TRAVELLERS' TALES: LITTLE TRAINS OF AUSTRIA Thaer heiallslive M argaret Mills and her friend, Elaine Anderson, joined our ' Little Trains' 9- day holiday to experience the delights of Austria. In June we embarked on the ' Little Trains of Austria' tour and enjoyed another excellent holiday. Our days were filled with the fantastic Austrian scenery, as we trundled along wide flower- filled valleys and up steep mountain tracks in the little trains. Lakes sparkled and glistened beneath us whilst pine- clad mountains soared around us and alpine chalets charmed us. A WARM WELCOME Our Hotel Sonnschein at Niederau, under Jill's friendly management, provided a luxurious resting place each night with the added touches of an indoor pool, lounges in which to sit and chat and surrounding walks to enjoy. We ate delicious, well-presented and plentiful food and were attended by helpful friendly and efficient staff. What more could we ask for! DELIGHTS OF AUSTRIA The included and optional excursions took us to a wide variety of places each offering different experiences. For example, we loved the Ziller Valley with its flowers and woodyards, the lakes of Achensee and St. Wolfgangsee with their mountains, coves and boats, and the quaint, attractive villages and towns of St. Gilgen, Mayrhofen and Kitzbühel. Here the cable car gave us another perspective as we floated above the trees and meadows, the town dropping away as the quiet engulfed us. The views, hot chocolate and strawberry gateau at the top have to be experienced to be appreciated. Innsbruck wowed us with it's grand street, Golden Roof and the Swarovski Crystal shop, not to mention it's Christmas shop. SCHAFBERG MOUNTAIN Then there was the Schafberg Mountain experience, commencing at St. Wolfgang on the lake. We left in pouring rain with not much hope of seeing anything, but as we slowly chugged our winding way through the pines, firs, larches, beeches and birches, with openings providing glimpses of the lake below, there were breaks in the clouds and the sun burst out. Mountain tops and swirling mist filled our views. As we piled out, the scene cleared and we scampered here and there to take photos of mountains, valleys, lakes, higher peaks, cable cars and, of course, the train. As suddenly as it came, it disappeared, and we watched the cloud swirling like an accelerated film as it swept through the valley, leaving our cameras full of atmospheric pictures to marvel over in the years to come. RECOMMENDATION Can we recommend this trip? Yes, we can and we do! We had a wonderful overview of the delights of Austria, enhanced by a knowledgeable, engaging and caring crew along with fellow travellers of great humour who lifted our spirits and embraced us with much merriment. It was a gentle tour, starting each day at holiday time hours and including such a variety of experiences as schnapps tasting, medieval town wandering and candle making and always the stunning Austrian scenery. This tour is our fifth with Leger. We are so glad we did it this year and are already booked for next years' Oberammergau and the Swiss Alps trip You can join our Little Trains of Austria tour between May and October. Prices start at just £ 549 for 9 days. See page 37 to find out more.  Enjoy spectacular scenery as you travel through the picturesque Ziller Valley 9 DAYS OF HEART- WARMING EXPERIENCES, EYE- FILLING BEAUTY, SPIRIT- LIFTING COMPANY, COMFORTABLE TRANSPORT AND CARING CREW' - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BOOK NOW! There's a real certainty about what you'll experience on an alpine holiday. Ask any Brit what they imagine when thinking of Austria or Switzerland and they'll tell you it's " The Sound of Music", chocolate box winter wonderland scenery, blue skies and lush meadows filled with spring flowers, pretty villages with welcoming inns, historic cities and delicious food. This is just what you'll discover when you travel with us - a wonderful experience and fond memories, guaranteed! If, like me you have a soft spot for train journeys, I strongly recommend you try the ' Little Trains of Austria' and ' Swiss Panorama and Alpine Railways' tours as a fantastic way to experience some of the most stunning scenery in the world. Kitzbühel, overlooked by the Alps Take in the breathtaking scenery of St. Wolfgang THE ALPS ARE A PARTICULAR FAVOURITE OF IAN HENRY, LEGER'S MANAGING DIRECTOR... Directors' Choice Exhilarating rail rides and breathtaking scenery were just the ticket for Margaret Mills and Elaine Anderson.

