This trip will take us South Tyrol and Trentino, in the northernmost part of Italy near the Austrian and Swiss borders. The area was part of the Austria-Hungary Empire until the end of World War I, when it was ceded to Italy. This lead to a mixing of Italian flair with Austrian customs, which is reflected in habits and food..
If you are looking for a biking trip that will take you to some of the most beautiful and charming places in Italy, then Umbria and Tuscany are the perfect destinations for you. You will get to explore the amazing landscape of these regions, with rolling hills and their cypresses, villas and their vineyards, historic hill towns and their castles and cathedrals. You will also get to taste famous and tasty local food of Umbria and Tuscany, which is based on simple ingredients, but rich in flavor and variety. And you will get to learn about the long history and culture of these regions, especially of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
On your bike you will see horses and carriages, gypsies with mules, Moorish-inspired houses with big chimney pots and whitewashed villages stretching over hills. We´ll cycle through Medieval towns clustered with churches and castles that were part of the fortifications against the Spanish. Medieval hilltop towns are simply magnificent. Local crafts and arts are flourishing, especially pottery and paintings. History is plentiful; there are prehistoric remains and Roman ruins abound. Great wines that are unknown in the USA are abundant. We will learn about the varieties and taste all we wish.
This trip will take us first to the Cathar Land and its wonderfull cities likw Carcassonne and its gorgeus Castles. Then we will see the wild coast close to the Spanish border, followed by white beaches and horses in La Camargue. Passing a Roman Amphitheatre, our last stop will be then a NP with its picturesque hill-villages surrounded by the typical Lawendel colors of the Provence and wild-romantic gorges.
Where dramatic rock cliffs and majestic peaks meet enchanting, picturesque villages - the Dolomites is a region of contrasts. The local Ladin population have clung to their proud agricultural and craft heritage despite the pressures of modern life. During World War I, the Dolomites were the theater of fierce battles between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies, and the scars are still visible.
Imagine breathtaking views of mountains falling into the ocean. Go eagle-watching on some of the range's highest peaks, and enjoy a glass of wine on a sandy beach a couple of hours later. The mountains of Northern Spain offer a unique range of natural, cultural and gastronomic experiences. From the Altamira caves and their amazing Upper Paleolithic paintings to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela, Northern Spain is one of the best kept secrets in Western Europe.
The Tatras trip covers a stunning spectrum of cultural and natural highlights, from Krakow—a historical gem with
one of Europe’s oldest universities—to the romantic lake Štrbské Pleso. The area is of outstanding recreational
value with its exceptionally clean air and unique climate and is an Eldorado for spa goers.
This trip is all about lakes and mountains, it will take you through time from The Sound of Music and the Emperors of the Austrian Monarchy to Celtic people from the Iron Age. The Salzkammergut (The Austrian Lake District) will enchant you with its natural and cultural gems. Cesky Krumlov „The Jewel of Bohemia“ offers a cute medieval old town surrounded by a farytale-like river and high castle.
Our village is situated at the very end of a valley just below the timer line at 5000ft above sea level. With its 32 inhabitants, even less cars and our picturesque hotel it is one of the best places all over for relaxing. Most of the hikes we will start directly from our hotel as it is only about 600ft below the timber line. Our hotel will be a real Alpenhotel: the original building is over 100 years old and was the first one there in 1908. Your rooms are of course up to date and you will have a excellent dinners and a sauna at your disposal.
One day we will follow the track of "THE SOUND OF MUSIC": Most of you will remember that story: A family (parents with their two sons and their daughter) fled from Czechoslovakia to Austria in 1982. They fled through Slovenia (by that time it was a part of Yugoslavia). It was winter, there was loads of snow and us three kids did not like it at all. On the Austrian side then, their father had to use a rope to get is family of the mountain. I will take you there and we will follow exactly the same way we took in 1982 across that border...
Southern Czech Republic, hills,lakes and castles await us. In Cesky Krumlov you will have to pinch yourself to make sure you aren't in a fairytale. We have spent ourselves several times our summertime holidays there, and I would like to share some! of its secrets with you.
