Alpenglow & Edelweiss: Back Roads Across Europe’s Mountainous Heart ( & Switzerland - 14 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. And when we’re in the mood for spoiling ourselves with fine food and delightful hotels besides the sheer pleasure of being on some of the world’s best roads, we turn to Europe!

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 Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, South with its Dolomites, the French Alps – are a treasure trove of hidden gems. We therefore take great pleasure in introducing you to our first, carefully crafted Alpine driving journey itinerary that is without equal. Now 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. 082

Choice of Cars p. 101 Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines p. 102 What’s included/Best Months to Go... p. 104 Photo credits p. 107 p4 Itinerary Map Day1 Day8 Munich (Germany) to Innsbruck (Austria) to Grison (Austria) – (Switzerland) – You have arrived in Europe Into the heart of Switzerland: Appenzell and Grison Day2 In Salzburg – Day9 Exploring the romantic city of Salzburg Grison to Ticino – Into Switzerland’s Italian south Day3 Salzburg to Vienna – Day10 Of sparkling lakes, classic patisseries, In Ticino – sweet back roads…on your way to Soak up the Italian flair in and Vienna around Ticino

Day4 Day11 In Vienna – Ticino to Gstaad – In the city where art and culture are a Two hidden gems: The best view of way of life the Alps and a little-known hide- away of the great and good… Day5 Vienna to – Day12 On magnificent roads into Austria’s Gstaad to Vevey – Tuscany And onward toward the Swiss Riviera

Day6 Day13 Styria to /East Tyrol – Vevey to Geneva – Into the Alps proper and enjoying Through a UNESCO World Heritage Alpinestyle living… wine region on the way to Geneva

Day7 Day14 Carinthia/East Tyrol to Innsbruck – Farewell – Of stupendous mountains and the Life must go on…or why not extend p6 traditions of crystal glass your stay? 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 the course 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 gentleman 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 You have arrived in EUROPE! Let your ALPINE JOURNEY begin!”

View of the Fraueninsel on lake Chiemsee p13 On your FIRST DAY, get UP-CLOSE-AND-PERSONAL with the mountains surrounding Salzburg...”

One of so many glorious mountains in the Austrian Alps in Salzburg (as seen from Berchtesgaden) p15 If there is one ROMANTIC city in Austria, then it is SALZBURG...”

View of Salzburg at dusk p17 Starting your DAY in SAZLBURG...”

View from your hotel room p19 Riding in a FIAKER in CHILD’s play in SALZBURG...”

Riding in a Fiaker, a horse-drawn carriage in Salzburg p21 SALZBURG, one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL cities in the world...”

View of Salzburg’s magnificent public gardens p23 The SALZKAMMERGUT… Austria’s delightful LAKE REGION where the locals ENJOY LIFE!”

On lake Mondsee… p25 If AUSTRIA has one UNIQUE CULINARY DISTINCTION, it is its many Mehlspeisen, sweet delights of INFINITE VARIETY...”

An iconic Austrian Konditorei p27 MELK ABBEY, one of the most magnificent in ALL EUROPE...”

View of Melk Abbey p29 VIENNA, where ART and CULTURE are a way of life!”

Vienna at dusk… p31 VIENNA, where even the HORSES are CULTURED...”

The Lippizan Stallions of the Spanish Riding school p33 The VIENNESE CAN and DO spend their lives in their beloved KAFFEEHÄUSER…”

A typical Viennese Kaffeehaus (coffee shop) p35 One of Austria’s PRIDES… the most DELICATE of CHINAS...”

Shopping for something special in Vienna? p37 For you, a GRAND Hotel for a GRAND city!”

Your hotel in Vienna p39 Magnificent MEDIEVAL CASTLES everywhere… just BY THE ROADSIDE!”

The Riegersburg in Styria p41 TUSCANY in AUSTRIA… without the tourists!”

