The Alps & Alsace (11 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 that you will be traveling through: southern Germany, the Italian Dolomites, the Swiss Alps and French Alsace. These regions are a treasure trove of hidden gems. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to share with you we’ve come to love ourselves so much...now turn the page to see what we have in store for you. May every day be filled with colourful anticipation and unforgettable memories. Yours truly, Peter Schindler p2 p3 Itinerary Map p. 006 Journey of Discovery p. 008 Day by Day p. 068 Choice of Cars p. 087 Local Cuisine p. 088 What’s Included/When to Travel p. 090 Photo credits p. 093 p5 Itinerary Map Day1 Day7 Munich/Germany - Brigels to Gstaad - You arrive in the Bavarian capital Cross three of Switzerland’s most renowned passes to Gstaad, in the Day2 heart of the Swiss Alps Munich/Germany to Dolomites/Italy - Across Austria and the Alps to Day8 San Cassiano in the heart of the Discover the best of Gstaad - Dolomites Glaciers, horse-drawn carriages and fresh mountain air Day3 In and around the Dolomites - Day9 Drive over four of Italy’s most spec- Gstaad/Switzerland to Barr/France - tacular passes, picnic in an Alpine Into one of France’s most charming meadow, or visit the hotel spa - the regions, Alsace choice is yours Day10 Day4 In and around Alsace - Dolomites to Merano - Explore Alsace’s historic villages, drive We make our second stop in on the region’s beautiful back roads, fascinating South Tyrol, a region that and discover delicious Alsatian cuisine combines Alpine ruggedness with Mediterranean flair Day11 Barr/France to Frankfurt/Germany - Day5 And now for enjoying your cars… on In and around Merano - highways back to Frankfurt! Discover South Tyrol beyond the Dolomites... Day6 Merano/Italy to Brigels/Switzerland - International Brand Shopping Across the magnificent Stelvio Pass Local/Handicraft Shopping p6 p9 Bavarian BRILLIANCE...” Central Munich p11 A MUST-NOT-MISS first stop: the glass manufactory in RATTENBERG…” The finest Austrian Glass p13 In South Tyrol the jagged DOLOMITES soar over ALPINE MEADOWS...” The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage region…. p15 For your STAY in the DOLOMITES, a beautiful hotel in ALPINE STYLE...” p16 p17 And what ARE they LOOKING at?” p18 p19 Enjoy a slice of ALPINE BLISS on a fine day in the mountains...” p20 p21 In South Tyrol, with some of the LOVELIEST MOUNTAIN ROADS in all of Europe...” The Gardena Pass, one of four spectacular passes around the Sella Massif p23 In SOUTH TYROL, where the AUSTRIAN ALPS meet ITALIAN FLAIR...” p24 p25 In South Tyrol, one of most BEAUTIFUL WINE REGIONS of the Alps...” p26 p27 South Tyrol, a farming region of LONG, LONG TRADITIONS!” A farmer’s life in South Tyrol p29 A CHARMING boutique hotel, high above MERANO...” Your hotel in Merano p31 SOUTH TYROL, home to both HAUTE CUISINE and time-honoured TRADITION...” Roast chestnuts, typical South Tyrolean produce p33 WHENEVER possible, taste local delicacies…” p34 p35 VISIT a 700 YEAR OLD farm house in a REMOTE VALLEY...” p36 p37 VISIT a local ARTISAN in his studio…” South Tyrol is famous for almost-lost handicraft traditions... p39 On the ITALIAN-SWISS border, the dramatic STELVIO PASS awaits you...” The Stelvio Pass p41 You have arrived in the SWISS Canton of Grisons, one of the country’s most TRADITIONAL...” Lake Silvaplana near St. Moritz p43 Break your journey with an evening in an elegant SWISS CHALET...” Your lodge for the night in Brigels p45 WIDE OPEN VIEWS from the Oberalp PASS as you drive WEST...” Oberalp Pass p47 Where SWITZERLAND is BUCOLIC and INTERNATIONAL at the same time...” Gstaad, Bernese Oberland p49 Where the ALPS are at their most STUPENDOUS...” The view across the Alps from Les Diablerets p51 What would Switzerland be with a TASTE of AUTHENTIC Fondue and Raclette? (Beautiful grilled steak is served, too!) p52 p53 Doing the ITALIAN JOB… may a Saint Bernard help you!” The Grand St. Bernard Pass p55 ALSACE, a UNIQUE BLEND of the best of FRANCE and GERMANY...” Colmar, Alsace p57 ALSACE, a land of CASTLES and picturesque VILLAGES...” p58 p59 ALSACE, a land of beautiful HANDICRAFTS...” p60 p61 ALSACE, a treasure trove of charming village centres...” p62 p63 Your hotel in ALSACE, TRADITION preserved!” p64 p65 ALSACE, above all BACK ROADS and HIDDEN GEMS!” p66 p67 p69 Day 1 You arrive in the Bavarian capital Arrive in Munich as per your own arrangements. Our team will be there to meet you, and to transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, we