DESTINATION–AUSTRIAN ALPS

Voralberg, in the far western region of Austria, bordered by Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany, can best be described as a magical land filled with wild rivers, crisp mountain lakes, thick forests, alpine pasturelands, an enchanted paradise offering unforgettable experiences. Day by day during this incredible mountain odyssey, we will explore the myriad of available activities as we savor the natural beauty of the Alps in Austria and Liechtenstein.

Minimum participants: 2 | Maximum participants: 7

Languages: German, English, Czech

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
An Elder Expeditions' representative will meet us at the train station in Feldkirch (Austria) and transfer us to our lodging in Zwischenwasser. (For directions to Feldkirch, go to How to Get There)

Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 2: (Hiking, Canyon Walk)
Morning: After breakfast we will set off for a walk between the valleys which will bring us to our first great adventure in the Alps: hiking in a river canyon.

Noon: We will stop for a restaurant lunch.

Afternoon: Ascending to a point on the peak of the mountain, next to our lodging facility, we will stop to admire the beautiful panoramic view of the landscape.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Base Lodging.

Day 3: Hiking, Sightseeing, Nature trail in Feldkirch)
Morning: Following breakfast at our hotel, we will be transferred the short distance to Feldkirch where we will take an uphill walk for a bird’s eye view of the medieval town. On the return we will stop briefly at a Buddhist monument next to the monastery.

Noon: Lunch will be served at an old traditional restaurant featuring local specialties.

Afternoon: We will visit the old town of Feldkirch where the centuries old traditional timber frame buildings continue to dot the landscape, and the original marketplace continues to serve the community .We will observe the museum and 12th century gothic castle, Schattenburg, which is located at the top of the town. After our mini cultural and historical immersion we will head out on a nature trail along the other side of the valley.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Base Lodging.

Day 4: (Horseback Riding, Hiking)
Morning: After breakfast it’s off for a full day trip of horseback riding and hiking, with the choice of riding versus hiking to be dependent on our individual comfort level and equestrian ability. All of the horses are well trained and responsive to novice riders. Our route will take us along a, hilly path to an Alpine hut offering some fantastic views of the mountain landscape.

Noon: Today’s lunch break will be in an original alpine dairy where we will have a short tour of the process of converting fresh milk into cheese.

Afternoon: After lunch we will remount and continue our horseback trek (or hike for those opting to leave the horses) through the hills and amidst the many creeks and fresh green hayfields as we slowly make our way back to the stables from where we will be transferred back to Base Lodging.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Base Lodging.

Day 5: (Hiking in Lünersee)
Morning: After breakfast we will be driven to the Valley of Brand from where we will take a cable car up to the Lake of Lünersee, also known as the “jewel lake of the Alps.” Here in the middle of the Alps, we will feel fortified with the alchemy of nature’s energy, a perfect position for beginning our hiking tour around Austria’s largest mountain lake.

Noon: Lunch will be served in a traditional alpine hut by the lake.

Afternoon: After a filling lunch we will continue our tour around the lake, continually fascinated by the beauty of the unspoiled landscape surrounding us.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Base Lodging.

Day 6: (Biking in Liechtenstein - Vaduz)
Morning: After breakfast we will set out for a one day tour of Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Beginning with a short walk up to the castle which dates back to the 13th century and which gives its name to the capital city. From this spectacular vantage point we are well positioned to admire the beauty of one of the smallest countries in Europe.

Noon: Lunch in a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we will head off for a delightful biking tour along the Valley of the Rhein. At the end of our day we will return by car back to Feldkirch in Austria.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at Base Lodging.

Day 7: (Kayak Constanc lake in Bregenz)
Morning: After breakfast we will go by car to Constanc Lake, in Bregenz, capital of the province of Voralberg which is surrounded by three countries, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Here we will spend a wonderful morning paddling our kayaks in the big and beautiful Constanc Lake.

Noon: Lunch in a restaurant in Bregenz.

Afternoon: After lunch we will ascend by cable car up to 1000 meters (approximately 3,208 feet) to one of Austria’s lofty Alpine peaks. Here we will stand in awe of the unique panorama of the lake and the exquisite vista formed by the Alpine heights in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. If we are lucky we will catch sight of some of the soaring eagles. After a coffee break we will return to the base of the mountain for a visit to the old town of Bregenz.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Base Lodging.

Day 8: (Departure Day)
Breakfast: After breakfast, we will be transferred back to the Feldkirch train station. For anyone going from Feldkirch to a destination other than Zurich, our local host will assist with arrangements.

Trip Extenstions
If you wish to extend your trip, for example, a day or two elsewhere in the region before or after your Alpine adventure, ELDER EXPEDITIONS is available to assist you in formulating your plans.

2012 DATES
May 19, 2012 to May 26, 2012 (7 nights)
August 18, 2012 to August 25, 2012 (7 nights)

At the Zurich Airport, purchase your ticket to Feldkirch. Take the train from the airport to the main Zurich station, Hauptbahnof. Here you will change to the direct train to Feldkirch, a journey of one and a half hours.

If you are arriving at other than the Zurich train station, feel free to contact Elder Expeditions for directions.

May 19, 2012 to May 26, 2012 (7 nights)

August 18, 2012 to August 25, 2012 (7 nights)

2 trip participants: $3040.00 per person)

3 – 4 trip participants: $2665.00 per person

5 – 7 trip participants: $2280.00 per person

A single supplement of $275.00.00 applies unless a solo Participant agrees to share lodging and Elder Expeditions is able to arrange same sex shared lodging.

The stated price includes all transportation from the meeting point in Feldkirch train station on Day 1 to the return to Feldkirch train station on Day 8, all lodging, all meals, all activities and safety equipment, and all entry fees.

The stated price does not include gratuities, beverages (neither alcoholic nor non-alcoholic) or items of a purely personal nature..

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance (including the single supplement, if applicable) is payable thirty days prior from Day 1 of this expedition.

LODGING

Our Base Lodging is a typical style mountain guest house with a large terrace boasting a panoramic view of the area. It has its own restaurant with local home-made specialties. All the rooms have a private bath. With our Base Lodging location in the heart of the Feldkirch Alpine region, we will be in easy reach of the spectacular countryside as well as a myriad of leisure time activities.

The local hosts are an English speaking couple who reside in Austria and who are thoroughly familiar with the region we will be visiting.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

This Elder Expeditions adventure trip will take you into Austria and Liechtenstein. If you are a national of a country outside of the Schengen area (which includes both Austria and Liechtenstein), you are advised to check with either the Austrian or the Liechtenstein embassy or consular office in your country of residence to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

As of the date of publication, U.S. nationals planning to enter Austria and Liechtenstein for up to ninety days will need only a valid passport. Elder Expeditions advises its clients to be sure that their passport will be valid for a period up to six months after their intended date of departure from Austria and Liechtenstein.

If your arrival in Europe will be at the Zurich Airport, you should check with the Swiss Embassy or a Swiss consular office to determine what documents you will require. As of the date of publication, U.S. nationals may transit through Switzerland with only a passport (so long as they remain in Switzerland for less than ninety days.)

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter either Austria, Liechtenstein or Switzerland unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. .

All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot.

Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.