Grand Tour of The Austrian Tyrol and Italy's South Tyrol with Lake Constance

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrival in Seefeld - Arrive in Munich or Innsbruck and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling into your hotel and get a good night's sleep as tomorrow we'll begin exploring in earnest! 
• Day 2
  Innsbruck - After breakfast, we'll take the short drive along Inn Valley to the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, for a guided tour of the city. An important trading centre since Celtic times, then the capital of a Dukedom before being incorporated into the Habsburg Empire, today we'll feast our eyes on the historic architecture. There is the famous Golden Roof, the magnificent baroque St Jakob’s cathedral and the former Imperial Palace, once home of Empress Maria Theresa, the Stadtturm belfry tower with its excellent views across the city and Schloss Ambras, the Renaissance castle and palace. A visit to the city is delightful – you can wander its medieval streets, absorb the genteel ambience or just listen to the talented street musicians. This afternoon, we venture just outside Innsbruck to the iconic Olympic Ski Jump at Bergisel. Whilst we won't be testing our courage on the jump itself, we'll ascend the striking Ski Jump Tower to the Sky Restaurant, a true Alpine gem. Here, indulge in Austria's beloved tradition of coffee and cake, paired with a glass of sparkling wine, as you soak up sweeping panoramic views of the majestic mountains and the charming city of Innsbruck. We'll return to Seefeld in the late afternoon, with memories of this breathtaking experience lingering long after.
• Day 3
  Bolzano - Today we explore the medieval town of Bolzano. We enjoy a walking tour with a local guide of the town. Followed by included entrance to South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home of Otzi the Iceman. Our visit to the provincial capital, Bolzano, will give you the opportunity to experience this intriguing mix - Italian coffee and traditional Tyrolian cakes make a great match! Our return to Seefeld will take us along the famous Brenner Pass. The countless ruined castles seemingly guard every hilltop, evidence that this has been one of the most important trans-alpine trade routes since the Roman Empire. As one vista blends into the next, you'll marvel at the stunning scenery of verdant meadows, forested hillsides and snow-capped peaks of increasing height.
• Day 4
  Neuschwanstein - Today’s drive takes us into nearby Bavaria seeing the might of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Some of our journey will be on the fabled ‘Romantic Road’ and the beautiful ‘Deutsche Alpenstrasse’ – the Alpine Road. It leads to one of Germany’s most famous monuments and one which seems to typify an image of the country, the castle of the instantly recognisable, and equally unpronounceable, Neuschwanstein! This classic ‘fairy-tale’ castle is the inspiration for so many stories and allegedly the model for Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. One of Bavaria’s most famous kings, Ludwig, modelling himself on France’s Louis XIV, embarked on an epic castle-building programme, eventually bankrupting the then-independent country! And, on our visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, we'll take a guided tour of one of his pet projects. Clinging to the side of a vast valley in the most dramatic of settings, Neuschwanstein was constructed with pink granite, a symbol of Ludwig’s self-belief he was divinely chosen for kingship and in homage to his idol, Wagner. The architecture inside is equally impressive, with marble everywhere; the design draws freely from different architectural styles, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic. Tapestries and intrinsic art decorate the walls, and the standard of workmanship is admirable. 
• Day 5
  Oetztaler Glacier Road & Stams Monastery - We'll drive up the ever-narrowing Oetztal valley to the high mountain resort of Soelden, enjoying scenic views. Despite being almost 5000 feet high, this remote village is dwarfed by surrounding giant snow-capped mountains. Our spectacular drive continues up the Oetztaler Glacier Road into the heart of the mountains for stunning views of glaciers and peaks, ice and snow covered throughout the summer. Breathe deeply for several minutes - the rarefied air deep in your lungs has an almost medicinal quality! Keep your eyes peeled for the mountain wildlife here, including eagles and those delightful indigenous rodents, marmots - hugely entertaining bundles of fur with a spine-tingling whistle. It was near here that Oetzi the Iceman met his fate all those millennia ago, the victim of a Bronze Age arrow, why he was attacked, we shall never know.  This afternoon we'll return to the River Inn and a guided tour of the splendid Cistercian monastery at Stams. Founded in 1273, the two majestic onion-shaped towers of its superb 17th-century Basilica can be seen from far and wide. This is a truly magnificent building justifiably renowned for its murals, ceiling frescoes, fine Baroque altar and breathtaking gold leaf decoration. Having suffered a turbulent history, including dissolution by the Nazis, Stams has been beautifully restored and is once again a thriving monastic community, welcoming travellers of all nations and beliefs and even baking its own delicious bread! 
• Day 6
  Free day in Seefeld - Today will be yours to relax and enjoy the attractions in and around Seefeld. You could take a horse-drawn carriage around Wildsee Lake or hire a boat before selecting a village café for a coffee and slice of irresistibly dense chocolate torte. Or you could even visit a local microbrewery, which blends Austria's time-honoured brewing traditions with modern innovation.
