Seven days, Six nights
Munich, Lake Starnberg, Seefeld
Day One - Arrival In Munich; Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
It has been written that when checking into the Vier Jahreszeiten, a traveler can be forgiven for mistakenly thinking they have stumbled into another place and time. Located in the heart of Munich’s historic center, the Vier Jahrezeiten is a traditional gem, Munich's most prized accommodations since 1852. A short stroll will bring you to Munich’s magnificent city hall and the city’s most elegant shopping district.
This evening at 6:30, we will meet for a welcome drink in the hotel’s lounge and talk about the week to come. Then, a short walk will bring us to our favorite traditional restaurant here in Munich, where we can sample the city’s best roasted chickens, bratwursts, spatzle or dumplings. Discretely hidden, it has been a favorite of Munich’s diners for over a hundred and fifty years.
Day Two - A Day In The City; Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
We step out today into the full bustle of a Munich morning. Bakeries, food shops and boutiques brim with life. Yet, after just a few minutes, we pass underneath an arch and into the serenity and beauty of the Royal Rose Garden. A variety of playful fountains dot the way as we follow the intricate pathways that lead us to one of this city’s most distinctive features.
The English Garden is one of the largest metropolitan parks in the world (larger than Hyde Park in London or Central Park in New York) and it borders every important neighborhood in Munich. During our morning walk we wander over expansive meadows and follow the shaded banks of the Isar River. After an open-air lunch by the park’s lake, we will exit into the University district for a visit to one of Germany’s finest impressionist art collections. Later, there will be time to wander and shop or perhaps take in the many colors of the Viktualien produce market.
This evening, we will experience the delicate cuisine of one of Munich’s newest and most innovative chefs. This is not the fare you remember from your last visit to the Oktoberfest!
Day Three - A Day In The Country; Lakeside Hotel Landhuber
It is hard to believe that a mere 30 minutes will deliver us from the hustle of city streets to the silence of fields and forest. On a clear day, the Alps hover invitingly in the distance. On misty mornings, fog shrouds dense growths of pine and frames the farmhouses in a feathery glow. Here, we wander along silent country lanes through an ever-changing landscape as we make our way to a classic Bavarian guesthouse for lunch. Many of the cheeses, meats, fruits and greens served to our table come from the very farms that we passed along the way.
After lunch, it is a short walk to our lakeside hotel in Oberambach. Approaching along a bubbling stream, the waters of Lake Starnberg shimmer on the horizon. Savvy travelers seek out Oberambach for its tranquility and perfect setting.
Should you choose, you may hop on a bike for a quick tour along the lakeshore before we meet on the terrace for a candle lit dinner.
Day Four - A Day On The Lake; Lakeside Hotel Landhuber
Lake Starnberg, just a few miles southwest of Munich is a calming surprise, reminiscent of the Lakes of Northern Italy. Lovely villas (both historic and modern) dot the shoreline and the surrounding villages hum with peaceful energy. The only way to truly appreciate the splendor of the area is on foot, ambling from village to village and villa to villa. This morning, we will also explore the Bernried Natural Park through which we will wander to the lake’s southernmost tip.
Though a waterfront café seems to beckon for lunch, insider knowledge leads us away from the shore to the kitchen of Ralph and Gitti Lutgren. He cooks and she serves some of the lake’s most simple and radiant dishes. Just add fine wine and there is literally nothing more that you could ask for.
This evening, we enjoy our final dinner on Lake Starnberg, as the Austrian Alps in the distance beckon.
Day Five - A Day In The Alpine Woodlands; Spa Hotel Klosterbrau
And, this morning, they beckon no more for after just a short ride in our private van, we find ourselves at the end of a country lane surrounded by towering peaks on all sides. This is the Austrian Tyrol and our walk today explores some of its lesser-known corners. In between the shear rock walls of these peaks and the valley floor, lies a region of lush, alpine woodland. Our path ambles along clear running streams, through mossy glades and passes by the occasional emerald green lake. It is a fairytale environment. Just past midday, we break free of the woods and the vast expanse of the Inn Valley spreads out 2,000 ft. beneath us. It is a stunning view and one that we will enjoy throughout lunch at a perfectly located mountain hut.
Our afternoon walk leads us past the ski jump of the 1976 Olympic Games and into the heart of Seefeld to our new home, the Five-Star Spa Hotel Klosterbrau (www.klosterbraeu.com). From the 1500s, the cloister at Seefeld welcomed pilgrims and royal hunting parties on their alpine journeys. The cloister was disbanded in 1809 and since that date six generations of the Seyring family have continued to improve over this long tradition of hospitality. We will have a taste of that hospitality this evening as we dine in the hotel’s intimate Wine Stube.
Day Six - A Day Of Stunning Panoramas; Spa Hotel Klosterbrau
Seefeld is a thriving resort village, beloved by Austrians, Germans and Italians alike. Shops, cafes and restaurants hum all day long. However, just a few kilometers away, over a narrow pass lies the unforgettable valley of Leutasch. Beginning at the pass, a forest path leads us down to the valley floor where we exit these dense woods into a world of sweeping panoramas. As we wander from village to village, our perspective constantly changes as new groups of mountain peaks reveal themselves to us. The village life of Leutasch remains much the same today as in centuries past and at lunch the offerings reflect this with a fine choice of wild game, fresh greens or smoked trout.
One last massage? A relaxing sauna or dip in one of the hotel’s pools? A little more people watching? Before dinner, under the stars in a centuries old open courtyard, our options are as varied as the landscape and culture we have enjoyed during our week together.
Day Seven - Departure
Seefeld offers convenient train connections to both Innsbruck and Munich. Whatever your destination, we will assist you in making arrangements for an easy and pleasant journey.
We Look Forward To Seeing You In Munich!
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