Day 1 Igls
We rendezvous in Innsbruck, home to the Winter Olympic Games of 1964 and 1976, for a guided walk through the old part of this alpine city. We see Maximilian of Habsburg’s Little Golden Roof and the Empress Maria Theresa’s Imperial Palace and take Tram No. 6 up to the mountain resort of Igls. We enjoy an aperitif on the terrace before an introductory talk and welcome dinner.
Climate Austria     map of Innsbrck

Day 2 Igls
Take the gondola lift almost to the peak of the Patscher Kofel, for our morning walk on the wooded slopes with far-reaching views amid the resonant scents of the forest. We visit the Alpengarten, the highest botanical garden in Europe and home to more than 400 species of alpine plant. We lunch at Heiligwasser and return along the St. John’s Way passing the 14 Stations of the Cross. This evening we enjoy an Austrian Fondue at the Batzenhausl.

Day 3 Kitzbühel
We walk at a lower level with sweeping panoramas over Innsbruck, the Inn valley and the mountains beyond. On high alpine pastures, we pass centuries’ old mountain huts where we may quench our thirst. We stop at the Aldranser Alm for lunch on the terrace; try the Tyrolean Dumplings or noodle soup, as stimulating as the breathtaking view. We end our walking at Rinn with the tale of the martyr-child Andreas and continue to renowned Kitzbuhel by road.

Day 4 Kitzbühel
Visit the Frauenkirche, with its massive square tower, and set off for the “Schwarzee,” the Black Lake, with its incredible back drop of the Wilder Kaiser. A moderate walk takes us up to the Steuerberg for lunch in a traditional Wirtshaus, before returning to medieval Kitzbuhel. Wander the busy, traffic-free streets of the Old Town and to enjoy an Apfelstrudel with afternoon tea. A special Tyrolean evening awaits us.

Day 5 Leogang
Walk the peaceful heights of the Kitzbuhel Alps along the old Roman Way. We pause in the pretty market town of St Johann in Tyrol and admire the large inns decorated with wall-paintings. We wander through little farming hamlets and arrive in Fieberbrunn for afternoon tea in the Schloss. A short ride by local train and a short walk bring us to the tiny village of Leogang, in the province of Salzburg. Here, in the pretty old square, we are welcomed by the Unterrainer family to their charming village inn.

Day 6 Leogang
Take a chairlift to reach the ridge above Leogang. With stunning views on both sides we walk the length of the ridge before descending to a private mountain cabin (Almhut) on the high alpine summer pastures, where we are treated to an Austrian specialty for lunch. We take the path down to the valley and return to our hotel for a magnificent farewell dinner.

Day 7 Departure.