Salzburg 12/1
On our first full day we headed up to the Hohensalzburg castle or Festung Hohensalzburg. We thought we would walk up only to find out we could have caught the cable car up. This was quite the cardio work out, my back felt it that night.
The historical exhibitions in the castle were great and the view of the city worth the walk.
Our hotel was on the river and across the road from a great italian resturant, reasonably priced and great food. Great seeing as the weather turned wet and cold.
The next day we did the washing YAY and walked around the town, we went to the Augustine brewery, but were very disappointed as it seemed just like a huge pub and the serving staff seemed very unhappy, Munich was much better.
The last day I decided to get my hair attended to it was well overdue. The salon I chose the staff spoke just enough English so we got by and I was very happy with the result. Feeling good.
We went to the mirrabelle palace which was just down the road, very beautiful.
It was snowing a little so we went into town found a little cafe and had a nice lunch.
We are looking forward to getting home to enjoy the sunshine a plentiful fresh food.
Our hotel room doesn't have a kettle or a fridge so have to have to go out for everything.
Monday, 22 January 2018
Innsbruck
Innsbruck
12/1-14/1
We had decided to go to zugspitze (Germany) on 13/1 as the weather was supposed to be good.
So I decided to head out on the evening we arrived as if wanted to head out to Swarovski world in the evening to see the light display, we had to pay for the bus and the entry which was not cheap, I was beginning to realise how cheap Germany was compared to Austria.
The displays of art within the museum (they call either an art gallery or museum a museum )
The Swarovski trip was just one of the things on my bucket list.
The next day back on the train to Garmish-partkchen the weather was great lots of snow had fallen the day before and the sun was shining.
We caught the tram up the mountain through a very long tunnel we would take the large cable car back.
There was a ski stop before you get to the top we stayed there sat in the sun on sun deck chairs and had a few beers. They had carved a sudo hotel into the ice each room had an electric light a bed of ice with fur rugs and carvings into the wall of the room. I think there were 6 rooms and a bar. A big yellow helicopter landed just 500 meters from where we were sitting then medi-vaced someone back to the hospital. We sat in the sun until about 3 pm.
We then caught the cable car up to the very top we were above most of the other mountains amazing views.
We then had to travel back to Innsbruck a long day.
The next day we walked around the town it is not a very large town but they have preserved the old town well.
The snow capped mountains made the view picturesque.
Now off to Salzburg
12/1-14/1
We had decided to go to zugspitze (Germany) on 13/1 as the weather was supposed to be good.
So I decided to head out on the evening we arrived as if wanted to head out to Swarovski world in the evening to see the light display, we had to pay for the bus and the entry which was not cheap, I was beginning to realise how cheap Germany was compared to Austria.
The displays of art within the museum (they call either an art gallery or museum a museum )
The Swarovski trip was just one of the things on my bucket list.
The next day back on the train to Garmish-partkchen the weather was great lots of snow had fallen the day before and the sun was shining.
We caught the tram up the mountain through a very long tunnel we would take the large cable car back.
There was a ski stop before you get to the top we stayed there sat in the sun on sun deck chairs and had a few beers. They had carved a sudo hotel into the ice each room had an electric light a bed of ice with fur rugs and carvings into the wall of the room. I think there were 6 rooms and a bar. A big yellow helicopter landed just 500 meters from where we were sitting then medi-vaced someone back to the hospital. We sat in the sun until about 3 pm.
We then caught the cable car up to the very top we were above most of the other mountains amazing views.
We then had to travel back to Innsbruck a long day.
The next day we walked around the town it is not a very large town but they have preserved the old town well.
The snow capped mountains made the view picturesque.
Now off to Salzburg
Munich
Munich 9/1
Today we head to Munich and meet our brother in law Tony, we decide to head to the mall in the city and go to a beer hall type restaurant. The food was very German as you would expect, what that means is meat and potatoes. We decided to do a bus tour around town to get our bearings and see the sights while the sun was shining.
It was getting cool by the time we got back to our appartment we got rugged up and headed out we grabbed dinner across the road then headed to what is called "the Opera haus" it is a beer hall of epic proportions, the band was playing and we had a great time, before you know it it is 11pm.
The next day We went sight seeing going into Marienplaz to see the enormous glockenspiel that kicks into gear at 11 am and 12 only so we had to catch that. We had arranged to see Katleen our nephews partner and their daughter Sienna at 2pm at Olympic park skate arena, yes we went ice skating, a very awkward display was about to be seen.
We stay until 4pm had a great time trying to skate and catching up. It starts to get cold and dark around 4.30 so we headed home.