The South-Styrian Wine Road p43 On BACK ROADS through remote regions of Austria...”

The landscape of Carinthia p45 Stay in a TRADITIONAL ALM house, now a BOUTIQUE HOTEL for you!”

In the Carinthian Alps p47 The GROSSGLOCKNER… Austria’s tallest mountain and the focus of a GORGEOUS ROAD across the ALPS...”

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road p49 In RATTENBERG where Austrian GLASS making began…”

The finest of Austrian Glass p51 INNSBRUCK, the most ALPINE of all Austrian CITIES...”

View of Innsbruck at dusk p53 There is a tunnel from one side to the other, but WHO WOULD DREAM OF TAKING THAT?”

The High Alpine Road that divides the two western-most states of Austria p55 Climb up a CHURCH STEEPLE, and here is what you’ll see: THREE COUNTRIES…”

Heiden Village: stand in Switzerland and look out across Germany and Austria p57 In APPENZELL… where cows are at least as important as people… “

Appenzell countryside p59 In APPENZELL … where TRADITION is as STRONG as anywhere in the world...”

Appenzell inhabitants p61 WIDE OPEN VIEWS from the Oberalp PASS as you drive WEST...”

The Oberalp pass p63 NO COMMENT… but where does it take you?”

p64 p65 TICINO, that part of SWITZERLAND that is completely MEDITERRANEAN...”

The landscape of Ticino p67 There is a lot to see in TICINO, but it may also be TIME FOR enjoying the DOLCE VITA…”

Your hotel in Ticino p69 Where the ALPS are at their MOST STUPENDOUS!”

The view across the Alps from Les Diablerets p71 The MOST SWISS of all sounds… from the ALPHORN….”

A performance by Alphorn players p73 DISTINCTLY FRENCH by now as you descend into the LAC LEMAN region...”

Chateau d’Aigle p75 LAC LEMAN as seen from your hotel in VEVEY...”

Your hotel at Lac Leman p77 The TERRACED VINYARDs of Lavaux are rightly a UNESCO World Heritage site!”

View of the Lavaux Wine Region p79 You have ARRIVED at your destination: GENEVA - at the border of SWITZERLAND and FRANCE!”

