Trip Overview Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures on a guided hiking adventure “Down East” along Maine’s coast from September 16 - 23, 2012.  When ships sailed from Boston to ports in Maine, which were to the east, the wind was at their backs, so they were sailing downwind, or Down East. Mainers still speak of going “up to Boston” despite the fact that that city lies about 50 miles to the south of Maine’s southern border. Down East is more than a counter-intuitive geographic designation; it’s also the happy state of mind one enters when crossing the border into Maine. Our group will have fun exploring the coast whose beautiful ruggedness is softened by evergreens and quaint, traditional fishing towns and islands, and where endless tidal inlets add up to 3,478 miles of shore, longer the coast of California.  Maine’s coastal mountains thrust up from the shore and provide great hiking with fabulous ocean views. Add to this mix fall foliage, a lobster dinner, blueberry pie and Maine’s legendary artistic, literary, and conservationist history and you get one great trip, if we do say so ourselves. We’ll start our hiking tour in exquisite Acadia National Park, first spending two days in lively Bar Harbor, after which we’ll then venture to Acadia’s “Quiet Side,” SouthwestHarbor, for three days. While there, we’ll participate in a venerable Maine tradition on our first mail boat ride. Grand scenery, wonderful hikes, and fascinating history will mark our stay in Acadia.  We’ll spend the last two days of...

Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures(http://www.bredeson.com) for a magnificent hiking vacation in the European Alps. Two of its most spectacular and beautiful areas are combined on this trip, from the high mountain peaks and traditional huts of the Austrian Tyrol to the fairy tale castles and forested mountains of southwestern Germany's Bavaria.

In Austria we stay in an elegant 4-star hotel in the beautiful Tyrolean village of Neustift, reached only by a narrow road that travels between high mountain peaks. The hotel has extensive spa facilities, the use of which is included in the price.  Our hiking vacation takes us through lush meadows filled with wildflowers and to high mountain huts above tree-line, where we can indulge in Apfelstrudel (mit Schlag, with whipped cream, if you please!) while viewing stunning glacial panoramas.

We then journey over the Austrian border into the mountains of Bavaria, to hike and visit several castles and lodges built by the enigmatic Bavarian Monarch Ludwig II. Based in a charming hotel near the historic town of Fuessen in "the King's Corner" of Bavaria we view two of Ludwig's castles: one in which he grew up, and the famous Neuschwanstein, which he spent his lifetime building. We'll hike to Ludwig's private hunting lodge and visit Linderhof, Ludwig's most beautiful castle. Returning to the lovely city of Innsbruck, we explore the medieval heart of this city that is perched in a bowl and is surrounded by the Alps.

This trip also lends itself to a self-guided extension in Innsbruck and to the beautiful Berchtesgaden, Koenigsee, and Salzburg area. 

Highlights

• Hike to high mountain huts and through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and awe-inspiring glacial scenery

Land Cost

$2,900 USD per person double occupancy.  $300 single supplement. $500 deposit.  Balance in full required 90 days before departure.

Details

• Trip begins and ends in Innsbruck, Austria
• 7 overnights
• All meals except one dinner included

Rating

Moderate to high energy.  Participants must be comfortable hiking on trails that are sometimes rocky and must be able to walk up to a maximum of 10 miles both up and downhill in mountainous terrain.  We will spend 4-6 hours a day hiking.