The next day peter and I went to the old art gallery and saw 1 divinci, and many Rubens. As you walk into the first room which has ceilings that must be about 20 meters high, there are two paintings either side if the room each I think would have measured about 20m long and 10m high. AMAZING
A lot of the paintings were religious representations, but that was usual for that time.
After this we went to my favourite place the cafeteria in the Kastadt shop, they have lots of vegetable options and you can see what you are buying. They also have a bar so a beer is never far away.
I thought I would make the most of the sales that were everywhere and picked up a few things. Peter caught up with Tony and went in search of a craft brewery, About 4 I made it home and decided on a night in.
Peter and Tony went to the Augustiner brewery where people were outside in the cold huddled around braziers, there was a fake hunting hut and they were playing a type of ice bocce .
The next day off to innsbruck (Austria )
Today we head to Munich and meet our brother in law Tony, we decide to head to the mall in the city and go to a beer hall type restaurant. The food was very German as you would expect, what that means is meat and potatoes. We decided to do a bus tour around town to get our bearings and see the sights while the sun was shining.
It was getting cool by the time we got back to our appartment we got rugged up and headed out we grabbed dinner across the road then headed to what is called "the Opera haus" it is a beer hall of epic proportions, the band was playing and we had a great time, before you know it it is 11pm.
The next day We went sight seeing going into Marienplaz to see the enormous glockenspiel that kicks into gear at 11 am and 12 only so we had to catch that. We had arranged to see Katleen our nephews partner and their daughter Sienna at 2pm at Olympic park skate arena, yes we went ice skating, a very awkward display was about to be seen.
We stay until 4pm had a great time trying to skate and catching up. It starts to get cold and dark around 4.30 so we headed home.
The next day peter and I went to the old art gallery and saw 1 divinci, and many Rubens. As you walk into the first room which has ceilings that must be about 20 meters high, there are two paintings either side if the room each I think would have measured about 20m long and 10m high. AMAZING
A lot of the paintings were religious representations, but that was usual for that time.
After this we went to my favourite place the cafeteria in the Kastadt shop, they have lots of vegetable options and you can see what you are buying. They also have a bar so a beer is never far away.
I thought I would make the most of the sales that were everywhere and picked up a few things. Peter caught up with Tony and went in search of a craft brewery, About 4 I made it home and decided on a night in.
Peter and Tony went to the Augustiner brewery where people were outside in the cold huddled around braziers, there was a fake hunting hut and they were playing a type of ice bocce .
The next day off to innsbruck (Austria )
Fussen
Fussen
6/1/18 Fussen
Today we arrived in Fussen found our hotel just 1 block from the train station, a simple hotel but the owner was very helpful and friendly.
The weather was good so decided to head straight up to Neuschwanstein Castle we had decided not to go in as we had heard the tour was very short and not really worth the entry fee.
The building itself was beautiful but as it was only built in the 1800s it is fairly new. There is also the Hohenschwangan castle in the grounds around the Apslee lake.
Both are very grand and the parklands around them well kept. We walked the 30 minute gradual path up to the castle, it was very good exercise and the view overlooking fussen very good.
On the bus heading back I noticed a large billboard advertising a show at the Ludwigs Festspiel haus or festival house. The show was called "wet the show" it was a mixture of acrobatics, juggling, opera singing, comedy acts and contortionist acts. We were worried that we would have a language issue, but most of the background music was in English and the artists didn't speak so all good. The show was fantastic a great laugh.
The next day we thought we should check out the town, a very old town with a cable car up to the snow. Today we got more sunshine, we found a wine bar Giovannis they had wine for sale and wine to drink.
We settled in for the afternoon.
6/1/18 Fussen
Today we arrived in Fussen found our hotel just 1 block from the train station, a simple hotel but the owner was very helpful and friendly.
The weather was good so decided to head straight up to Neuschwanstein Castle we had decided not to go in as we had heard the tour was very short and not really worth the entry fee.
The building itself was beautiful but as it was only built in the 1800s it is fairly new. There is also the Hohenschwangan castle in the grounds around the Apslee lake.
Both are very grand and the parklands around them well kept. We walked the 30 minute gradual path up to the castle, it was very good exercise and the view overlooking fussen very good.
On the bus heading back I noticed a large billboard advertising a show at the Ludwigs Festspiel haus or festival house. The show was called "wet the show" it was a mixture of acrobatics, juggling, opera singing, comedy acts and contortionist acts. We were worried that we would have a language issue, but most of the background music was in English and the artists didn't speak so all good. The show was fantastic a great laugh.
The next day we thought we should check out the town, a very old town with a cable car up to the snow. Today we got more sunshine, we found a wine bar Giovannis they had wine for sale and wine to drink.