The lake front of Geneva p81 p83 Day 1 Day 2 You have arrived in Exploring the Europe… romantic city of Salzburg We will pick you up at Munich airport. Then it is time for you “Salzburg with its surroundings to take possession of the car is – alongside Rio de Janeiro you’ve requested. In it you will and Constantinople – one find some On the Road in Europe of the most beautiful urban goodies that will make your regions in the world!” Even journey and the time on the Timing today, the words of Alexander road even more enjoyable…be 10:00 von Humboldt, world-famous surprised! Depart from Munich Airport traveller and scientist of the Only a little while after leaving 12:30 late 19th century, ring true. Munich airport, you will sense Lunch at the Chiemsee Above all, Salzburg is a city of that you have arrived in Europe 14:15 romance and elegance. Along since you will be driving in Depart for your afternoon the river Salzach, and presided the charming countryside of drive to Salzburg over by a mighty fortress, Bavaria on the way to your 17:30 Festung Hohen Salzburg, first destination, Salzburg: Arrive in Salzburg (the largest fully preserved enjoy the rolling meadows, 19:00 fortress complex in central picturesque villages with iconic to invite you to enjoy these Dinner Europe), fabulous churches, church steeples, lunch right glorious mountains. quiet monasteries, impressive meadows of its surroundings. to invest in prodigious amounts by the shore of beautiful lake Driving Distance & Duration palaces, lush parks, beautiful on scientific research, fine arts Chiemsee with the Austrian You can expect to arrive at your Salzburg, literally meaning Distance: 210 km squares with impressive and culture. Alps as the backdrop. hotel in the late afternoon. We Salt Castle, over centuries Duration: 4+ hours fountains – all these create will round out your evening with generated enormous wealth Today is your chance to get a Then, in the afternoon, as a first an intimate and romantic an easy walk from your hotel through nearby salt, gold and glimpse of Salzburg’s charm. real treat, we will guide you Hotel cityscape that is made all the to Salzburg old town where copper mines. Their wealth We have included in your across a magnificent mountain (a) A charming hotel near city more lovely by the picturesque we have arranged dinner for allowed the city’s Prince- program some of the better road, designed as if it had only center mountains (some so high that you in one of Salzburg’s iconic, Archbishops to employ not only known sites – the mighty one function: to showcase and (b) A magnificent hotel in the they are snow-covered all year traditional restaurants. city center some of the finest architects, fortress, of course, and also round), pristine lakes and green painters and builders, but also some of its charming Gassen p84 p85 Day 3 Of sparkling lakes, Timing classic patisseries, Timing Breakfast at your leisure in sweet back roads… 7:00 the hotel Breakfast at your hotel 9:30 on your way to Vienna 8:30 Start guided walking tour Begin your drive into of some of Salzburg’s high- The better part of today is Salzburg’s lake region lights devoted to sampling the 12:00 treasures of the Salzkammergut. 12:30 Lunch by Lake Traunsee Lunch at a traditional With well over seventy large and 13:30 costume manufactory small lakes (all of drinking- water quality), rolling pastures, Continue your drive toward 14:30 tall mountains, and marvelous Vienna Free time to explore roads, the Salzkammergut is 15:00 Salzburg’s old town (with one of Austria’s most charming Visit Melk Abbey guide and suggestions as regions. desired) 18:30 Arrive in Vienna 19:00 A highlight of the morning 1089) and one of the world’s 19:30 Dinner in a traditional will be a visit to one of its most famous monastic sites. Dinner in Vienna’s 1. District Salzburg restaurant at the typical towns and a snack at Despite it being very much edge of town one of Austria’s best known frequented by visitors from all Driving Distance & Duration Konditoreien or patisseries. over