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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Transfer via motorcoach from airport to hotel in Lingenau is about 87 miles (140 km); approximately 2 hours. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Walking about 1.5 miles in Lingenau; approximately 1 hour; sidewalks and pavement.
Afternoon: After meeting the group at the airport, we will transfer to Lingenau (2254 feet) while soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains on the way. Upon arrival, we’ll check in and then take a short walk with our Group Leader to become familiar with the village. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts will conduct the educational program including hiking and walking field trips. Breakfasts will offer a typical European-style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea, and water. Other included meals will feature local cuisine. Water is included in the program cost at all meals. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 18 miles throughout the day; approximately 1 hour total; Getting on/off tram and chairlift; less than 1 hour total aboard. Walking about 4.5 miles during group activities; approximately 2.5 hours; natural trails with minimal elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: After a short walk to the bus stop, we will travel by public transportation to Hittisau where we will hike along the Bolgenach River Gorge. The gorge is famous for its overhanging cliff formations and the Kommabrücke. At 300 years old, it is the oldest covered wooden bridge in the area. Upon completion of our hike, we will board a private coach and travel to Lingenau to visit the Bregenzerwälder Käsekeller (cheese cellar). Here we will discover more about the history and the origins of the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald and can peer beyond the glass wall into the Bregenzerwälder Käsekeller – Europe’s largest maturation and care center for mountain and Alpine cheeses. And of course, we can taste some cheese at the end of the visit. We will then transfer by private coach to Metzler Naturautnah Farm, where we will explore the farm and experience a pastoral way of life.
Lunch: At the farm, we will enjoy plated meals featuring the local dish “Käsespätzle,” or cheese dumplings.
Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll board our motorcoach and head to Bezau (elevation of 2,132 feet) where we will board a cable car and take it to the mountain summit, Baumgarten (elevation 5,577 feet). On our ride up, we will enjoy gorgeous views of the rolling countryside, the foothills of the Alps, and Lake Constance in the north. After a short walk on the panoramic trail at the top, we’ll take the chairlift down to Andelsbuch which is one of the oldest villages in the Bregenzerwald forest area. Our Local Expert will teach us about the area during our scenic walk. We’ll then return down the mountain by chairlift and walk to the local public bus stop. We will take the public bus back to Lingenau and take a short walk back to the hotel.
Dinner: On your own.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 18 miles throughout the day; approximately 1/2-1 hour total; getting on/off public bus, approx. 15 minutes. Walking about 4.4 miles during group activites; approximately 2.5 hours; natural trails with minimal elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: After breakfast, we will board a motorcoach to the Hochhäderich area where we will start today’s hike in the heart of the Bergenzerwald. This enjoyable path leads us through a spacious alpine region that is known for its geological aspects. Its unique rock conglomerates are frequently visible along the way and throughout the national park. The Nagelfluhkette National Park not only offers interesting rocks but also stunning flora and fauna. It is the home of many protected species such as the beautiful Apollo butterfly. There is a lot of knowledge the local expert can impart to us about the nature of this enchanting region. In different shades of green, the fascinating scenery of mountain meadows, groves and raised bog surround us on our delightful way to the Hochhäderich Alm, the aim of our hike.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will then transfer by motorcoach to Schwarzenberg, one of the most beautiful villages in the Bregenzerwald. The landscape in Schwarzenberg is exceptional, as though shaped by a master hand, with gentle hills, vast plains, romantic valleys, and impressive peaks. While there, we’ll enjoy strolling through this enchanting village, on the surrounding hamlet, and in the meadow for approximately 1.5 hours. We’ll then return to the hotel by public bus.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 151 miles throughout the day; approximately 3.5-4 hours total; stops for field trips. Walking about 1.5 miles in the village; approximately 1 hour; city walking with no elevation gain/loss; short walk to/from waterfall on paved path.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach to begin our transfer to the Black Forest. En route, we’ll stop to visit the breathtaking Rhine Falls – fed by the Rhine River – the largest waterfall in Europe. The falls are 492 feet in width, reaches a height of 75 feet, and has a torrential 158,503 gallons of gushing water pouring over the cliff per second, offering visitors a stunning view of the cascading waterfalls. While on site with our Group Leader, we will learn more about the famous Rhine Falls. We’ll then continue our transfer to Stein am Rhine, Switzerland, and enjoy some time for lunch.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: After meeting at a predetermined time and place, we will complete our transfer to Freiburg with a late afternoon arrival followed by check-in at the hotel.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off train; Walking about 2.5 miles; approximately 1.5 hours; mountain trails with minimal elevation change. Getting on/off boat; ride is about 1 hour.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: We’ll walk from the hotel to the station where we will board a train for our transfer to Hinterzarten. where we will begin today’s walking field trip along the Heimatpfad, a high Black Forest path featuring local history that continues along Loffel Creek. Our walk will bring us to Höllsteig.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll board a train to Titisee. While here, we will enjoy a boat ride on Titisee Lake, the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. Formed during the last ice age, a glacier once extended from Feldberg all the way to this present-day lake.
