Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Germany – Austria – Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Alpbach – Salzburg
100% customisable for you
Head to the airport, speed through security and settle in for some downtime in the lounge – your holiday to Germany and Austria begins today. Once you’re all stocked up on snacks, board your flight to Munich, which takes just under two hours.
When you touch down, pick up your rental car and begin the drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a quaint town just one hour south of Munich. Once you’ve checked in for your three-night stay, spend the rest of the day settling into your hillside surroundings before enjoying a tasty dinner at the hotel and a good night’s sleep – the real adventure begins tomorrow.
After a hearty breakfast, head out to explore your surroundings. Built around Via Claudia Augusta, a historic Roman road, the town was once two separate settlements, with Garmisch on the west and Partenkirchen on the east. Despite being officially merged in 1935, both have retained their distinct identities, making for a varied and beautiful landscape.
Begin in Garmisch, where you can visit both the old St Martin Parish Church and the new St Martin Parish Church, built in the 18th century when the former became too small for the growing population.
In Partenkirchen, visit the Olympic Park and ski-jump, framed by sprawling lakes and towering peaks. Then, head slightly further out to Werdenfels Castle, used in the 16th-century witch trials, and Schachen Castle, a royal retreat tucked away in the mountains.
You’ll likely be tired after all that walking, so this afternoon, we’ve arranged for a relaxing treatment at the hotel spa. Pure bliss.
The discovery continues today with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, a spectacular 19th-century structure set near the town of Fussen.
Despite its idyllic, historic appearance, King Ludwig II had Neuschwanstein’s interiors fitted with a number of modern luxuries, including central heating, running water and telephones. If you’re a Disney fan, don’t be surprised if you experience de ja vu – Neuschwanstein went on to inspire Disneyland’s iconic Sleeping Beauty castle.
Suitably wowed, head to nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, a 19th-century troubadour structure best known as Ludwig II’s childhood home.
Prefer nature to history? Ride the rails from Garmisch or hop aboard a cable car from Eibsee and travel up to the peak of Zugspitze Mountain, set almost 10,000ft above sea level. Cameras at the ready…
Today, wave goodbye to Germany as you bundle your bags into the car and head towards Alpbach, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away in the Austrian Alps. Along the way, stop in Innsbruck, where you can take the funicular railway from the city centre to the Hungerburg district, set almost 3,000ft above sea level. When you arrive, take the final cable car to the summit, which boasts fantastic views over Innsbruck below.
Then, continue to Alpbach, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. Check in, drop your bags and spend the rest of the day settling into your alpine surroundings, whether you’d rather relax on the balcony overlooking the mountains or warm up with a stint in the sauna.
The next two days are entirely dedicated to exploring Alpbach. Famous for its incredible air quality, beautiful architecture and flower-filled landscapes, Alpbach is a village straight out of a storybook, so pull on your walking boots and head out.
How best to explore this fairytale landscape? By bicycle, of course. On one of your days here, hop aboard an electric bike and pedal leisurely along winding roads, making sure to soak in your surroundings as you go. After a while, stop for a traditional Austrian picnic – think cheese, pastries and local meats.
The rest of your time here is yours for the taking. If you’re visiting in summer, head out on a scenic hike; if it’s winter, pull on your skis and hit the slopes. If you fancy a further insight into local life, pay a visit to the surrounding farms and the Alpbach Farmhouse Museum, once a working farmhouse and now a tourist exhibition aimed at keeping the region’s traditions alive.
Enjoy one last scenic breakfast today before hopping back in the car and setting the sat nav for Salzburg, a two-hour drive away.
When you arrive, check into your final hotel, divvy up the sides of the bed and spend the afternoon unwinding. As evening falls, enjoy a sundowner at the hotel bar before heading out in search of dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some local gems.
Music lovers, you’re in for a treat. Today, meet your private guide for a walking tour of Salzburg – or the ‘City of Mozart’ – wandering along the banks of the River Salzach and down alleyways lined with Renaissance architecture.
Begin at the UNESCO-listed Capuchin convent, built in 1596 to draw worshippers back to the Catholic church, before heading to Mozart House, where the iconic classical composer was born in 1756. Here, you’ll explore the rooms of this reconstructed house, which display artefacts and memorabilia related to Mozart’s life.
Next, visit the Holy Trinity Church, a Roman Catholic Church complete with an impressive dome and intricate gold detailing. Finally, finish at Hangar-7, which showcases an impressive collection of Flying Bulls planes and F1 cars, before heading back to your hotel for a spot of lunch and a leisurely afternoon.
It’s sadly time for your road trip to come to an end. This morning, savour one last breakfast before hopping back in the car and crossing the border back to Munich, a two-hour drive away.
Once you arrive at the airport, return your trusty hire car and indulge in a spot of last-minute souvenir shopping, before boarding your flight home. All in all, the flight will take just over two hours – just enough time to dream up your next scenic getaway…
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