the world, it is a must-see! Driving Distance & Duration Distance: 330 km (alleyways) – as well as in handicraft for which Salzburg You will be able to enjoy lunch at The last leg of today’s journey Distance: 0 km Duration: 5 hours some of its less-well-known is famous or buy curiosities (for a specially selected restaurant will take you to Vienna. You will Duration: 0 hours right by the lakefront. After attractions – for example, an example, Austrian Schnapps, a arrive at dusk when its grand Hotel intriguing nunnery and a visit to kind of fruity brandy), we will be your meal (with a selection buildings are beautifully and Hotel (a) A lovely boutique hotel by a traditional Salzburg costumes happy to advise you such that of fish from the lake), you will tastefully lit. (a) A charming hotel near city manufactory. What’s more, you can make the most out of drive to Melk Abbey. Situated St. Stephen’s Cathedral center For dinner, we have selected a Salzburg is most certainly your day in Salzburg. above the town of Melk on a (b) A world-class hotel in the (b) A magnificent hotel in the rocky outcrop overlooking the hidden gem of a restaurant in worth some free time to explore Vienna’s central district. 1st district it on your own or with our city center Danube river in , guide. Should you be interested it is Austria’s most impressive monastery (founded in the year p86 Day 4 (“sugar bakers” or makers of sweets) and musicians from In the city where art all around the world. Mozart, Timing and culture are a way Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Breakfast at your leisure in of life Schönberg, Mahler, Schubert, the hotel Gluck, the Strauss Family 9:00 (creators and promoters of the Vienna - the former capital Morning visits to porcelain Viennese Waltz tradition) and of the Habsburg Austro- manufactory, treasure many more musicians lived Hungarian Empire and chamber, and walking tour and worked in this city and nowadays capital of Austria, through the first district enriched its vast history with the City of Music, the City of 12:30 their master pieces. Gustav the Blue Danube, the only city Lunch at a classic Kaffeehaus Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar worldwide that created its own 14:00 Kokoschka, to name but a distinct cuisine and the only Visit to one of Vienna’s best few, are among Vienna’s best- capital that grows its very own known palaces known painters. Otto Wagner, wine within its city-borders. Friedrich Loos, Helmer & 16:00 St. Stephen’s Cathedral, The Fellner and Theophil Hansen Free time to explore Vienna’s Hofburg (the Imperial Court), its most prominent architects. central district (with guide and Schönbrunn and Belvedere suggestions as desired) How to introduce you to a Palaces, the Museum of Fine 18:45 city of such splendor in less Arts, the Imperial Treasury, The Dinner in a special Viennese than forty-eight hours? We Spanish Horse-Riding School, restaurant the world’s largest graphic-art hope that, through a carefully 20:00 museum (the Albertina), the selected sampling of its Performance at the Imperial palaces and state buildings ubiquitous treasures, you Horse-Riding School along the Ring Straße (the will get a taste of this city in horse-riding school, a ride former inner defense line)… which art and culture is a way in its nostalgic horse-drawn Driving Distance & Duration of life. We will delight you carriages and, of course, a Vienna – the melting-pot and Distance: 0 km with visits to its best known selection of well-known and nucleus of the former empire Duration: 0 hours manufacturer of porcelain, its not-so-well-known Viennese – attracted (and still attracts) imperial treasure chamber, a dishes. (If you have specific Hotel scientists, entrepreneurs, classic Viennese Kaffeehaus interests, please let us know.) (a) A lovely boutique hotel by artists, architects, engineers, (or Café) with its inimitable St. Stephen’s Cathedral physicists, Zuckerbäcker vaults, a performance at the (b) A world-class hotel in the p88 1st district Day 5 Day 6

