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Back Roads of the - , , , (8 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. And when ’re in the mood for spoiling ourselves with fine food and delightful besides the sheer pleasure of being on some of the ’s best roads, we turn to !

Few regions within Europe offer as much variety of landscapes and cultures and roads as the one centered on the Alps. The Alpine countries and regions – southern , Austria, Switzerland, South with its , the French Alps – are a treasure of hidden gems. We therefore take great pleasure in introducing you to our first, carefully crafted Alpine driving journey itinerary that is without . turn the page and find out what we’ve come to love ourselves so much…

p2 p3 Itinerary Map p. 006 It all goes back a long, long time… p. 008 Journey of Discovery p. 010 Day-by-day p. 062

Choice of Cars p. 079 Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines p. 080 What’s included/Best Months to Go p. 082 Photo p. 085 p4 Itinerary Map

Day1 Day6 /Germany to Valbella/ /Itlay to Innervillgraten/ Switzerland – A bit of highway, then Austria – Through the UNESCO dive headlong into the back roads of World Heritage Dolomiti into Austria the Alps Day7 Day2 In and around Osttirol & Carinthia Valbella to – Across the – Wonderful roads and landscapes famous Tremola into Mediterranean in the middle of nowhere Switzerland Day8 Day3 Innervillgraten/Austria to Munich/ In and around – Beautiful Germany – Via the Grossglockner drives, shopping, sight-seeing or just back to Munich chilling out?

International Brands Shopping Day4 Local/Handicraft Shopping Ascona/Switzerland to Merano/ Italy – Stelvio Day!

Day5 In and around – Gorgeous passes? Massage? Sight- seeing?

p6 It all goes back a long, long time... Europe is the cradle of the motorcar and private motoring. Ever since Karl Benz’s 1886 Motorwagen, people have taken pride in owning a car and being in its driver’s seat. Driving in a beautiful car bespeaks privilege, freedom, privacy, and, especially in a cabriolet, allows one to be in communion with the elements and natural beauty: soak up the sunshine, feel the wind in your hair, smell the fresh air and the scents of freshly cut grass. Besides, there is the sheer pleasure of being in control, of directing of travel: to turn, to go, to stop where and when you feel like it.

These are pleasures that Europeans were the first to enjoy. Most evidently, these are pleasures that can be shared by couples. While it is often the who takes the driving seat, it was in fact Bertha Benz who undertook the first driving journey (with their two children) in the world. Driving journeys in a cabriolet is something that women have enjoyed ever since, whether as companion or driver.

Discovering the world by means of a driving journey is a unique pleasure that we want to share with you!

p8 p9 p11 In the FIRST 2 hours, YOU will be in the ALPS…”

In Austria’s Lechtal... p13 Across HILL and DALE... on DAY ONE…”

In the Bregenzer Wald... p15 ALPINE LIVING... for your FIRST STAY…”

In Valbella, Graubuenden... p17 WIDE OPEN VIEWS from the as you drive WEST...”

Oberalp Pass p19 NO COMMENT… where does it take you?”

p20 p21 ACROSS THE St.Gotthart on the TREMOLA... a CLASSIC ROAD like no other...”

p22 p23 TICINO, that part of SWITZERLAND that is completely MEDITERRANEAN...”

The landscape of Ticino p25 AMAZING VIEWS from one of Ticino’s FABLED Mountains...”

The view from San Salvatore p27 One of TICINO’s many CHARMING towns...”

Santuario Madonna del Sasso high p29 Your in Switzerland’s BEAUTIFUL TICINO...”

Overlooking Lago Magglore... p31 On your way to South Tyrol...the REMARKABLE STELVIO... for you to enjoy!“

Stilfserjoch – The p33 The Stelvio... a REAL CHALLENAGE, but UNFORGETTABLE...”

p34 p35 In SOUTH TYROL, where the AUSTRIAN ALPS meet MEDITERRANEAN FLAIR...”

Castel Tirolo… p37 In South Tyrol, one of the most BEAUTIFUL REGIONS of the Alps…”

Lago di Caldaro, south of … p39 South Tyrol, a farming of LONG, LONG TRADITIONS!”

A farmer’s life in South Tyrol p41 VISIT a local ARTISAN in his studio…”

South Tyrol is famous for almost-lost handicraft traditions... p43 VISIT a 700 YEAR OLD farm house in a REMOTE VALLEY of South Tyrol...”

