Austria’s peaks of perfection
NICK DALTON looks at summer mountain holidays with a difference
THE Austrian Alps are a summer delight, green pastures sweeping between snow-capped peaks and picturesque villages with onion-domed churches. Wintertime ski-lifts now transport visitors to the heights for walks and wonderful food in traditional mountain restaurants, while there are lakeside strolls and gentle cycle rides below.
There are so many exceptional places to visit: Salzburg with its hilltop fortress and Sound of Music settings, Krimml waterfalls, Austria’s tallest, plunging 1,250ft, and fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, perched on a rugged hill.
The cuisine is superb, from wiener schnitzel (tender slices of veal or pork fried in breadcrumbs) to sachertorte (the rich chocolate and apricot cake) and perennial favourite apple strudel (apples and sultanas in flaky pastry, almost certainly with vanilla custard).
And just like the food, every place is different... KITZBÜHEL Kitz is glitzy, the poshest mountain town in Austria, full of smart shops and restaurants, with a medieval backdrop of frescoed buildings and the Gothic Church of St Catherine rising over all.
Walk alongside the dappled waters of Schwarzsee or explore mountain paths on 6,500ft Kitzbüheler Horn – and enjoy the evenings under twinkling lights in the cobbled streets listening to music and deciding where to eat. ST JOHANN Just along the road from Kitzbühel (or 10 minutes by train) yet it couldn’t be more different. This is a real town filled with local people.
Visit the Huber Bräu Brewery and sip a beer in the Turmstüberl tower bar and restaurant with its fabulous views. There are 125 miles of walking paths – from a gentle stroll to a day’s hike – between the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and Kitzbüheler Horn. A great introduction to Austria. ZELL AM SEE An elegant town surrounded by peaks yet sitting on the banks of a breathtaking lake.
Relax with coffee and cake in a waterfront café – or get out there with boat rides, sailing and even swimming from one of the little beaches. The Hohe Tauern Mountains offer great exploring – take the Porsche-designed gondola up the 6,500ft Schmittenhöhe for a stirring walk down with everchanging lake views. MAYRHOFEN A lively town packed with cafes and shops in the Ziller Valley (explore on the red narrow gauge train, sometimes steam-pulled).
Everything’s close by, with the big Sporthotel Strass (with gardens, indoor pool and twin spas – one for adults, one for families), next to the Penken lift to the high pastures. Or climb the path at the end of town, passing the tiny Pignellen church and return along the river. A free bus heads to the Hintertux glacier for the coolest of walks. SEEFELD A relaxed town surrounded by mountains in a landscape dotted with clear blue lakes.
Take the funicular or cable cars up for views and a coffee. Wander down or take one of the many hiking paths before riding down.
Swim (or paddle) in Wildsee or take a themed walk – culture and nature brought to life. Innsbruck (visit the dizzying hilltop skijump tower) is only 35 minutes by train. INFORMATION: Lakes & Mountains with TUI (020 3636 1618/tui.co.uk) offers holidays from £583pp (two sharing) for seven nights, halfboard, at Hotel Edelweiss, Kitzbühel, departing September 9, including flights from Manchester.