Grand Alpine Dream: Paul & Christine’s 5-Country Luxury Driving Tour

When Paul and Christine landed in Munich one cool May morning, they weren’t here to tick off countries on a map. They wanted something bigger: a luxury Grand Alpine driving tour where every day felt like a new chapter in a road movie – five countries, iconic passes, great hotels and a proper driver’s car.

For this adventure they chose a BMW M5 – ferocious when asked, ultra-smooth the rest of the time – and, very importantly, big enough to take all their luggage with them for the full 12 days. Many of our Grand Alpine guests pick a Porsche 911 or other Porsche models from our fleet; on a classic loop in a 911, you’d normally leave oversized luggage at your start/finish hotel, then collect it again at the end before continuing your journey. Paul and Christine preferred to have everything with them at every stop – and that’s exactly where a big GT like the M5 shines.

Their trip took place in late May and early June – early in the Alpine season, when valley roads are green and the peaks are still topped with snow. It’s a magical time, but it also means that some of the highest passes in the Swiss Alps – including Susten, Furka and Grimsel – and the famous Stelvio Pass in Italy are usually only expected to open after around 15 June. So what you’re about to read is already an incredible journey… and still the spring edition of what’s possible in full summer.

This is their story.

From Munich Motorworld to Lake Fuschl

After their arrival, a private chauffeur welcomed Paul and Christine at the airport and brought them straight to Munich Motorworld. There, they met Stephan, the owner and founder of EPIKDRIVES, who personally handed over the BMW M5. After a detailed tour briefing and car handover, they set off with everything they needed — the M5 fuelled, shining, and ready for the adventure ahead.

Instead of throwing them into the bustle of Munich traffic, we sent them on a short 2.5 hours drive straight into Alpine serenity.

They first joined a stretch of unrestricted German Autobahn, giving the M5 a chance to do what it was built for: stable, effortless speed with endless power in reserve. Then the road signs changed, the air cooled and the mountains began to tower above the highway.

By lunchtime, the city had faded behind them, replaced by rolling forested hills and the shimmering emerald waters of Lake Fuschl. It was the perfect soft landing into the grandeur of the Alps. For the first two nights they stayed at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a 5-star lakeside retreat that looks like it was designed for “first day of holiday” photos: castle on the hill, deep-green lake below, mountains in the distance.

The first full day was intentionally slow: lakeside walks, coffee on the terrace, a short sunset drive to get used to the car and the roads. Jet lag evaporated somewhere between the fresh air and the first Austrian dinner.

Tour 1 – the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Once they were rested, the Grand Alpine adventure officially began.

Soon they were climbing the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of Austria’s most famous scenic roads and a genuine bucket-list drive. At its highest point – 2,504 m – snow still lined the edges of the tarmac and glaciers hung in the distance. Wide, flowing curves and carefully cambered hairpins made it pure joy for both driver and passenger.

That evening they crossed into Austrian Tyrol, checking in at Dolomitengolf Suites, their base for the next two nights.

Tour 2 – The Flow of the Nockalm Road

The next day took them to the gentler side of the Alps: the Nockalm Road. Where Grossglockner is all about dramatic peaks and snow walls, Nockalm feels softer and more rolling – 52 beautifully engineered bends across rounded, grassy summits.

Here the M5 settled into a relaxed, flowing pace. Paul and Christine stopped often for viewpoints and photos: the car a small splash of metal against huge open hills and expansive sky. Back at Dolomitengolf Suites, the afternoon slipped into spa time, good wine and the easy rhythm of a Tyrolean evening.

Into Italy – First Glimpse of the Dolomites

Next, they headed south into Italy for Tour 3, a shorter but spectacular run towards the Dolomites.

The scenery changed quickly: pastel-coloured villages, Italian coffee bars, vertical rock faces and narrow valleys that funnel you towards the high passes. That night they checked into Falkensteiner Kronplatz, where their junior suite looked straight across to the peaks they’d be driving into the next day.

Tour 4 – UNESCO Dolomites & the Sella Ronda

Tour 4 was their big Dolomites day, centred around the legendary Sella Ronda loop – four famous passes that circle the Sella massif.

Each pass has its own character: tight hairpins, balcony sections clinging to cliffs, long sweepers that invite a gentle squeeze of the throttle. The rock here is pale, almost golden in the late-day sun, and the valleys drop away on either side like something from another world.

Their photos from this day are some of the most striking: the M5 tucked beneath huge limestone faces, cyclists grinding slowly past, a patchwork of snow and grass framing the road. It’s the kind of place where you pull into a lay-by “just for a quick photo” and end up staying for half an hour.

Tour 5 – Bell Towers, Border Crossings & Big Passes

The next morning they set off on 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. The old village lies beneath the water; the bell tower rises alone above the surface – an image you’ve probably seen many times online that feels completely different when you’re standing there in person, your car parked just out of frame.

From Resia the route swung into Switzerland over Fuorn Pass (Ofenpass) and then Flüela Pass, both open and beautifully clear at this time of year. Alpine meadows, snow-tipped peaks and long, fast sweepers made it a perfect playground for the M5.

By late afternoon they dropped into Davos, checking into the Ameron Davos Swiss Mountain Resort, where a junior suite with a mountain-view balcony and a good spa awaited.

Davos had been a special request from the couple, who had already spent time in the St. Moritz region on previous trips. On most of our tours we base guests in the Engadin valley instead, at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina – just ten minutes from St. Moritz and very much the grande dame of Swiss hospitality since 1848.

Davos – A Day to Slow Down

Next came a relax/explore day in Davos.

Some guests use this as a chance to hike or take a cable car; others keep it simple with lazy breakfasts, spa sessions and short walks. Paul and Christine chose a mix of both. Their photos from this day are calmer: the M5 resting quietly in front of the hotel, valley paths, coffee cups with peaks in the background.

Tour 6 – Along the Glacier Express Route to Andermatt

After Davos they roughly shadowed part of the famous Glacier Express train line by car.

Their route took them over the Julier Pass, then along sections of the railway’s path towards Oberalp Pass and past the dramatic Rhine Gorge, sometimes referred to as the “Swiss Grand Canyon”. The scenery constantly shifted between lakes, forests and deep-cut gorges; the M5 slipped easily from one landscape to the next.

By afternoon they reached Andermatt, one of Switzerland’s classic pass towns and now also a modern luxury hideaway. Here they checked into the 5-star Chedi Andermatt, where warm lighting, open fires and a gorgeous spa provided a perfect counterpoint to the rugged mountain world outside.

Spring in the Alps – And What Was Still to Come

It’s worth pausing here to talk about the season.

Paul & Christine travelled in late May and the first half of June. At this time of year the valleys are lush and green, and there’s still plenty of snow on the high peaks – an incredibly photogenic combination. Roads like Julier, Oberalp, Flüela and the Dolomite passes were all open and in great condition.

However, some of the very highest Alpine passes are only expected to open after around 15 June. In the Swiss Alps, that typically includes Susten Pass, Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass. In Italy, the iconic Stelvio Pass also usually opens a bit later in June, depending on the winter snow.

For Paul & Christine, that meant we designed a route that was already spectacular – but still technically the “spring edition” of our Grand Alpine Tour. Guests travelling in full summer (late June to September) can, if they wish, add even more high-altitude routes such as Susten, Furka, Grimsel or Stelvio into the mix, creating an even more intense pass-hopping experience.

Lake Lucerne – Spa Day in the Heart of the Passes

Before the next big driving day, Paul and Christine enjoyed a full rest day – not in Andermatt this time, but high above Lake Lucerne at the Bürgenstock Resort.

On our standard tour this pause is usually spent in Andermatt, with most guests checking into The Chedi Hotel right in the heart of the passes. For Paul and Christine, we mixed it up: slow breakfast on the lake-view terrace, time in the Bürgenstock spa and pool, a stroll along the ridge paths and a relaxed dinner to finish. The M5, for once, spent most of the day simply looking pretty in the car park.

