All of the main international air entry points - Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck and Graz - are a travel planner's dream since they are small, easy to get around and get out of with short transfers from each city. All four, but particularly Salzburg and Vienna, also offer a very appealing city short break, with historical reference to the Hapsburg monarchy, beautiful palaces, gardens and castles and famous composers - Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, who made his home there. Salzburg, of course, offers a more recent musical phenomenon as the backdrop to the film of 'The Sound of Music'.

Salzburg and Innsbruck are the main gateways to the wonderful alpine region, whilst Vienna (or Graz) is an excellent starting point for explorations into the scenic Wachau region and river cruising or cycling alongside the Danube. For a close-up sightseeing tour, we might suggest combining a short stay in one of the cities with a four or five night stay at a family owned Gasthof from where excursions can be made to see the main sights. Location and facilities are particularly important here since it's all too easy to spend a long time travelling in the coach, particularly in the busy summer months.

Our favourite alpine regions are those of the Salzgammergut (Lake District), Hohe Tauern National Park and the Tirol. These areas have so many possibilities for summer itineraries it's hard to go wrong! In the Salzgammergut the pretty villages of St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang line the shores of the beautiful Wolfgangsee Lake and a funicular ride to the top of Mount Schafberg offers stupendous views. The imperial spa town of Bad Ischl is the site of the Kaiserville, summertime home of the Emperor Archduke Ferdinand and Hallstatt must be one of the most photographed towns in Europe with its picture postcard setting alongside Lake Hallstatt. Lazy days enjoying 'coffee and kuchen' to the strains of a Mozart concerto at Cafe Zauner can be interchanged with energetic hikes and soft pedalling through the glorious countryside. The Hohe Tauern Valley features the natural highlights of Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, its cleanest lake, Zell Am See and highest waterfalls, the Krimml Falls - all can be reached by coach, car, on foot or bicycle. And the Tirol is a particularly popular region for hiking and skiing with excellent base hotels in Mayrhofen and Kitzbuhel.

Austria really is an 'outdoor paradise' and over the years we like to think we've passed on our enthusiasm for its delights to the many varied groups that have travelled with us. We look forward to hosting your next holiday itinerary.