On magnificent roads Timing Into the Alps proper Timing into Austria’s Tuscany 7:30 and enjoying Alpine- 8:30 Breakfast in your hotel style living… Breakfast at your hotel It is time, at last, to venture into After lunch, you will continue 9:00 9:30 the Austrian countryside, on your drive to Styria, one of Departure from your hotel… In the morning, you will be your exploration of the Alps Begin your drive along the back roads to get away from the Austria’s nine states. Styria begin your drive into the driving along Styria’s and themselves, this spectacular crowds. lies in Austria’s southwest and Slovenian border towards remote region of South Styria then Carinthia’s border with mountain range in the heart borders on Slovenia. In this Klagenfurt, Carinthia’s capital This morning’s drive will take 13:00 Slovenia on a gently winding of Europe. From today onward corner of Austria is a ‘wine 12:30 you, before long, onto small Lunch by Riegersburg Castle road well known by all local and until the rest of this journey, the road’ called the Südsteirische roads that run along Austria’s regional driving lovers…simply Alps will become your familiar Lunch in Klagenfurt…it will Weinstrasse (the South-Styrian 14:30 be a pleasant surprise! border with Hungary. (If you Continue your drive into magnificent. companion. like, you can take a short Wine Road). Without a doubt, 14:00 Austria’s Tuscany After a few hours of enjoying the Your home for the day will be excursion across the border!) the rolling vineyard hills of this Continue your drive into the Alps 16:00 sheer pleasure of driving, you either a farm house lodge or a region count among the most 15:45 or 17:15 The Austrian countryside is memorable we’ve ever seen. Arrive in the South-Styrian will descend into Klagenfurt, village of chalets where you can Arrive at your hotel for the dotted with castles small and wine region the capital of Carinthia for a get a feeling of the unique style Before dinner, we will guide you night (depending on whether large. One of today’s highlights Free-time to explore artisans surprise lunch… of Alpine living as practiced by to visit one or the other vineyard you stay in Carinthia or Osttirol) will be your lunch at a small, of local produce mountain farmers since the or to one of the many artisans of Carinthia is home to Austria’s 19:30 local restaurant that presents 19:00 earliest days. In the past life was local produce. second lake region – it too is Dinner at the hotel a magnificent view over one Dinner in the midst of a well-known destination for harsh; today, you can get a taste of Styria’s most impressive Dinner itself will, of course, be in vineyards of it in the comfort of a beautiful, Austrians and many Germans Driving Distance & Duration castles. the midst of this unforgettable on holiday. For you, however, yet rustic and authentic hotel. wine region. Driving Distance & Duration Carinthia is the beginning of Distance: 230 km to Carinthia or 330 km to Osttirol Distance: 310 km Duration: 4 hours to Carinthia Duration: 4 hours or 6 hours to Osttirol Hotel Hotel (a) A boutique hotel in the (a) A boutique farm house heart of Austria’s Tuscany lodge in Osttirol (b) A village of Alpine Chalets in Carinthia Day 7 famous crystal glass making Day 8 in the midst of these pastures excellence. Instead of taking and then visit the Appenzell Of stupendous you to Swarovski, however, we Timing Into the heart cheese producer where you Timing mountains and the propose to introduce you to a 7:30 of Switzerland: can see and learn about the 7:30 traditions of crystal tiny town (Austria’s smallest Breakfast at your hotel in the Appenzell and Grison traditions of local cheese Breakfast at your hotel with a history of well over a Alps making and, of course, also 8:30 glass 1000 years) that is the home taste a great variety of fresh and Begin your drive toward 9:15 Today you will drive further west of an artisanal manufactory aged cheeses. Switzerland Begin driving from your hotel to arrive in Switzerland’s most You will want to pray for good of beautiful glass – plain and 12:00 across Austria’s grandest tradition-bound Canton called Your day will conclude with a weather for this morning simple or ornate and colorful. Alpine road drive to Canton Grison where Stop to enjoy the view of the since you will be driving Appenzell. You will be delighted, either the forth of Switzerland’s 4 Dreiländereck across the Grossglockner 12:45 Along the way, we will show simply to look and marvel or official languages is spoken: 13:00 Hochalpenstrasse, Austria’s Lunch along the way you a very special look-out to perhaps to purchase and take Romantsch. Only thirty thousand Lunch in a hidden gem of a grandest high alpine road. The 16:00 take in the locally well-known home one of its gems. native speakers remain. restaurant: pure Appenzell snow-capped peaks, especially Visit an artisan of glass at the Dreiländereck (Three-Country The remaining drive to 14:00 that of the Grossglockner, birthday place of Austria’s Corner): find yourself in It is here where we would like Innsbruck is short. Innsbruck Visit to the Appenzell cheese Austria’s tallest mountain, and excellence in crystal glass Switzerland and look at across to introduce to Alpine traditions is our founder’s mother’s producer flower-dotted bright green 17:45 the Bodensee (Lake Constance) of spas and “wellness” in a ancestral home and therefore 15:00 pastures (in spring) or golden- Arrive at your hotel in on whose far shares you will beautiful hotel that is yours for has a special place in his heart. Drive into Canton Grison red forests (in autumn), are a Innsbruck see Germany (due north) and the night. Innsbruck, of Olympic Winter 17:00 sight to behold. Austria (northeast). Game fame, has an old town 19:30 Arrive at your spa lodge After this exhilarating drive, that you will love to explore Dinner in Innsbruck’s old town If you have one image of Austria, 19:30 you will find yourself in Tirol, before dinner. it is most likely one of glorious Dinner at your hotel Austria’s most mountainous Driving Distance & Duration pastures dotted with healthy Driving Distance & Duration state and the cradle of its world- Distance: 330 km from cows whose bells ring out across Carinthia or 280 km from Osttirol the Alps…it is a sound that Distance: Distance: 350 - 390 km Duration: 5.5 hours from everyone born and raised in the Driving Duration: 5-6 hours Carinthia or 4.5 hours from Alps will instantly connect with (depending on the route chosen) Osttirol home and that has the power to charm distant travelers as well. Hotel Hotel These visions and memories are A traditional spa lodge in the A stylish hotel in the heart of best represented by Appenzell… heart of Switzerland’s Canton Innsbruck where Switzerland is truly Swiss! Grison You will be able to enjoy a lunch p92 Day 9 Day 10