Lago di Caldaro, south of Bolzano… p45 WHENEVER possible, taste local delicacies…”

Speck and Schuettelbrot in South Tyrol p47 In South Tyrol, where the ALPS are GRANDER still than in Austria...”

The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage region…. p49 On the Road in the DOLOMITES…”

p50 p51 A CHARMING hotel in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE in Austria...”

In Innvervillgraten, Osttirol p53 The ONLY PRIVATE Porsche in the world...”

Josef Pfeihoffer Museum in Gmuend p55 ONE of the very FIRST Porsche 356 (year 1948)...owned by Peter’s FATHER!”

Josef Pfeihoffer Museum in Gmuend p57 The GROSSGLOCKNER... Austria’s tallestmountain and the focus of a GORGEOUS ROAD across the ALPS...”

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road p59 A MUST-NOT-MISS last stop: the glass manufactory in RATTENBERG…”

The finest of Austrian Glass p61 p63 Day 1 mountainous and winding roads right away. A bit of highway, then Soon after leaving the German dive headlong into the highway, you will cross into back roads of the Alps Austria where you will spend After arriving at Munich most of your day. You will airport, you will pick up your drive in spectacular scenery choice of rental car. (through typical Austrian and along lovely rivers) Then you will begin your driving and on roads that are Peter’s holiday in the Alps. Navigating backyard...where he, from around Munich will take a bit age 18, developed his love for of time, but soon you will find driving! Driving Distance & Duration* yourself on a beautiful German In mid-afternoon, you will cross Distance: 392 km highway that will take you to into Switzerland where you will Duration: 6 hours the foothills of the Alps in no need to show some restraint: time. Switzerland has the strictest Hotel speed limits and the fiercest A modern, Alpine hotel in For your first day, we have fines. (****) chosen for you back roads that will allow you to enjoy You can expect to arrive at your *Driving distances and durations hotel in the late afternoon. are approximate

p64 p65 Day 2 Switzerland’s most famous Day 3 roads, the Tremola…be Across the famous surprised! Beautiful drives, Tremola into On the way to your destination Driving Distance & Duration shopping, sight- Mediterranean today, you will have lunch in a Distance: 218 km seeing, or just Switzerland small restaurant in the midst Duration: 3.30 hours of the vineyards. You chilling out? Switzerland has four distinct will also be able to visit the Val Hotel cultural regions: the Germanic dam of “James Bond” A charming small hotel by Ticino with its mild southern North and Northeast; the East- : the dam is 220m tall and Lago (****) climate is the place Central Grison; the Italian will frighten anyone with only for a day of rest or leisurely South and the French West. The a touch of acrophobia. Bungee sightseeing. day before, you arrived in the jumping anyone? Germanic region. You will have many choices Today you will drive into ranging from kicking back with the Italian south where a drink and a good book by Switzerland truly feels Italian, the hotel’s pool, visiting local not only because the Italian markets (in a different language is in common use, depending on the day of the but also because the climate week), making an outing by is thoroughly Mediterranean, driving along one of the lakes replete with palm trees and (and dipping your toe into Italy, southern European vegetation, Driving Distance & Duration as it were), or visiting near-by piazzas and the colors of Italy. Depending on your chosen Ticino is known for excellent Milano for a bit of shopping. ; in particular, Merlot feels activity at home here. This region is We will help you make your Hotel famous as well for steep and arrangements and guide you narrow valleys and spectacular as you desire. A charming small hotel by lakes dotted with sailboats Lago Lugano (****) and ferries that carry people Note: Today’s lunch and activities and cars from the Swiss to the during the day are not included. Italian shores of these bodies of water. One of today’s highlights will be the drive across one of p67 Day 4 lovers, but also by sports aficionados, especially cyclists. Stelvio Day But beware: its switchback Today you will leave behind and hairpin turns can be Switzerland’s Ticino and drive treacherous and, if it is a toward Alto (or South beautiful day, there could be Tyrol), Italy’s northern most quite a bit of traffic, especially region. mountain bikers, some of whom are hell-bent on proving It is a spectacular drive along something, whatever that may Alpine lakes, through steep be. valleys and across high passes. Still, driving across the Stelvio Weather permitting, you can pass is a -in-a-life-time look forward to an unforgettable experience for driving lovers! driving day since today is also Driving Distance & Duration “Stelvio Day”, one of the best Your hotel for this and the next Distance: 300 km known passes in the Alps. It is night is beautifully situated Duration: 5.30 hours the highest tarmacked pass in above Merano, a small town in the and tops out at South Tyrol: the view from high Hotel 2,757 m (9,045 ft). It is not only above Merano is breath-taking. A hidden gem of a hotel high beloved by bikers and driving above Merano (*****)

