Aramayı sıfırla
Europe 2023Europe 2023
UyduRotayı düzenle

Europe 2023

Nisan - Haziran 2023
A trip with friends and solo. Plans for Amsterdam, Geneva, wandering thru Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia. Okumaya devam et
  • 48ayak izleri
  • 8ülkeler
  • 50günler
  • 695fotoğraflar
  • 15videolar
  • 1,7kmil
Takip Et Takvim Paylaş Yapılacaklar listesi
Artan tarih
  • GezginEurope 2023
    1
    Gün 22

    Charmey, Sw to Lake Orta, Italy Day 22

    16 Mayıs 2023, İtalya ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Made it to Italy! A spectacular drive South in Switzerland towards Italy. The magnificent, majestic snow-covered Alps on both sides! Not a lot of sun, mostly overcast, but when they showed thru the clouds, it was stunning. I was merrily cruising down the GPS path, when I got a surprise. The GPS gal said to me, turn right and take the “auto train” to Italy. And there I am I front of a train station with a drive through buy your ticket place. Seems that I now was taking an auto train ferry for the next 13 miles to Italy! I had never seen one of these. Gal at the ticket selling place spoke very good English and explained that, yes, I could take my car on the next ferry in about an hour. I asked here if I could drive, she said sure and gave me directions. I decided to take the ferry as I had never seen or been on one of these. Quite the experience. And I was first in line! It’s just a long flat surface between 2 engines that you drive our car on There we’re probably 25-30 cars, and, right on time, off we went, through a 12-13 mile long tunnel and 18 minutes later I am in Italy! Amazing and fun.

    Spent the afternoon reminiscing and enjoying a beautiful spot in the world, Lake Orta. Alice, Jan and I were here in 2005 (we think) and stayed at a Airbnb along the lake. After I checked into my hotel, I headed for the Sacri Mount and the old town. Wow, what a difference in 18 years! The Sacri Mount is a group of small chapels built in the woods on a high hill looking over Lake Orta built in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are designed to blend in with the natural and scenic environment. Each of the chapels are dedicated to different aspects of Christian faith through sculptures and paintings. They re amazing! When I was here previously, I remember taking a dirt path up the mountain and finding these chapels with the wonderful art work. Today it is a huge park and now an UNSCO World Heritage site! It’s still amazing.

    I then wandered down the hill to the old town and lots more changes. Lake Orta is the westernmost lake I. The Italian Lake District. It is not as well know as Como, Garda and Maggiore. The ‘downtown” is now a beautiful open plaza with cafes, shops and restaurants. The focus of all is the island in the middle of the lake, Bella Isola. (Cover photo). Last time I was here we went to a classical music concert on that island which I have never forgotten. Then spent some time looking for the place we stayed, think I found it, took a video, sent it to Jan and Alice and they agree. A glass of Italian white on the plaza, life is good.

    Dinner at the hotel, disappointing pasta, 😫 and the rest of the evening coordinating with Carol for pick up,tomorrow. She was about to leave Jackson.    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    Gün 23

    Lake Orta to Domaso, Italy Day 23

    17 Mayıs 2023, İtalya ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Carol is here! Picked her up at the Milan airport around noon today. Plane was a little late but by that time I had the Milan airport traffic patterns figured out. 😂. A drive there from Orta mostly in the rain.

    Our plan was to,stay on the NE coast of Lake Como tonight. We wended our way all the way up the west side of Lake Como, stopping at Menaggio for lunch by the Lake. Rain had stopped and it is warmer so it felt good to be outside and enjoying the views of Bellagio and environs. Illene and I stayed in Menaggio 5 years ago and loved this area. Arrived at our hotel for tonight , Hotel Vischi, almost at the end of Lake Como. Not nearly as crowded as most everything else in this very popular tourist area. (George Clooney;s home, etc).

    Very nice hotel, checked in and out for a walk. Long lovely path by the lake, Carol doing amazingly well with minimal sleep in a day and a half. (She had 2 stops from Jackson.) Weather got better as the day went on and we even had a bit of sun around 6-7P. Sat on a bench by the lake for a long time and got “caught up”. Dinner at a cafe by the water. Carol to bed early and Kay trying to keep quiet!

    See the pic of the guy on the paddle board? Some kids playing volleyball by the lake, volleyball into the water, this nice fellow retrieved it for them. 😇    Okumaya devam et

    Çeviriyi gör
  • GezginEurope 2023
    Gün 24

    Italy to Innsbruck, Austria Day 23

    18 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Up and over the Alps today! Carol slept well and off we headed for Innsbruck after breakfast. Had a wonderful morning and early afternoon enjoying the best of nature. We had some sun and every turn we made brought new amazing vistas. It was a spectacular drive, and so nice to have someone to share it with. I have driven over the Alps one time previously, and that was along time ago. Quite the driving experience from Italy, through Switzerland and into Austria. Our first stop was a beautiful waterfall right by the roadside. We walked around the small park and enjoyed taking pictures from different spots.