• Day 7
  Achenseebahn - After breakfast, we'll head back in time over 100 years on a journey to Jenbach where the unmistakable aroma of steam coal - which once graced every British station - fills the air and a narrow-gauge railway winds away into the hills. We'll enjoy a scenic ride on the historic Achenseebahn, a metre gauge railway climbing from the Inn Valley using rack assistance to surmount the steep gradient. The coal-fired locomotives are amongst the world’s oldest. These working steam trains still doing the job they were built for in the 19th century: taking tourists at a leisurely pace up to the beautiful Achensee Lake. Re-joining your coach, we'll journey even further back in time to medieval Rattenberg, the Tyrol’s smallest municipality nestling by the River Inn. The gorgeous medieval stone buildings you'll see here are the result of growing rich on the proceeds of silver mining, then prospering from nail and glass making. It’s wonderful exploring the narrow streets and discovering the charms of this historic village. The creation of fine glassware is its major occupation today - raw materials fashioned into exquisite pieces by skilled craftsmen – no wonder this lovely spot has such renown. You could climb to the ruined castle for splendid views of the town and its surroundings – don't worry, there’s also a lift so you won’t miss out! 
• Day 8
  Feldkirch - Leaving Seefeld this morning, we'll enjoy a scenic journey to Feldkirch for the next part of our Grand Tour. This medieval Old Town is one of the most beautiful in the region, with storied old buildings, charming fountains and the quaint little streets that date back several centuries, as well as the lush green surroundings of Reichenfeld Quarter and the wildlife park. No trip to Austria would be complete without savouring a traditional schnitzel, and in Feldkirch, we'll indulge in this iconic dish in an extraordinary setting - the town's historic castle! Perched high above the city, Schattenburg Castle, once the medieval residence of the Duke of Montfort, now houses a museum and a charming restaurant. Here, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls and sweeping views, you'll enjoy the perfect combination of culinary and cultural heritage. Next, we'll take a guided walking tour of medieval Feldkirch, unveiling the city's rich history, architectural marvels and vibrant local markets before checking in to our hotel for the next four nights. 
• Day 9
  Bregenzerwalk, local cheese tasting & Bregenz - Today, we'll take a scenic drive through Bregenzerwald (or Bregenz Forest), one of Austria's best-kept secrets. The rolling hills and mighty mountains of this picturesque region are not the only things the smallest province in Austria has to offer. This area is known for its craftsmanship and architecture - a unique fusion of traditional and modern. But the Bragenzerwald locals - known as “Wälder” - have not only revolutionized housing, they've also championed the sustainable farm-to-fork dining concept. And what better way to experience that for ourselves than on the Bregenzerwald Cheese Road? ‘Road’ may be a bit of a misnomer as it’s more a union of experts - dairies, farms and other local operators who share a passion for quality. Their traditional 'three-layer cultivation' method of cheesemaking has been given UNESCO-listed status, as it's a unique practice that gives the cheese a distinctive taste. As we travel through this scenic region, we'll stop to sample some of the locally produced cheeses and meet the artisans who have spent years perfecting their craft. Then it's on to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Constance as we leave Lindau by boat, travelling to our next destination, Bregenz. (Top tip: As we leave, look out for the Bavarian lion and lighthouse that guard the entrance to Lindau's harbour.) Bregenz, also known as 'The City by the Lake, is the capital of Vorarlberg - Austria's westernmost region - and it has over 2 millennia of history to explore. Bregenz's star attraction isn't a museum or a monument - it's a cable car. As we ascend to the summit of the stunning Pfänder Mountain, rising 1,060 metres above sea level, it's easy to see why this is a local favourite. From the top, breathtaking panoramic views stretch out across Lake Constance, Bregenz, and the majestic Alpine peaks, making this the region's most iconic vantage point. A visit is more than a journey - it's a moment of serenity, where the beauty of nature leaves you speechless. Having experienced the city from the mountain, we'll descend back down by cable car to explore Bregenz on foot with time at leisure. The narrow streets of the Upper Town will have you wondering if you left the modern world at the historic city gates. With a unique assortment of history, there's plenty to see, from the not-so-antique tower of St. Martin's, historical coats of arms, old fortifications to a mummified shark from Lake Constance. Alternatively, a stroll along the lakeside promenade allows you to experience more of the city's Mediterranean feel. From the lake's shore, you can see three countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
• Day 10
  Lindau & winery visit - Our day starts on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Constance as we take a boat ride to Lindau, which sits on an island in Lake Constance. With centuries-old medieval and Baroque buildings, lively squares and quaint alleyways, it's the perfect place for a guided tour. Before returning to Feldkirch this afternoon, we'll further tantalise your tastebuds with a visit to a prestigious local winery. After touring one of the region's most traditional vineyard, and learning more about why this terrain is ideal for wine production, we have the opportunity to taste their offerings during a wine tasting. Have the rest of the day to spend at leisure to explore more of the town or relax in your hotel.