Best of the alps >> 2010
You will experience Austria in an imperial way. Allow yourselves to be spoilt in Austria's most luxurious hotels. You will be transported to Austria's imperial past, experiencing its historical moments. Our Journey takes us from Munich, crossing the Alps to Innsbruck, Salzburg along the Danube, Vienna and Graz to Venice (Italy), and last, but not least alongside the "Romantische Straße" to Rothenburg (Germany). Our form of transport vanes from the luxurious VIP Bus to nostalgic steam railways.
Arrival at Munich Airport. The NOTHEGGER TRAVEL TEAM will greet you there. By VIP Bus we drive to our hotel in Igls, a quiet village situated near Innsbruck. A welcome cocktail is served In the bus. After two hours drive we will have reached the Alps. You will be welcomed at our Castle Hotel with Tyrolean Folk Music. The hotel is well equipped with indoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness room, etc. From Igls we can enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of Innsbruck and the sorrounding Alps. Tonight dinner will be served in the Blue Salon.
Today we go by nostalgic railway to Innsbruck. We view the City in a romantic way by horse carriages. Lunch at the Ottoburg in the Old City. The Ottoburg is an excellent restaurant with century old tradition. After our meal we visit the private Castle Friedberg. Our guide is the owner of the castle Mr. van Trapp, a descendant of the famous Trapp Family Family (Sound of Music). Afterwards we return to our hotel. In the evening we have a fun party in a cozy mountain hut (1454m).
Today we leave Innsbruck and drive on the German Alpine Road to Berchtesgaden. By boat we cross Lake Königsee and go ashore directly at the foot of the well-known Mountain "Watzmann". From here we drive on direction Salzburg. By cable car we ascend to the top of a mountain. From here we get a fantastic view over the whole City of Salzburg. We continue to Salzburg and settle in at our Castle Hotel "Mönchstein", which is regarded as the most charming City Hotel in the world. After an excellent meal we view Mozart's City at night.
In the morning horse carriages collect us at our hotel. A unique opportunity to view Salzburg in a very romantic way. Lunch we have at the "Winkler", a well-known restaurant which lies high above the City. In the afternoon we travel by bus along Lake Mondsee to the Lake Region of Salzburg. By nostalgic railway we return to Salzburg. In the evening we watch the "Sound of Music" performance.
We have breakfast in the Schlosspark. Afterwards we drive via Strasswalchen to Passau. At the Dome of Passau we listen to an organ concert played on the largest organ in the world. Then we continue to Engelhartszell. From here we take a boat trip on the "Engelszeller Arch". We have lunch on the boat. After lunch we travel along the River Danube to Durnstein. We settle in at our Castle Hotel (indoor swimming pool.) and will have time to take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleyways of Durnstein. After the evening meal we will sample the excellent local wine at a "Heurigen" (typical Austrian Vine Bar).
After breakfast we take a boat trip on the River Danube th rough the WACHAU REGION, passing medieval castles and magnificent palaces arriving at the town MELK. After lunch we visit KLOSTER MELK. From here we travel through the Viennese Woods to our hotel in the center of Vienna. The HOTEL SACHER is located opposite the State Opera at the beginning of the Pedestrian Zone. Evening meal at our hotel. After dinner we drive to the Kahlenberg and enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over Vienna City.
Today we do a sightseeing tour of Vienna by nostalgic tramway. We view all major sights as well as Schonbrunn Palace and Mirabell. After lunch we drive to the Viennese Woods and wander in the footsteps of the former Austrian Emperors. Later on we return to Vienna and dine at our Hotel. In the evening we attend an opera performance or a classical concert.
We leave Austrias Capital City and continue further on down South. We stop at Eisenstadt and visit Esterhazy Palace. Lunch we have at a cosy country pub. From here we travel to Graz. ln Graz we stay overnight in a very romantic hotel, called "Erzherzog Johann". Evening meal at our Castle Hotel.
Today we travel through the breathtaking region of South Styria. We take the route along the South Styrian "Weinstrasse" and stop at Gamlitz for lunch. From here we go on the "Schilcherstrasse" to our "Heurigen" a typical Styrian Vine Bar. Later on in the evening we return to our Hotel in Graz.
After breakfast we drive on direction Italy stopping at the "Rauschele See", where we have lunch at a quiet country pub. Via Klagenfurt and Villach we travel to Venice, passing Tolmezzo and Udine. We settle in at our Hotel Daniele, situated near the "Markusplatz". This is one of the best hotels in Venice. After a welcome cocktail at the hotelbar we take a leisurely stroll across the "Markusplatz" and through the romantic alleyways of Venice. After dinner we visit a local venue, where we can enjoy the authentic Italian music.
Today we view the floating city Venice. We take a boattrip to some of its surrounding islands, one of them being Murano, famous for its century old glass blowing works. After dinner we float through the City's Channels on traditional gondolas. We will be escorted by singing gondolieris.
In the morning we leave Venice and cross the Alps to Munich. Here we stay in the centre of Munich, at the quietly located Hotel Residence. We'll have fun in the evening at an original Bavarian Beer Party.
Today there is a guided sightseeing tour of Munich. We also visit Nymphenburg Palace and the Olympic Grounds. In the afternoon we will see the concentration camp at Dachau. Afterwards we visit Dachau Palace for compensation. We may have the opportunity to listen to a classical concert at Dachau Palace.
After breakfast we travel along the "Romantische Strasse" to the medieval town Nordlingen, where we do some sightseeing. From here we drive on and have lunch at Dinkelsbuhl. Afterwards we visit Castle Schillingsfürst. We continue to Rothenburg o.d.T. and settle in at our romantic hotel in the centre of the Old Town. After dinner we take a short walk alongside the historical Town Walls. From here we get an excellent view of Rothenburg Town.
Today we take the route on the Burgenstrasse, passing medieval castles and glorious green countryside. The afternoon is free at your own disposal. We have our last dinner at the unique pub "Zur HolI In the center of Rothenburg Town.
Airport Frankfurt. End of an enchanting journey. This tour can also be booked as a combined bus/ bicycle tour.