Alpine adventure from Prague: Road trip through Europe's most scenic winter wonderlands

Austria, Italy, and Switzerland are packed with snow-capped mountains, scenic villages, and premier slopes to explore this holiday season.

Julie O'Shea

Written by Julie O'Shea Published on 07.12.2023 15:53:00 (updated on 07.12.2023) Reading time: 4 minutes

Travel
Photo via iStock by Thomas Rieger
Photo via iStock by Thomas Rieger

in cooperation with

ExxonMobil Partnership

The snowy season is here and Prague's proximity to some of Europe’s most scenic winter wonderlands means a road trip is in order. Austria, Italy, and Switzerland are packed with opportunities for skiing, trekking, and fun of the après-ski variety.

We’ve plotted out an exciting seven-day itinerary that will take you on a unique tour of these countries’ natural wonders, architectural gems – and then some.   

DAY 1: PRAGUE TO ZELL AM SEE VIA GOLLINGER WATERFALL (481 KM)

Drive time: 5 hours 56 minutes

iStock / Dieter Meyrl
iStock / Dieter Meyrl
  • Take a nice leisurely drive down to Zell am See, which offers some of the best ski slopes in Austria as well as stunning mountain panoramas, enviable lake views and gorgeous architecture. But first, get in a bit of hiking at Gollinger Waterfall.
  • Pit stop: Located about an hour north of Lake Zell and a stone’s throw from Salzburg, Gollinger Waterfall, with its duel-tier 100-meter drop, is a breathtaking detour. The hiking trail to the top takes about 90 minutes and offers stunning aerial views.
  • Don’t miss: One of the most popular ski resorts in the region, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier promises absolute snow reliability from October through May, making it an ideal location for all types of winter sports.

DAY 2: ZELL AM SEE TO LECH VIA INNSBRUCK (265 KM)

Drive time: 4 hours 21 minutes

iStock / saiko3p
iStock / saiko3p
  • Lech, another Alpine winter favorite, is where you’ll be bunking tonight after spending a few hours exploring the wonders of Innsbruck.
  • Pit stop: Ride the Nordkette Cable Car to the highest point in Innsbruck, 2,269 meters above sea level and the gateway to Karwendel Nature Park. Start your journey at the Congress Station in the city’s old town.
  • Don’t miss: The famous White Ring (Der Weiße Ring) is the Alps’ legendary ski circuit, a network of six ski slopes around the Omeshorn mountain that links the villages of Lech, Zürs, Zug and Oberlech. The half-day challenge tackles approximately 22 km at varying attitudes.
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DAY 3: LECH TO MILAN VIA BERGAMO (364 KM)

Drive time: 5 hours 39 minutes

iStock / Roman Babakin
iStock / Roman Babakin
  • You’ll be driving across the border today, heading to Milan – one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics – with a stop in Bergamo, a city that’s repeatedly hailed as Italy’s best-kept secret.
  • Pit stop: Walk through Bergamo’s beguiling Città Alta, which displays a dazzling mix of Renaissance and medieval architecture, lovely piazzas and historic buildings, including the gilded Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The best way to reach the city’s old town is via funicular, which will drop you off at the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe.
  • Don’t miss: While Milian is known as being the fashion capital of Italy, it is also praised for its impressive architecture and design. Duomo di Milano took nearly 600 years to complete. It is one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Europe and should be at the top of your sightseeing list.

DAY 4: MILAN TO CERVINIA VALTOURNENCHE VIA LAKE COMO (339 KM)

Drive time: 5 hours 20 minutes

iStock by starpik
iStock by starpik
  • Hit the road early, you’ll be fawning over the beauty of Lake Como before heading to one of prime ski resorts in the Italian Alps – Cervinia Valtournenche
  • Pit stop: Set against the backdrop of the Italian Alps, the Villa del Balbianello and its famous terraced gardens are among the most distinguished landmarks along Lake Como’s western shore. You can tour the property’s interiors through November.
  • Don’t miss: Boasting world-class ski-slopes at the base of the Matterhorn, the Cervinia Ski Paradise covers more than 360 km of runs through the Valtournenche Valley, connecting seamlessly with the iconic Zermatt ski resort in Switzerland.

DAY 5: CERVINIA VALTOURNENCHE TO GSTAAD VIA GENEVA (346 KM)

iStock by starpik
iStock by starpik

Drive time: 5 hours 25 minutes

  • You’ll be trading an Italian ski paradise for a Swiss one today as you border hop again on your way to Gstaad, a magnet for the international jetset who come for the winter sports, natural beauty and fine dining. Pop by Geneva for a mid-point break.
  • Pit stop: Chillon Castle on the eastern end of Lake Geneva is one of the most visited medieval castles in Switzerland. It’s worth booking a guided tour of its interiors and permanent collection.
  • Don’t miss: A short drive from the center of Gstaad, Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets, offers thrilling ski runs, dog-sled rides, snowboarding, glacier hiking and a chance to walk between two mountain peaks on a 107-meter-long suspension bridge.
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DAY 6: GSTAAD TO ZURICH VIA BERN (210 KM)

Drive time: 3 hours 1 minute

Lucerne panorama
  • Now for some good old-fashioned sightseeing. Wind your way northward to Zurich, Switzerland’s financial hub that’s rich in cultural heritage and culinary treasures. Pull over for a few hours in Bern, whose UNESCO-protected old town is begging to be photographed.
  • Pit stop: Bern is lauded for its meticulously preserved medieval city center, which includes 6 km of shopping arcades. Be sure to step through the cellar doorways that lead to hidden underground boutiques, cafes and bars.
  • Don’t miss: Zurich is full of architectural gems, like the Fraumünster, where you’ll find Chagall stained-glass windows in the church’s choir. Make sure to visit the church’s 9th-century crypt, which was reopened to the public in 2016.

DAY 7: ZURICH TO PRAGUE VIA MUNICH (691 KM)

Drive time: 7 hours 14 minutes

  • After one last stroll around Zurich, including a glimpse at its beloved lake, set the GPS to Prague. The journey home will take you through Munich, a perfect spot to grab lunch.
  • Pit stop: Munich is full of top-rated restaurants and cafes. Choices abound depending on your palette. But for some truly authentic German cuisine, treat yourself to a meal at the Hofbräuhaus, a three-floor 16th-century beer hall where you can feast on Bavarian specialities like roast pork, sausages, liver dumplings and sauerkraut.

This article was written in association with ExxonMobil. See our partner content policies here.

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