Southern Austrian Steam Safari

Discover the natural splendour, rich cultural heritage and spectacular steam railways of southern Austria on this glorious autumn holiday, packed with vibrant colours and unique attractions.

• Explore scenic main lines, panoramic bylines and dramatic narrow gauge rural routes on privately chartered trains hauled by historic steam locomotives and vintage 1930s electrics, all framed by majestic mountains.
• Relax on a wonderful private cruise aboard the famous Wörthersee. You’ll reach new heights at the Mölltal Glacier, arriving via one of the world’s longest funiculars to discover a magical world of snow and ice.
• Enjoy the delightful ‘Little Trains’ of Austria with steam at the rural Taurachbahn.
• Travel First Class on locomotive-hauled OBB trains across the legendary Tauern and Semmering transalpine railways.
• You’ll be conveniently based in the charming city of Villach throughout your adventure, enjoying a relaxed experience with plenty of comfort and convenience.
  

Sunday 26th October
Fly to Vienna, travel by train over the Semmering Railway to Villach
Your morning flight from London lands at Vienna around mid-day. From Wien Flughafen you’ll board a locomotive-hauled OBB RailJet train for the spectacular southbound journey on the world famous Semmering railway southbound to the charming town of Villach in Carinthia. Along the way of this UNESCO World Heritage route you’ll see imposing hilltop castles and traverse impressive viaducts, arriving in Villach late afternoon to check into your centrally-located quality hotel for a welcome dinner. (D)

Monday 27th October
Main line and narrow gauge steam in Carinthia
After breakfast Austrian main line and branch line steam awaits you on two private charter trains. First you’ll travel eastwards with the vintage 1927 2-8-2 tank engine 93.1332, making your way along the delightful shores of Lake Wörthersee from Villach to Klagenfurt, before continuing further south to Weizelsdorf and pausing for photos en route. At Weizelsdorf you’ll change onto a classic steam tramway for the continued journey over the mountainous branch line to Ferlach, which is only used by heritage trains. The green tramway locomotive Adele, dating back to 1888, will stage a few run-pasts with the magnificent Carinthian Alps in the background. On arrival at Ferlach there’s time for lunch at a typical Austrian Inn before continuing on the electric tramway along the short line to Ferlach’s fascinating Historama transport museum. In the afternoon you’ll retrace the trip on the steam tramway from Ferlach to Weizelsdorf before being hauled by the historic electric locomotive 1245.05 back to Villach with glorious lake views.  Back at your hotel for the evening, there’s another fine dinner to enjoy. (B L )

Tuesday 28th October
Traversing the mountain railways of Carinthia with the vintage electric 1245.05
Today you board another private charter train, this time exploring Austria’s serene mountain railways on OBB’s national network. You’ll delve deeper into beautiful Carinthia, hauled by 1245.05 westwards to Arnoldstein, on the border with Italy. There you have lunch at another delightful inn, before continuing to Rosenbach on the border with Slovenia. Travelling via the rare avoiding curves at Finkenstein and passing through the circular Villach freight yard, you eventually return to Villach. The locomotive and train will stop for souvenir photos at stations along the way. Once back in Villach, you may spend the evening at leisure. (B L)

Wednesday 29th October
Vintage Streamliner along Lake Ossiach and to the Castles of Friesach
This morning you’ll experience another icon of Austrian railway travel, this time the vintage 1936 streamlined railcar 4042.01 with its attractive dark blue and ivory livery.
This veritable time machine from the early 20th century whisks you along the pretty secondary line from Villach along the banks of Lake Ossiach and through Sankt Veit to the historic Carinthian castle city of Friesach, just north of Klagenfurt.
The beautifully-preserved medieval centre, walled ramparts and countless classic churches make Friesach a little gem, one of Austria’s best kept secrets and a world away from the tourist crowds. After lunch in town you’ll return to Villach via 4042.01 to St. Veit then OBB loco-hauled train. The evening is yours to spend as you wish, with a host of good restaurants and inns to choose from. (B L)

Thursday 30th October
Travel the Lend Canal Tramway for a classic cruise on the Wörthersee
After breakfast you’ll take the OBB train to Klagenfurt, where a short transfer aboard a vintage 1940s bus takes you to the Lend Canal Tramway. There you’ll enjoy a delightful ride in heritage trams before taking a private cruise on the sparkling Wörthersee, one of Austria’s best-loved Alpine lakes. Your vessels for the day are the beautiful ships Loretto and Lorelei, elegant and stylish craft built in the 1920s. The views of the vivid autumn forests and their colourful foliage, all set against a backdrop of towering snow-topped pinnacles, are breathtaking. Afterwards you return to the historic centre of Klagenfurt to explore at leisure before returning by train to Villach. In the evening there’s another excellent dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Friday 31st October
Magnificent mountains and a spectacular funicular at the Mölltal Glacier
Having enjoyed awe-inspiring views of the mountains from down in the valleys, today you’ll ascend to the top, taken to dizzying heights to explore Austria’s higher elevations at the spectacular Mölltal Glacier, a place so snowy there’s year-round skiing. After a sensational thirty minute train ride to Spittal, a road coach transfers you to the Glacier funicular base station to board the aptly-named Mölltal Gletscher Express, the Glacier Express. This impressive feat of funicular engineering takes you to the summit station at 2235m above sea level, with immersive views of countless small mountain lakes and many of Austria’s highest peaks. This magical world of snow, ice and rock is similar to the Jungfrau in Switzerland but far less busy, perfect for soaking up the pristine air and incredible scenery in peace. In the afternoon you’ll retrace the journey by funicular, coach and train to Villach, where another flavoursome dinner at the hotel awaits you. (B D)

Saturday 1st November
A day in Slovenia, including Ljubljana Railway Museum and Castle Funicular
Today you explore the neighbouring country of Slovenia, taking a direct loco-hauled train from Villach to Slovenia’s vibrant capital city Ljubljana. There you visit the noteworthy railway museum in the old roundhouse, where the oldest engines date from the 1860s and typically one narrow gauge locomotive is also in steam for travel up and down the local yard. You continue to the city centre for a ride on the panoramic castle funicular and ascend to the castlemount for grand views of the city below. After some free time to wonder along the river and over the famed Dragon Bridge, you return by train to Villach for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Sunday 2nd November
The scenic Tauern Railway to Salzburg and your flight to London
The time has come to say ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Villach and southern Austria, but one more railway highlight awaits you, this time the trip on the panoramic journey to Salzburg. You’ll travel First Class on an OBB Intercity train over the transalpine Tauern Railway, withs its tall viaducts and sweeping views of grand peaks and mighty castles. From Salzburg Hbf there will be a quick and easy transfer to Salzburg airport for your flight back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour Price £2295

Single supplement £145

Ground only £2195

(Villach – Villach)

Please note that ground only does not include rail or flight services from the UK and Return or any transfers to or from your hotel(s) on the first and last day of your holiday. You will be responsible for arranging these yourself.