Walk the First Steps of Goethe's Italian Journey

A short, gentle quiz for travelers 55+ to explore how they'd like to travel this next chapter of life.

Following Goethe's path, one step at a time:

1 Innsbruck
2 Brenner Pass
3 Bolzano
4 Verona
5 Padua
6 Venice
7 Bologna

• 6 short steps
• No account required
• No booking, no sales – just reflection and inspiration

Prefer to read first? Learn what the Goethe Route is about.

For hotels & storytellers: this quiz is how we understand the deeper "why" behind our travelers, so we can design Grand Routes that fit their life stage, not just their budget.

Step 1 of 6 · Innsbruck – A new beginning

September 1786 – Goethe reaches Innsbruck, leaving his old life behind to search for clarity and renewal.

What is this next journey really about for you?

Choose the answer that feels closest. There's no wrong choice.

Reconnect

Deepen time with a partner, family or old friends.

Recover & breathe again

Create space after a demanding or difficult period.

Reinvent this chapter

Explore who I am after retirement, change or loss.

Mark a milestone

Celebrate an anniversary, birthday or other special moment.

Quiet discovery

Be somewhere beautiful and meaningful, without a big story.

I'm not sure yet

I just feel it's time to go somewhere that touches me.

For hotels & storytellers: this first question is a core lens in our Grand Routes concept. We design journeys around these intentions, not around generic "sun & beach" categories.

Step 2 of 6 · Brenner Pass – Crossing a threshold

At the Brenner Pass, Goethe left the familiar behind and entered Italy – at once excited and cautious.

How does travel feel best for you these days?

Think about what leaves you feeling good at the end of a day.

Gentle & unhurried

Stay longer in fewer places, with time to settle in.

Balanced

Some moving around, some days to rest and breathe.

Curious & active

Fuller days with walks, visits and discoveries.

It depends, if it's well planned

I enjoy variety, as long as it's not chaotic.

On a typical travel day, how much walking feels right?

Short, easy walks with plenty of breaks A few hours of walking if there are places to sit and pause Long walks are fine if the terrain is friendly

For family-run hotels and local hosts: this helps us understand whether a traveler is better suited to a quiet hillside retreat, a walkable old town, or a livelier hub along the route.

Step 3 of 6 · Bolzano – Between mountains and markets

In towns like Bolzano, Goethe blended nature, marketplaces and quiet observation – not only grand monuments.

When you imagine a meaningful journey in Northern Italy, what draws you most?

Choose up to three. This simply helps us understand what "culture" means to you.

Art & architecture

Churches, villas, historic streets and galleries.

Nature & gentle movement

Lakes, views, easy walks and gardens.

Food, wine & local life

Markets, trattorias, vineyards, cafés.

Stories & history

Learning how people lived, guided visits, story-rich experiences.

Quiet corners & reflection

Balconies, libraries, courtyards, time to just be.

Meeting people

Hosts, locals or other travelers – without big group tours.

For hotels and creatives: this guides how we pair travelers with the right kind of innkeeper, local expert or story along the Goethe Route.

Step 4 of 6 · Verona – A city of encounters

In Verona, Goethe lingered between past and present, observing daily life as much as monuments.

When do you dream of making such a journey?

Spring (March–May) Summer (June–August) Autumn (September–November) Winter I'm open / not sure yet

Roughly how long would feel right?

3–5 nights 6–9 nights 10–14 nights More than 2 weeks Not sure yet

How would you describe the kind of places you like to stay in?

Comfortable and simple, as long as it's clean and friendly Characterful boutique places when possible I'm happy to invest more for something truly special now and then

Is there anything we should keep in mind about comfort or access?

Choose any that apply, or skip if nothing comes to mind.

Prefer minimal stairs / easy access Avoid very steep or uneven terrain Would like easy access to public transport or taxis Travelling with a partner with specific needs Nothing particular

About you

Where do you live?

Preferred language

For partners: we combine this practical layer with real hotel and seasonal data later, to see how Grand Route ideas could work in different seasons and comfort levels.

Step 5 of 6 · Between Verona and the sea

Goethe's notes from the road are full of small reflections – not only on Italy, but on who he was becoming.

When you think back on this kind of journey five years from now, what do you hope you'll remember about it?

You can write a sentence or two, or leave this blank if you prefer. This is simply for reflection.

How old are you today?

This helps us understand the different stages of "Silver Age" travel. You can skip this if you prefer.

55–59 60–64 65–69 70–75+ Prefer not to say

For hotels and storytellers: these reflections inspire how we tell stories, shape future routes and brief photographers and writers on what truly matters to our travelers.

Step 6 of 6 · A first glimpse of your Grand Routes self

On the Goethe Route, you travel like…

Join the Grand Routes Society

We're gathering a small circle of travelers 55+ who feel that this stage of life is a beginning, not an ending.

An occasional letter from our travel avatar, Enzo, with reflections and stories from the Goethe Route and beyond
Early glimpses of new Grand Routes inspired by remarkable travelers across Europe
Stories from family-run hotels, innkeepers and craftspeople along the Innsbruck–Bologna corridor
Gentle invitations, now and then, to share your thoughts and help us shape future journeys

No daily deals. No countdown clocks. Just thoughtful travel ideas for your chapter of life.

First name (optional)

Email address

I'm open to being contacted for a short conversation or survey about my travel experiences.

For family-run hotels

See how we imagine hosting travelers like you along the Goethe Route.

For hotels

For photographers & filmmakers

See how we invite storytellers to bring these journeys to life.

For photographers

FOOTSTEPS Grand Routes exists for travelers who see this stage of life as a beginning, not a winding-down. We connect them with family-run hotels, slow itineraries and honest stories along historic routes – starting with Goethe's journey from Innsbruck to Bologna.