Working with our travel partner, Collette, Reader’s Digest is offering this nine-day tour through Austria and Germany, including an inspiring combination of epic natural beauty and historic cultural sights and the opportunity to witness the World famous Passion Play in Oberammergau.
Spectacular mountains, quaint villages, pristine lakes and fertile valleys: all this and more awaits visitors to the Austrian Alps, which are situated within easy reach of the historic cities of both Innsbruck and Salzburg.
“a diverse destination suitable for all sorts of different travellers”
This Central European delight has got it all, from fascinating culture to impressive architecture and of course its huge expanse of Great Outdoors. Austria’s extensive winter and summer sports opportunities, alongside its strong sense of tradition and amusing national quirks make it a diverse destination suitable for all sorts of different travellers. Whether it’s idyllic views over snow clad peaks, a guided tour through baroque buildings or dinner in the oldest restaurant in Central Europe (St Peters in Salzburg, rumoured to have been serving for around 1200 years), there is plenty here to inspire.
Innsbruck is an architectural treat including both contemporary and Baroque buildings as well as the infamous Golden Roof built in 1500 by Archduke Friedrich IV.
The Hofburg Palace in Innsbruck, originally built in the fifteenth century in Gothic style was once the seat of the Habsburg Princes.
Some Innsbruck locals still go about their days dressed in Tyrolean folk costumes, including brightly coloured dresses or ‘ledenhosen’ (shorts with suspenders).
Innsbruck is the capital of Austria’s Western state of Tirol, also an internationally famous winter sports centre, renowned as both host of the winter Olympics and Paralympics as well as being gateway to the mountains for the more recreational athletes amongst us. The city itself sits within minutes of the majestic peaks of the Nordkette range and has a bustling centre with shops, restaurants and historic highlights. These include Maria Theresientstrasse, a main street first constructed over 700 years ago, the Habsburg Palace, Baroque Cathedral and Golden Roof, an architectural treasure built in 1500.
“the Bavarian Alps whose enchanting castles have inspired many stories for both adults and children”
A short hop across the border, in Germany, are the picturesque valleys and peaks of the Bavarian Alps whose enchanting castles have inspired many stories for both adults and children. Take in the richness and complexity of the 19th Century Linderhof Palace and the Royal Villa before exploring the medieval romance of the town of Fussen and the Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for the fairy tale castle in Sleeping Beauty. Speaking of fairy tales, a trip to the Tirolean mountains would be incomplete without a stop at Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a true chamber of wonder–melange of museum, theme park and artistic installation.
Salzburg was the birthplace of one of the world famous 18th century classical music composers, Wolfgang Mozart.
Salzburg’s Old Town, well preserved and full of Baroque architecture, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Salzburg was the location for the iconic film The Sound of Music, first aired in 1965.
The historic riverside city of Salzburg, with its exciting musical culture and distinctive old quarter, is another Austrian must-see. This University town is full of domes and spires and its scenic Getreidegasse was once the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous and prolific composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as well as, some two centuries later, the filming location for The Sound of Music. The city’s many parks include the gorgeous Mirabella Gardens (where the film’s iconic tune ‘Do Re Mi’ featured) and its baroque architecture are best admired in one of its charming local cafes. Visitors can take the funicular or enjoy a bracing (steep) 15-minute walk up to the city’s 900-year-old fortress and explore the luxuriant Golden Hall, with its gold studded ceiling, where gaudy banquets were once held.
“Oberammergau is perhaps best known as the location for its epic Passion Play”
A trip to this part of the world is best accompanied by a stop at the pretty village of Oberammergau. Though this village also has a strong woodcarving tradition it is perhaps best known as the location for its epic Passion Play. A tradition that’s nearly four centuries old, the Passion Play began in 1634 during which time the locals vowed to produce a performance every ten years provided they were spared the effects of the bubonic plague (which history suggests they were). The result is this dramatic and memorable large scale presentation of the last days of Christ.
