Alpenfest Tour 2007

Thursday, June 14, 2007 & June 28, 2007

Today's tour will take us to the picturesque Val Gardena and up to the Seiseralm via cable car.  Seiseralm is the largest alpine plateau in Europe.  There are breathtaking views of the Dolomite mountain peaks.  You may walk around the plateau or take an optional chairlift to the mountaintop. Later we will explore a variety of architectural styles found in the historical buildings of south Tirol, followed by a wine tasting in a Monastery.  Then on to visit the 16th century Castle Velthurns.

Friday, June 15, 2007

and June 29, 2007

On our way to the capital city of Cortina D'Ampezzo, we will travel through several beautiful passes of the Dolomite mountain range.  Cortina D'Ampezzo rivals Kitzbühel and Zermatt as one of the loveliest of all of the Alpine resorts. We will have ample time to explore and shop in this fashionable resort town.  We will return via an alternate scenic route, passing monuments, pastel colored houses and narrow cobblestone streets.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

and June 30, 2007

Two diverse towns in northern Italy await exploration.  Bolzano (Bozen) clings very much to its Austrian traditions, while Merano is clearly Italian.  While in Bolzano, we will visit the Museo Archeologico dell'Alto Adige, which is the resting place of the mummified Oetzi - the Iceman - who is estimated to have died 5,300 years ago.  In Merano, we will take time to peruse the Duomo di San Nicolo Cathedral.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

and July 1, 2007

Along the trip to Bavaria, we will stop in Innsbruck, the capital city of Tirol.  We will have time to see this lovely Alpine city and eat lunch.  Back on the bus to Bavaria.

Monday, June 18, 2007

and July 2, 2007

Our first destination of the day is Linderhof Castle.  Linderhof is where King Ludwig II actually lived and is his most elegant castle.  Next we will visit the charming city of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play presentation.  Oberammergau is also a village full of arts and crafts.  The village is home to approximately 100 woodcarvers and numerous Christmas shops.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

and July 3, 2007

Bavaria's capital city of Munich has much to see and experience.  This is a free day with your choice of destinations - such as the transportation museum or the famous Hofbräuhaus.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 & July 4, 2007

Without question, the landmark of Germany is  Neuschwanstein Castle.  You can see for yourself where Walt Disney got his inspiration for Cinderella's castle.  Later in the day we will visit the Church in the Meadow - Wies Kirche.  This church is breathtaking and is the epitome of Rococo architecture.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

and July 5, 2007

With many new friends and much heavier bags, we will head back to the Munich airport for our flight home.  We'll reminisce about the past two weeks and start planning our next tour with Alpenfest.