Austria & Germany: Bavaria & The Austrian Tyrol

As the song goes, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” Such is the inspiration that walkers
experience in the majestic mountains and tranquil valleys of Germany’s Bavaria and the Austrian
Tyrol. The landscape that inspired the Von Trapp family to sing has inspired walkers for centuries. Your  adventure on foot leads up gradual ascents and steeper slopes via gondola, to alpine trails, forest paths, and wildflower meadows. You encounter spectacular natural phenomena in dramatic settings—the Stubai Glacier, cascading waterfalls, impeccably preserved villages, and working alpine farmlands. Storybook castles and centuries-old churches mark your route, reminders of the rich 19th-century reign of Bavaria’s “mad” King Ludwig II.
    This tour of natural grandeur is complemented by visits to the famous cultural centers of Innsbruck and Salzburg. In many towns you have the opportunity to explore art treasures, or, in the ebb of a leisurely
afternoon, relax at a sidewalk café by indulging in one of the region’s customary pleasures of an afternoon beer or Kaffee mit Kuchen (coffee with cake). Your exploration of this region combines both village and city life. In the evenings, your lodgings in Bavaria and the Austrian Tyrol envelop you in the splendor of the region, offering you fine amenities and stunning views.