Grand Alpine Luxury Driving Tour: Paul & Christine’s 5-Country Road Trip Story

If you’ve ever dreamt of spending nearly two weeks driving a Grand Alpine luxury driving tour through five countries, this is what it really looks like.

When Paul and Christine landed in Munich one cool May morning, they weren’t chasing flags on a map. They wanted a proper road-trip movie: a powerful car, beautiful hotels, iconic passes and enough time to breathe it all in.

Over 12 days their 5-country Grand Alps route took them from Germany into Austria, across to Italy’s Dolomites, through Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and back to Bavaria again. It was a tailor-made version of the EPIKDRIVES Grand Alpine Tour – and a perfect example of how flexible this itinerary can be.

Table of Contents

1. Why This Grand Alpine Luxury Driving Tour Was Different

2. Trip Overview: Route, Season & Car

3. From Munich Motorworld to Lake Fuschl

4. Tour 1 – Grossglockner High Alpine Road

5. Tour 2 – The Flow of the Nockalm Road

6. Into Italy – First Glimpse of the Dolomites

7. Tour 4 – UNESCO Dolomites & the Sella Ronda

8. Tour 5 – Bell Towers, Borders & Big Passes

9. Davos – A Day to Slow Down

10. Tour 6 – Following the Glacier Express Route to Andermatt

11. Spring vs Summer – Choosing Your Alpine Season

12. Lake Lucerne – Spa Day Above the Passes

13. Tour 7 – Four Countries in One Perfect Day

14. Tour 8 – German Alpine Road & Castle Country

15. What Paul & Christine Thought

16. Choosing Your Car – BMW M5 vs Porsche 911

17. Make the Grand Alpine Tour Your Own

Why This Grand Alpine Luxury Driving Tour Was Different

Paul & Christine weren’t first-timers to Europe – but they were first-timers to the idea of a self-drive Grand Alpine luxury driving tour. They didn’t want a group convoy or a fixed departure date. They wanted:

• A private car they could keep for the whole trip

• A mix of big-pass days and slower, spa-style rest days

• Great hotels with suites or superior rooms

• Flexible routing to include a few personal favourites along the way

EPIKDRIVES built the route around their dates in late May and early June, when valleys are lush and green but snow still caps the high peaks. That timing turned out to be important – more on that later.

Trip Overview: Route, Season & Car

Countries: Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Duration: 12 days (8 touring days + several rest/explore days)

Start/Finish: Munich, Germany

Car: BMW M5 – a ferocious GT with space for all luggage

Many guests on the 5-Country Grand Alps Tour choose a Porsche 911 or other sports cars from the EPIKDRIVES fleet. Paul & Christine opted for the M5 so they could carry all their luggage for the full 12 days. No bag-swapping, no “what do we leave behind?” conversations – everything simply came along.

From Munich Motorworld to Lake Fuschl

After landing in Munich, a private chauffeur met them at the airport and drove them straight to Motorworld München. There they met Stephan, EPIKDRIVES’ founder, who personally handed over the BMW M5, walked through the car in detail and gave them a full tour briefing.

Instead of throwing them straight into city traffic, the first drive was intentionally gentle: a 2.5-hour run that began with a taste of unrestricted German Autobahn and ended in lakeside calm.

By lunchtime, Munich’s skyline had been replaced by forested hills and the emerald waters of Lake Fuschl. For their first two nights they stayed at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a five-star lakeside retreat that looks tailor-made for “first day of holiday” photos – castle on the hill, deep-green water below, mountains in the distance.

The first full day was kept slow on purpose:

• Lakeside walks

• Coffee on the terrace

• A short sunset drive to get used to the M5 and the Alpine roads

Jet lag disappeared somewhere between the fresh air and the first Austrian dinner.

Tour 1 – Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Once they were rested, the “official” Grand Alpine tour began.

Driving Highlights

The first major drive was the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of Austria’s most famous scenic routes and a genuine bucket-list mountain road. At the highest point (2,504 m) snow still lined the edges of the tarmac, with glacier views hanging in the distance.

Wide, flowing curves and beautifully cambered hairpins made it a dream for both driver and passenger. The M5’s power could be unleashed in short bursts between bends, then dialled back to glide through the scenery.

Where They Stayed

That evening they crossed into Austrian Tyrol and checked in at Dolomitengolf Suites, their base for the next two nights – quiet, green and perfectly set up for post-drive spa time.

Tour 2 – The Flow of the Nockalm Road

The next day showed a different side of Austria. Where Grossglockner is dramatic and high-alpine, the Nockalm Road is smoother and more rolling: 52 carefully engineered bends across rounded grassy summits. Here the BMW settled into a relaxed, flowing pace. Paul & Christine stopped often:

• Viewpoints looking over open hills

• Pictures of the M5 against huge skies

• Coffee breaks in traditional Alpine huts

Back at Dolomitengolf Suites, afternoons dissolved into spa sessions, good wine and an easy Tyrolean evening rhythm – a nice balance to the energy of the previous day.

