Alpine Wellness Retreat - Itinerary*
* Please note that the following program is subject to change or variation - depending on weather, condition of walking trails, retreat guests' abilities and preferences and/ or unforeseen circumstances. It serves as a guide only. Updated and further information of the walks and activities will be outlined at the commencement of the retreat. The time for each guest's massage will be organised at the welcome briefing on Day 1.
Day 1. Arrival and Orientation
Your retreat experience begins with your pick up from the beautiful medieval town of Feldkirch. We then drive into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Grosses Walsertal valley, take in some lunch at a local guesthouse then arrive at your 'home away from home' for the next week: 'Alpen Resort Grosses Walsertal'.
After a tour of the hotel and its wellness amenities we will take a walk around the local Faschina village to orient ourselves and breathe in the mountain air. We meet for a Welcome Drink and a briefing for the week ahead before getting to know each over over a scrumptious dinner.
Day 2. Alpine Life, Guided Meditation, Learning German + Faschina Exploration
After a delicious breakfast buffet we take a short drive down the road to the residential village of Fontanella (population 480) to gain an insight into life in a small alpine village. A short walk to Fontanella's 'Seewaldsee' lake will bring us to our place of serenity where a guided meditation session will help you mentally 'arrive' and be present for the week's retreat.
Back in our home village of Faschina we take a chairlift up into the mountains to have lunch at Franz Josef's Hut. We linger longer at this charming lunch spot to learn some German language (which is even better done when combined with some of Austria's traditional coffee and cake).
We walk for ~45 mins down through the meadows and past the grazing cows back to the hotel for our daily wellness time. The intention for this time each day is for enjoying the hotel's wellness facilities (saunas, pools, relaxation rooms), having a massage, reading a feel-good novel or just sitting and taking in the stunning surrounds and nurturing ambience.
Day 3. Alpine Panoramas + the Mountain Herbal Tea Project
This morning we head to nearby Damuels. A chairlift ride will transport us up to an altitude of 1830 metres and a walking trail that will treat us to breathtaking 360 degree views of the Austrian (and neighbouring Swiss) alps. After our hour of walking the panorama trail we will enjoy a drink before taking the chairlift back down to the village for a picnic lunch.
The afternoon will be spent with Elisabeth Burtscher (the cultural queen of Grosses Walsertal, and Patrick's mother) - learning about the flowers, herbs and plants that the local Walser people have used for centuries to help maintain and improve their health. You will make your own herbal tea mix to enjoy during your stay.
We will be back at the hotel by 4pm for your daily wellness time.
Day 4. The Famed Arlberg
Today we make a full day's excursion to the famed Arlberg mountain massif - a rugged, stunning and prestigious area most notable for being where alpine (downhill) skiing was first invented and developed.
We start our exploration of the Arlberg area with a decent walk (of approx. 2 hours) that will take us up to view and enjoy the incredibly picturesque alpine lake of Koerbersee (voted as Austria's most beautiful place in 2017).
After our walk we will drive further around the Arlberg massif to have lunch at a charming guesthouse that has a 400+ year old history.
The afternoon will be spent leisurely in 'Lech am Arlberg' - a luxury destination for Europe's jet-set crowd. Here you will have your own time to meander around the pretty village, window-shop at the ritzy boutiques, go for a picturesque walk along the river, or even enjoy coffee and cake at the 5 star hotel that Princess Diana used to stay at.
Day 5. Mindfulness and Meditation in Alpine Meadows and Forests + Herbal Balsam Making
This morning we take a cable car over to the other side of the Grosses Walsertal valley, to Stein mountain. A two hour (approx.) walk will take us through picture postcard alpine meadows and forests. Two highlights of today's walk are the 'Klangraum' sound trail that we will journey through in silent mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation at the 'Rosenkranz' chapel.
After lunch we will visit a garden and studio of one of the local Walser women. Here you will learn more about the plants, flowers and herbs of the Grosses Walsertal valley and be able to make your own herbal balsam that you can take home.
The day will be completed with your wellness time back at the hotel.
Day 6. Healing Waters : Sulfur-spring Bathing + the Iron-rich Waters of 'Bad Rothenbrunnen'
Today's theme is water. Due to the geographical development of the Grosses Walsertal valley it is blessed with a number of natural springs which have been used over the centuries for healing.
Firstly we will have a special bathing experience in the water of the natural sulfur spring (so remember to bring your bathers). Afterwards we will go for a walk along the Lutz River to visit its waterhole, and then the revered iron-rich spring which feeds into it.
Lunch will be at the 'Bad Rothenbrunnen' guesthouse before heading back up to Faschina.
Back at the hotel you will have your daily wellness time - which will really help your body to absorb the goodness from today's healing waters.
Day 7. St Gerold Monastery + Farewells
After your delicious breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye to your home away from home and the team at Alpen Resort Walsertal.
We then drive down the scenic Grosses Walsertal road to the St Gerold monastery - a special place of spirituality, healing and culture first mentioned in manuscripts around 1000 AD. We take a walk along the 'Path of the Senses' and undertake a final guided meditation to prepare us for our onward journey. We have a lunch made from the fresh home-grown produce of the monastery's own garden before departing St Gerold.
We return to the town of Feldkirch* (where the retreat began), anticipating that your experience with us over the past 7 days has left you truly feeling on top of the world - in body, mind and soul. ❤
* Drop off time is by 1.40pm at Feldkirch train station (for the 1.50pm train to Zurich) or to nominated hotels in Feldkirch.
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