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 who 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, you can also just wander the atmospheric winding alleyways of this lovely old town, perhaps stopping at one of the inviting bars or restaurants to get the holiday off to to the right start.

Your first day’s cycling leads you south, out of the city and along the beautiful Salzach Valley beside the river of the same name. The wide green valley is bordered by towering peaks and dotted with pretty alpine towns and villages. The riverside cycle path is charming, peaceful and the scenery is sublime. Stop in the idyllic village of Hallein for coffee and cake in the tiny square beside the church. The path then wends its way through the verdant peaceful countryside, revealing fairytale farmhouses with blooming balconies in stunning settings. After the village of Golling you follow a main road along the Salzach Canyon to the village of Werfen. The 900 year old Hohenwerfen Castle stands guard over the pretty village and is an imposing sight. Nearby you will also find the largest ice cave in the world - worth a visit if you have time ( eisriesenwelt.at ). From Werfen an idyllic riverside path leads you first through the bustling town of Bischofshofen and then onto the pretty town of St. Johann im Pongau where you will stop for the night.

Your day starts with a leisuely ride alongside the Salzach river. After about 8kms the route leaves the river bank and heads uphill. The climb will get the blood pumping but it's quite short and once at the higher elevation, the views across the valley are simply stunning. The quiet lane leads you through a peaceful world of small farms, grazing cattle and fruit orchards. Further on you leave the Salzach Valley behind and enter the wide and beautiful Gastein Valley. The cycle path leads you through idyllic alpine countryside as you gently ascend the valley, passing through the charming towns of Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein. Near the head of the valley, the beautiful old spa town of Badgastein awaits. It's wonderful old and elegant hotels seem to cling to the steep mountainside. and a thundering waterfall descends right through the town centre. You will spend the night in this captivating place.

After breakfast it's la short, 3 km pedal to Bockstein where you board a train that transports you and your bike under the main spine of the alps to the town of Mallnitz in the Möll Valley. A fast, switchback descent delivers you to the Drau valley where you begin to follow a network of peaceful lanes and cycle paths southwards. The majestic alpine scenery provides a stunning backdrop to this highly enjoyable ride. Your destination today is the town of Spittal, a stopover point for trans-alpine travellers since the middle ages

Today's relatively easy scenic ride follows the Drau valley south westwards. Take a break in the market town of Paternion with it's impressive castle before following the idyllic, riverside cycle path along the Drau river the town of Villach. On arrival you will probably notice a distinctly southern, almost Mediterranean flavour to the lovely old town with it's al-fresco restaurants, street cafes and bars - an indication that you are well on your way to the Adriatic coast. You will spend the night in this lively bustling town.

The day starts as yesterday finished, following the bike path along the Drau river. Soon though the route switches to the Gail river and heads towards the Italian border. You start to gently ascend a wide fertile valley and cross into Italy at the border town of Coccau Valico. The alpine scenery becomes more and more impressive as the majestic Julian Alps come ever closer. Your destination today is the lovely alpine town of Tarvisio. The cathedral-like peaks of the surrounding mountains and fresh mountain air attract outdoor enthusiasts from nearby Slovenia as well as Austria and Italy. In the bars and reastaurants you are sure to notice a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Today's ride is pretty special and undoubtedly a highlight of this already impressive route. For the next 46 kilometres you will be following what must be the most scenic cycle path in the alps. The path follows the route of a defunct railway through pristine alpine wilderness. Along the way you will pass some of the old railway stations, now repurposed as restaurants and cafes for tired or thirsty cyclists. The winding route reveals ever more impressive scenery and evokes the feeling of an amusement park ride as it winds through tunnels around steep gorges and across high bridges. Eventually you emerge back into the real world, near Venzone, and catch a train south to the Udine, the capital of the Friuli region (35 minute journey). 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's time to head for home or your next adventure.