The Hills Are Alive: Discover The Dolomites, Austria, & Germany With The Y Travel Team
"I would absolutely recommend the Dolomites, Austria, and Germany to adventure seekers and those who love active holidays. The authentic rustic feel of the hotels, incredible hospitality, the beauty of the surroundings, and the huge range of outdoor activities make the region unforgettable."
Sally Cornell
There’s something utterly magical about the European Alps, a landscape that makes even seasoned travellers pause, breathe, and feel the pull of something timeless. Recently, three of our Y Travel Advisors explored this enchanting corner of Europe, where Italy, Austria, and Germany weave together like a perfectly choreographed waltz.
Linda travelled with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in May, while Bill and Sally embarked on their Alpine journey in June with The Leading Hotels of the World, beginning in the Dolomites at Hotel La Perla, continuing through Bavaria at Schloss Elmau, and concluding in Munich at Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
What they discovered was more than breathtaking scenery, though the hills truly are alive with possibility, it was destinations that perfectly reflect our Y Factors: Adventure, Artistry, Culture & Community, Nature & Sustainability, Taste, and Wellbeing.
A Year-Round Alpine Paradise
Though our team visited the region in the glow of spring and summer, the Alps enchant in every season. Spring, summer, and autumn means hiking trails, e-biking routes, alpine lakes, and wellness pursuits such as lakeside yoga, while winter transforms the mountains into a snow-draped wonderland of skiing, festive markets, and cosy retreats.
The cultural richness remains ever present, from Vienna’s imperial grandeur to Salzburg’s musical heritage, from Munich’s vibrant beer culture to the rustic charm of Dolomite villages.
Here, sophisticated cities blend seamlessly with authentic alpine adventures, making the region irresistible to every traveller, whether your passions lean toward museums and opera houses, Michelin dining and mountain treks, or simply extraordinary hospitality in breathtaking settings.
Linda's Rosewood Discovery
Linda’s journey revealed how Rosewood’s signature Sense of Place is brought to life in Munich, SCHLOSS FUSCHL, and Vienna. Each property is sensitively designed within historic buildings, creating stays infused with stories and heritage.
It was at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, opening in 2024, that Linda found herself most captivated. Originally a 15th-century hunting lodge on the shores of Lake Fuschl, the property has been transformed into a serene retreat. “I loved being on the lake and had the most amazing private yoga session there too,” Linda recalls.
From here, Salzburg was just a short drive away. A visit to Mirabell Palace allowed Linda to indulge her love of The Sound of Music, wandering through the manicured gardens and reliving the magic of Julie Andrews’s iconic Do-Re-Mi scene. Other highlights included an intimate behind-the-scenes visit to Vienna’s Spanish Riding School and a surprise horse-drawn carriage ride through the old town.
Her sweetest memory? Kaiserschmarrn, Austria’s beloved shredded pancake dessert, enjoyed at Schloss Fuschl and at Vienna’s historic Demel café, where guests can watch it being prepared before it is served with plum compote.
Bill's Alpine Heights
Bill and Sally’s adventure with Leading Hotels of the World began in the Dolomites, wound through Bavaria’s fairy-tale valleys, and ended in Munich. For Bill, the standout was Schloss Elmau, nestled in the Elmau Valley just 100 kilometres from Munich. A cultural and spa retreat since 1916, Schloss Elmau has hosted generations of concerts and festivals, later restored and reimagined after a fire in 2005.
“It had five amazing pools, a stunning natural Alpine setting, and felt like hitting the reset button,” Bill says. His most extraordinary moment came at Zugspitzplatt, Germany’s highest peak at 2,962 metres. Ascending by glacier cable car, lunching at the glass-walled Gletscher 2600 restaurant, and descending by historic cogwheel train created a day that felt otherworldly.
As Y Travel’s resident foodie, Bill found as much delight in the cuisine as in the landscapes. He savoured a plate of spinach and ricotta ravioli at La Perla after a Dolomite hike, and later experienced the energy of Munich’s Hofbräuhaus. “We dressed in traditional Bavarian costume and were treated like royalty. It was so much fun,” he recalls.
Sally's Active Adventures
A first-time visitor to the region, Sally embraced every moment with fresh eyes. “It was a really active trip, lots of adventures and new experiences,” she says. E-biking and hiking through the Dolomites’ dramatic landscapes left her longing to return.
Hotel La Perla in Corvara quickly stole her heart. “As soon as you walk in, you feel like you are in a quaint, slightly quirky Tyrolean lodge that is rustic and traditional, yet offering exceptional old-school hospitality.”
Schloss Elmau provided a sanctuary of peace and renewal. “You don’t want to leave. It is a place where you can disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with yourself, a sanctuary for the soul.” One of her most memorable meals was a rustic alpine dinner at Elmauer Alm, the hotel’s mountain hut reached by scenic hike, surrounded only by wildflower meadows and mountain peaks.
Her overall impression is clear: “I would absolutely recommend this region to adventure seekers and active travellers. The authentic rustic feel of the hotels, the warmth of the hospitality, the beauty of the landscapes, and the wealth of outdoor activities make it unforgettable.”
Your Own Alpine Adventure Awaits
Are you ready to write your own Alpine story? Allow your Y Travel Advisor to design a bespoke journey with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and The Leading Hotels of the World, tailored to your passions, your pace, and your vision of adventure, and step into your own story amid the mountains, lakes, and timeless villages of the European Alps.