What a beauty!!! We awoke to clear blue sky. Usually the mornings had been hazy especially at the mountain tops. Not today. Check out the mountain we went up on Saturday. You can even see the buildings at each stop.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Wednesday, October 7, 2014
Today took us to Miran, Italy. A very pretty town known for its spa. The Therme has 28 swimming pools with all sorts of water (salt, minerals, etc.) The old and new part of the town was divided by a beautiful little river. It was interesting to note a number of unexpected trees, including palm trees, We were told that because of it being surrounded by mountains it creates a very unique kind of weather and growing conditions.
From there we went up the hill to a castle, now a winery. Another beautiful spot. After the tour and the tasting, we were kindly presented with a bottle of wine to bring home. Marcia and I were thrilled.
Facing the long ride home was made easier with a trip through the Italian Alps (coming close to the border of Switzerland). It is just hard to figure what people in the little towns do and where they go for milk. At the highest point we stopped by a man-made lake. In the middle of the lake was this church steeple. Apparently, when they decided to build the lake, they had to move the town. They were able to move and rebuild the entire town-except for the church. You can see the result.
Today took us to Miran, Italy. A very pretty town known for its spa. The Therme has 28 swimming pools with all sorts of water (salt, minerals, etc.) The old and new part of the town was divided by a beautiful little river. It was interesting to note a number of unexpected trees, including palm trees, We were told that because of it being surrounded by mountains it creates a very unique kind of weather and growing conditions.
From there we went up the hill to a castle, now a winery. Another beautiful spot. After the tour and the tasting, we were kindly presented with a bottle of wine to bring home. Marcia and I were thrilled.
Facing the long ride home was made easier with a trip through the Italian Alps (coming close to the border of Switzerland). It is just hard to figure what people in the little towns do and where they go for milk. At the highest point we stopped by a man-made lake. In the middle of the lake was this church steeple. Apparently, when they decided to build the lake, they had to move the town. They were able to move and rebuild the entire town-except for the church. You can see the result.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Day 7:
Germany and castles. Neuschwanstein Castle was well worth the travel to get there. Wonderful weather. Usually there is snow on the ground, by now but today was sunny and near 80. We have been so lucky with the weather. Lunch on the way back down and then time to sit by the lake. A very nice day.
Tomorrow we head to Italy and through the Alps. Dinner together in the evening and Back to Plattsburgh on Thursday.
Germany and castles. Neuschwanstein Castle was well worth the travel to get there. Wonderful weather. Usually there is snow on the ground, by now but today was sunny and near 80. We have been so lucky with the weather. Lunch on the way back down and then time to sit by the lake. A very nice day.
Tomorrow we head to Italy and through the Alps. Dinner together in the evening and Back to Plattsburgh on Thursday.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Day 6:
Salzburg--Our day in Salzburg was beautiful, in terms of weather. Sunny, warm. and clear. We started with a walking tour to see some of the places where Sound of Music was filmed. Interestingly enough, Julie Andrews was there LAST week. Oh well. See if you recognize this from the movie.
The old part of Salzburg was reached by crossing the Salz River (Salz means salt--named because of the salt mines in this area,) As on the great wall, the bridge is covered with locks. When a couple is getting married, they add a lock and through the key in the river.
We toured Mozart's birthplace, and entered the Cathedral while the two organists were rehearsing. Then we shopped...unfortunately we did not attend a harpsichord concert that occurred. Some of the group did and said it was wonderful--oh well.
Salzburg--Our day in Salzburg was beautiful, in terms of weather. Sunny, warm. and clear. We started with a walking tour to see some of the places where Sound of Music was filmed. Interestingly enough, Julie Andrews was there LAST week. Oh well. See if you recognize this from the movie.
The old part of Salzburg was reached by crossing the Salz River (Salz means salt--named because of the salt mines in this area,) As on the great wall, the bridge is covered with locks. When a couple is getting married, they add a lock and through the key in the river.
We toured Mozart's birthplace, and entered the Cathedral while the two organists were rehearsing. Then we shopped...unfortunately we did not attend a harpsichord concert that occurred. Some of the group did and said it was wonderful--oh well.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Day 5:
A trip to the Glacier today....a place where you can ski year round. The top of the mountain was full of skiiers and snowboarders. It was cold but not unbearable. Three gondolas to the top. The view was impaired because of clouds-but it was still amazing. Could have gone on a cave tour into the glacier, but did not think I was dressed warm enough or had the appropriate shoes.
So we have had some down time. I went for a swim, and a walk and now waiting for an 8:15 dinner. Too late for me...tomorrow we head to Salzburg--Mozart's birthplace, and the Carl Orff Institute (maybe). The trip is now on the downward slope....the next day, we are off a castle. Left after that is the Italian Alps. Then home!!!
At the top!!!
From the bottom looking up.
A trip to the Glacier today....a place where you can ski year round. The top of the mountain was full of skiiers and snowboarders. It was cold but not unbearable. Three gondolas to the top. The view was impaired because of clouds-but it was still amazing. Could have gone on a cave tour into the glacier, but did not think I was dressed warm enough or had the appropriate shoes.
