16TH - 20TH JUNE 2025
PALACE TO PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
This amazing challenge event will take our crews on a journey of over 1,500 km through Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. We will drive on incredible roads lined with stunning lakes, rolling hills, alpine forests, and snow-capped mountains.
With places limited to 30 crews, this exclusive event promises a luxurious and social experience, complete with stays at handpicked hotels that were once the palaces, castles, and summer retreats of Europe's elite.
MONDAY 16TH JUNE | WELCOME EVENING, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Starting from the enchanting Austrian city of Salzburg, we will spend our day completing scrutineering and documentation checks before gathering to explore Salzburg's historic city centre and enjoy a delightful welcome dinner of local Bavarian cuisine.
TUESDAY 17TH JUNE | SALZBURG TO KÜHTAI, AUSTRIA
We will begin our journey under the shadows of the Eastern Alps on the shores of Lake Leopoldskroner Weiher before heading south into Germany to explore the rugged but beautiful Bavarian countryside around historic Berchtesgaden. We will take a loop around Germany’s highest road, the majestic Rossfeld Panoramic Road, and enjoy the mountain views of Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, and the Salzach Valley. From Berchtesgaden, we will cross the Chiemagu Alps west into southern Germany before returning to Austria. We will stop for a traditional Bavarian lunch on the banks of the Walchsee and then continue our journey with a fantastic drive along the Sudafeld Pass between Wall and Bayrischzell, passing the majestic Tatzelwurm waterfall. From Bayrischzell, we will head west through the southern Bavarian countryside, on roads lined with beautiful glacial valleys and picturesque alpine lakes. We will make a stop for an afternoon coffee on the banks of the Tegernsee before continuing our journey south through the mountain roads of the Sellraintal Valley towards our overnight stop in the Tyrolean ski resort of Kühtai, nestled high in the alpine pastures above the Austrian city of Innsbruck.
WEDNESDAY 18TH JUNE | KÜHTAI TO ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND
The scenery at the beginning of day three is visually stunning and dramatic. We will begin our day with a drive north along the Fern Pass into Germany and over the Eastern Alps, passing under the shadow of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. We will head across the pristine Bavarian countryside towards Füssen, stopping for coffee overlooked by the fantastical fairytale castle of Schloss Neuschwanstein. Lunch will be in the foothills of the Nebelhorn Mountain range in the town of Obermaiselstein, before we head west along the twists and turns of the magnificent Reidberg Pass. We will head south into Austria to Au experiencing the steep inclines of the Furkajoch, before crossing the Rhine out of Austria and into Switzerland for our overnight halt in the historic city of St. Gallen.
THURSDAY 19TH JUNE | ST. GALLEN TO ANDERMATT, SWITZERLAND
On day four, we will drive south out of St. Gallen, using country roads to explore the diverse landscapes of northeastern Switzerland. We will encounter lush, blooming meadows, verdant pine forests as well as towering stretches of mountain, as we cross over the impressive Schwagalp and Klausen Passes into the wilderness of central Switzerland. We will stop for lunch in Andermatt, allowing our crews to relax and enjoy the fabulous scenery of the attractive ski resort. In the afternoon, there will be an option to end the day early and enjoy the hotel amenities or take a scenic tour along the passes and roads around the Ursern Valley. The afternoon session will feature a magnificent climb over the striking Oberalp and Lukemanier Passes, before crossing over the Lepotine Alps into the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. We will explore the roads and pretty hillside towns of Ticino before looping north of Airolo along the hairpin bends of the cobblestone-paved Tremola back to Andermatt and our stop for the night.
FRIDAY 20TH JUNE | ANDERMATT TO GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND
Our final day of driving will start with a fantastic drive south along the St. Gotthard Pass to Airolo, surrounded by panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glacial valleys and breathtaking waterfalls. From Airolo we will head west over the spectacular serpentine bends of the Nufenen Pass, Switzerland’s second-highest paved road with an elevation of over 2,478 metres. We will stop for coffee at Oberwald, before heading back towards Andermatt over the thrilling curves and hairpin bends of the immense Furka pass, made famous by the 1964 James Bond movie, Goldfinger. From Andermatt, we will head west across the Sustenpass, enjoying unbelievable views of glacial lakes and stunning limestone peaks. We will stop for lunch in the mountain town of Meiringham, famous for the nearby Reichenbach Falls, the setting for the showdown between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional Detective Sherlock Holmes and his arch nemesis Professor Moriarty. Meiringen is also known for its claim to have been where the meringue was first created. From lunch our route will take us deep into the mountains, offering breathtaking views of Lakes Brienz and Thun. We will cross the beautiful Simmenthal valley over the fabulous Jaunpass, before passing through the idyllic chalet village of Abländschen via the stunning Mittelbergpass into Gstaad and to our destination, the luxurious Palace Hotel, for a memorable evening of cocktails and exquisite local cuisine.
Expect magnificent views, spectacular roads, luxury hotels and amazing culinary surprises. We hope you can join us and experience the thrill of driving like never before.
Please note that routes, schedules and timings within this itinerary may be subject to change.
CHARACTERISTICS
EVENT LEVEL
VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY
Any three or four-wheeled vehicles built before December 31st, 1999 are eligible for the challenge.
ENTRY FEE
£7750 per vehicle*
DEPOSIT
£1000
ON EVENT SUPPORT
Although mechanical support will be available throughout the event, the ability to carry out regular maintenance on your own car is essential. Should you need to be transported by truck we will help as much as we can, but all responsibility, including payment, rests with the competitor. We always have at least one doctor or paramedic on our experienced and friendly event team.
NAVIGATION
The route will be defined in a detailed tulip Road Book and an overview map of the route will also be provided.
TYPES OF ROAD
The Palace to Palace Challenge will take place predominantly on asphalt and lightly gravelled roads, rougher roads and surfaces will be avoided wherever possible.
HOSPITALITY
Five nights’ accommodation is included in a shared room (double or twin). Single rooms are available for a supplementary fee but may be limited at some hotels. We aim to provide a mixture of 4 and 5 star accommodation throughout the challenge, taking into account the need for parking and ease of access.
Breakfast, coffee, lunch and dinner are provided throughout the event and any allergies, specific dietary requirements, or religious preferences will be catered for (subject to prior communication).
OUR ROUTE
ENTRY FEE FOR ONE CAR FROM £7750*
THIS EXCLUSIVE CHALLENGE INCLUDES
Unique experiences, hand-picked by our expert team
5 nights accommodation during the event
Daily breakfast, lunch, coffee halts, evening meals and a cocktail
Gala evening, cocktails and dinner
Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
Event roadbook, maps and guidance
Mechanical and medical support
Rally plates
*Entry fees are based on a crew of two people sharing hotel rooms. If you would like the privacy of a private room throughout your trip please select this upgrade option when completing the event application form. Please note, an additional single supplement cost will be chargeable for this upgrade.