Into Italy – First Glimpse of the Dolomites

Next, the route turned south into Italy for Tour 3, a shorter but visually spectacular transition day towards the Dolomites. The atmosphere changed quickly:

• Pastel-coloured villages

• Italian espresso bars

• Narrow valleys and vertical rock faces channelling them towards the high passes

For this part of the Grand Alpine luxury driving tour they stayed at Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz, where their junior suite looked straight across to the peaks they would be driving into the following day.

Tour 4 – UNESCO Dolomites & the Sella Ronda

Tour 4 was a big one: a full Dolomites day built around the legendary Sella Ronda loop – four famous passes circling the Sella massif. Each pass has its own personality:

• Tight hairpins and balcony sections clinging to cliffs

• Long sweepers that invite a gentle squeeze of the throttle

• Valleys dropping away on both sides, the rock glowing pale gold in late-day sun

Their photos from this day say it all: the M5 tucked beneath huge limestone faces, cyclists grinding past, a patchwork of snow and grass framing the road. It’s the kind of landscape where a “quick photo stop” easily becomes half an hour.

Tour 5 – Bell Towers, Borders & Big Passes

The next morning began a true cross-border epic.

From the Dolomites they drove via Gerlos Pass and on towards Reschen Pass, home to the haunting, picture-perfect sunken church tower of Lake Resia (Reschensee). The old village lies beneath the water; only the bell tower rises above the surface – a scene you’ve probably seen in photos, but it hits differently when your own car is parked just out of frame.

From here the route swung into Switzerland over Fuorn Pass (Ofenpass) and then Flüela Pass, both open and beautifully clear at that time of year. Alpine meadows, snow-tipped peaks and long, fast sweepers gave the M5 plenty of space to stretch.

By late afternoon they dropped into Davos and checked into the AMERON Davos Swiss Mountain Resort, settling into a junior suite with mountain-view balcony and a well-equipped spa.

Davos was a personal request – Paul & Christine already knew the St. Moritz area well – but on many EPIKDRIVES itineraries this section is based in the Engadin valley at the historic Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina.

Davos – A Day to Slow Down

After several intense driving days, Davos became a much-appreciated reset.

Some guests use this “flex day” to hike, ride cable cars or explore nearby valleys. Others keep it simple: late breakfasts, spa time, short walks and no long drives at all.

Paul & Christine chose a mix – a little exploring, plenty of relaxing. Their photos from this day are calmer:

• The M5 resting outside the hotel

• Valley paths and forest walks

• Coffee cups with snowy peaks in the background

  
  

It’s a reminder that a luxury driving holiday isn’t about driving every minute; it’s about having the freedom to choose your pace.

Tour 6 – Following the Glacier Express Route to Andermatt

Leaving Davos, the route roughly shadowed part of the famous Glacier Express line – the same scenic railway EPIKDRIVES uses on the Glacier Express Train & Drive Adventure.

The day’s drive included:

• Julier Pass with its open curves and wide views

• Sections of road paralleling the Glacier Express tracks

• Oberalp Pass and views over the Rhine Gorge – sometimes called the “Swiss Grand Canyon”

By afternoon, Paul & Christine rolled into Andermatt, one of Switzerland’s classic pass towns and now a modern luxury base.

Their home here was the 5-star Chedi Andermatt, where warm lighting, open fires, Japanese-Swiss design and a superb spa offered a delicious contrast to the rugged peaks outside.

Spring vs Summer – Choosing Your Alpine Season

This is where the season matters.

Paul & Christine travelled in late May and early June. At this time:

• Valleys are lush and green

• High peaks still carry impressive snow

• Many medium-high passes (Julier, Oberalp, Flüela, Dolomite passes) are already open

However, some of the very highest Alpine passes typically open after around 15 June. In the Swiss Alps, that usually includes:

• Susten Pass

• Furka Pass

• Grimsel Pass

In Italy, the iconic Stelvio Pass also tends to open later in June, depending on winter snow.

For Paul & Christine, this meant we designed what we jokingly called the “spring edition” of the Grand Alpine Tour: already dramatic, but without the very highest passes.

Guests travelling from late June to early October can, if they wish, build an even more intense pass-hopping experience by adding Susten, Furka, Grimsel or Stelvio – or by combining this itinerary with dedicated routes such as the Stelvio 10 Passes Adventure.

Lake Lucerne – Spa Day Above the Passes

Before the next big driving day, there was time for another deep breath – this time above Lake Lucerne at the Bürgenstock Resort.

On the standard Grand Alpine luxury driving tour, most guests spend this pause in Andermatt, often checking into The Chedi Andermatt right in the heart of the passes. Paul & Christine wanted a change of scene, so we mixed it up:

• Slow breakfast on a lake-view terrace

• Time in the Bürgenstock spa and infinity pool

• A stroll along ridge paths high above Lake Lucerne

• A relaxed dinner while the M5 took a rest day in the car park

Tour 7 – Four Countries in One Perfect Day

After a full recharge, they were ready for one of the most playful days of the entire trip: Four countries in a single drive.

Leaving Lake Lucerne, they crossed the timeless Klausen Pass, a classic mountain road threading along cliff edges and through high meadows where village life seems to move at a different pace.

