Luxury Salzburg to Grado

Arrive in Salzburg, a compact and cultural city with a strong musical and architectural heritage. The old town is easy to explore on foot, with narrow streets, open squares and plenty of cafés to settle into for the evening.

Example hotel: Hotel zum Hirschen Salzburg

Leaving the city, you quickly join the Salzach river and follow it south through open countryside and wetlands. The route is gentle and shaded in places, making for an easy introduction to the tour.

You pass through Hallein, once a wealthy salt town, before continuing past waterfalls and small villages. The distinctive twin towers of St Johann’s cathedral come into view as you approach your stop for the night.

Today the landscape becomes more alpine. Leaving the Salzach behind, you follow the Gasteiner Ache into a narrower valley, with mountains beginning to close in around you.

The ride passes through spa towns such as Bad Hofgastein before reaching Bad Gastein itself, set dramatically on a steep hillside. The town’s waterfall sits right in the centre, giving it a slightly theatrical feel.

Example hotels: Hotel Salzburger Hof Bad Gastein

A short ride brings you to Böckstein, where you take a brief train transfer through the Tauern tunnel, emerging on the southern side of the Alps.

From here, it’s a long, satisfying descent through the Möll Valley. The scenery opens out, and the riding becomes easier as you follow the river towards Spittal, a historic crossroads town.

Following the Drau river, today’s ride is gentle and mostly downhill. The valley widens, and the pace of the day feels relaxed.

A stop in Paternion offers a chance to explore small churches and local architecture before continuing on to Villach. The town has a distinctly southern feel, with lively streets and a more Mediterranean atmosphere.

Example hotel: Hotel Palais 26 Villach

You leave Austria today, following the Gail river before crossing into Italy. The shift is subtle at first, but becomes clearer as architecture, language and food begin to change.

Tarvisio sits at the meeting point of three cultures, where Austrian, Italian and Slovenian influences overlap. It’s a small but characterful place to spend the evening.

One of the most enjoyable riding days. You follow a well-built cycle path along a former railway line, descending steadily through the Val Canale.

The scenery is still alpine but softer now, with forests and open views across the Friulian landscape. From Gemona, a short train transfer takes you into Udine, where the pace of life feels noticeably more Italian.

Example hotel: Hotel Ambassador Palace Udine

The final ride leads you towards the sea. The terrain flattens as you cycle through lagoons, canals and reed beds, with a noticeable change in air and light.

A worthwhile stop is Aquileia, once an important Roman city. From here, it’s a final stretch to Grado, where narrow streets, fishing harbours and sandy beaches mark the end of your journey.