So we have had some down time. I went for a swim, and a walk and now waiting for an 8:15 dinner. Too late for me...tomorrow we head to Salzburg--Mozart's birthplace, and the Carl Orff Institute (maybe). The trip is now on the downward slope....the next day, we are off a castle. Left after that is the Italian Alps. Then home!!!
At the top!!! |
| Midway |
From the bottom looking up. |
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Day 4:
Today was Innsbruck. We had a three hour tour in the morning, taking us around different parts of the city. It was beautiful weather, so we then took the trip up the mountain. It took us up starting with the funiculla and switching to two cable cars. The second stop on the mountain was lucky in that there were hanggliders taking off from that level. They were certainly braver that I would ever be.
The top level brought another surprise--a VERY earthy kind of wedding. We just seem to hit a lot of unusual things.
The far side.
This evening we attended the premier of Hansel and Gretl. It was a fine production and lots of fun, even in German.
Tomorrow we head to the Glacier. ... somewhere.
Music, the Universal language.
Today was Innsbruck. We had a three hour tour in the morning, taking us around different parts of the city. It was beautiful weather, so we then took the trip up the mountain. It took us up starting with the funiculla and switching to two cable cars. The second stop on the mountain was lucky in that there were hanggliders taking off from that level. They were certainly braver that I would ever be.
10.662 ft. above sea level (the side away from Innsbruck.
The top level brought another surprise--a VERY earthy kind of wedding. We just seem to hit a lot of unusual things.
Innsbrook
Innsbrook side....
The far side.This evening we attended the premier of Hansel and Gretl. It was a fine production and lots of fun, even in German.
Tomorrow we head to the Glacier. ... somewhere.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Day 3...
Today was a holiday in Germany--Reunification Day. 25 years ago the Berlin Wall came down. It does not seem that long ago. We spent the day in Munich--in the morning at Oktoberfest and the afternoon, just wandering through downtown.
Oktoberfest reminded me of the State Fair with HUGE beer gardens, and many more people. It seems traditional to dress in drindel skirts and leiderhosen. So cool, to see whole families dressed in that garb. By noon the number of people got to be a bit too much. We did make it into the Old part of Oktoberfest-with the history, and types of rides from the past. It was interesting. A mug is designed each year--and it was just fun to look and people watch.
Downtown was also celebrating - we found enough to keep us busy, just roaming around. The other stores that we found open were the touristy kind of things...a bonus, while waiting for the bus, was the guy in the Boston Red Sox cap rallying a bunch of young men. Turns out that he was from Maine, and he moved to Munich to open a bike shop. He does "beer tours" on weekends. This happened to be a stage party of about 10 guys from UK. They were headed to a rollicking good time.
Wonderful dinner tonight. Tomorrow-we get a bigger look at Innsbruck with a tour in the morning, then we plan to ride up the funiculla to get the mountain view (the one in yesterday's pic) of the city. Tomorrow night several of us are going to see Hansel and Gretl at the Opera House-it is the premier of the production. Kind of exciting.
Pics will be added...so hang in there.
Today was a holiday in Germany--Reunification Day. 25 years ago the Berlin Wall came down. It does not seem that long ago. We spent the day in Munich--in the morning at Oktoberfest and the afternoon, just wandering through downtown.
Oktoberfest reminded me of the State Fair with HUGE beer gardens, and many more people. It seems traditional to dress in drindel skirts and leiderhosen. So cool, to see whole families dressed in that garb. By noon the number of people got to be a bit too much. We did make it into the Old part of Oktoberfest-with the history, and types of rides from the past. It was interesting. A mug is designed each year--and it was just fun to look and people watch.
Downtown was also celebrating - we found enough to keep us busy, just roaming around. The other stores that we found open were the touristy kind of things...a bonus, while waiting for the bus, was the guy in the Boston Red Sox cap rallying a bunch of young men. Turns out that he was from Maine, and he moved to Munich to open a bike shop. He does "beer tours" on weekends. This happened to be a stage party of about 10 guys from UK. They were headed to a rollicking good time.
Wonderful dinner tonight. Tomorrow-we get a bigger look at Innsbruck with a tour in the morning, then we plan to ride up the funiculla to get the mountain view (the one in yesterday's pic) of the city. Tomorrow night several of us are going to see Hansel and Gretl at the Opera House-it is the premier of the production. Kind of exciting.
Pics will be added...so hang in there.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Day 2 or 1.
The flight went smoothly and we got into Munich around 1:30 or 2:00. We had a two hour ride to Innsbruck, The hotel is ok but the location is great. Given the afternoon to wander, that is just what we did. One tourist shop after the other. I was not even tempted.
The weather is beautiful. It seemed to be in the 70s. Strange though to see everything so green and no colors in the mountains. Tomorrow is a National Holiday in Germany-so we are headed back to Munich to get a "taste" of Oktoberfest. I expect that it will be a madhouse.
We're off!!
The flight went smoothly and we got into Munich around 1:30 or 2:00. We had a two hour ride to Innsbruck, The hotel is ok but the location is great. Given the afternoon to wander, that is just what we did. One tourist shop after the other. I was not even tempted.
The weather is beautiful. It seemed to be in the 70s. Strange though to see everything so green and no colors in the mountains. Tomorrow is a National Holiday in Germany-so we are headed back to Munich to get a "taste" of Oktoberfest. I expect that it will be a madhouse.
We're off!!
From the hotel roof. 
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