Tour 7 – Four Countries in One Perfect Day

After a full day recharging above Lake Lucerne and exploring the town via the hotel’s own catamaran and funicular, they were ready for what might be the most playful day of the tour: the Four-Country Day.

Leaving Lake Lucerne, they headed over the timeless Klausen Pass, an old mountain road that threads along cliff edges and through high meadows where life seems to move at a different pace. From there it was on into the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, with a stop near Vaduz Castle, before continuing into Austrian Tyrol and finally returning to Bavaria by evening.

In one day they had:

• Started in Switzerland

• Crossed Liechtenstein

• Driven through Austria

• Finished the day back in Germany

Their overnight stop was the Ameron Alpsee Hotel, 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 was dedicated to Bavaria and sections of the German Alpine Road.

Gentle curves, lakes, pretty villages and wide views made for a softer, more reflective finale after the bigger passes of the previous week. A visit to Hohenschwangau Castle with views of Neuschwanstein added the final fairy-tale touch before the last run back to Munich.

They returned the M5 checked into Munich for a few final nights, giving themselves time to enjoy the city and gently transition back to normal life before their chauffeur pickup for the flight home.

What Paul & Christine Thought

Here’s how they described their Grand Alpine Tour afterwards:

“We went on a 12-day drive through the Austrian, Swiss and Bavarian Alps and the Italian Dolomites in a ferocious but ultra smooth M5. The car performed beautifully and we stayed in the best luxury resorts, often in suites or superior rooms. The itinerary was well planned and delightful driving days were interspersed with relaxing rest days. Stephan was the best at not only coordinating everything but was available 24/7 and was tracking our daily activities to ensure that everything went smoothly. This included weather updates and closures of roads or attractions. He would quickly propose alternatives and suggestions. This made travelling a joy without anxiety and uncertainty. This allowed us to fully appreciate the beauty of the mountains and enjoy the lovely winding roads with the enormous power of a great car. Thank you Stephan for the trip of a lifetime.”

Choosing Your Car – M5 vs Porsche 911 (and Others)

For Paul & Christine, the BMW M5 was the perfect match: huge power, long-distance comfort and, crucially, enough space for all their luggage to travel with them for the entire 12 days. They never had to think about what to leave behind – everything came along for the ride.

Many guests, however, choose a Porsche, with the 911 being the most popular option on the Grand Alpine Tour. On a typical round trip in a 911, the logistics are slightly different: you usually leave any oversized or non-essential luggage at your start hotel, where you also finish at the end of the loop, and collect it again on your way out before continuing your broader journey. Day-to-day you travel light, with the 911’s front trunk and rear shelf handling your driving-tour essentials.

Both approaches work beautifully – it simply depends on whether you prefer full GT comfort and luggage space (BMW M3 Touring, M5 and similar) or a pure sports-car feel (Porsche 911 and friends). The route stays broadly the same; the way you experience it changes completely depending on what’s under your right foot and how much you want to bring along.

When a Journey Becomes a Tradition

Perhaps the best review of all: before they even boarded their flight home, Paul & Christine had already confirmed their next EPIKDRIVES adventure for 2026 – our Spain Supercar Pyrenees Tour. This time they’ll be swapping glaciers and castle lakes for wild Atlantic coastlines, Catalan villages and high-Pyrenees passes along the French border. The Grand Alpine Tour may have ended in Munich, but for them it was clearly just the beginning.

Ready to Write Your Own Alpine Story?

Paul & Christine’s drive is just one version of the EPIKDRIVES Grand Alpine Tour, tailored around their dates, pace and choice of car. Your version could be:

• Shorter or longer

• In a Porsche 911, BMW M5 or another dream car

• Focused on certain countries or specific passes

• Timed for late spring like theirs – or for full summer, when Susten, Furka, Grimsel, Stelvio and other legendary passes can be added for an even more intense route

What stays the same is the core idea: beautiful roads, carefully chosen hotels and the feeling of living inside your own road-trip film for a little while.

When you’re ready, Paul & Christine’s springtime BMW M5 adventure – or your own summer version with even more high passes, in a Porsche 911 or another favourite car – can be the blueprint for your next great drive.