From there the route:

1. Continued into the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, with views towards Vaduz Castle

2. Carried on into Austrian Tyrol

3. Finished the day back in Germany

Their overnight stop was the AMERON Alpsee Resort, set between lake and mountains just below Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles – about as fairy-tale as it gets.

Tour 8 – German Alpine Road & Castle Country

The final touring day focused on Bavaria and sections of the classic German Alpine Road.

After the big passes of the preceding week, this felt like a gentle finale:

• Lakes and wide views

• Pretty villages and soft curves

• A visit to Hohenschwangau Castle with postcard views of Neuschwanstein

From there they followed a relaxed route back to Munich, returned the M5 and stayed in the city for a few extra nights – a smart way to ease back into “normal life” before their chauffeur transfer to the airport.

What Paul & Christine Thought

After the trip, Paul & Christine described their Grand Alpine Tour as a “trip of a lifetime” – a combination of:

• A powerful, comfortable car

• A carefully balanced mix of driving days and rest days

• Suites and superior rooms in high-quality hotels

• Continuous behind-the-scenes support

Stephan tracked their progress, sent real-time weather updates, watched for road closures and suggested alternatives whenever conditions changed. For them, the biggest luxury was not having to worry about logistics – they could simply enjoy the mountains and the road.

Choosing Your Car – BMW M5 vs Porsche 911

For this particular Grand Alpine luxury driving tour, the BMW M5 was absolutely the right choice:

• Huge power and stability on high-speed sections and passes

• Proper grand-tourer comfort on long days

• Enough luggage space to carry everything for 12 days

Many EPIKDRIVES guests, however, opt for a Porsche 911 or similar sports car:

• More compact and agile, with a purer “sports-car feel”

• Front trunk plus rear shelf for lighter, driving-focused luggage

• Larger suitcases stored at the start/finish hotel and collected again at the end of the loop

Both styles work beautifully:

• GT approach (M5, M3 Touring, similar): bring everything, travel in maximum comfort

• Sports-car approach (911 and friends): travel light, lean into the driving experience

The core route stays broadly the same; the way you feel in it changes completely depending on what’s under your right foot.

Make the Grand Alpine Tour Your Own

Perhaps the best compliment of all: before their flight home, Paul & Christine had already booked their next EPIKDRIVES adventure – a Spain Supercar Pyrenees Tour, swapping glaciers and castle lakes for Atlantic coastlines, Catalan villages and the N-260 “Coast to Coast” route.

Their journey shows what’s possible when a Grand Alps itinerary is tailored to one couple’s pace, interests and ideal car. Your version could be:

• Shorter or longer

• Focused on certain countries or passes

• Timed for late spring like theirs, or full summer with additional high-altitude routes

• Driven in a Porsche 911, BMW M5 or another dream car from the fleet

What stays constant is the essence of every EPIKDRIVES tour: beautiful roads, carefully chosen hotels and the feeling of living inside your own road-trip film for a little while.

When you’re ready to plan your own Grand Alpine luxury driving tour, this 5-country route – in spring or in full high-summer mode – can be the blueprint for your next great European drive.

FAQ: Grand Alpine Luxury Driving Tour

1. How long does the Grand Alpine Tour usually take?

Most guests choose 10–12 days for the full five-country Grand Alpine itinerary. That allows time for eight or so driving days plus several rest or spa days. Shorter versions are possible if you focus on fewer countries or remove some rest days.

2. Which countries are included in the 5-country Alps road trip?

The classic 5-Country Grand Alps Tour includes Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, starting and finishing in Munich. Routes can be adapted to spend more time in particular regions, such as the Dolomites or central Switzerland.

3. What is the best time of year for a Grand Alpine luxury driving tour?

For the highest passes and maximum route flexibility, the ideal window is usually late June to early October. A late-May or early-June trip, like Paul & Christine’s, is wonderfully photogenic (green valleys plus snowy peaks) but some of the very highest passes – such as Susten, Furka, Grimsel and Stelvio – may still be closed.

4. Do I need previous mountain-driving experience?

You don’t need to be a racing driver, but you should be a confident, experienced road driver. EPIKDRIVES’ pre-planned sat/nav routes gradually build up to the bigger passes and avoid unnecessarily tricky roads. Many guests treat this as their first real mountain-driving holiday.

5. Which car is better for this tour – BMW M5 or Porsche 911?

It depends on your style. A BMW M5 or M3 Touring suits guests who want GT comfort and plenty of luggage space for a longer itinerary. A Porsche 911 suits those who want a more focused sports-car feel and are happy to travel lighter, leaving big luggage at the start/finish hotel.

6. Can the Grand Alpine Tour be customised?

Yes. Every Grand Alpine luxury driving tour can be tailored around:

• Dates and trip length

• Preferred car from the EPIKDRIVES fleet

• Specific passes or countries you want to include

• The balance between driving days and spa/rest days

It can also be combined with other itineraries such as the Glacier Express Train & Drive Adventure or the Spain Supercar Pyrenees Tour for a longer European journey.