will arrange the day’s itinerary to suit your interests. As the cultural capital of Bavaria, Munich is home to many museums and interesting Driving Distance & Duration sights, but is perhaps best Distance: 0 km known for Oktoberfest, a Duration: 0 hours celebration of Bavarian culture Hotel – and the region’s beer! If your A 5* hotel in the historic city trip falls in September or early centre (*****) October, you will be able to join in the revelry. At other times of year our local host will help you to experience the best of Bavaria in other ways! p71 Day 2 western Austria to Italy. Your Day 3 Across Austria destination is San Cassiano, a small village in the heart Driving Distance & Duration Drive over four Driving Distance & Duration and the Alps to of the spectacular Dolomite Distance: 290 km of Italy’s most Subject to activities Mountains. Duration: 4 hours San Cassiano in the spectacular passes, Hotel heart of the Dolomites The Dolomites are located Hotel picnic in an Alpine An elegant yet welcoming hotel in San Cassiano (*****) in the Italian region of South An elegant yet welcoming hotel meadow, or visit the Tyrol. Until World War I, the This morning we will complete in San Cassiano (*****) hotel spa - the choice the car handover formalities, region was part of the Austro- then you will be able to get Hungarian Empire, and – even is yours Mediterranean flair, a truly straight on the road in Europe! today – many inhabitants feel themselves to be more Austrian beguiling combination, as you Today is yours to spend as you And there’s always the option of will discover over the next few wish. Drive the spectacular taking it easy at your hotel, with Today’s drive is a straight- than Italian. days… Sella Ring, a route of four high its excellent spa and Michelin- forward and scenic one south South Tyrol combines passes surrounding the Sella starred restaurant. from Munich and across alpine ruggedness with Massif; picnic in an Alpine meadow; take a hike and Our team will be on hand to soak up the region’s breath- help you make the most of your taking scenery, or stroll San day here, however you choose Cassiano’s cobbled streets. to spend it. p73 Day 4 We make our second stop in fascinating South Tyrol Today you will enjoy a short but scenic drive through beautiful South Tryol to Merano. We will choose your route depending on weather conditions at the time of your trip, but on fine days you will be treated to stunning views, even as you leave the high mountains behind. Driving Distance & Duration Although Merano’s mild Distance: 150 km climate has long drawn visitors, Duration: 2 hours today, the town is particularly well known for its thermal spas Hotel and Art Nouveau architecture. A gorgeous hillside hotel high The town is a centre of Tirolese above Merano (*****) culture, and makes a wonderful place to discover South Tyrol beyond the Dolomites. Your hotel – with its award- winning spa – is located high on a hillside above Merano itself. p74 p75 Day 5 (subject to a minimum of six participants). Discover South • Or, why not stay at the hotel, Driving Distance & Duration Tyrol beyond the relax, read a book, enjoy a Subject to activities Dolomites... spa and the tranquil, Alpine surroundings? Hotel A gorgeous hillside hotel high For your second day in South Not all of these activities can above Merano (*****) Tyrol, we would like to give you be easily combined. We will a number of options to enjoy. discuss these options further Here are some of them: during the journey. • A visit to Ötzi, the “Ice Man”, a well-preserved mummy of a man who lived around 3300 BC. He is kept at icy temperatures in the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology… an amazing exhibition for those interested in history! • A lunch at an Alpine restaurant, high above Merano, surrounded by beautiful summer meadows and forests….will require a bit of hiking! • An excursion to downtown Merano for shopping of both local and international brands and a stroll through local markets • An early-evening wine tasting to sample the many exquisite wines that South Tyrol produces p77 Day 6 Day 7 passes - first the Oberalp Across the magnificent (2044m), then the Furka Driving Distance & Duration Cross three of (2427m) - before stopping Driving Distance & Duration Stelvio Pass Distance: 265 km Switzerland’s most for lunch atop the third, Distance: 225 km Duration: 5.5-6 hours Grimselpass. Duration: 4.5-5 hours Today you will leave South reasons - one of the best known reowned passes to Hotel Tyrol and cross the border into Alpine passes.