What an awesome time we had in Europe. To experience new landscapes, venues and people was both therapeutic, and restorative.
Thanks to Ray & Nancy for sharing your house, food and time with us. We enjoyed our stay with your wonderful family, We hiked many trails, did our share of sightseeing, and drank the local beer and now we say auf wiedersehen (goodbye). Thanks most to my Dad who had a true gift for enjoying life - you are with me on every adventure!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Germany to USA - going home
Wurzburg Residence and Court Garden - Germany
A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site that was the residence of prince-bishops. The staircase ceiling is painted in one of the largest frescos in the world. Each room is magnificent, but the mirror cabinet room was designed to impress even the most jaded royalty.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Frankfurt
The first day in Frankfurt was spent at an indoor water park. The next day we were downtown shopping - 2 pairs shoes, shirts, even skiing pants, what a great way to end a trip.
Austria
Spent half a day in Bad Ischl at the Eurothermen spa. You must have a spa day when in Austria - so relaxing and fun.
St. Wolfgang, Austria
We were downtown for dinner in this quaint city . Afterwards, we walked to the plaza where traditional costumed German dancers of all ages were putting on a great show.
Tobogganing in Strobl, Austria
You travel backwards up the mountain with views of Lake Wolfgang, and then you toboggan downhill at high speed back to the valley.
Hofgarten in Munich, Germany
Spent one night in the city doing all the tourist stuff - English Gardens, Marianplatz (Glockenspiel), churches, and of course the Hofbrauhaus.
Rope climbing park in Altaussee, Austria
Lake Traunsee (Salzkammergut Region) Austria
A trip on the lake with panoramic views of villages and castles. One of places we visited on a short excursion was a church in the town of Traunkirchen. It was a surprise to see one of the most beautiful church alters I have ever seen.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Locks on the bridge in Salzburg, Austria
Couples put a lock on the bridge linking the two sides of Salzburg, and then throw the key in the river. A local custom.
Ebensee, Austria
Checked in to our bed & breakfast room and went downtown to find a place to eat. We ate outside in a beer garden, which had excellent food and began to hear music playing. Next door was a park with a band shell and the local band was putting on a show with traditional German and some well known American songs. When they finished playing they all marched from the park down the street. What a great night!
Jennerbahn at am konigsee (Bavaria) Germany
Rode the cable car to the top of the mountain (1800m). Then hiked down (very steep) trails past mountain lakes, cows with swiss bells, and alpine huts. The air is so fresh and clear - just amazing.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Lake Konigssee to Lake Obersee
Took the sightseeing trip down the lake which resembles a fjord. Departed at the last station to hike about 30 minutes to Lake Obersee. You must see this place to describe the marvellous views. In the photo is a reflection of the sky and mountains in the lake, but the color of the lake has varations of emerald green that are stunning. Germany knows how to protect their natural treasures.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Lake Konigssee in the Berchtesgaden National Park
Boat ride on a emerald green lake, surrounded by towering rock cliffs set in one of the most impressive landscapes in Germany.
Mozart Museum Salzburg, Austria
The birthplace of Mozart, which included the violin he played as a child and the clavichord (piano) where he composed.
Entrance to the Almbachklamm gorge
The oldest marble ball mill in Germany. Ever since 1683 marble rocks have been ground down and polished into gleaming marble balls.
Gorge in Bavaria
The water is very clean, clear and cold. Some places we went down to the river bed and enjoyed the water.
Salzbergwerk (salt mine) Berchtesgaden
Suited up and ready to go underground to experience the salt mine. A train takes you deep in the mine where you take a raft ride over the underground salt lake, and slide down a tunnel.
Almbachklamm gorge - Marktschellenberg, Germany
Impressive waterfalls in one of the most beautiful gorges in Bavaria. 3 hour hike roundtrip along a steep uphill ledge to a thundering waterfall. Would definitely recommend this place.
Naturbad Aschauerweiher in Bischofwiesen (outdoor swimming)
A natural swimming pool set in the middle of the beautiful Bavarian mountains. The water was cold, but the sun was out and the scenery was like a fairy tale setting.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Ramsau, Germany parish church
The poet Josef Mohr who wrote the lyrics for 'silent night' was parish assistant at the church of Ramsay dating back to 1512.
Our farm house stay in Berchtesgaden, Germany (Bavaria)
The farm has sheep, goats and bee hives. This picture is in front of a shed where hundreds of swarming bees make their honey.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Austria - South western area.
Left Switzerland and drove through Austria to Berchtesgadener Land in Southern Bavaria Germany. This drive was beautiful with small villages and a backdrop of impressive mountains.
Abbey Church of St. Mary & St. Marcus on the Island of Reichenau.
Reichenau Island is connected to Konstanz by a bridge. Three countries meet on the lake - Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The Benedictine Abbey was founded in A.D. 724 . The photo is from the ceiling of the abbey which dates from the ninth century.
Waiting for the bus!
Rode the Konstanz city bus around the area and to Reicheau Island churches. Kerry got us lost a few times, but we eventually came full circle.