Imagine a relaxing road trip through Alpine scenery between Austria’s heart and Mozart’s home town, stopping en route in Bavaria’s most romantic corner! You could do it by car, but how much better to immerse yourself in such jaw-dropping scenery on a family-friendly cycling tour from one of the UK’s most experienced European cycling holiday specialists.

That’s how we came to free-wheel happily downhill from the thundering Krimml Falls (Europe’s highest mountainside falls) at the start of our 11-day adventure with Herefordshire-based www.orotours.com. The falls are a genuinely awesome way to start the trip after flying to Salzburg and transferring to the Erholungshotel Kaltenhauser in romantic Hollersbach.

Two nights in Zell am See
Over the next 10 days, the thoughtfully planned route followed the Tauernweg cycleway, with clear directions and lots of opportunities for spontaneous exploration. What a wonderfully relaxing way to discover the area before enjoying coffee and a delicious slice of Gugelhupf. Past Kapruns, we enjoyed two nights in Zell am See, on the idyllic Zeller See. Ride a Porsche cable car up the 6,446ft (1,965m) Schmittenhoehe, or pack a picnic and circumnavigate the lake before enjoying a relaxing spa treatment and delicious supper back in town. Tip: finish supper with yummy sweet Salzburger nockerl!

Four days after leaving Zell, more gentle day rides brought us to Bavaria and new mountains welcomed us as we approached Berchtesgaden. It’s an amazing base for trips to the nearby Koenigsee, Hitler’s ‘Eagles Nest’ or Ramsau’s enchanting church – Germany’s most photographed.

Exploring Mozart’s Salzburg
Too soon, our adventure ended with two nights in Salzburg’s boutique Hotel Wolf Dietrich. The hotel, as with all our accomm-odation, was perfectly located. Whether you choose more cycling, or explore Salzburg’s old town in Mozart’s footsteps, Salzburg is wonderful. From the history and architecture of the Hellbrunn Palace, to the contemporary Red Bull Hanger 7, there’s something for everyone. The delicious schnitzel, rich, choc-olatey Sachertorte and irresistible signature Mozart Balls are pretty impressive, too.

Bikes, meticulously planned routes, excellent accommodation, delicious cuisine and Europe’s most glorious scenery. That’s the Krimml Falls to Salzburg in a Mozart Ball wrapper!