Tucked snugly into the eastern Alpine triangle where the borders of Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet, lies the wholly unspoilt, and largely unknown, corner of Carinthia. Its great natural beauty - snow-capped mountains, 200+ pristine lakes, lush forests and beautiful bathing beaches - have made it the firm "secret" favourite of the discerning Austrian upper classes for centuries, and composer Gustav Mahler wrote his best known symphonies here.

NEW for 2014, leading relaxed activity specialist, Headwater, is introducing self-guided walking and cycling holidays on the shores of the undisputed jewel in the crown of Carinthia: Lake Worthersee, the largest Alpine lake in Europe and location for many famous film shoots.

With a host of aristocratic villas, historic palace hotels and fine lakeside dining options, Lake Worthersee seemlessly combines European elegance with a laid-back flair reminiscent of the Caribbean: street music, chilled beach bars, relaxed and cheerful locals whose friendly smiles perfectly suit the warm, sunny climes and temperate waters - at a blissful 27c, it's little wonder that the lake enjoys unrivalled popularity with swimmers, sailors, sufers and skiers!

FACTFILE

Headwater's Carinthian Lakeside Cycling trip:

Departs: every two days from 13 May to 20 Sep

Type: is a 6-night, hotel-to-hotel itinerary (bags moved for you), with a 2-bike "moderate" activity grading

Accommodation: 4-star hotels throughout

Meals: includes continental breakfasts and all evening meals

Costs: from £1199 (tour only)/ £1569 (incluing return flights with Austrian Airlines from Heathrow to Klagenfurt, via Vienna); children, over 2 and under 12 sharing with 2 adults, £729/ £1099 all dates

Includes: accommodation and meals as detailed above, plus high quality bikes, local transfers, detailed maps and meticulous route notes, bags transfers between hotels, Carinthia Travel Card (giving unlimited free travel on local ferries, cable cars and free admission to 100+ attractions) and 24/7 support both locally and in UK

Headwater's Walks around Lake Worthersee trip:

Departs: every two days from 13 May to 20 Sep

Type: is a 6-night, hotel-to-hotel itinerary (bags moved for you), with a 2-boot "moderate" activity grading

Accommodation: 4-star hotels throughout

Meals: includes continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals

Costs: from £838 (tour only)/ £1138 (incluing return flights with Austrian Airlines from Heathrow to Klagenfurt, via Vienna); children, over 2 and under 12 sharing with 2 adults, £579/ £959 all dates

Includes: accommodation and meals as detailed above, plus local transfers, detailed maps and meticulous route notes, bags transfers between hotels, Carinthia Travel Card (giving unlimited free travel on local ferries, cable cars and free admission to 100+ attractions) and 24/7 support both locally and in UK
 

For bookings and further information, please call Headwater 0845 322 4672 or email sales@headwater.com 

All press enquiries to Catherine Crone 0845 591 9342 ; email Catherine.press@headwater.com

Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/headwater