The Alps are Europe's biggest and greatest mountain range. Formed millions of years ago, they became a popular destination for travelers in the late eighteenth century - first for adventurers and explorers, then for artists and writers, and finally for everyone who wanted to spend summer in the fresh air of this wonderful scenery or take part in winter sports. Angelika Taschen has followed in their footsteps and collected the finest hotels in the Alpine nations of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy.

They include the Kranzbach near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, built for a British aristocrat, Gasthof Hirschen in the Bregenzerwald, where art-loving visitors have been welcomed since 1755, and the Seehof near Salzburg with its emphasis on contemporary art and fine cuisine. The journey goes to the Schatzalp in Davos, which Thomas Mann immortalized in literature in "The Magic Mountain", and to picturesque bed & breakfasts with a personal touch such as Br