Check in to your hotel and then spend the rest of day exploring this small but fascinating city. Your welcome briefing and bike handover will take place around 17:30.

Salzburg must-sees include the Getreidegasse, a marvellous, old-world shopping street where ornate, wrought iron signs depict what is being sold within. Here you can also visit the birthplace of the city’s most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived at No. 9 until he was 17 years old. The city’s most prominent landmark, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, is also worth visiting and don’t worry about the climb as there’s a funicular railway to whisk you to the top. Of course the city is also inextricably linked with the ever popular movie “The Sound of Music”, starring Julie Andrews, and tours are offered taking in the sites and landmarks that featured in the film.

Your first day’s cycling leads you south, out of the city and along the beautiful Salzach Valley. The wide green valley is bordered by towering peaks and dotted with pretty alpine towns and villages. The riverside cycle path is charming and the scenery sublime. Stop to admire the thundering waterfall at Golling before riding through the narrow Salzach Canyon with its steep pine-clad flanks. As the valley widens once more you’ll see the 900 year old Hohenwerfen Castle sitting high on its own hill above the village of Werfen. Nearby you will also find the largest ice cave in the world and we highly recommend a visit (more info eisriesenwelt.at ). Your first day of riding ends in the alpine town of St. Johann where you will spend the night.

You continue your journey south on the riverside cycle path today. Shortly after setting off you may wish to make a small detour to the impressive Liechtensteinklamm, a deep and narrow gorge through which a wooden walk-way has been constructed for safe viewing. A little further on you bid the Salzach River ‘auf wiedersehen‘ and turn into the picturesque Gastein Valley. Near the end of the valley you arrive in the beautiful spa town of Badgastein with a natural waterfall tumbling through its centre. A little further along the road you arrive in the hamlet of Böckstein and here you board a train for the 11 minute journey through the Tauern Tunnel to the Mölltal Valley. The trains run every hour so there is no mad rush to make a particular departure. You are now on the sunny side of the Alps, having just passed under the backbone of the famous mountain range, and you’ll spend the night in a charming alpine town a little further down the valley.

An easy day today as you descend gently along the Mölltal Valley . Charming villages, towering granite peaks, sparkling mountain streams and vivid green meadows create picturesque scenes that will live long in the memory. In the village of Kolbnitz you may wish to take a break and ascend to 1200m on the cogwheel railway for some lovely views across the valley. Follow the Drau River on it’s gentle descent, passingthe bustling town of Spital an der Drau. Your goal today is the large town of Villach located at the meeting point of four valleys. The weather tends to come from the south here and you may notice a distinctly mediterranean feel to the place. Enjoy a stroll through the lovely old-town centre or, if you’re still feeling active, head to nearby Lake Ossiach for more cycling, a walk or even a swim.

The day starts with a short train ride across the Italian border and up the valley to the town of Tarvisio. You can of course cycle this section of the Alpe Adria Cycle Path but be aware you will climb about 500 meters over a distance of 30 kilometres. Alighting in Tarvisio with your bike you begin a gentle descent along the the incredibly scenic Canale Valley following a winding alpine cycle path. From your bike you can marvel at the beauty of the Friulian alpine region with its towering peaks and extensive forests. Your destination today is the pretty alpine village of Venzone, or a village nearby.

Today's ride starts in the mountains but finishes in the lowland plains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. As you bid the mountains goodbye we recommend stopping in the village of Gemona del Friuli to admire the majestic cathedral. Pressing on along the cycle path you will begin to see vineyards which belong to the region's small scale but high quality wine makers. Besides producing some nice Cabernet -Sauvignons and Merlots the region is also fast gaining a reputtion for its excellent Prosecco. Your destination today is the bustling city of Udine. After checking in to your hotel take a stroll through the winding historic streets of the old town to Piazza della Libertà with its gothic town hall.

Leaving Udine you may begin to feel the warm Scirocco wind as the surrounding landscape changes once again. Canals, wetlands and reed beds line the route as you head towards the coast and the Gulf of Venice. Take time to stop in the Roman city of Aquileia to admire the ancient buildings before following the causeway road across the glistening lagoon to the historic fishing town of Grado, journey's end. Depending on the weather and your mood you may choose to head for the beach, the historic harbour or enjoy a lazy stroll along the narrow streets lined with tempting restaurants.

After breakfast it is time to head for home or your next adventure.