Into Switzerland’s Timing Soak up the Italian Timing Italian south Breakfast at your leisure in the flair in and around To be flexibly arranged for you hotel Ticino depending on your interest Switzerland has four distinct in particular, Merlot feels at 10:00 cultural regions: the Germanic home here. This region is Departure from your hotel Ticino with its mild southern as it were), or visiting near-by Driving Distance & Duration North and Northeast; the famous as well for steep and 13:30 climate is the ideal place Milano for a bit of shopping. Distance: 0 to approximately East-Central Grison; the Italian narrow valleys and spectacular Lunch in the vineyards of Ticino for a day of rest or leisurely We will help you make your 150 km South and the French West. lakes dotted with sailboats 15:00 sightseeing. arrangements and guide you as Duration: 0 to 4 hours The first two you got a glimpse and ferries that carry people Drive a little while further to your you desire. (depending on your chosen of the day before. and cars from the Swiss to the You will have many choices hotel (and visit the Val Verzasca activities) ranging from kicking back with Note: Today’s lunch and dinner are not included. Today you will drive into Italian shores of these bodies dam) a drink and a good book by the Italian south where of water. Hotel 17:00 the hotel’s pool, visiting local Switzerland truly feels Italian, On the way to your destination (a) A lakeside lodge in Ticino Arrive at your hotel and free time markets (in a different village not only because the Italian today, you will have lunch in a 20:00 depending on the day of the (b) A resplendent, hill-side language is in common use, small restaurant in the midst of Dinner at your hotel week), making an outing by hotel in Ticino but also because the climate the Merlot vineyards and also driving along one of the lakes is thoroughly Italian, replete visit the Val Verzasca dam of Driving Distance & Duration (and dipping your toe into Italy, with palm trees and southern “James Bond” fame: the dam European vegetation, piazzas is 220m tall and will frighten Distance: 150 – 220 km and the colors of Italy. anyone with only a touch of Duration: 3 – 4.5 hours acrophobia. Bungee jumping Ticino (like Austria’s Tuscany) Hotel is known for excellent wines; anyone? (a) A lakeside lodge in Ticino (b) A resplendent, hill-side hotel in Ticino

