Tell us a little bit about your most recent Untour.
In Austria, we stayed in the comfortable Seiwald apartment in Kuchl. The Kuchl location was ideal for visiting Salzburg and numerous nearby small villages. The town evoked memories of the Sound of Music. The lake and mountain regions were stunning testimony to the grandeur of nature. The lofty, snow capped peaks and shimmering blue lakes performed their silent symphony for us while we humans traveled and hiked the steep, twisted roads and rocky pathways. There were picture postcards in every corner. Our small grey Hyundai raced up and down the Alps twisting with the sharp bends in the road.Â
Austrian adventures included: the roads to Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden, walking the cobblestones in Salzburg, Kuchl, Golling, and Hallein, investigating old abandoned castles/fortresses in Salzburg and Hohenwerfen, seeing powerful waterfalls in the Liechtenstein Gorge and Golling, lakeside views of Zell Am See, Hallstatt See and Konigsee. Not to be missed is the Documentation Center near Hitler’s infamous retreat, the Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden.
In Bavaria, we were in the Carola apartment in Schloss Sommersdorf. Our stay at the 14th Century Schloss Sommersdorf was a highlight of our Untours trips. This unique experience was almost indescribable. The atmosphere of rustic, exotic charm was unbelievable. Every nook and cranny in and out of the castle had a tale to tell. The surrounding grounds were abundant with colorful flowers and roses with apple and grapes climbing the ancient walls.
There were outside sitting areas tucked away to contemplate our hectic modern lives. The castle, with its towers, moat, and a sizeable armor and weaponry collection was an authentic relic of a bygone area. The picturesque red-roofed tiny farming villages and towns were nestled in the hollows and perched on the hills of the rolling green countryside. The countryside was similar to Jo’s home in Indiana minus the medieval walls and castles. The region beckoned us to wander all over by car to discover a village overlooked by tourists, an unexpected castle, farmhouse, a fountain or a new vista. Most villages had one Gasthaus serving food, one church either Catholic or Lutheran and often both were present.
Why did you choose to go there?
After taking a river trip on the Danube and Rhine in 2011, we wanted to return and tour the small villages in Austria and Bavaria that we missed.
What is your favorite Untours memory?
This was our 5th Untour, all memorable in their own way. However, the stay at Sommersdorf is at the top of the list.
How is taking an Untour different from other ways of traveling?
An Untour has the advantage of being able to experience living like the natives and follow your own schedule with the advantage of outstanding pre-trip documentation and on-site support.
If you could describe an Untour in just 3 words, what would they be?
Unique, unforgettable, affordable.
The Untour Apartments they chose |
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