LUXURY HIKING IN THE AUSTRIAN ALPS - LECH AM ARLBERG SEPTEMBER 10 – 18, 2011 $1925.00 Dick Ernenwein, Trip Leader TRIP IS NOW FULL - CONTACT THE LEADER FOR A WAITING LIST. If you are looking for great rewarding hiking but are not opposed to being pampered Apres hiking, this is the trip for you. The Arlberg in Austria is a paradise for hiking and because we are based in the first class family run four star Hotel Gotthard in Lech, this trip can be described as almost luxury hiking. The Hotel Gotthard is owned and managed by a third generation family with a long tradition of service. Hike on over 350 kilometers (150 miles) of trails and discover imposing mountains, enchanting forests and blooming alpine meadows and pastures. We will be based in Lech am Arlberg located at 4748 feet in western Austria near both the German and Switzerland borders. Lech is a timeless mountain paradise, a world of high Alpine peaks and valleys with old world culture in the farmer's market, the 15th century Parish Church, and the Sunday brass band in authentic costumes. Lech has been voted Europe's most beautiful village. The closest airports are Innsbruck, Zurich, and Munich. However the best arrival airport is Zurich. The travel time from The Zurich Airport to the Langen am Arlberg stop is 2 hrs. 39 minutes. Then there is a 25 minute bus ride to Lech. Lodging will be in double rooms (single rooms are extra) with private bath, WC, hair dryer, flat screen cable TV, radio, direct dial phone, room safe, bath robe & slippers and mini-bar and all with a glorious view of the surrounding mountains. Each morning will begin with a gourmet breakfast buffet with bread and baked goods from the Hotel bakery. Each evening, we will enjoy a 4 course dinner with a choice of menu. Once during the trip, we will be offered a mountain breakfast on the Hotel's mountain pasture. The Hotel also has free mountain bike rental, spa area including an indoor pool, a Bio Sauna, Finnish sauna, Kneipp pool, steam bath and fitness and gymnastic room. After a wonderful day of hiking, we can look forward to a well earned local Austrian beer followed by a dip in the pool and then take advantage of the various sauna's and baths; not a terrible way to end a hike. Each participant will also be presented with what they call “The Active Inclusive Card.” This card includes the unlimited free use of most of the summer mountain lifts in Lech and Warth plus the hiking buses serving the entire area, the open air pool (Lecher Waldbad) and use of the tennis courts. As this is an ADK hiking trip, I realize that some of these amenities may not be for us but they are there if you want them. This will be a moderate hiking trip walking 4 to 6 hours each day with vertical ascents and descents of 1000 to 2000 ft. Any member of the ADK in good physical condition will enjoy this trip. Where it is possible, each day I will present everyone with hiking choices for a less or even more strenuous day. Each day we will take advantage of one of the mountain lifts or a hiking bus from the village to take us quickly up 1000 to 2500 feet where we will begin the days hike. There will be 6 dedicated hiking days and one rest day with an extra optional hike on this day. We will have guides from the hotel on at least 3 of the hikes with the other hikes led by me. The mountains in the Arlberg go up to over 10,000 feet and we will hike up to about 8500 feet or 4000 ft above the village of Lech. Thus although we will use the lifts to carry us up on average 2000ft., that still allows us 1000 to 2000 ft. more to climb with spectacular panoramas. Outing Cost: $1925.00 double room occupancy. Single is $2075.00 Payment Policy: A deposit of $400 is due at registration. The remaining balance of $1525 is due by May 15, 2011 Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel the trip at any time, an $85.00 ADK registration fee is non-refundable. The balance of the deposit is fully refundable up to March 1, 2011. If you cancel after March 1, 2011 no part of the deposit is refundable. After May 15, 2011, no refunds are possible unless your space can be filled from a waiting list. However, if ADK cancels the trip or if in the opinion of the leader, this trip is not for you, the full amount will be refunded. Included:    8 nights in the Hotel Gotthard 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners Active Inclusive card. 7 guided hikes by a local guide or myself. All taxes and service charges. Not included:  Airfare Drinks and beverages at dinner Lunches Transfers to and from the airport to Lech Itinerary For more information and to register, contact Dick Ernenwein, 845-565-3866, 4 Commonwealth Ave, Newburgh, NY 12550. e-mail:  rernenwein@msn.com PRICING: THIS TRIP IS SUBJECT TO AN INCREASE IN COST AT ANY TIME UNTIL THE TRIP'S DEPARTURE DATE. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP AND THE PRICE FOR THIS TRIP WAS ESTABLISHED IN MARCH OF 2010, IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR A SURCHARGE IF THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR DECLINES. Please note:  Prices and trip arrangements are subject to change due to circumstances beyond ADK's control. All registration fees are non-refundable. Details including cancellation policy will be supplied to all those requesting trip information. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION