Best of the alps >> 2010
This tour is specially designed for art lovers and those who love t? paint and draw. Starting at Frankfurt we travel alongside the "Romantische Straße" passing historical palaces and medieval castles. The Ancient Romans have used this road 2000 years ago. It is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe and still attracts artist's attention. In Munich we will visit some famous art museums and exhibitions. We continue via Innsbruck and the SWISS Alps to the Lake COMOSEE (tje Jewel of Italy), a picturesque lake situated on the border of the Swiss AIps. "We pedal on our bikes through the most scenic countryside. For those who wish to prolong this tour, we will travel on via Mailand and Genova and Pisa to FIRENZE. We Will vislt the most picturesque landscapes of the Toscany and the Umbrien Region. Our dream Journey ends at Rome. All sketching materials will be provided by NOTHEGGER. A truly picturesque holiday.
Arrival at Frankfurt airport. The NOTHEGGER TEAM will greet you there. By VIP bus we drive"to Rothenburg o.d.T. We settle in at our romantic hotel in the center of the Old Town. After dinner we meet In the Rittersaal (Knights Hall). Here we'll be introduced to our art teacher and will receive a short course in sketching. The materials are provided by NOTHEGGER. Afterwards we take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleyways of this medieval town.
In the morning there is a guided sightseeing tour of Rothenburg. In the afternoon we attempt to record our impressions, with the friendly guidance of our art teacher. After dinner we view the results of our work.
In the morning we pedal on our bikes alongside the "Burgenstraße" passing medieval castles and gloriously green countryside, ideal themes for sketching. We have lunch in a cozy country pub. In the afternoon we take a romantic trip on horse carriages and enjoy the picturesque countryside. Dinner by candlelight at the unique pub "Zur Hall".
After breakfast we leave Rothenburg and drive on the "Romantische Straße" to the historical town Dinkelsbühl. Here we find further interesting themes for our art work. We continue to Nordlingen, another remarkable medieval town. From here we take the route to Munich. We settle in at a small castle hotel on the outskirts of Munich. ln the evening we'll have fun at an original Bavarian Beer Party.
Today we pedal on our bikes alongside the River Isar to Munich. We do a special round trip of Munich by bike and later on continue to visit Nymphenburg Palace. In the afternoon you have a choice of three ideal places from where you can sketch Munich: On the Rivar Isar, in the English Garden or in the City Center (Pedestrian Zone). In the evening we discuss our art work.
Today is dedicated entirely to the appreciation of art. In the morning we visit the Old and the New "PINAKOTHEK", where we find master paintings from the 14th -19th Century. In the afternoon we travel to Castle Schleißheim and to the Pavilion Lustheim. Here we view the impressive picture gallery. Tonight we banquet in medieval atmosphere in the "Feldherrnkeller" of our Castle Hotel (6-10 course meal).
After breakfast we leave Munich and drive to Oberammergau. We have the opportunity to visit the world famous wood carvers. On the houses we will see beautiful mural paintings, called "Lüftelmalereien". Afterwards we drive on to Wieskirch and view the unique church there. From here we travel by horse carriages to Neuschwanstein Palace, the famous castle of Ludwig 11 of Bavaria. Evening meal and overnight stay in Fussen.
Today we pedal on our bikes around Lake Forggensee. From here we get a marvellous view of Neuschwanstein Palace and the Castle Hohenschwangau. Again we let our pencils wander. Overnight stay in Fussen.
We take the route to Austria. We drive via Reutte and climbing the Fernpass to the Lake "Fernsteinersee", a romantic lake situated in the midst of mountainous countryside. We take a walk around this lake, not forgetting our drawing pad. Later on we travel on to Innsbruck. We settle in at our hotel near Innsbruck, from where we can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of Innsbruck and the surrounding Alps.
In the morning we go by nostalgic railway to Innsbruck. We do a sightseeing tour of Innsbruck in a romantic way, on horse carriages. Afterwards we pedal alongside River Inn to the medieval town Hall. We view Hall and travel on to Volders, where we visit the private Castle Friedberg. Our guide is the owner of the castle, Mr. van Trapp, a descendant of the famous Trapp Family (Sound of Music). We return by bus to our hotel. In the evening we have a fun party in a cozy mountain hut (1454 m).
Today we take the route to Switzerland. We travel through the Engadin Valley to St. Moritz. From here we continue the Malojapass, where we have lunch. Afterwards we drive via Chiavenna to the Lake Comosee, the most beautiful mountain lakes. We drive along this lake to our idyllic hotel, located in the village Cernobbio.
In the morning we travel to Tremezzo. From here we go by boat to Bellagio, a picturesque village situated on the lake. Later on we pedal on our bikes alongside the lake to Como. We will bring our drawing materials and again will record our impressions. In the evening we will go by boat to the Island Comacina, an uninhabited Island (with a restaurant and a church). We will dine in this typical Italian Restaurant. Overnight stay again in Cernobbio.
Sightseeing trip to Milano. We will view the Skala, Galeria, "das letzte Abendmahl" ("the last supper") by Leonardo da Vinci, Fortezza Castel, etc. Today will be fully given over to the arts. There will be ample opportunity for sketching, accompanied always by our mentor and guide. Later on we return to Lake Como. We have our last dinner together in a friendly restaurant by the lake. After our meal there will be a selection made for the best drawings, and prizes will be awarded. Tonight we'll end on a jolly note with good atmosphere and music. Overnight stay again in our hotel by the lake.
Airport Milano.
It is possible to extend this holiday for another week.
In the morning we drive via Milano and Genova to Pisa. Here we view the leaning Tower of Pisa. There will be enough time for sketching. In the afternoon we travel to Florenz. From the Piazza Michelangelo we get an excellent view of Florenz City. Later on we continue by bus to the Toscany region, and will settle in at our hotel (a typical Italian Estate) near San Gimignano. Evening meal in an excellent restaurant nearby.
Today we pedal on our bikes to San Gimignano. We visit this city with its famous "Geschlechtertürmen" (generation towers). Afterwards we travel on through the beautiful Toscany countryside. We have lunch in a country pub located on a hill. From here we can enjoy a marvelous view over San Gimignano. Later on we continue to Volterra. Again we will have enough motifs for sketching. We return to our hotel by bus.
After breakfast we drive to Siena where we do some sightseeing. There we have time to look for interesting themes. In the afternoon we continue to Perugia, passing Lake Trasimenosee. After a short stroll round Perugia we travel further on to Assisi and settle in at our hotel there.
In the morning there is a Sightseeing tour of Assisi. We will also visit the Dome and view the beautiful frescos. In the afternoon we pedal on our bikes th rough the surrounding countryside. By now we should have a good eye for the right motifs. Overnight stay again in our hotel in Assisi.
After breakfast we travel to the South. We visit the historical "Etrusker Village" ORTE. Later on we drive to the Via Aurelia and along the coast to Rome. Evening meal and overnight stay at a quietly located hotel on the outskirts of Rome.
Today we visit the Vatikan Museum (16th century Chapel). Also, there is a guided sightseeing tour of Rome. The rest of the day is free at your own disposal.
After breakfast we pedal on our bikes alongside the Via Appia Antica viewing beautiful villas on the way. We travel on by bus to the Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence oft the pope. We do our last sketches today. Later on we return to our hotel. After our dinner there will be a selection made for the best drawings, and prizes will be awarded. Tonight will end on a jolly note with good atmosphere and music.
Airport Rome. End of a picturesque holiday.