p69 Day 5 traditions and way of living. are produced with the feathers In the morning, it will be a of peacocks. All of them are Gorgeous passes? drive from Merano to the artisanal handicrafts that are Massage? Sight- Sarnthal. centuries old. seeing? There you will spend the better In the later afternoon, we will part of the day. Besides a very drive back to Merano across South Tyrol with its mild local lunch in a 700-year old two spectacular mountain southern climate, stunning farm house, we would like to passes and beautiful back mountains, traditions and introduce you to a producer of roads. Upon returning to the culinary delights, offers fragrant, essential oils made hotel, you will have free time something for everyone. from a species of pines that are until dinner. Today, we suggest to take up to one thousand years old you into a little known valley and to introduce to Sarnthein Since we will be returning called the Sarnthal such that valley artisans of various kinds, to the same hotel, you are of Driving Distance & Duration you can get a glimpse of the among them a manufactory course free to opt out of today’s of exquisite embroideries that drive and activities. Distance: 280 km uniqueness of South Tyrolean Duration: 3.30 hours

Hotel A hidden gem of a hotel high above Merano (*****)

p70 p71 Day 6 Through the UNESCO Depending on your appetite for easterly direction and before driving and the weather, we can long cross the from Italy World Heritage spend more or less time on the into Austria. Once in Austria, Dolomiti into Austria amazing roads of the Dolimiti. we will enjoy a lunch in a If nothing else, we will drive hidden gem of a restaurant Today’s drive will take you across the Passo Gardena in, as far as it is possible in first into a mountain range on the way to Corvarra. The Europe, the middle of nowhere. called the Dolimiti. They are a combination of stunning roads UNESCO World Heritage region and unique landscape will and, even though they are part make it an unforgettable drive. of the Alps, entirely different from all the other mountains in After descending from the the center of Europe. Dolimiti, you will drive in an Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 332 km Duration: 6 hours

Hotel An Alpine hotel unlike any other (*****)

p72 p73 Day 7 More great mountain roads? A unique Driving Distance & Duration Porsche museum? Or Depending on your chosen just enjoy the hotel activity and a spa? Hotel An Alpine hotel unlike any Today we recommend a drive other (*****) along one of Austria’s most scenic roads, the Nockalm Panoramastrasse. The Nockbergs are Europe’s only the first car named Porsche National Park in a gentle (a 356) was produced in March high mountain range with the 1948. largest forests of spruce, larch and stone pine in the eastern For the return journey, we Alps. suggest to take a detour via Klagenfurt, the capital of The unmistakable appearance Carinthia for a lovely Chinese of the rounded “Nocken” (for meal in a restaurant run, for 20 Asians, Nocken might as well years, by people from Zhejiang be translated as “dumplings”) province. After several days of are geological rarities and eating Western food, it will be a unique in the entire region welcome change, we’re sure. of the Alps. The 35km long Panoramastrasse leads you, In the afternoon you will have via 52 hairpin turns, through time to enjoy the Almdorf and this national park. its surroundings.

The destination of your drive will be the only privately owned Porsche Museum in Europe, that in Gmünd. It was here that p75 Day 8 Via the Grossglockner back to Munich

Today you will drive back to Munich airport in time for you to catch an evening flight back to Hong Kong, if you have to!

On the way we have two final highlights in store for you.

You will want to pray for good (Austria’s smallest with a weather for this morning history of well over a 1000 since you will be driving years) that is the home of across the Grossglockner an artisanal manufactory of Driving Distance & Duration Hochalpenstrasse, Austria’s beautiful glass – plain and Distance: 428 km grandest high alpine road. The simple or ornate and colorful. Duration: 6.15 hours snow-capped peaks, especially You will be delighted, either that of the Grossglockner, simply to look and marvel or Austria’s tallest mountain, and perhaps to purchase and take flower-dotted bright green home one of its gems. pastures are a sight to behold. The remaining drive to Munich After this exhilarating drive, is short, mostly on highways, you will find yourself in Tirol, with the exception of a fine Austria’s most mountainous stretch of country roads just state and the cradle of its before arriving at Munich world-famous crystal glass airport. making excellence. Instead of taking you to Swarovski, however, we propose to introduce you to a tiny town p77 Choice of Cars

We include in the package price a cabriolet.