p94 p95 Day 11 Day 12

Two hidden gems: The Timing And onward toward Timing best view of the Alps 8:00 the Swiss Riviera Your morning arranged accord- and a little-known Breakfast at your hotel ing to your interests followed Today you can make a very across the highlands of Bern by lunch in Gstaad before your hide-away of the great 9:30 Begin your drive north-west leisurely start since you only will surely count as one of departure for Lac Leman. and good… toward Gstaad need to depart from Gstaad your most memorable holiday 14:30 after lunch. experiences ever. 12:30 Departure from Gstaad Today you will take a large step Lunch in Canton Valais After a light lunch in Gstaad, 16:00 toward your final destination In the morning, we can 14:00 you will begin your one-and-a- Arrival at your hotel. by beginning to drive north- recommend a number of Continue your journey toward half hour drive to the shores of 19:00 northwest. In the morning, From Les Diablerets to activities. Gstaad Lac Leman. Dinner by the lakeside you will cross the Alps again. Gstaad it is but a hop and One is simply to stroll through Just as you arrive at Lac Depending on your passion for a skip. Gstaad is a small 15:30 the center of Gstaad and to get Leman, you might want Driving Distance & Duration driving on mountain roads, we village (“more cows than Stop at Les Diablerets for the some shopping in, including at to enjoy a stop at Chateau Distance: 65 km will choose one of two routes people”) in a remote corner most beautiful view of the Alps von Siebenthal, a marvelous, Chillon, a medieval fortress Duration: 1.5 hours for you: one rather gentle and of the Berner Oberland (the 16:45 multi-level cookery store built on a promontory reaching easy-going, the other quite Bernese Highlands) which, Continue toward Gstaad where you find the finest of out into the lake. (But beware, Hotel the opposite: challenging, yet for mysterious reasons, has 17:30 cooking utensils available in it is an attraction very much magnificent. blossomed as a hide-away Arrive at your hotel (a) A boutique city hotel minutes Switzerland. frequented by tourists.) of many a movie or sporting from Lac Leman You will enjoy lunch in a lovely 19:30 If you are in the mood for star. Even though, it has Still, a view of this fortress (b) A magnificent grand dame of a bistro in Canton Valais. After A most traditional Swiss dinner something a little bit more active, retained much authentic in late afternoon is quite lunch it is a short drive to Les you might want to consider a hotel, by the side of Lac Leman Alpine charm and provides the something to behold. Diablerets. It is a place you Driving Distance & Duration 30min drive to the Launenensee perfect setting for a dinner are unlikely to have heard of; Distance: 260 km and a gentle one-hour walk on as traditional as it gets in yet it is here that a cable car Duration: 5.5 hours flat terrain around this beautiful Switzerland: what would be a takes off and soars high and small lake. higher to the roof of the Alps. journey into this land without Hotel If you’re ready for an adventure, It is here that we would like a sampling of Racelette and (a) A small lodge on the outskirts you could book (optionally) a to introduce you to the most Fondue? of Gstaad hot air balloon that takes off memorable view of the Alps, (b) A hidden gem of a boutique from Chateau d’Oex. Such much more memorable than hotel on a hillside above Gstaad a ride in the early morning any other we know of. p97 Day 13 Day 14 Through a UNESCO Life must go on…or World Heritage wine why not extend your region on the way to stay? Geneva We will arrange your transfer In the morning, you may want Your road journey will conclude from the hotel to Geneva airport to visit, for example, the cradle in Geneva after a short drive or train station, depending on of Swiss milk chocolate, a on the first Swiss highway of your arrangements. small maker of the finest this journey. Surrounded by Timing such chocolates to be enjoyed the Alps on the one hand and Vevey to restaurant in the Lavaux If you are not pressed for time, anywhere. Also, a stroll another well-known Swiss Region: 10km and 10min, from there there are many ways in which along the lake-front is highly mountain range called Jura to Geneva, 1-1:15 hours, 80 km you can extend your stay. recommended or a short drive and at the eastern end of Lake to Montreux, famous for its Geneva (from where it flows Driving Distance & Duration Why not continue to Paris, by annual Jazz Festival. into the Rhone river), Geneva Distance: 90 km car or France’s high-speed has become the seat of many Whatever you fancy, be sure to Duration: 1-1.5 hours train, the TGV? international institutions. It return by 11:30 and be ready for has a vibrant and rather your departure toward Geneva. Hotel Or, if you love driving, return in French cultural and social life (a) A small, yet grand hotel in the one day or two to Munich where Todays drive will begin with one and makes a fitting place for city center you began your journey? of the most picturesque drives celebrating the end of your (b) A hidden gem of a hotel of the entire journey, namely East-West journey across the overlooking lake Geneva Or rest for a few days in Geneva through the UNESCO World Alps! which has much to offer? Heritage terraced vineyards of eastern Lac Leman. In the Whichever way you choose midst of it, is a restaurant that to continue, we are happy will afford you a bewitching view to help you make further of Lac Leman down below and arrangements. across Lac Leman a glimpse of the French Alps which are worth a trip of their own…perhaps one day in the future, but not on this journey. p99 Choice of Cars

We include in the package price a cabriolet.

