then take a whistle-stop tour of Munich. This affluent Bavarian city is famous for its beer festival and vehicle manufacturing, and many of the major landmarks, museums and art galleries are close to your hotel. In the early afternoon you return to the station and travel southwards across the Austrian border to Wörgl. Here you connect with the regional service through scenic Austria to the charming lakeside town of Zell am See. On arrival make your own way to your hotel for the next five nights, the highly-rated Tirolerhof Hotel (4 star).

Day 3-6 – Exploring Zell am See and the surrounding area

Located beneath the Hohe Tauern National Park, on the shores of Lake Zell, this picture-postcard town offers a peaceful retreat amid stunning scenery. You might like to start by exploring the historic town centre, with its cobble lined streets filled with friendly cafes, bars and shops and the St. Hippolyte’s church, one of the oldest buildings from the Pinzgau region. For spectacular views of the surrounding region take a hike to the Schmittenhöhe and Maiskogel peaks – which are easily accessible by foot or cable car. Alternatively you could simply spend a day taking a stroll along the shores of Lake Zell, watching the world go by.

Day 7 – Zell am See to Zurich

Following a relaxed start to the day, make your way back to the station in the early afternoon. Here you bid farewell to Zell am See as you join the comfortable Euro City service to the cosmopolitan Swiss city of Zurich.  It is a short walk  to your hotel for the night, the comfortable and highly-rated Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

Day 8 – Zurich to London – homeward bound

After breakfast why not make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich? Most of the city’s sights lie within the compact area on either side of the River Limmat, between the main station (Hauptbahnhof) or Lake Zurich. The churches and burgher houses of the Old Town are clustered here, as are the elegant shops along Bahnhofstrasse. The baroque Rathaus (Town Hall), Zurich’s most impressive churches – the Grossmünster, Fraumünster – and the city’s oldest, St Peterskirche (its clock face is the largest in Europe), all lie within a short distance of the River Limmat, near the point where it opens onto the lake.

Then make your way back to the station. Here you board the TGV to whisk you back to Paris. Sit back as you watch the rolling hills flash past or reminisce on the wonders of the past few days. On arrival at Paris Gare de Lyon, you are transferred by private taxi to the Gare du Nord, where you connect with the Eurostar service back to London. Let the train take the strain as you stretch out and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service. At 186mph the landscape is a blur at times, though memories abide as you return to London St Pancras International ahead of the final leg of your journey home.