We settled in for the afternoon.
Monday, 8 January 2018
Buchloe Germany
Buchloe 5/1/18
Although this was not in our original plan neither was Strasbourg and both have turned out to be a delight.
After our long 8 hour journey from Zermatt we settled into our very newly refurbished accommodation on the outer part of town. Buchloe is a small town so 2 k will get you out of town from the train station. The cabbie at the train station who was actually on a break kindly dropped us off and it was dark by now and we just wanted to eat and sleep.
Well what a lovely surprise although the hotel was small, the lovely young man at reception who had limited English could not do enough for us. I googled restaurants nearby only to find a fantastic casual dining restaurant right across the street. It was drizzling with rain so the short walk was great. There was even a supermarket next door if had need of something. The hotel was called aplenflair and the restaurant Villa alpen. Peter had the spareribs with a side of chips , I ordered a whole baked trout again OMG fantastic. We also had 3 beers and a side salad and it cost 39 euros approx $60 just what these weary travellers needed.
The nice young man asked if we wanted to buy breakfast for the next day and reading his body language it was a good idea. He was right. Espresso coffee, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, salamis, smoked salmon, beautiful bread rolls, pastries, fresh made fruit salad, yogurt all for 7.5 euro each. I think we rolled out of Buchloe.
He called a cab for us and the driver was delightful, he had told us he had holidayed in Australia going to the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. His English was ok, much better than my german I am sure.
Farewell Buchloe
Although this was not in our original plan neither was Strasbourg and both have turned out to be a delight.
After our long 8 hour journey from Zermatt we settled into our very newly refurbished accommodation on the outer part of town. Buchloe is a small town so 2 k will get you out of town from the train station. The cabbie at the train station who was actually on a break kindly dropped us off and it was dark by now and we just wanted to eat and sleep.
Well what a lovely surprise although the hotel was small, the lovely young man at reception who had limited English could not do enough for us. I googled restaurants nearby only to find a fantastic casual dining restaurant right across the street. It was drizzling with rain so the short walk was great. There was even a supermarket next door if had need of something. The hotel was called aplenflair and the restaurant Villa alpen. Peter had the spareribs with a side of chips , I ordered a whole baked trout again OMG fantastic. We also had 3 beers and a side salad and it cost 39 euros approx $60 just what these weary travellers needed.
The nice young man asked if we wanted to buy breakfast for the next day and reading his body language it was a good idea. He was right. Espresso coffee, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, salamis, smoked salmon, beautiful bread rolls, pastries, fresh made fruit salad, yogurt all for 7.5 euro each. I think we rolled out of Buchloe.
He called a cab for us and the driver was delightful, he had told us he had holidayed in Australia going to the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. His English was ok, much better than my german I am sure.
Farewell Buchloe
Lausanne to Zermatt
Lausanne to Zermatt 2/1/18
We are getting the hang of the train travel now, travelled on the fast trains and regional train transfer at Bern then on to Visp then onto a small tourist train that only goes to Zermatt, there does not appear to be any roads from Tash to Zermatt which we found out later when we left.
We arrived on Tuesday and knew the weather was going to start getting worse, more snow on the way. We got as many photos of the Matterhorn as we could while it was still visible. We dragged our bags over the icy snow ground to our accommodation, about 1k no wonder people were staring at us the taxi was only 10swiss francs crazy tourists they must have been thinking.
Then straight to the furnicular up the mountain to Gornergrat a place at 3100 meters above sea level, and yes the weather was getting worse we got half way up before visibility was negligible. There is a large tourist centre at the top with cafe and restaurant couldn't resist having an apple strudel followed by two cups of warming hot chocolate .
We went outside, felt totally warm as we had prepared and brought our ski gear. Had fun playing in the snow little did we know the snow would keep coming for the next 2 days. Loved it.
That night we found a pub that was serving make your own pizzas, you just tick the boxes next to the toppings and they make it up. The waitress was lovely she sounded English but had an amazing skill with all languages.
Our accommodation had a small verandah which we used as our fridge, worked a treat had as much ice as we wanted ha ha. The next morning we met a nice couple from Cairns who were staying at our accommodation. We decided to meet back at the hotel that night for wine and schnapps by the fireplace we were the only people in the lovely lounge area, a late night for all of us that night.
It started to rain on our last day and as we all know when you mix snow with water you get ice. The footpaths were quite treacherous, but thanks to the great boots we bought in Melbourne our feet were both warm dry and steady. We got home on the Thursday afternoon to find out that our Glacier express journey had been cancelled due to avalanches along the line, bugger !!! We had actually seen some while we were in town. Amazing sound...we thought a jet was landing.
