Four routes from Munich to Italy
Perhaps no region of a similar area in Europe is so rich in relics of feudal times as the Tyrol, the great mediaeval highway connecting the Netherlands and Italy.
The splendor falls on castle walls
And snowy summits old in story. ' —
Alfred Tennyson.
The Dolomites
| 1st day | Innsbruck (three hours from Munich), the beautiful capital of the Tyrol, situated on both banks of the Inn, surrounded by mountains from 6,000 to 8,000 feet in height. In the Hofkirche — a sixteenth - century Franciscan church — is the marble and bronze monument to the Emperor Maximilian I, considered one of the grandest monuments in the world. The body of the emperor, however, is buried at Wiener-Neustadt. |
| 2d day | Over the Brenner Pass to Toblach (six hours by rail from Innsbruck) . The Brenner is the oldest of the Alpine passes, and was used by the Romans. The railroad traversing it is one of the grandest engineering triumphs of its kind. From Toblach drive to Cortina (four hours). |
3d day |
At Cortina. Situated in the midst of a green amphitheater, with huge mountains of fantastic $ forms and lovely coloring. To the north are the imposing Tofana (11,033 feet), Pomogagnon ( 7,729 feet), Cristallo (11,000 feet), Sorapico ' ( 11,107 f eet) , Antelao (10,986 feet). No wonder that, with such a constellation of mountain giants, it is a good center for mountain climbing. Lake Misurina is a favorite resort of Queen Marguerita of Italy. |
| 6th day 7th |
Pieve di Cadore is seventeen miles by carriage, crossing the Italian frontier shortly after leaving Cortina. Here was born the famous Titian, generally accepted as the greatest of painters. The whole town is Tiziano. Excursion can be made by carriage to St. Stefano di Comelico, by the Tre Ponti, and through the forest of St. Marco. |
| 8th day 9th |
Belluno. Drive of twenty-six miles, passing through picturesque villages, among them Perarolo and Longarone. Of Perarolo it is said: " When you see it, you will see that you would have regretted it all your life if you had not seen it." Belluno 'itself is a town of considerable importance, and here one sees, on Sundays and holidays, the picturesque costumes of the people who flock to the town from neighboring villages. The Cathedral was partly destroyed by the earthquake of 1873, but has been restored. |
| 10th day | By rail to Venice (three hours). |
THE BRENNER
From Munich to Verona.
| 1st day | Innsbruck (three hours from Munich). The capital of the Tyrol, besides its beautiful situation on the Inn, has many interesting buildings, including the Goldene Dachl; the Hofkirche; the Hofburg, or Imperial Palace; the Capuchin Monastery and the National Museum. |
| 2d day | Sterzing (three hours by rail from Innsbruck) . An ancient Roman town with picturesque old houses, arcades, balconies and turrets, is best reached by carriage over the Brenner Pass, the lowest of Alpine passes (4,490 feet). |
| 3d day | Brixen (two hours from Sterzing). For nine centuries the capital of a Spiritual principality, which was suppressed in 1703, contains churches with ancient frescos and curious old monuments, also several convents and an archbishop's palace |
| 4th day | Botzen (one hour from Brixen). A busy commercial town, charmingly situated, whence Meran can be reached in an hour by rail. Meran was the ancient capital of Tyrol and is an interesting place for a short visit, especially on a Sunday, when there is usually a large assembly of Tyrolese peasants. |
| 5th day | Riva (three hours from Botzen). Beautifully situated on Lake Garda, close to the steep Rocchetta. On the hillsides above the town are the ruins of old castles, which add to the picturesqueness of the vicinity. |
| 6th day | Verona (six hours from Riva). Leave Riva by steamer for a five hours' sail down the beautiful Lake Garda to Desenzano, thence by rail in an hour to Verona. |
THE STELVIO
From MunicHK to Milan.
Pursue the preceding Brenner Route to Meran.
| 5th day | Trafol, a small village -or hamlet at the foot of the Ortler (12,800 feet), the highest of the Eastern Alps, is reached by rail to Spondinig, thence by carriage, in about five hours from Meran. Trafoi is situated amidst magnificent glacier and mountain scenery, unsurpassed in all the Alpine region. |
| 6th day | Bormio, twenty-three miles from Trafoi, over the Stelvio Pass (" the flowing road"), the highest practicable carriage road in Europe and one of the wildest defiles in the Alps. Its summit is 9,175 feet above sea-level. At Bormio there are hot mineral baths, some of them large enough for swimming. |
| 7th day | Tirano (about six hours by carriage from Bormio) is a small town with ancient,. deserted palaces of Italian nobles who probably feared inundations of the Adda, which is a perpetual menace to the town. |
| 8th day | Bellagio, on Lake Como, is reached by rail to Colico and thence by steamer. Total time, about five hours. Bellagio is one of the most beautifully located villages on the Italian Lakes. |
| 9th day | Milan. Sail down the lake to Como, thence by rail to Milan (time, about four hours). |
THE ENGADINE
From Munich to Milan.
| 1st day | Innsbruck (three hours from Munich). The beautiful capital of the Tyrol. |
| 2d day | Nauders, a delightfully situated village, is reached by rail to Landeck, thence by carriage along the Inn (time, about eight hours) . |
| 3d day | Schuls (four hours by carriage) , the capital of the Lower Engadine, is a double town, situated facing noble mountains. |
| 4th day 5th 6th |
Samaden (seven hours by carriage) , the principal village and the wealthiest in the Upper Engadine. Here resides the great Planta family, which has been a power in the country for nearly a thousand years, as a visit to the graveyard of St. Peter's will testify. Drives or walks can be made to St. Moritz, Albula Pass, Pontresina and Silvaplana, at the foot of the Julier Pass. |
| 7th day | Tirano (eight hours by carriage over the Bernina Pass; 7,658 feet). A route replete with interest to the geologist and botanist, passing several lakes where good fishing can be had. A stop can be made at Poschiavo, the principal place in the valley. |
| 8th day | Bellagio, beautifully situated on the fork of Lake Como, is reached in about five hours, by rail to Colico, and thence steamer. |
| 9th day | Milan is reached in about four hours, by steamer to Como, then rail. |
