3–11 October 2027 | Eight nights | Just five guests

Join me for an autumn escape that begins in Vienna and takes us into the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut. Think coffee and cake in an imperial café, crisp mountain air, a long lunch at an Almhütte and a whole week to make yourself at home in Bad Ischl.

Austria is part of my family story, and this journey brings together places I return to with pleasure. I’ve chosen autumn so we can enjoy the changing colours, cooler walking days and the quieter rhythm that follows summer.

We’ll meet at the Royal Hotel in Vienna on 3 October, settling in before our rooftop welcome drink and dinner together. The following morning, we’ll travel to Bad Ischl, where we’ll spend seven nights at Heritage Boutique Apartments. With one base for the week, there’s time to unpack, get your bearings and find a favourite spot beside the river.

One morning, we’ll take the Katrin cable car into the mountains for a walk with views across the surrounding lakes, followed by lunch at the Almhütte. This is where I’d order Kaiserschmarrn — warm, fluffy pieces of pancake that somehow taste even better after a walk.

We’ll visit Hallstatt early, wandering its lakeside lanes before the busiest part of the day, then continue to Gosausee for a walk beneath the Dachstein. It’s one of my favourite places in Austria. There are stretches where you just want to stop and look at the mountains reflected in the water.

There’s a day in Salzburg, too, for Mirabell Gardens, the old town and a leisurely lunch. Back in Bad Ischl, you’ll have time to explore its imperial history, visit the Kaiservilla or settle into Café Zauner over something delicious.

A free day and a flexible day give us room to follow the weather, revisit somewhere we’ve enjoyed or simply rest.

Mindfulness is woven gently into our time together. You might find it in a quiet lakeside walk, a few moments taking in a view or the pleasure of sitting down to a meal without rushing. There’s space for good conversation and laughter, alongside time to yourself.

With just five guests, I’ll be alongside you throughout, taking care of the arrangements so you can enjoy being here. The journey includes our transfer from Vienna to Bad Ischl, private van transport for Hallstatt and Gosausee, and return train travel for our Salzburg day trip, along with the accommodation, meals and activities listed below.

Our retreat finishes after breakfast in Bad Ischl on 11 October.

If you’d love to begin your Austrian adventure a little earlier, join me for the full 19-night journey, starting in Vienna on 22 September. Walk the Weinviertel Jakobsweg through wine country, celebrate at Schloss Dürnstein overlooking the Danube, then continue with me for this week among the lakes and mountains.

More information on the link here:

https://www.wetravel.com/trips/austria-s-camino-vienna-the-salzkammergut-lisa-staab-2547364247

✨ One night in Vienna’s historic centre — rooftop welcome drink, Gasthaus dinner, optional imperial café visit for dessert.
✨ Seven nights in Bad Ischl in private alpine apartments.
✨ Katrin gondola & hut lunch — alpine trails, rustic comfort food, schnapps with a view.
✨ Hallstatt — the “Pearl of Austria,” with its ancient salt-mining heritage.
✨ Gosausee lakeside walk beneath the Dachstein — crystal-clear waters and dramatic peaks.
✨ Salzburg — Mozart, baroque spires, cobblestone charm.
✨ Daily mindfulness practices woven gently throughout.
✨ Authentic Austrian food — both savoury and sweet.

The Salzkammergut invites us to slow down and truly immerse in its layered beauty — wandering along crystal streams that tumble down from the mountains, stepping into Bad Ischl’s imperial past with a visit to the Kaiser’s summer villa where Franz Joseph once strolled the gardens, and perhaps even indulging in a little tradition yourself by slipping into a locally made dirndl or lederhosen from one of the town’s heritage shops.

Days here are rich and varied: one moment we’re pausing by the river that winds through the valley, the next we’re setting out on the sweeping hike around Gosausee, one of my absolute favourite places in Austria, where the trail hugs the lake and rewards us with breathtaking views of the Dachstein glacier rising high above.

From this alpine base, we also reach out to explore further gems of the region — arriving in Hallstatt early in the morning to soak in its hushed, mirror-lake magic before the day-trippers arrive, and spending a day in Salzburg, where Mozart’s city comes alive with baroque spires, fortress views, and cobblestoned lanes. We’ll pause at iconic sites such as Mirabell Palace and gardens, and then rest our feet at one of Salzburg’s storied beer gardens — perhaps the Augustiner Bräustübl, a centuries-old monastery brewery, or Stiegl-Keller, with its sweeping terraces over the old town — the perfect places to raise a stein, linger over lunch, and taste

Austria’s convivial spirit.

Each experience here carries both grandeur and intimacy — from imperial halls to quiet woodland paths, pastel villages to bustling city squares — making the Salzkammergut not just a destination, but a place that captures both the heart and the senses.

3 OCTOBER · WELCOME TO VIENNA

Arrive in Vienna, settle into the Royal Hotel and meet your fellow travellers over our welcome dinner. Enjoy a gentle first look around the historic city centre.

Overnight — Royal Hotel, Vienna. Private occupancy.

4 OCTOBER · INTO THE SALZKAMMERGUT

We travel from Vienna to Bad Ischl and settle into our accommodation for the next seven nights. Unpack, make yourself at home and enjoy a first walk along the Traun River.

Our base for 4–10 October — Heritage Boutique Apartments, Bad Ischl. Private occupancy.

5 OCTOBER · KATRIN & A MOUNTAIN HUT LUNCH

Take the Katrin cable car into the mountains for sweeping views and a walk to suit the conditions. Afterwards, we’ll settle into the Katrin Almhütte for lunch.

6 OCTOBER · HALLSTATT & GOSAUSEE

Our private van takes us to Hallstatt early, giving us time to explore its lakeside lanes before the busiest part of the day. We then continue to Gosausee for a walk beside the lake beneath the Dachstein

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7 OCTOBER · BAD ISCHL AT YOUR OWN PACE

A day to enjoy Bad Ischl your way. Stroll along the Esplanade, explore the Kaiservilla or linger over coffee and cake. There’s time to rest and follow your own interests.

8 OCTOBER · A DAY IN SALZBURG

Travel by train to Salzburg for a day exploring the city. Enjoy Mirabell Gardens, the historic streets and squares, and a leisurely lunch before returning to Bad Ischl.

9 OCTOBER · FOLLOW THE WEATHER

We’ll keep today flexible so we can make the most of the conditions. Head out on the trails if the weather is fine, or enjoy more of Bad Ischl if it’s a day for cafés and exploring town.

10 OCTOBER · A FINAL DAY TO SAVOUR

Return to a favourite corner, enjoy one more walk by the river or take your time over a final café visit. This evening, we’ll gather for our farewell dinner.

11 OCTOBER · FAREWELL FROM BAD ISCHL

Our retreat finishes after breakfast. Say your goodbyes and continue with your onward travel.

Day trips may change order according to weather, opening times and transport. Mountain walks and our visit to the Almhütte depend on conditions.