Itinerary

Day 1: We'll meet at a centrally located hotel in Munich at 8:30 a.m., then travel for two hours in our comfortable, air-conditioned bus to beautiful Berchtesgaden. After checking into our hotel that has impressive views of Mt Watzmann, we'll have lunch, the first meal of the trip. Afterward, we'll take a guided walking tour of the town center, including the castle square, medieval marketplace, and the Berchtesgaden National Park information center. Overnight: Berchtesgaden.

Day 2: Today will begin at Lake Konigssee in Berchtesgaden National Park. Our electric boat will glide silently past sheer mountain walls and emerald green forests before stopping on a small peninsula at the foot of Watzmann Mountain's impressive east face. We'll hike for an hour or two in the forest behind photogenic St. Bartholomew's Church, and then hear a talk about the history and management of this remarkable park. Then we'll re-board the boat for Salet, at the far end of the lake. A short trail leads to Lake Obersee, one of the most beautiful places on earth. We'll continue hiking along its shore to an idyllic mountain pasture and hut, where we'll stop to rest and enjoy a cold beverage. Choices here include freshly made buttermilk, thanks to the cows grazing near by, or Radler, a popular drink made from beer and lemon lime soda. Overnight: Berchtesgaden.

Day 3: We'll begin today's hike at Maria Gern Pilgrimage Church, reputed to be the loveliest church in Berchtesgadener Land. Our trail leads up to the Ettenberg plateau where we'll enjoy panoramic views of the region before continuing down through the Almbachklamm, a deeply cut chasm, with rock overhangs, thunderous waterfalls, and clear pools. The hike concludes at the Kugelmuehle, Germany's last remaining marble grinding mill. In the evening we will take a short bus ride into Austria to attend a dinner concert at Salzburg's 806 CE. Peterskeller, where Charlemagne is said to have dined. Selections of Mozart's works will be performed in an elegant Baroque dining room. Overnight: Berchtesgaden.

Day 4: Following breakfast at our hotel, we will depart for a walking tour of historic Salzburg. Our guided tour includes some information on the filming of The Sound of Music. There will be free time for visiting the Mozart Museum, the Mirabell Gardens and palace, or the old city fortress. Chocolate lovers may prefer to stop by the Sacher Hotel to sample the famous Austrian torte.

After returning to Berchtesgaden, the afternoon will be free for participants to relax or explore on their own. Optional activities include a soak at the Watzmanntherme fresh and saltwater pools, a visit to the local heritage museum or the nearby salt mines, or a tour of the Eagle's Nest. (The cost of these optional activities is not included in the trip price.) Tonight we'll enjoy a special dinner with folk music at one of Berchtesgaden's finest restaurants. Overnight: Berchtesgaden.

Day 5: This morning we leave Berchtesgaden and head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a world famous center for winter sports and a past Winter Olympics venue. On the way we'll stop to take a walk through Mittenwald, a typically pretty, southern Bavarian town, where the shops, homes, and churches are ornately hand-painted. This traffic-free village is famous for its violin museum and handmade, finely crafted musical instruments. Today our hike will begin with a ride on the Kranzbergbahn chairlift up the slopes of the Hoher Kranzberg to St. Anton Haus. We will hike to the Kranzberg summit for far-reaching views over Mittenwald and the Karwendel. After the hike we'll continue to Garmisch-Partenkirchen where we'll check into our hotel then stroll to the pedestrian zone for a delicious dinner at a charming outdoor cafe. Overnight: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Day 6: Our two-day trek begins with a high-speed cable car ride from Lake Eibsee up to the developed area just below the 9,717-foot summit of Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak. After taking in the panorama and visiting the interesting educational displays, we'll take another cable car a short way down the back of the mountain to the Sonn Alpin station where our hike will begin on the incredible, glacier-formed limestone plateau know as the Zugspitzplatt. We can expect to hike a total of five to six hours today. We may cross some snowfields as we hike toward the Knorr Hut, dramatically situated at an elevation of 6,729 feet on the lower edge of the Zugspitzplatt. Following a hot lunch and a good rest, we'll start the 2,000-foot descent to our overnight accommodations at Reintalanger Hut. After several hours of hiking on the sometimes steep trail, we'll spot the colorful Tibetan prayer flags that signal our arrival at this delightful hut where libations and a hearty dinner await! Overnight: Reintalanger Hut.


Day 7: Following Reintalanger hut tradition, the hut master will play music in the morning to awaken his guests. After a typical hut breakfast of bread, jam and cold meats, we'll begin a beautiful and mostly gentle, alpine hike as we follow the Partnach River from its source down through the Reintal. In about four hours we'll reach the amazing Partnachklamm where the river enters a very narrow gorge and our trail becomes a marvel of engineering. A final hour of easy hiking will take us back to Garmish-Partenkirchen where we can reflect on our recent accomplishments as we enjoy a quiet dinner at our hotel. Overnight: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Day 8: Following breakfast we will depart for Fussen, a center of Bavarian folklore and part of the famous Romantic Road. Along the way we'll stop to tour King Ludwig II's beautiful Linderhof Castle and to walk in the elegant gardens. We'll also tour the Venus Grotto, constructed by King Ludwig II as a private theater where he could listen as his friend Richard Wagner conducted his operas. The main chamber contains an artificial lake, complete with a shell-shaped, gilded boat.

After a stop to visit the stunning rococo-style Wieskirche or "Church in the Meadow," a UNESCO World Heritage site, we'll have dinner and stay the night at an interesting, antique-filled hotel near the River Lech. Overnight: Fussen.

Day 9: This will be our two-castle day. After breakfast, we'll hike from the old city center, across the River Lech, then up and down Mt. Kalvarienberg to the Schwansee (Swan Lake), where some may enjoy a refreshing swim. Next we'll visit Schloss Hohenschwangau, the boyhood home of King Ludwig II. After a short castle tour, we'll next ascend the steep Pollat Gorge path to Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge) that spans the ravine above Neuschwanstein for spectacular castle and countryside views. Horse-drawn carriages or a small bus are available for those who prefer not to take the steep walk back. Overnight: Fussen.

Day 10: We'll board our bus for the two-hour trip to Munich, leave our bags at the hotel, and then begin our guided walking tour of the city in Marienplatz square, famous for its mechanical carillon. We may choose to buy a picnic at the Viktualienmarkt (bustling outdoor food market) to enjoy on the lawns at the Englischer Garden or decide join the locals for a typical beer garden lunch. There will be free time for last minute shopping before we return to our hotel to check in and have a short rest. Tonight's festive farewell dinner will be at one of Munich's oldest restaurants. Overnight: Munich.

Day 11: The trip will end at our hotel following breakfast. Our bus will make an early morning trip to the airport for participants with flights leaving today.

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