Beer is a big part of life in Munich, which holds the famous annual beer festival, Oktoberfest and boasts six breweries and over sixty beer gardens.
Munich held the Olympic Games in 1972. Its Olympic Park is emblematic of modern architecture and has become a city landmark.
Munich is home to the famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel, an ornate clock designed to reflect some of Bavaria’s lively history. Not only does it have forty-three bells but also thirty-two life-sized figures depicting medieval pursuits like jousting and dancing.
The much-loved Germany city of Munich, just a morning’s journey from Oberammergau, is the perfect place to enjoy a mixture of sophistication, relaxation and indulgence. The city’s Olympic Park, site of the 1972 Olympic Games, is these days widely regarded as a great emblem of modern architecture though its rivalled in magnetism by the Baroque-influenced Marienplatz in the heart of Munich, home to the notably ornate glockenspiel whose life-sized figures re-enact historic stories whilst the bells chime.
“the city’s incredible beer ‘scene’ meanS it is home to many distinctive beer halls”
Munich is also home to Germany’s largest modern art gallery, Pinakothek der Moderne, opened in 2002 after it took seven years to build. Despite its being Germany’s third-largest city, it has a compact centre; plenty of opportunities for a romantic stroll or daydream, or to simply wander around and take in the sights. The food and drink here is excellent too: the city’s incredible beer ‘scene’ meanS it is home to many distinctive beer halls—the most famous of which, the 3-storey Hofbrauhaus, is open 365 days a year—providing a good accompaniment to typical hearty, delicious Bavarian cuisine: sausages, sauerkraut and apple strudel.
Day 1
Your tour starts in enchanting Innsbruck where modern architecture stands beside 800-year-old buildings, and the Austrian Alps create a post-card perfect backdrop. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast, join a local guide for a panoramic city tour, taking a trip down Maria Theresien Strasse, then on towards the famous Golden Roof and the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of Habsburg princes. Then relax or explore Innsbruck at your leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 3
Set off for the charming villages and enchanting Baroque castles of the Bavarian Alps, including the 19th century Linderhof Palace known as King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s ‘royal villa’, his childhood residence Hohenschwangau, and finally Neuschwanstein castle. Explore the romantic medieval streets of the town of Fussen at your leisure.
Visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds for a multi-sensory experience including art installations, a museum and theme park. Travel through the Austrian countryside to the musical city of Salzburg, whose Old City that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Join your fellow travellers for a Mozart dinner concert in Europe’s oldest restaurant.
Day 5
Begin your day with a walking tour featuring Mirabell Gardens, famously featured in The Sound of Music, and Getreidegasse—a busy street in the Old Town and the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Later you can independently explore this beautiful baroque city on the banks of the Salzach River.
Day 6
A day to enjoy Salzburg’s palaces, parks, museums, and churches. Take the funicular to the 16th century Hohensalzburg Fortress, tour Leopoldskron Palace, or visit the 17th century medieval bishops’ Residenz Palace, home to some 180 rooms and courtyards.
Day 7
Travel to the picturesque village of Oberammergau for the once-in-a-decade performance of its epic Passion Play, performed by the villagers themselves – a tradition dating back to 1634, . At the interval, join your fellow travellers for dinner.
Day 8
Travel to the Bavarian capital of Munich – idyllically situated at the foot of the Alps – and enjoy a locally guided panoramic tour, including the Olympic Park, the Marienplatz, and the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. Explore the rest of the Baroque city’s charms at your leisure before a farewell dinner that evening.
Day 9
The tour concludes.
Reader’s Digest only recommends the very best tours, which is why we are working with Collette – boasting a century of travel experience and strong family ownership, Collette focusses on helping you get the very best curated experience when you travel.
If you want to find out more about the AUSTRIAN DELIGHT OBERAMMERGAU TOUR then you can request a no-obligation quote below or call 0800 804 8373 to speak to a travel adviser.
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