Classic Walking Holiday - Itinerary

Classic Walking Holiday - Itinerary*

* Please note that the following program is subject to change or variation - depending on weather, condition of walking trails, 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 tour.

Day 1 - Pick Up

We'll meet our tour guests mid morning in Feldkirch (Austria) before heading into the Biosphere Reserve "Grosses Walsertal".

After lunch in a traditional alpine Austrian pub, we'll head to what will be the tour home for the next ten days - the Alpen Resort Walsertal.

Upon settling in we'll explore the area of Faschina before we meet for Welcome drinks and dinner.

Day 2 - Explore Fontanella and Faschina

Fontanella is where Patrick grew up, went to school and led the school as principal 20 years later. We'll visit the village and find out how a (very) small community works.

Upon the alpine safety briefing we'll go for the first walk - a 45 minute ascent to our lunch stop for sausages with sauerkraut, apple strudel or another local delight.

After another walk further up into the hills and a cable car ride back down to Faschina, guests will have the opportunity to learn some basic German (with coffee and cake of course).

approx 3.5 km, 2 hours

Day 3 - An authentic 'Alp'; lunch at Martha's hut and a walk through the 'sound path'

By public bus we'll drive along 'one of these scary' alpine roads to an authentic alp before ascending a pass on the other side of the valley. The reward is lunch at Martha's hut.

A two-hour walk down the mountain along the Echo wall and through a superb sound path we'll take the cable car back to 'our's ide of the valley.

approx 11 km, 3-4 hours

Day 4 - A Day on the Famed Arlberg

Every ski resort in the world has an 'Arlberg' hotel or pub or at least ski run. We're going to spend a day on the Arlberg (the mountain range between Vorarlberg and Tyrol). It's no less superb during summer.

After walking on the plateau for a couple of hours to a 500-year old Walser settlement, we'll walk down into Lech (where the royalty lodges in winter) for coffee, cake, an ice cream, hot chocolate, beer, ... .

A drive back along the Flexenstrasse sees us back 'home' in Faschina.

approx 10 km, 3-4 hours

Day 5 - Bregenz, Lake Constance and Lindau

On this day we'll swap the hiking boots with thongs; after a drive to Bregenz (a Roman settlement), tour guests will board a ferry that takes them to the medieval town of Lindau in Germany.

In the afternoon we'll stroll along the lake towards the setting of the 'Opera on the Lake', part of the famous Bregenz Festival.

Day 6 - A mountain peak is waiting to be conquered

On this day we'll walk from the hotel through mountain meadows and along alpine gravel roads towards a 2000+ metre peak. While usually some guests enjoy the scenery up at the saddle, the fitter people climb the ascend to the top.

The afternoon we'll spend with Patricks' mother, Elisabeth. The cultural queen of the valley provides an insight into 'Bergtee' (mountain tea). Guests will join in, in collecting herbs and plants to blend the prefect tea.

approx 11 km, 4-5 hours

Day 7 - Alpine cheese making, another peak and lunch in the fields

The day starts with a visit of a family run alp where guests will learn how to make alpine cheese. After a two-hour walk up and along mountain paths we'll enjoy lunch in the fields.

For those after an extra workout, another peak awaits with views as far as Lake Constance.

In the afternoon we'll go and have a look at a high ropes course inmidst the forest.

approx 11 km, 4-5 hours

Day 8 - Liechtenstein and another Walser village

On this day we'll visit one of Austria's neighbouring countries - the principality of Liechtenstein with the famous Vaduz castle. After a photo stop (and possibly checking on what the duke is up to), we'll drive up into the hills and we'll stop in another Walser town, where we start our walk, ascending the 'house mountain' for another lunch with breathtaking scenery.

approx 7 km, 2-3 hours

Day 9 - Another day in the valley of Grosses Walsertal and the visit of the local museum

We start the day with a guided tour through the local museum. Elisabeth (Patrick's mum) will take guests on a journey, highlighting how families lived and worked in the valley, what the difficulties and challenges were, ...

After a morning tea at the local pub, we'll walk along the valley's river up to a grotto which has been in the making for 10.000 years, before lunching in 'paradise'.

This is the last day before parting and heading for other adventures; hosts and guests will spend the evening and dinner together.

approx 6 km, 2-3 hours

Day 10 - A 1000-year old monastery, schnitzel and good bye's

We're heading down the valley for a stop at a place of spirituality, culture and serenity - the St. Gerold monastery, dating back to 800 AD.

After a last, thoroughly enjoyable coffee we'll head back to Feldkirch for lunch at the medieval castle - hadly anything is more authenitc than a Wiener Schnitzel.

It's time to say good byes; going by past experience, many of the tour gursts will be back for one of the return tours.