Austrian Tyrol and Italy's South Tyrol
Austrian Tyrol and Italy's South Tyrol
Austrian Tyrol and Italy's South Tyrol
8 Days Starting and ending in Seefeld, Austria
Visiting: Munich, Seefeld, Innsbruck, Merano, Ötztal, Neuschwanstein Castle, Achenseebahn, Jenbach
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 25
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Riviera Travel with specific dietary requests.
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Oh this trip, you'll be able to immerse yourself in the alpine scenery and cultural heritage of Tyrol. Be inspired by the imperial history of its beautiful capital Innsbruck, the soaring summits of the Oetztal Valley, the towering turrets of the Neuschwanstein castle, the Zugspitze -Â Germany's highest mountain - and the heritage-rich towns of Merano and Bolzano.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Munich, Seefeld
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrival in Seefeld
You will arrive at the airport in time to take your flight to Munich or Innsbruck and then transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Location: Innsbruck
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Innsbruck
After breakfast, we take the short drive along Inn valley to the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, for a guided tour of this delightful city. An important trading centre since Celtic times, then capital of a Dukedom before being incorporated in the Habsburg Empire, today your eyes can feast 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.
Today Innsbruck is delightful - wander its medieval streets, absorb the genteel ambience or just listen to the talented street musicians before we return to Seefeld mid-afternoon.
Included experience:
Guided walking tour of Innsbruck.
Signature experience:
In the afternoon, we head out of Innsbruck to visit the Olympic Ski Jump Bergisel. Instead of attempting a death-defying jump, we will ascend to the top of the Ski Jump Tower to visit the Sky restaurant. There, we'll enjoy Austria's traditional coffee, cake, and a glass of sparkling wine, while taking in the stunning panoramic views of the mountains and Innsbruck.
Day 3
Location: Merano, Seefeld
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Merano
The Tyrol was first established as a province in the late 1200s, and today history is very much to the fore as we take the Via Claudia Augusta through the Südtirol. Built by the Romans to enable easier passage through the Alps from Italy, this ancient road is flanked by picture-postcard scenery - rolling hills studded with apple orchards, majestic snow-capped peaks, roaring rivers, shimmering lakes and hillside villages.
Our first stop is the pretty spa town of Merano. You can really soak up the atmosphere of the region as you wander through its glorious belle-époque buildings, fine gardens and excellent cafés that line a leafy riverbank walk, all set within a dramatic natural amphitheatre of high mountain peaks.
Bolzano
After visiting Merano you have a choice of two very different experiences in the town of Bolzano; a walking tour with a local guide or entrance to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology home of Otzi the Iceman. Our visit to the provincial capital, Bolzano, gives you the opportunity to experience this intriguing mix - Italian coffee and traditional Tyrolian cakes make a great match!
Our return to Seefeld takes us along the famous Brenner Pass. The countless ruined castles seemingly guarded every hilltop are 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 light.
Included experience:
Guided walking tour of Bolzano or Visit the South Tyrol Museum and visit Merano.
Day 4
Location: Seefeld
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Free day in Seefeld
Today is yours to relax and enjoy the attractions in and around Seefeld. Try a round of golf at one of Europe's most picturesque courses, 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.
Signature experience:
After a morning wandering around Seefeld at leisure, we'll head to a local micro-brewery. The brewery combines modern facilities with Austria's long-standing brewing traditions. We'll enjoy a tour of the brewery and a chance to taste their unique beers, accompanied by a selection of locally-made cheese and charcuterie, locally known as Jauseplatte.
Day 5
Location: Ötztal
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Oetztaler Glacier Road
Today we drive up the ever-narrowing Oetztal valley to the high mountain resort of Soelden, enjoying ever more 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 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 breath-taking 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!
Included experience:
Travel the Oetztaler Glacier Road through the Oetztaler Valley and a guided tour of Cistercian monastery at Stams.
Day 6
Location: Neuschwanstein Castle
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Neuschwanstein
Today’s drive takes you 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, leading 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 is the classic ‘fairy-tale’ castle, inspiration for so many stories and allegedly the model for Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that has fascinated children the world over.
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! Indeed, one of his pet projects is the subject of our tour today.
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 as 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.
Included experience:
Guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Day 7
Location: Achenseebahn, Jenbach
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Achenseebahn
After breakfast let us head back in time over 100 years, taking 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.
This is a magically scenic experience on the truly 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 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 journey even further back in time to delightful medieval Rattenberg, the Tyrol’s smallest municipality nestling by the river Inn.
The gorgeous medieval stone buildings you 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, discovering the charms of this historic village.
The creation of fine glassware is its major occupation today - raw materials fashioned into exquisite pieces by the skilled craftsmen – no wonder this lovely spot has such renown. Climb to the ruined castle for splendid views of the town and its surroundings – there’s also a lift, so don’t miss the fine panorama!
Included experience:
Take a trip on the Achenseebahn railway, visit to Lake Achensee and visit Rattenburg.
Day 8
Location: Seefeld
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home
Today at the appropriate time you will be returned to the airport for your return flight.
What's Included
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Return flights
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Airport departure taxes and transfers
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Accommodation taxes
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Seven nights’ in four-star accommodation
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Daily breakfast and 7 dinners
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All tours and transport as mentioned
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The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
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Included excursions are a sightseeing guided tour of Innsbruck; entrance and guided tour of Stams Monastery and Neuschwanstein Castle; a journey on the Achensee Cog Steam Railway
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The;opening and closing dates of some mountain passes are dependent on local weather conditions, therefore some of the routes mentioned may be subject to change.
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Austrian twin beds are generally one base with two mattresses and individual bed;linen.
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
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I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
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Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
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What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
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Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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