Start the day by travelling through the famous Salzkammergut (Lake District) to Hallstatt known as the "Pearl of the Salzkammergut" passing many local villages on route which introduce you to the local area.

On arrival in Hallstatt it is hard to know where to start, perhaps with a mountain train ride up to the entrance of the World's Oldest Saltmines (entry to the mine is optional), from here a great view down onto Hallstatt, giving you both - a magnificent view and helping you understand how Hallstatt started life.

Take a leisurely lakeside walk seeing how the houses above you cling onto the moutainside, pass by the Mullbach waterfall which allowed Hallstatt somewhere to grow. A boat trip around the lake also provides an interesting view of this other "must see" places like the Bone House behind the Catholic Church, providing an interesting view into local family life.

We then travel back along the Traun valley, following the ancient trading route until we arrive in the spa town of Bad Ischl. This town is steeped in history, it was the summer residence of the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth (Sisi) who spent many happy summers in this region. Bad Ischl was also the home of Franz Lehar and his home is now a museum dedicated to his life.

Spend a relaxing moment or two walking around in the town center, passing the Spa Center, Glockenspiel, Lehar Theatre, local museum or perhaps enjoying one of the famous coffee houses, for example Café Zauner. On the return journey we travel back through the lake area on route to Salzburg.