We strongly encourage you to enjoy this journey in an opentop 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 fully 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 exotic, we’re happy to offer you upgrade options. ANY car, as long as it is a CABRIOLET”

p100 p101 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).

p102 p103 What’s Included / Best Months to Go...

Best months to go...

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN

JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

Generally speaking, our journey • Hand-crafted On the Road • All accommodations • All toll fees and parking fees What’s Not Included • Activities, Meals, Transport packages and prices are all- Experiences – Back Roads. • A car as described from • Entrance fees for all attended during ‘free times’ as indicated inclusive. Once you’ve paid and Hidden Gems. – Itinerary • Your transport to Munich and in this Journey Dossier one of our highly reputable activities from Geneva you arrive at the starting point, design as described in this • Top-up Collision Damage car rental partners will full • Lead car for your crew you really won’t have to take Journey Dossier insurance • Personal shopping • On the Road service (goodies Waiver insurance out your wallet again except for • A crew of three (your journey • Visas (if required) • All ground transportation and basket and other treats along liquids (alcoholic drinks and host, subject matter experts/ airport transfers • Alcoholic drinks (unless petrol) and presents to take destination guides in various the way: wet towels, daily • Pre-programmed GPSs and explicitly included) home! locations, and a journey guest picnic, basket containing fresh printed maps fruit, fruit juice, water, and a officer) • Petrol for your car • Walky-talkies to stay in touch mixture of sweets and nibbles) • All meals in ‘tasting menu’ with fellow travelers and your p104 (or omakase) style crew p105 Photo Credits

© Almdorf Seinerzeit – pages 46,91,101 © SalzburgerLand Tourismus © Appenzeller Schaukäserei – page 93 Helge Kirchberger – page 24 © Appenzellerland Tourismus Franz Pritz – page 82 Bildarchiv Appenzellerland © Staatliches Bauamt Traunstein – page 14 Tourismus AR – page 60 © Steiermark Tourismus Marcel Steiner – page 62 Gery Wolf – page 90 © Augarten Porzellan – page 36 Harry Schiffer – page 42 © Foto Stadler – page 87 ikarus.cc – page 40 © Geneve Tourisme – pages 80,98 Popp-Hackner – page 108 © Glacier3000 – pages 70,96 © Stift Melk – pages 28,29 © Grossglockner.at – pages 48,92 © Studio Patrick Jantet – page 98 © Illwerke Tourismus – page 54 © Switzerland Tourism – pages 99,103 © Hotel Sacher Salzburg – pages 18,84 Christof Sonderegger – pages 58,78,97, 110 © Hotel Trois Couronnes – page 76 Max Schmid – page 10 © Jörg Schmöe – Wörthersee Valais Tourisme – page 100 Tourismus – page 44 © Ticino Turismo – pages 64,66,94,95 © José Crespo – page 74 © Tirol Werbung/Aichner Bernhard – page 52 © Kisslinger Glas – pages 50,51 © Villa Orselina – page 68 © Mark J. McCourt, Hemmings Sports & © Wien Tourismus Exotic Car magazine, a publication by Christian Stemper – pages 30,34 Hemmings Motor News – page 8 Hertha Hurnaus – page 104 © MTV Ferienregion Traunsee/ Manfred Horvath – page 88 Weissenbrunner – page 106 Peter Rigaud – page 89 © OTV / L. Ryser – page 72 Robert Osmark – pages 89, 104 © Palais Hansen Kempinski Wien – page 38 Spanische Hofreitschule/Herbert © Peter Schindler – pages 2,4,56,64,87,102,104,105 Graf – page 32 © Priener Tourismus GmbH/Kurt Schubert – page 12 © www.badischl.at - page 26 © Salzburg Tourismus – pages 16,20,85,86

A portion of the itinerary is aligned with and supported by The Grand Tour of Switzerland p106 p107 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 Australia: +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 a road journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit : https://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/en/video-gallery” p108 p109