TRAVELLING ON A SPECIAL TRAIN

At around 10 a.m., we depart Zurich main station on board the Prestige Continental Express. The train stops to pick up passengers in Winterthur at approx. 10.30, St. Gallen at approx. 11.20 and Romanshorn at approx. 11.40. We travel via Dornbirn, Feldkirch and the Arlberg Pass to Innsbruck. Welcome lunch in the dining car. In the afternoon, we take a guided city tour of the sights of Innsbruck, including the old town, the gilded roof known as the “Goldenes Dachl” and the medieval city tower. Afterwards, we continue to Seefeld.

In the morning, we learn about the history of Seefeld on a guided walking tour of the village. Our varied itinerary takes in the Gothic parish church of St. Oswald, the Hotel Klosterbräu and Seefeld’s best-known landmark, the Seekirchl. We savour the majestic view of the village and the surrounding mountains from the nearby Parish Hill. Afterwards, we enjoy a freshly prepared lunch in the dining car as we travel on to Kufstein.

Kufstein’s old town is known as the “Pearl of Tyrol”. One of the finest small towns in Austria boasts outstanding historic architecture and a fortress that is visible far and wide. In the centre, we encounter charming narrow streets, vibrant squares and many points of interest reflecting the town’s rich history. With our local guide, we journey back to days of yore and discover the background to the sights that dominate the townscape to this day.

After breakfast, we explore Kufstein’s most striking landmark: the fortress. Built in the 13th century, it towers majestically over the town. The breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and the Inn Valley
is unparalleled. For many centuries, the fortress was a strategic distribution centre and was frequently besieged. During the Habsburg period in particular, it played a key role in the conflicts between Tyrol and
Bavaria. Naturally, we attend a concert of the “Heroes’ Organ”, with its 4,948 pipes and 46 stops. The world’s largest open-air organ has been housed in the fortress’s Bürgerturm tower since 1931.

Afterwards, you can enjoy some free time in Kufstein or join the optional afternoon excursion: the passion play tradition at Erl near Kufstein dates back more than 400 years, with performances taking place every
six years at venues that included an inn and a brewery, until a vast theatre was built in the early 20th century. It was destroyed by fire in 1933. Construction of the present-day passion play theatre began some
20 years later. Architect Robert Schuler designed a distinctive and eye-catching masterpiece that has come to symbolise the small community. On our private guided tour, we take a look behind the scenes.

Late in the afternoon, we return to our waiting train at Kufstein station. A gourmet dinner is served on board as we travel to Starnberg on the lake of the same name, a magical Bavarian idyll and one of Germany’s most popular recreation areas.

Lake Starnberg is the fifth-largest lake in Germany and is only around 25 km south of Munich, with spectacular views of the Alps. Some 20.2 km in length, and with extensive parks and nature reserves, it is also a favoured residence of the rich and famous. Today, we follow in the footsteps of the “fairytale king” Ludwig II of Bavaria and Empress Elisabeth, known as “Sisi”. Lunch is included.

We visit the Roseninsel, the only island in Lake Starnberg. Just 2.56 hectares in size and completely car free, it has been a protected landscape and monument for some years. The Roseninsel’s appeal is magical
in many ways. It was once used by the royal family as a place to relax in seclusion, and was visited by prominent figures including King Ludwig II and Empress Sisi. The gardens are bursting with historical rose varieties which produce a riot of glorious new blooms every year. In summer especially, they are an irresistible attraction for visitors. The main flowering period on this verdant isle begins in June.

The historic railway station at Possenhofen, which was built and opened by King Ludwig II in 1865, has been home to the Sisi Museum since 1998. It documents the life of a woman from the House of Wittelsbach whose moving story inspires adulation to this day. A visit to the Empress Elisabeth Museum reveals some little-known facts about the celebrated “Sisi”.

We round off the day with a short boat trip on Lake Starnberg, and a chance to view the landscape from a different perspective.

Pfiati, Pfiat eich – today we bid farewell to the delightful picture-postcard landscape of Lake Starnberg. At around midday, we board our special train for the return journey via Buchloe, Bregenz, St. Margrethen, St. Gallen and Winterthur to Zurich main station, where we arrive at around 6 p.m. Once again, a freshly prepared lunch is served in the dining car.