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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
8 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
- "Mad" King Ludwig II's Linderhof castle - Innsbruck and Salzburg guided tours - Mittenwald's colorful murals - Boat ride on Lake Konigsee - Bavarian Rococo architecture of the Wieskirche???a UNESCO Site - Stubai Glacier wal
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Historical Sites, Walking Tour
Other: Local Culture
$4298USD
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
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Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Austria & Germany: Bavaria & The Austrian Tyrol - Austria

The landscape that inspired the Von Trapp family to sing has inspired walkers for centuries.
The landscape that inspired the Von Trapp family to sing has inspired walkers for centuries. In this storybook setting, the trail begins in impeccably preserved villages and lush working farmland, and gradually ascends to hushed forest paths and Alpine ridges. Spectacular natural phenomena-the Stubai Glacier and cascading waterfalls-coexist perfectly with fairy-tale castles, reminders of the 19th-century reign of Bavaria’s "mad" King Ludwig II. Centuries-old churches tucked in the woods and immaculate villages, ornate with intricately painted murals and flower boxes bursting with colors, mark your route. Complementing the natural grandeur and rural lifestyle are visits to the famous cultural centers of Innsbruck and Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. In the ebb of a leisurely afternoon, you pause at a sidewalk café to indulge in one of the region's customary pleasures of a fine local beer or Kaffee mit Kuchen (coffee with a tempting choice of cake). Accommodations in Bavaria and the Austrian Tyrol envelop you both in luxury and gemütlichkeit (coziness), treating you to fine amenities and stunning views.
Day 1: Arrival in Munich. Transfer to southern Bavaria. Linderhof Castle and Wieskirche visits. Mitt
You meet your guides in Munich and drive an hour south out of the valley and into the Ammergauer Alps, home to two of King Ludwig’s famous fairytale castles. The first stop is Schloss Linderhof, Ludwig’s only fully completed castle built in homage to Louis XIV, where you tour the manmade Venus Grotto (inspired by a scene from a Wagner opera), the interior, and the extensive gardens.

Nearing lunchtime, a half-hour’s drive brings you to Wies, home to the magnificent Wieskirche (“Church in the Meadow”). Built in 1746 by the artist Dominikus Zimmerman, this secluded UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo architecture, also a destination for pilgrims, who are drawn to a wooden statue of Christ, said to cry real tears. Arriving at a traditional Bavarian-Swabian restaurant just opposite the church, you enjoy a first lunch of hearty regional specialties, such as Bavarian “Schweinebraten”―roast pork accompanied by potato dumplings and cabbage.

Following lunch and a guided tour of Wieskirche, just over an hour’s drive takes you to the outskirts of Mittenwald, a charming Bavarian village nestled in the German Alps and your home for the next two nights. From the outskirts of the village, you descend into town on foot, your view framed by the mountain backdrop of the Karwendel massif. Described in 1786 by German writer Goethe as a “living picture book,” narrow lanes lead into the historic town center with its elegant shops, open-air cafés, homes adorned with overhanging eaves, flowering balconies, and colorful wall paintings―a local art form called Lüftlmalerei dating from the 18th century. While most of these elaborate frescoes are based on biblical themes, others recount the rich history of the area and portray the peaceful everyday life of mountain folk. At the heart of town stands the 18th-century parish church, one of the finest churches in the Bavarian Alps. Just outside the church is a memorial to Matthias Klotz, who introduced violin-making to Mittenwald in 1684, making the town one of the world’s most important centers of this highly specialized craft.

Arriving at your hotel, a former post office along the town’s main pedestrian street, there is time to unpack and relax before gathering for a welcome cocktail and orientation meeting, followed by a dinner of regional specialties at the hotel.
Lodging Post Hotel
Description A former post office dating back to 1632, this charming Bavarian-style chalet hotel offers the finest lodging in town, two restaurants, sun terrace, indoor swimming pool, and Finnish sauna. Located on the main pedestrian street of Mittenwald, it is within walking distance of the town’s many shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Day 2-5: Mittenwald to Elmau; 5 miles, easy, 300-ft elevation gain. Elmau to Klais; 4 miles, easy
Following a buffet breakfast, you set off on foot for the day’s walk into neighboring Elmau Valley. Strolling past the picturesque homes of Mittenwald, you soon arrive at the outskirts of town and begin a gentle, yet steady ascent through the woods alongside the Laintal Creek and past small waterfalls. The narrow trail soon opens up to a wider, packed gravel track and the Elmau Valley. Stretched between the Wetterstein and Karwendel mountains, this scenic valley is lined with pristine timber forests, wildflower meadows, brooks, and lakes. 

You break for lunch at the historic Alpengut Elmau Inn, a former rest stop and telegraph station for King Ludwig while en route to one of his favorite hunting lodges. Seated on the outdoor terrace (weather permitting), you may choose from a number of local specialties―perhaps a dish of delicious homemade cheese “spätzle” or “weißwürste” (typical Bavarian sausages) served with savory mustard and a fresh pretzel.

This afternoon, you have the option of transferring back to Mittenwald to relax, browse its many shops, or possibly visit the Geigenbaumuseum (Museum of Violin-Making), housed in one of Mittenwald’s oldest and most charming houses. Alternatively, you may continue on the four-mile afternoon walking option that passes the Elmau and Kranzback castles, ending in the enchanting village of Klais. Arriving at a cozy café, you are welcomed by our friends and bakers, Claudia and Wilfried, onto the panoramic terrace for a Kaffee mit Kuchen break (coffee and cake). Klais is home to Germany’s highest intercity train station, where you board a train for the eight-minute scenic ride back to Mittenwald.

Dinner this evening is on your own; you may choose from a range of restaurants or welcoming beer gardens offering Bavarian specialties or international dishes, all a short walk from the hotel.
Lodging Post Hotel
Description A former post office dating back to 1632, this charming Bavarian-style chalet hotel offers the finest lodging in town, two restaurants, sun terrace, indoor swimming pool, and Finnish sauna. Located on the main pedestrian street of Mittenwald, it is within walking distance of the town’s many shops, restaurants, and cafés.
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J. & J.
Country Walkers tours are an excellent way to enjoy the natural beauty and learn of the culture of an area in the company of interesting fellow travellers with excellent guides.
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S. & J.
Everything about the trip exceeded my expectations!
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Two expert, local guides (for groups of 8 or more), with you 24/7 
  • All meals except for 2 dinners; local wine or beer included with dinners
  • All accommodations (with private baths) while on tour 
  • Transportation from the meeting to the departure point
  • Entrance fees and special events as noted in the itinerary
  • Basic travel insurance coverage (see Travel Insurance section that follows)
  • The exclusive ease of a mobile phone rental with our Cellhire partnership.
  • Receive preferred calling rates, free phone rental, and complimentary shipping of mobile phones
  • The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the Country Walkers staff
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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