Algarve Odyssey
The coast, villages and countryside of the Eastern Algarve and then explore the treasures of this most westerly corner of Europe.
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Our holiday is based in the charming small Bavarian village of Bad Kohlgrub in the Ammer valley.
From£1,485
Germany
Culture & Natural History
Jun
Jul
Sep
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 25000
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Full day walks with appreciable amounts of ascent and descent.
These walks are in more remote areas such as Andorra or northern Portugal.
Similar to Grade 5, but with most of the walks at the upper level of ascent/descent, time and distance.
Overview
When the warm days of summer arrive, where better could there be than a traditional Bavarian beer garden to enjoy a cool beer or glass of wine after a satisfying walk?
Our holiday is based in the charming Bavarian village of Bad Kohlgrub. We’ll walk to beautiful lakes and waterfalls near Bad Bayersoien and Murnau, walk in and around the high mountains above Garmisch and visit some stunning Rococo buildings. Highlights include a visit to Oberammergau, the Passion Play theatre, the Monastery at Ettal and its brewery and King Ludwig II’s palaces of Linderhof and the unique Neuschwanstein Castle.
You’ll enjoy mountain scenery, dramatic balcony landscapes and tranquil river paths. We will pass thundering waterfalls, venture through flower filled green meadows, explore pretty Bavarian villages and Bavaria's wonderful architecture. We visit four different luscious valleys, so the views are incredible and constantly changing throughout the week.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Bad Kohlgrub is a traditional Bavarian town with rustic farmhouses, colourful gardens and alpine buildings decorated with pretty window boxes. It is Bavaria's first WellVital Town, an area of health and wellness! This charming little town is a perfect centre with hundreds of hiking trails and ski routes on its doorstep. There are a variety of facilities including supermarkets, ATM's, a baker with freshly made rolls, cakes and bread. There is also a book shop, a doctors and a tourist information office. There is a chair lift, a bus stop and a train station close to the hotel too.
We stay in the family owned four star Hotel Schillingshof, located at the foot of the spectacular Hornle Mountain with wonderful views of the rolling valley and tranquil Lake Staffelsee. This friendly picturesque hotel is decorated with colourful flowers during spring and summer, set against the picture perfect mountainous backdrop. The hotel is contemporary with modern furnishings and includes a variety of facilities. Relax in its indoor pool with large panorama windows, try its organic herbal sauna and coloured light sauna. Maybe pamper yourself in its infrared cabin and relaxation room. Workout and active sports are also offered too. Beauty and pampering treatments are available at an additional charge. The hotel also includes its own restaurant, two Bavarian bar areas and a new wine lounge, ideal for a relax after a long day exploring beautiful Bavaria.
We stay in Bavarian country styled rooms with en suite facilities. Rooms are decorated with wooden furnishings and are equipped with a TV, phone, hairdryer, safe, free WIFI and a fridge. Some rooms also have a balcony or terrace area. Twin bedded rooms usually contain Austral style beds which consist of one bed frame fitted with two single mattresses and separate bed packs with individual duvets.
Trip Information
This is a grade 4 and 6 moderate walking holiday where you can choose the grade of walk you wish to participate in on a daily basis depending on the group ability and size.
Our grade 4 programme includes half and full days of walking. Half day walks will involve approximately 3 hours of walking with the opportunities for sightseeing whereas our full days will be up to 5 hours of walking. The paths we take are generally good and we expect to pass gravel tracks, easy mountain paths and riverside tracks. We can expect ascents and descents of 100-400m. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 4 programme is 1548m close to the top chair lift station on the Hörnle Mountain.
Our grade 6 programme includes full days of walking which can be up to 6 hours and mostly between 6-11 miles a day. We will encounter many good mountain paths which will include some steep and rocky sections. We can expect ascents and descents of between 300-800m with occasional options to go higher for even more spectacular views. The maximum altitude reached on our grade 6 programme is near Neuschwanstein at the top of the Tegelberg cable car lift at a height of 1716m.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in Germany
The currency in Germany is the euro .
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.
Brexit Passport Advice
You should have at least 6 months validity left on your passport from your date of arrival.
If you renewed a 10 year passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to your passport’s expiry date. These extra months will not count, so you should ensure that your passport is not older than 9 years and 6 months from the date of issue at the time of travel.
You may wish to renew your passport sooner rather than later, in order to make sure you have it in time for your holiday or travel plans.
Please ensure to regularly check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for updates on passport requirements leading up to and after Brexit or contact us for more assistance.
UK Government Brexit Information for Passports can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-Brexit.
The UK Government has published a website tool to check the validity of your passport under these rules which can be found at www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport.
In the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK citizens will be able to visit the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. The UK Government also has information for travellers available at gov.uk/EUexit
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the cost of the holiday.
We enjoy a breakfast hot and cold buffet at the hotel with a wide variety of dishes to choose from including bacon, eggs, sausages, cereal, pastries, salad, fruit, fresh rolls and locally made jams. We dine in the hotel for five nights where we enjoy a delightful buffet. The hotel uses locally grown and fresh seasonal ingredients, including local specialities such as Faller Marmelade, honey and dairy products from the Ammergau region. The menu includes traditional Bavarian and German food with a flare of international cuisine.
We dine in local restaurants for two evenings, giving us the opportunity to sample the excellent Bavarian cuisine. We'll enjoy an authentic experience and sometimes lively atmosphere in traditional restaurants along with local diners and the German hospitality.
Footwear
Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Germany
In Germany the electricity is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
The following maps cover the area in which we will be walking:
Kompass Wanderkarte Oberammergau & Ammertal 1:35 000
Bayerisches Landesvermessungsmat Munchen Topographische Karte 1:50 000 Pfaffenwinkel Staffelsee
The rough guide to Germany includes a great section on Upper Bavaria.
The Bavarian Tourist board have lots of interesting information on the importance of beer and beer gardens in the area.
The Map Shop
Maps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Germany
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Germany.
You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
You may wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.
Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country and geographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation to your home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
EHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Useful Information
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Language
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Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 52mm
February
Avg. Rain: 43mm
March
Avg. Rain: 46mm
April
Avg. Rain: 50mm
May
Avg. Rain: 62mm
June
Avg. Rain: 77mm
July
Avg. Rain: 85mm
August
Avg. Rain: 78mm
September
Avg. Rain: 60mm
October
Avg. Rain: 55mm
November
Avg. Rain: 54mm
December
Avg. Rain: 58mm
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