A new kind of summer vacation: how to choose a format and why go to the Alps

Summer holidays are often planned out of habit: the same coast, the same hotel, the same two weeks. Then it turns out you didn't really get any rest, and you spent half your time in line for a sun lounger. You can change that without spending much more, if you start with the question "what do I want to do?" rather than "where is everyone going?"

Below, we look at how to choose the kind of holiday you want, when a package tour makes more sense and when a self-guided trip does, and why it's worth considering Austria in summer. As an example, we take the Alpine resort of Saalbach, where guests of partner hotels can use the cable cars with a guest card from 22 May to 26 October 2026.

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How to plan a summer holiday in a new way

💡 In short:

• First decide what you want to do: the destination, the accommodation, and the transport all depend on it.
• A package tour saves you the time spent on organizing, while a self-guided trip gives you freedom in your route.
• In summer, the mountains offer cool air, trails, and lakes, and suit anyone who is tired of the beach.
• Leave free days in your plan: the weather and chance discoveries change any itinerary.
• JOKER CARD guest card validity and terms: 10/2026, checked on the official Saalbach website.

A good holiday rests on three decisions. The first is about pace: are you going to rest or to see something new? The second is about company: the needs of a couple, a family with children, and a group of friends differ greatly. The third is about your time budget, not just your money: a long journey eats up a short holiday.

Write down your answers before you open a site with offers. Otherwise you will pick a pretty picture rather than the holiday that suits you.

Package tour or self-guided trip

The value of an organized holiday is that all the details are settled before you leave. Accommodation, travel, and the program are bundled into one contract, and all you have to do is turn up. For families with children and for those who travel once a year, that is a weighty argument.

Specialized tour operators work this way. One of them is called Thinggaard. It is a Danish tour operator that puts together packages ranging from accommodation to full trip organization. A separate section of its website is devoted to how a summer holiday works as a ready-made package.

A self-guided trip takes more time to prepare. In return, you get flexibility: you can linger in a village you like, switch valleys because of the weather, or add a day by the lake. Travelers who change plans easily often see more.

Before choosing, compare more than just the price. Look at what is included in the package, what the cancellation terms are, and who is responsible if a flight is delayed or the hotel turns out to be not as it looked in the photos. When you book on your own, you have to sort out these questions with each provider separately.

Why it's worth considering Austria in summer

Austria is known for its winter resorts, but in summer the same valleys offer a different kind of holiday. Alpine scenery, a rich cultural program, and well-developed infrastructure come together here. You swim in a clear mountain lake, walk the trails, and in the evening have dinner in a village where traditional ways of life have survived.

The regions around Salzburg and Tyrol suit those who like small Alpine towns. In summer they host local festivals and concerts, and the cultural program sits alongside sport. Many popular places are well equipped and yet have not lost their character.

Activities for every fitness level:

• Hiking routes. From a stroll along the valley floor to a ridge crossing with a night in a mountain hut.
• Mountain biking. Marked trails and lifts that carry your bike uphill.
• Lakes. Swimming, boats, and quiet days by the water between hikes.
• Towns and villages. Markets, local cuisine, festivals.

Plan your days so that exertion alternates with rest. After a long hike, schedule a day by the lake, and you will still have energy left by the end of your holiday.

Saalbach in summer: an example of an Alpine resort

Saalbach-Hinterglemm in the state of Salzburg shows how a winter resort works in summer. The lifts carry not skiers but hikers and cyclists, and in the valley the huts and family trails are open.

The resort's main summer feature is called the JOKER CARD. It is a guest card that guests receive from the host of partner accommodation on arrival. According to the Saalbach tourist office (checked 10/2026), in 2026 the card is valid from 22 May to 26 October and for the whole length of your stay. It gives free travel on the summer cable cars and entry to the region's popular attractions, and cardholders get a 20% discount on bike tickets at the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ticket offices.

There is a practical conclusion here. When choosing accommodation, check whether it is among the card's partners. If not, you pay for every ride separately, and a week-long holiday turns out noticeably more expensive.

For those who don't want to put the trip together themselves, a ready-made package will do. The tour operator Thinggaard has a separate summer program in Saalbach. According to the company's description, such packages combine accommodation in the mountains with a set of activities and take the organizational side off the guest's hands.

Practical tips before booking

A few decisions are worth making in advance. They determine both the price and the quality of your holiday.

Transport. To reach the Alpine valleys, it is convenient to take a train to a major station and then a local bus. You can check timetables and tickets for your dates through the train ticket search. A car gives you more freedom if you want to see several valleys and lakes. The car rental search on DiscoverCars will help you compare rental terms.

Timing. Book accommodation for July and August early: in the high season the choice narrows quickly. Flexible dates in June and September give you more options and fewer people on the trails.

Weather. In the mountains it changes quickly. Keep a backup plan for a rainy day: a museum, a thermal spa, or a trip to town. Don't put the longest route on your last day.

Local tips. Ask your hosts and the staff at the tourist office. They know which hut is open, where it is less crowded, and which festival is on this week.

Balance. Don't fill every day. Half the pleasure of a holiday comes from time without a schedule.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What should I choose: a package tour or a self-guided trip?

A package tour suits you if you want to settle everything with one contract and not spend time on preparation. A self-guided trip is better for those who are ready to book accommodation and transport themselves in exchange for freedom in their route. Compare more than just the price: look at what the package includes, the cancellation terms, and the organizer's responsibility.

What is there to do in Austria in summer?

The main activities are hiking, mountain biking, swimming in lakes, and trips to small towns. In the regions around Salzburg and in Tyrol, local festivals and concerts take place in summer. Alternate active days with quiet ones, and a week will be enough for both the mountains and rest.

What is the JOKER CARD in Saalbach?

It is the guest card of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm resort. The host of partner accommodation hands it out on arrival. In 2026 the card is valid from 22 May to 26 October and gives free travel on the summer cable cars, entry to a number of attractions, and a discount on bike tickets. Check whether your accommodation takes part in the program.

When is the best time to visit the Alps in summer?

July and August bring the warmest weather and the full set of open huts and lifts, but this is the high season. In June and September there are fewer people and the choice of accommodation is wider. In any month, build in a spare day: the weather in the mountains changes quickly.

How do I get to an Alpine resort without a car?

Usually by train to a major station in the valley, then by local bus to the resort. It is worth checking the route with its connections before booking accommodation, especially if you arrive in the evening. If you have children and a lot of luggage, compare this option with renting a car or a transfer from the station.

In short: what to book

A summer holiday works when the format is chosen to suit you, not your habits. Decide what you want from these days, and only then choose the place.

• If you don't want to organize anything: a ready-made package from a tour operator.
• If freedom matters to you: a self-guided trip with accommodation booked in advance.
• If you are tired of the beach: a week in the Austrian Alps with trails and lakes.
• If you are going to Saalbach: accommodation from among the guest card's partners.

Start with your dates and who is traveling. Book accommodation for July and August first, and keep the day-by-day program flexible.