EXCURSIONS & VISITS Day 3Zell- am- See and Lake Cruise ( included). Zell- am- See mixes lofty peaks and stunning alpine scenery. Take a cruise on Lake Zell to experience the tranquil setting, then enjoy time to wander around the town. We recommend a cable car ride up Schmittenhöhe mountain ( extra cost), or instead you can relax at a local café with strudel and coffee. Day 4Kitzbüheland the Gisela Train ( optional). We board the ' Gisela' train at Zell- am- See for a nostalgic ride through the hills to Kitzbühel. The ceremonial opening of the first continuous European railway connection from Paris to Istanbul took place in 1875. The centrepiece of the original train is the Royal Imperial Mail Carriage of 1910. The middle section was made into a saloon car, hosting an original mail box with a special stamp, a buffet and a bar. Please note: On Sep 18 departure, travel between Zell- am- See and Kitzbühel will be by coach as the Gisela Train will not be operating. Day 5Salzburg and Lake Mondsee ( optional, included on Silver Service). One of the most beautiful cities in Austria, Salzburg offers lovely, tranquil squares and medieval lanes, gothic churches and quaint cafés. For the best view of the city, climb to the terrace of the fortress of Hohensalzburg. Later we head towards the Austrian Lake District and the resort of Mondsee, on the lake of the same name. A day of contrasting beauty in city and countryside. Day 6Grossglockner Glacier ( included). We drive up Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, and reach the viewing platform from where you can see the Grossglockner Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe. We continue to the charming mountaineers' village of Heiligenblut, where you can shop or simply relax. Day 7Hallstatt and Bad Ischl ( optional). Join our full- day excursion to the Salzkammergut through splendid scenery to visit the Hallstattersee lake and the picture- postcard village of Hallstatt. We also visit the spa town of Bad Ischl, which was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph. YOUR HOTELS You'll stay for six nights at the 4- star Berger's Sporthotel, in the centre of Saalbach. The hotel offers a restaurant, lobby with Prosecco Bar, Red Salon and rustic Berger- Stüberl, plus lift and indoor swimming pool. All bedrooms have a telephone, T. V., mini bar and safety- deposit box. The Berger family have been hosting British guests for many years and always ensure a friendly welcome. Overnight stays in Belgium are in city- style hotels. 34 The beautiful lakeside scenery of Zell- am- See 9 days from £ 599 Single Room Saver See page 3 £ For more picturesque scenery, try our Lake Garda tour - see page 14 HOLIDAY AT A GLANCE Day 1Local departure by coach then onwards to Belgium for an overnight stay. Day 2Continue south to Saalbach, Austria, for a six- night stay. B, D Day 3Zell- am- See and Lake Cruise. B, D Day 4Kitzbühel and the Gisela Train. B, D Day 5Salzburg & Lake Mondsee. B, D Day 6Grossglockner Glacier. B, D Day 7Hallstatt and Obertraun. B, D Day 8To Belgium for an overnight stay. B Day 9To Calais, then return home. B Included Meals: B= Breakfast, D= Dinner Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Extras: optional excursions; single room supplement £ 119; travel insurance from £ 42.95. Sep 18£ 599 EXECUTIVE COACH Tour ref: 9AGS May 29£ 699 Jun 19£ 699 Jul 3,17£ 699 Aug 14,28£ 699 Sep 11£ 709 SILVERSERVICETour ref: 9AGSV WHAT'S INCLUDED Upgrade to Silver Service for luxury coach travel and enjoy these added benefits . EXTRA excursion: Salzburg and Lake Mondsee . EXTRA legroom for your added comfort . Porterage at your hotels See pages 8 & 9 for full details Holiday Highlights . ZELL- AM- SEE- beautiful lakeside scenery . KITZBÜHEL- chic historical town . SALZBURG- sound of music city . GROSSGLOCKNER GLACIER- impressive natural sight . HALLSTATT- stunning, picturesque village The ultimate Austrian adventure, including the Grossglockner Glacier, stunning Lake Zell and majestic mountains. Zell- am- See & the Gems of Austria . Excursions: Zell- am- See & Lake Cruise; Grossglockner Glacier . 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast & 6 evening meals . 4- star hotel in Austria . FREElocal joining points - see page 159 for full details . Travel by executive coach Picturesque Hallstatt is a photographer's dreamThe beautiful medieval city of Salzburg The world- famous Grossglockner Glacier HALF BOARD IN RESORT Berger's Sporthotel