THE ROMANTIC PATH

AUSTRIA & ITALY

GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAYS IN THROUGH THE AUSTRIAN LAKES DISTRICT, THE LEUTASCH VALLEY AND THE DOLOMITES

Holidays in the Austrian Lakes District mean sunshine, dreamlike mountains and swimming in crystal clear lakes. Our magnificent walks take us through gentle rolling fields to majestic mountains, sleepy valleys, alpine streams and quaint villages with geranium-bedecked chalets. Highlights are the Loser peak with views down to Lake Altaussee and Lake Grundlsee and The Three Lakes walk to Lake Toplitz. Enjoy local culinary delights in some of the most romantic settings.;

We continue into the friendly Leutasch valley, which stretches along the base of the Wetterstein range of mountains, the border between Austria and Germany. It has a real "country" feel, with small village churches and fields of hay dotted amidst original alpine forest. Our walks will take us into the Gais valley which is known for its Alpine meadows and the spectacular walking areas, as well as being the home of the turn-of-the-century German-language author Ludwig Ganghofer. The Austrians have a reputation for being high spirited and charming. It takes a lot of willpower to walk past the inviting outdoor cafes, especially with the smell of freshly baked strudel in the air.

We travel via the Brenner Pass into northern Italy to the "King of the Alps" - the Dolomites. These jagged rocky peaks are an inspiring sight, especially at sunset when the mountains take on a breathtaking hue of pink, known as "Alpenglow". We walk through green meadows, alive with flowers and explore such famous mountains as the Stella group and the Puez Geissler N.P.

OUR HOTELS & CUISINE

Our Hotel in the Austrian Lakes District is a romantic and quiet hide-away in an incredibly unspoiled setting. It has it's own private access to the lake, a beautiful terrace and a very nice spa centre. As there is absolutely no traffic, the only "noise" comes from a little creek next to the building.

Food and beverages are outstanding and the breakfast is certainly the best we have experienced - a great beginning for a day of walking in the Alps. On our return, the delicious homemade cakes on display in the Brahms Café will certainly tempt you. The German composer Johannes Brahms preferred the Seevilla Hotel during his many stays in the Salzkammergut Region and two of his compositions were even premiered here at the Hotel Seevilla.

The next 3 days we stay in the beautiful Leutasch Valley. Our hotel is ideally located in a very quiet position and with glorious views of the mountains in a homely and family atmosphere.; It has a heated indoor pool and a beautiful swimming lake. The cozy restaurant serves the typical Tyrolean cuisine.

Our charming hotel in the famous Groedner Valley has been in the Demetz family for the last 400 years and has the atmosphere and charm to match. Naturally the hotel has been constantly renovated and today it has a reputation for its modern comfort and tastefully furnished premises retaining local traditions. Its fine dining room, serving delicious Italian cuisine, is one of the best in the region.

Tour combination

Departure dates have been arranged to allow both the "Romantic Path" and "Far from the madding Crowd" walks to be combined.

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