Dinner: On your own.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; ride is about 34 miles roundtrip; approximately 1 hour total. Walking about 2 miles through Freiburg during group activities; approximately 2 hours; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and store our lugge before setting out on foot for today's walking field trip of Freiburg. The capital of the Black Forest has been a university town since 1457 when the school was founded. With a reputation as a “city of music,” despite being a smaller town, it is host to many music venues, festivals and the Hochschule fuer Musik Freiburg. The town was largely destroyed in 1944 but no modern buildings have been allowed to be constructed due to the mandate against modern architecture that could tarnish its magisterial “Altstadt” (old town) atmosphere. During the walk, we will see the famous cathedral built in 1120 and listen to a local historian who will educate us on the past of the Black Forest Capital.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon: We will meet at a predetermined time and location to board a motorcoach for our transfer to Türkheim. On our way to the Alsace region of France, we will stop for a visit of the Badberg Nature Reserve and the surrounding vineyards of this volcanic landscape that is rich with thermophile flora and fauna. As we walk around the area in the middle of the Rhine Rover Valley, we’ll learn about the flora, fauna, and historical land use from our local expert and take in the views of the Black Forest in the east and the Vosges Mountains in the west. We will continue our transfer and check-in to the hotel. Take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking about 1.5 miles; approximately 2 hours; in town and through the museum with no elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: Setting out from the hotel this morning on foot, we’ll take a walking field trip through the charming historical center of Colmar and through the "Little Venice” quarter, which happens to have one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe and countless treasures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Our walk will conclude at the exquisite Bartholdi Museum where we will hear commentary from a local expert about this museum and Colmar, an archetypal Alsatian town.
Lunch: On your own to explore the local fare in Colmar.
Afternoon: After some time for independent exploration, we’ll meet back at the hotel restaurant for a cooking class led by the hotel and restaurant manager, during which we will learn how to prepare and bake "flammeküche" – Alsacian pizza.
Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy the tasty creations we just made. Bon appetite!
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 40 miles throughout the day; approximately 1.5 hours total; stops for field trips. Walking indoors at the château; approximately 2 hours; periods of standing; stairs. Hiking about 1.5 miles; approximately 1.5 hours; grassy trails through the vineyards with no elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: Traveling by private motorcoach, we’ll make our way to the Château Haut-Koenigsbourg. Built in the 12th century, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle has witnessed eight centuries of European conflicts and rivalries between lords, kings, and emperors. On the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, the castle was handed over to the French government and given the status of "national" palace. Today, this château gives a remarkable picture of what life was like in a 15th century fortress in Alsace. From its square dungeon, we’ll admire the area of the Alsace plain! We’ll then transfer to Katzenthal for lunch.
Lunch: An organic lunch buffet will be waiting at the Bistrot le Katz in Katzenthal. The Klur winery is a family business, since 1999, but has a tradition of winegrowing and production extending back to the 17th century.
Afternoon: While on site, we will gather with a local expert for a lecture about Alsace wines and regional gastronomy. Next, we’ll experience some of the local wines first-hand during a wine tasting. Afterwards, we’ll set out for a hike in the vineyards before making our way back to the hotel on foot.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 32 miles throughout the day; approximately 1.5 hours total; stops for field trips. Walking about 5 miles; approximately 3 hours; indoors at the museum and on natural and gravel trails with minimal elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: We’ll board a private motorcoach and take it to Le Linge at about 3,234 feet, a French battlefield where a major conflict of WWI took place. Upon arrival, we’ll take a walk with our Group Leader around the battlefield as we learn more about the context during which this conflict took place. Also on site, we will visit the museum where we will find French and German objects and relics that were found on site, models of infantrymen, a model of the battlefield, photos, texts, and maps.
Lunch: At a nearby mountain inn.
Afternoon: Arriving on foot, we will then take a walk with our Group Leader in the Ballons des Vosges, a protected area made up of woodlands, pastures, wetlands, farmland, and historical sites such as traditional communes. This area was officially designated as a regional natural park in 1989 and we will learn about the history of the area, as well as the natural inhabitants such as the flora and fauna. We’ll then return by motorcoach to Turckheim.
Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfers in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 99 miles throughout the day; about 2 hours. Walking about 2 miles; approximately 1.5 hours; natural and gravel trails with minimal elevation gain/loss.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: After check out in the morning, we will board the motorcoach to Eugisheim where we will start our morning hike to the three Castles of Eguisheim. This location offers a magnificent panoramic view over the Alsace plain and the Vosges Mountains. Eguisheim was elected the most beautiful village in France in 2013 by “Le Village préféré des Français,” a television show that explores French villages and awards yearly distinctions.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon: We’ll then meet at a predetermined time and place to continue our transfer to Zurich. Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like in Zurich.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!