What could be better than being in a Vintage or a motorized alternative between snow-covered rocks, glittering lakes or steep curves of a Alpine passes cruising around? If you don't own a car legend, simply rent one. The mountains with their scenic pass roads are predestined for trips of all kinds. Special tips include the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which is not considered the "Queen of Alpine Roads" for nothing; the characteristic pass road up the Stelvio Pass, located in the national park of the same name, is also a must for every fan of high alpine pass roads. A little tip on the side: the only private Porsche museum is located in Gmünd in Carinthia, where the first vehicles bearing the Porsche name were built from 1944 to 1950.

BEST OF HOTELS

THE CHEDI ANDERMATT
CASUAL FIVE-STAR LUXURY IN AN UP-AND-COMING MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Alpine, Asian, different - star architect Jean-Michel Gathy has created an architectural icon in the Swiss Alps with "The Chedi Andermatt". Here, at 1447 metres, Asian flair meets casual elegance. The word "Chedi" means temple in Thai - a significant message, because the guests of the hotel should feel just as safe and "heavenly carried". Five excellent restaurants and bars as well as a 2400 square metre spa make the de-luxe hotel a place of relaxation and enjoyment. The spa area and health club are Asian-inspired - here guests can switch off with an exotic Thai-style massage or in the Tibetan Relaxation Lounge. The Chedi Andermatt is a top culinary address: Between the four show kitchens of "The Restaurant", which has been awarded 14 Gault Millau points, sits the five-metre-high Cheese Tower made of glass. Another experience awaits in the Cigar Library, where more than 640 formats can be enjoyed. The Wine Library's wine list was voted the best in Switzerland for the second time in a row. This award is topped by the "Japanese Restaurant" at 2300 metres above sea level, which is under the aegis of Dietmar Sawyere and has been awarded a Michelin star and 15 Gault Millau points. The design of the hotel with its 123 rooms and suites is casual and unique. While the large panoramic windows bring nature indoors, a flickering fireplace creates warmth. The multi-award-winning luxury hotel also offers Experiences such as "Herbal Hike", its own alpine cheese production, a ride in a Morgan 4/4 and a discovery trip to the Urseren Valley, where you can spot Tibetan yaks and marmots. "The Chedi Andermatt" is an experience for explorers, Andermatt itself too - a few minutes' walk from the hotel is the Andermatt Swiss Alps golf course, an 18-hole facility. Double room from € 267,- per person with breakfast.

The Chedi Andermatt*****
Gotthardstrasse 4, 6490 Andermatt, Switzerland
T: +41 41 8887488
thechediandermatt.com

HOTEL ANSITZ PLANTITSCHERHOF
UNIQUE HOTEL IN THE MERAN VILLA DISTRICT

Guests of the luxury hotel can choose from a fine selection of the hotel's own vintage cars, and host Johannes personally takes guests to private wineries. In general, the hotel scores with exclusivity and a range of unique experiences: sleeping under the open sky, champagne breakfast, wine, whisky or rum tastings and much more. Located in the heart of Merano's villa district, the hotel philosophy focuses on the most beautiful things in life. The flowering garden and terrace are also impressive, and yoga can be practiced on the roof terrace. The region is also predestined for extensive bike tours or hikes with the hotel's own hiking guide. A daily relaxation program is offered, guests relax in the spacious suites and penthouse suites with their own sauna or whirlpool. Double room from € 140,- per person with breakfast.

Hotel Ansitz Plantitscherhof*****
Via Dante 56, 39012 Merano, Italy
T: +39 0473 230577
plantitscherhof.com

BRENNERS PARK HOTEL & SPA
THE BEST EUROPEAN HOSPITALITY HAS TO OFFER ...

... can be found in one of the world's most exclusive portfolios of luxury hotels, the Oetker Collection, including Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in the Black Forest - affectionately known by guests as "Das Brenners". The hotel itself owns its own small fleet of historic automobiles. Excellent wine can be enjoyed in the luxury hotel; Konstantin Baum is in charge of the wine program and was awarded as Germany's youngest "Master of Wine" in 2015. Culinary experiences are offered in the house paired with a fantastic view, all the in-house restaurants conform to the "Brenners motto": lifestyle in harmony with nature. The outstanding quality of the cuisine and service, exquisite furnishings and the unique location in the middle of a lush green park landscape make this place a magnet for gourmets from all over the world. Double room from € 268,- per person with breakfast.

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa*****
Schillerstraße 4/6, 76530 Baden-Baden, Germany
T: +49 7221 9000
oetkercollection.com

OUR TOP TIPS:

ROUND TRIP DE LUXE

Whether on two or four wheels - the Relais & Châteaux round trip concept developed in the 1950s in the south of France with the resonant name "Routes du Bonheur" can be explored with your own car, your classic car or - thanks to a cooperation with Harley-Davidson - even with a heavy motorcycle. Relais & Châteaux is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants all over the world, 19 of them in Germany and ten in Austria, and present on five continents. The diversity of Austria can be experienced on three routes: Six nights on the Arlberg High Road, two nights in the heart of Austria between alpine skiing and water skiing, or four nights around Vienna and through Lower Austria.

BEST EXCERPT

"The queen of the mountain passes" - this is undoubtedly the title of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Situated in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park, this varied pass road runs for a total of 48 kilometres from Salzburger Land to Carinthia. The Alpine road runs through colourful alpine meadows, at higher altitudes through snow-covered fields and past imposing mountain peaks. Its highest point is the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, which offers an unobstructed view of the summit of the Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain - and also of the Pasterze, Austria's largest glacier. The High Alpine Road is open from the beginning of May to the end of October. grossglockner.at

GOOD TO KNOW

World record
The world's largest traditional bonfire was lit in Austria in 2019: The burning wooden tower in Lustenau was a proud 60.64 meters high.

Highest asphalted pass
The highest point is the Col de l'Isèran at 2770 meters in France. It is followed by the Stilfser Joch (Passo Stelvio) with 2758 meters as Italy's high point. In third place is a border pass: the 2744-meter Col d'Agnel.

The oldest
The oldest automobile in the world is the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886.

Bentley test drives
At the five-star superior hotel "Aurelio" in Lech, every guest can borrow a Bentley for a test drive. In some cases, Bentley specialists are also on site.