We strongly encourage you to enjoy this journey in an open- top car because the natural beauty, the fresh and scented air, the glorious mountains, the vineyards, and the many gorgeous roads are best enjoyed when wind is in your air and you can immerse yourself in the enjoyment of being on the road!

Of course, if you prefer a coupe or sedan of the same class or something a little or a lot more ANY car, exotic, we’re happy to offer you upgrade options. as long as it is a CABRIOLET”

p78 p79 Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines

While this itinerary is not one of our ‘Foodie’-themed journeys, we do believe that each one of our journeys should introduce you not only to hidden gems of cultural and scenic beauty, but that sampling local cuisines is also a must.

We will therefore arrange for you ‘tasting menus’ such that you can try out a variety of specialties during each meal. While alcoholic beverages are not included in the price, on certain occasions, when we believe that a particular dish is best enjoyed when combined with a local drink, we will make it part of the experience!

For private journeys, we can, of course, tailor the meal experience to your taste (and budget).

p80 p81 What’s Included / Best Months to Go...

Best months to go...

Generally speaking, our journey described in this Journey • All accommodations • Walky-talkies to stay in touch wet towels, daily picnic, • Alcoholic drinks (unless packages and prices are all- Dossier with fellow travelers and your basket containing fresh fruit, • A BMW 2 Series Cabriolet (or explicitly included) inclusive. Once you’ve paid and crew fruit juice, water, and a • A crew existing of a journey similar) from one of our • Activities, Meals, Transport you arrive at the starting point, mixture of sweets and nibbles) host, subject matter experts/ highly reputable car rental • All toll fees and parking fees you really won’t have to take during ‘free times’ as indicated destination guides in various partners. out your wallet again except for • Entrance fees for all attended in this Journey Dossier locations and a lead car liquids (alcoholic drinks and Many car-upgrade options activities driver. Depending on group What’s Not Included • Top-up Collision Damage petrol) and presents to take exist at an extra charge. size, we will add additional Waiver home! • Lead car for your crew • Your transport to/from Munich crew members. • All ground transportation and • Petrol for your car • Hand-crafted On the Road in airport transfers • On the Road in Europe • Personal shopping Europe – Back Roads. Hidden • All meals in ‘tasting menu’ (goodies basket and • Pre-programmed GPSs and Gems. – Itinerary design as (or omakase) style other treats : • Visas (if required) printed maps p83 Photo Credits

© Almdorf Seinerzeit - pages 74(spa), 82 © Kolarik - page 58 © Casa Berno Hotel - page © Christof Sonderegger - page 66 © Flurin Bergamin - page 16 © Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse - page © Hotel Gannerhof - page 52 © Irene Aascher - page 12 © Kaernten - page © Kisslinger Glas - page 60-61, 76 © Ludwig Berchtold - page 65 © Mark McCourt - page 8 © Nockalm Panoramastrasse (Tourism) - 75(top&middle) © Peter M. - pages 34, 40-41, 42, 44-45, 46, 50, 53, 54, 56, 69, 70, 73, 84 © Peter Schindler - pages 2, 18, 78, 81(middle&right) © Porsche Museum Gmuend - 75(bottom) © South Tyrol Marketing - pages 4, 32, 36, 38, 48, 68, 71, 72, 87 © Swiss Tourism - pages 10, 22, 26, 28, 79 © Ticino Tourismus - Cover and pages 20, 24, 67, © Valbella - page 17(bottom) © Wien Bild - pages 80(small images) Unknown - pages 14, 17(top), 62, 64, 77

p84 p85 Contact Us

E-mail [email protected]

Main office Telephone: +852 3106 4839 Fax: +852 3012 1251

Overseas Taiwan: +886 978 317 465 +886 921 162 079 : +61 2 8003 5317 Switzerland: +41 (44) 586 58 43 UK: +44 121 288 6879 Germany: +49 160 9622 2506

A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but when it comes to journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit : http://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/experience/videos/” p86 p87