100% customisable travel idea
Northern Alps From Bavarian castles to the birthplace of Mozart
Germany - Garmisch - Austria - Alpbach - Salzburg
The Alps · Germany · Austria
Your journey
To travel over hill and dale, a car is still the best option. We have therefore reserved a vehicle that will take you from one stop to the next in comfort and give you the freedom to explore once there. After all, there is plenty to see, and just as much to do. And if you wished to set off in your own car, that would be perfectly possible. As for accommodation, the chalet comes in two forms: modern in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, traditional in Alpbach. In both places, though, there is that cosy atmosphere Alpine homes have a knack for. Then, in Salzburg, urban charm. We have pencilled in a few appointments in your diary. To begin with, a spa treatment at your hotel in Garmisch. Wellbeing is part of the journey. And a ticket, too, for Innsbruck’s spectacular funicular. In Alpbach, hiking is made easy with an e-bike and a picnic basket. The Tyrol is yours to explore. Finally, a private guide brings Salzburg’s wonders to life. With all this in place to set you on your way, your explorations will unfold naturally. And should an unexpected desire or an unforeseen hitch arise along the way, you will have the contact details for our local concierge service to hand.
Itinerary
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Pick up the hire car and drive to Garmisch. Settle in for three nights in the hills. Park nearby, then take the cable car up to the hotel. A spacious contemporary chalet, designed to make the most of its breathtaking mountain setting. Picture windows, terraces and a balcony open onto the view. Inside, the layout and décor are bright, clean-lined and modern. Comfortable, too. In your own quarters, you feel thoroughly cosseted. The thoughtfully designed wellness area invites you to indulge in some restorative self-care. Would you like an in-depth wellness assessment? Qualified practitioners take a holistic look at your wellbeing. The resort’s restaurants serve flavourful cuisine that stays true to the terroir while pared back to the essentials.
As the Roman Via Claudia Augusta passed this way, houses sprang up along its route, marking the beginnings of what would become Partenkirchen. Today, Ludwigstrasse still traces the ancient route. In Garmisch, the old church of St Martin preserves fine polychrome frescoes from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, including a monumental St Christopher. The new St Martin’s Church, built between 1730 and 1734, offers the Rococo setting that suited its builders’ sensibilities. The remains of Werdenfels Castle recall the harsh period of the witch trials. As for the Olympic Park, the great ski jump towers over it almost like a church steeple. A little south of the resort, amid the dramatic landscapes of the Wetterstein massif, home to the Zugspitze, stands the Schachen chalet, commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria and built between 1869 and 1872: Swiss inspiration, Swiss stone pine and theatrical flair.
Already on your itinerary - A treatment at the hotel spa. An excellent way to combine one pleasure with another.
The tour of Louis II’s follies continues with Neuschwanstein, near Füssen. Beyond its deliberately spectacular appearance, what strikes us today about the building conceived by the king, architect Eduard Riedel and designer Christian Jank is its modernity. Romantic eclecticism, of course, but also historicism and cutting-edge technology. Neuschwanstein would not have inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle—Herbert Ryman, 1954—had it not, in a sense, pre-packaged the medieval imagination for the industrial age. In fact, Neuschwanstein speaks to us. Down below, Hohenschwangau Castle comes into view, completely remodelled in nineteenth-century troubadour style, though its origins date back to the fourteenth century. Perhaps less ambitious than the castle now towering above it, Hohenschwangau was nevertheless a starting point for Louis II. Alternatively, still heading upwards, a rack railway from Garmisch or a cable car from Eibsee will take you to the summit of the Zugspitze.
Already on your itinerary - The Hungerburgbahn. As today’s itinerary takes us through Innsbruck, we take the opportunity to ride the new funicular linking the city centre with the Hungerburg district, 860 metres above sea level, where nature surrounds us. The four stations serving the funicular were designed by deconstructivist architect Zaha Hadid, as was the Bergisel ski jump to the south of Innsbruck.
Then on to Alpbach, in the Kitzbühel Alps. Three nights in a large, traditionally styled chalet. Wooden balconies overlooking the mountains. Inside, more wood, along with shades of brown, beige, ecru and grey. Beautiful natural materials. A pleasing balance between contemporary restraint and Alpine warmth. The apartment comprises a bedroom, a sitting and dining area, a fully equipped kitchen and an immaculate bathroom. Premium comfort. You also have access to a sauna.
The village, which had no road connection until 1926, has been recognised for the purity of its air, the beauty of its architecture and the quality of its floral displays—the balconies overflowing with geraniums, while the cemetery itself is a garden in its own right. Here, the Tyrol more than lives up to its superlatives. In summer, hiking; in winter, skiing. With conditions like these, life feels simple and natural. On the surrounding farms, farmers continue to care for and enhance the valley; at the Vorder-Unterberg farm museum, built in the seventeenth century, you can learn about the lives of their predecessors.
Already included in your itinerary - An electric bike is available for half a day, along with a picnic hamper. Hop on the electric bike and tackle the slopes without a second thought. The picnic hamper will replenish the calories you do manage to burn along the country lanes. This is all about enjoying the ride, not competing for the polka-dot jersey.
Heading for Salzburg. Two-night stay in the Old Town. Behind the hotel lies a lovely garden, a delightful hideaway on fine days. Inside, the style moves between a light classical feel and fluid modern design. A pleasing combination of blue, mauve and rust, with white in abundance. Technically flawless. It is a joy to settle in here. Breakfast and a bar are available on site; a restaurant is just a few steps away in the pedestrian zone. For an invigorating session in the sauna or steam room, or an early-morning yoga class, there is no need to leave the hotel.
On your itinerary - Salzburg and Mozart’s home, with a private guide. Even with plenty of guidebooks to hand, a knowledgeable local can take you further: three hours with someone who knows the city inside out. From the Capuchin Monastery, whose construction began in 1596 and which lies within the area UNESCO has inscribed on its World Heritage List, to Hangar 7, where businessman Dietrich Mateschitz displays his collection of aircraft and cars, via Mozart’s birthplace at Getreidegasse 9 and the Trinity Church, built by Fischer von Erlach between 1694 and 1702: an itinerary with a distinctly Austrian spirit.
Drive to Munich and drop off the car. Return journey.
Why visit Germany with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Germany
- Globally unique concierge service
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
Why visit Austria with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Austria
- Globally unique concierge service
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