So at 4pm we had to do our best problem solving and come up with an alternative plan. We decided, instead of going to Chur which would have been where the Glacier express dropped us off, we would get as close to Fussen as we could. We decided on Bulchloe in Germany as it was only 1 hour away and not a real tourist spot so was easy to get accommodation at short notice.
We travelled to Tash on the small train from Zermatt then bussed to Visp had breakfast then caught the fast train to Zurich, changed trains then on to Buchloe. We travelled approximately 500k that day. To console ourselves we had a delicious meal in the dining car of the train to Bulchloe and of course a couple of very nice Bavarian beers.
We are getting the hang of the train travel now, travelled on the fast trains and regional train transfer at Bern then on to Visp then onto a small tourist train that only goes to Zermatt, there does not appear to be any roads from Tash to Zermatt which we found out later when we left.
We arrived on Tuesday and knew the weather was going to start getting worse, more snow on the way. We got as many photos of the Matterhorn as we could while it was still visible. We dragged our bags over the icy snow ground to our accommodation, about 1k no wonder people were staring at us the taxi was only 10swiss francs crazy tourists they must have been thinking.
Then straight to the furnicular up the mountain to Gornergrat a place at 3100 meters above sea level, and yes the weather was getting worse we got half way up before visibility was negligible. There is a large tourist centre at the top with cafe and restaurant couldn't resist having an apple strudel followed by two cups of warming hot chocolate .
We went outside, felt totally warm as we had prepared and brought our ski gear. Had fun playing in the snow little did we know the snow would keep coming for the next 2 days. Loved it.
That night we found a pub that was serving make your own pizzas, you just tick the boxes next to the toppings and they make it up. The waitress was lovely she sounded English but had an amazing skill with all languages.
Our accommodation had a small verandah which we used as our fridge, worked a treat had as much ice as we wanted ha ha. The next morning we met a nice couple from Cairns who were staying at our accommodation. We decided to meet back at the hotel that night for wine and schnapps by the fireplace we were the only people in the lovely lounge area, a late night for all of us that night.
It started to rain on our last day and as we all know when you mix snow with water you get ice. The footpaths were quite treacherous, but thanks to the great boots we bought in Melbourne our feet were both warm dry and steady. We got home on the Thursday afternoon to find out that our Glacier express journey had been cancelled due to avalanches along the line, bugger !!! We had actually seen some while we were in town. Amazing sound...we thought a jet was landing.
So at 4pm we had to do our best problem solving and come up with an alternative plan. We decided, instead of going to Chur which would have been where the Glacier express dropped us off, we would get as close to Fussen as we could. We decided on Bulchloe in Germany as it was only 1 hour away and not a real tourist spot so was easy to get accommodation at short notice.
We travelled to Tash on the small train from Zermatt then bussed to Visp had breakfast then caught the fast train to Zurich, changed trains then on to Buchloe. We travelled approximately 500k that day. To console ourselves we had a delicious meal in the dining car of the train to Bulchloe and of course a couple of very nice Bavarian beers.
Wednesday, 3 January 2018
Freiburg to Lausanne
Freiburg to Lausanne 31/12/17
We arrived in Lausanne on lake Geneva at 2pm today the temperature was 14 degrees, sunshine and amazing views. We walked the 1.5km from the train station to our hotel, Hotel Aulac, right on the lake shore near the marina. Luckily the walk was all down hill. We were put in a top floor apartment with views of lake Geneva.
We caught up on some sleep, then at 10pm we headed to the cathedral where we were lucky enough to get in to listen to Jean Christophe Griser perform on the amazing organ within the cathedral. He finished the set by playing Ravel's Bolero, amazing experience.
After that at midnight, some fireworks and it is tradition for red lights and smoke to be created in the spire of the cathedral to represent a fire from 1904. People gather to drink mulled wine and champagne.
1/1/18
Today is washing day, not more to be said really :-)
We arrived in Lausanne on lake Geneva at 2pm today the temperature was 14 degrees, sunshine and amazing views. We walked the 1.5km from the train station to our hotel, Hotel Aulac, right on the lake shore near the marina. Luckily the walk was all down hill. We were put in a top floor apartment with views of lake Geneva.
We caught up on some sleep, then at 10pm we headed to the cathedral where we were lucky enough to get in to listen to Jean Christophe Griser perform on the amazing organ within the cathedral. He finished the set by playing Ravel's Bolero, amazing experience.
After that at midnight, some fireworks and it is tradition for red lights and smoke to be created in the spire of the cathedral to represent a fire from 1904. People gather to drink mulled wine and champagne.
1/1/18
Today is washing day, not more to be said really :-)
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