    Then the long, slow, zig-zag drive up to a pass at about 6,000 ft. Amazing views round every corner. Then a long more gentle downhill for many miles. On the downhill side was St. Moritz of skiing fame. (cloudier there - the pic with the lodge at the end of then lake). We started looking for a lunch place around 1P. Checked out a few small villages and could not find an open grocery store for a picnic lunch. Finally went into another hillside village and way down at the bottom found a little restaurant where people were eating outside. Turned out to a a delightful vegetarian restaurant with excellent food! (See my quiche pic). The owner our server both spoke very good English anf were delightful. The gal who waited on us, was A Mexican Pilates instructor living in Switzerland. Her mom lives in Seattle! Finally looked up why so many things are closed and May 18th is Ascension Thursday and a holiday throughout Europe. Who knew.

    Onwards towards Innsbruck and arrived at our new Airbnb around 5P. A great place just a couple miles out of downtown. Brand new, lovely decor and very comfortable. We are very happy with this choice. Off to try to get to Tourist information before 6 - found it - closed. 😫. Walked around the pretty quiet town for awhile and with groceries stores closed, found a really nice pizza place for dinner. Back “home” for unpacking, wine, planning for tomorrow and relaxation. A fun day!    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    11
    Gün 25

    Innsbruck, Austria Day 24

    19 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Breakfast at our lovely apartment a couple miles outside of Innsbruck. There a great mini mart about a 3 minute walk from out place which is great for our minimal grocery shopping needs. Off today for the Swarovski Crystal World. Swarovski crystal,is world renowned as very high quality crystal and is headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria. I had not read a lot about what to expect and was not prepared for the amazing display of crystal in theater, music, and art. We spent almost 5 hours there.

    It’s an exhibit that is hard to describe. There were 17 rooms that you walk through with various themes called the Chamber of Wonder. E.g. one room had a crystal tree surrounded by a winter scene and real snow falling inside (See our pic). Another had a Hollywood scene featuring clothes made with crystals that famous people have worn, think Elton John, Simone Biles, Katie Perry, Cher etc. Huge crystals and amazing experiences with crystals, light and color. A great experience. Also had a great lunch there then tackled the outside which also has a lot to do. Rode the carousel, enjoyed all of the sculptures and huge outdoor exhibits including the “Clouds”. (Pic before the rainbow). Those “clouds” all sparkle with the light hitch I could not capture with the camera. A really. Interesting and fun day.

    Stopped at the Tourist Information center to pick up other ideas for this area. Then home after a stop at the mini mart and out for a walk to check out the neighborhood. Our host told us about a 7 minute walk (all uphill) to the train station which we checked out and saw all the hiking paths going off in every direction from the top of our hill. Train came by filled with hikers ending their day with a train ride back to town. -asta for dinner, planning for tomorrow and another rainbow.    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    Gün 26

    Innsbruck, Austria Day 25

    20 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    A leisurely morning at “home” and off to “town”. Plan was to check out old town, see the Golden Roof and the Olympic village and, if time, the castle. Found our way through the cobblestone streets to the Golden Roof, the city’s most famous landmark. The roof was completed in 1500 for the wedding of Emperor Maximillian I. The roof consists of 2500+ fire-gilded copper tiles. Today it serves as offices for an Alpine organization dedicated to the sustainability of the Alps. Clearly it also serves as a local venue for weddings as we saw several wedding parties emerge from its doors.

    Then, a real treat, we saw a, orchestra setting up and we enjoyed an hour of music sipping our cappuccino and coke at one of the many cafes, listening to Tyrollean music. Fun and entertaining. We strolled the old town for awhile, checking out shops, people watching and enjoying some sunshine. Warmer today, around 70.

    Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. 😂. Then out to find the Olympic area. Found some of it but not the part to walk around. The Olympics were held here in 1964 and 1976 and the ski jump can be seen from the downtown. We were tired anyway so decided to go home and put our feet up for awhile. I went for a walk around the neighborhood late afternoon, dinner at home - salmon. Watched two episodes of The Tailor on Netflix in English!!!    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    2
    Gün 27

    Innsbruck to Stubai Valley Day 26

    21 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    A travel day, although not far. Leaving our lovely apartment outside of Innsbruck. Packed up and out by 10A. Our final destination is only about 15 miles away in the Stubai Valley south of Innsbruck

    Spent the better part of 3 hours at Schloss Ambras, a castle overlooking Innsbruck. The castle was built in the 1500’s and was a gift from Archduke Ferdinand II to his new wife, Philippine. I sort of thought I was “done” with castles a few European trips ago however this one was different and very interesting. Ferdinand was a collector of all things art and curiosities. This claims to be the first museum in history. His collection was extensive with all kinds of lovely Renaissance pieces. Not so much art as “things”. He was clearly a lover of beauty. The museum had lots of techs films, screens to check out and terrific grounds with big trees, benches, a pond with black swans and lots of fish. We enjoyed a very good lunch there in an outdoor cafe.

    On to the Stubai Valley. A friend of Carol’s had been here which is why we chose this location for hiking. It’s only 10-15 miles south of Innsbruck so a short ride. Outrage new apartment is in the small village of Mildred, right next to Neustift which is the “big” town in the area, population ~5,000. A great accommodation again, we have really chosen well, so far. On the 2nd floor (3rd in US) but lots of room, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, kitchen with dining area and 2 balconies. Beautiful views from every room and the decks. We are very happy.

    “Nested” (unpacked and figured out how everything works) and a glass of wine from our host, then out for a walk. The Stubai Valley is a wide valley about 20 miles long with the Alps rising steeply on both sides. It is spectacular! There are 30+ glaciers and 109 peaks around 9,000ft in the area. Lots of cable cars to take you up to hike at different areas. Trails everywhere. A hikers paradise. I feel “at home”. 😀. Dinner at a lovely little town square restaurant in Neustift and home for some downtime. No Netflix on TV. 😫.    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    2
    Gün 28

    Stubai Valley, Austria Day 27

    22 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Out for our first hike in the Stubai Valley today. Good weather but more clouds and rain on the way the next 3 days. 😫. The coming weather influenced our decision to do the highest hike today and lower hikes in the next few days. With our apartment came a Stubai Super Card - a pass for the cable cars and other types of transportation. Really a nice perk as the cable car rides are 15-20 euros each. There is some hiking in the valley but most of the hiking is on the mountains. It is common to take a cable car up to a place on the mountain to start your hike. Which is what we did. There are 4-5 cable cars in the immediate area. Only 2 are running right now as the other 2 or 3 go higher and there is still snow up there. This area is between seasons right now - ski season is over and summer not quite here yet so they also do maintenance work on the cable cars.

    We took the Elferbahnen cable car from where we are at about 3400 ft to 5400 ft up,the mountain. Fun ride and paragliders everywhere! We walked around the area, taking in the huge wooden sundial, watched a lot of paragliders take off with their colorful chutes and raise with the air - so silent. Beautiful! Lots of trails take off from this location. We decided to take the one up to the Elferhutte, a building we could see from our restaurant at dinner last night. Quite the climb, but only about a mile. What great views and more paragliders. Took pictures, talked with some of the other people coming up the hill and walked a bit further up and then started our decent. Our quads got a real workout with the steep,part of the downhill. But we made it 👍 and we were very proud of ourselves.

    Back down the rest of the way via cable car, to the grocery store to get our provisions or this leg of the trip and home to put our feet up on our deck for awhile. And to wash out some clothes for reuse tomorrow. 😂. I went for a walk in the neighborhood before our nightly cocktail hour and pizza for dinner. Found Sky News on the TV tonight - only English speaking station I could find. No Netflix here.    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    Gün 29

    Stubai Valley, Austria Day 28

    23 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Plan for today was to do a hike in the valley by the river that runs through it, waterfalls, etc. however Mother Nature decided we should not do that this morning for as we got to the starting area, (about 6 miles away) it started to rain and had no signs of stopping. So back to town, to walk the small center town of Neustift, much is closed as they are between seasons and businesses are taking a vacation or are closed on Tuesdays.

    However we did check out the church which was amazing! The church is the centerpiece of the town but it was the cemetery that caught out eye. There are probably around 150-200 graves - ALL had fresh flowers, growing plants and in designed floral beds All the plots were the same size and the “headstones” were decorative metal sculptures. I have never seen anything like it. The inside of the church was just as pleasing and lovely. Spectacular ceiling, all white walls, airy and light pastel,colors. So very modern looking. Even the organ was modern. The pews were all light roughly hewn wood and the stone floor was complimentary to all. A beautiful place. The first chapel on that site was in the early 1500’s, built by Maximillian I, they have had many renovations and clearly a recent one. A great find.

    Weather starting to clear, so we had lunch the one restaurant in town that was open and decided to do,the hike we had planned for the morning. The hike was great. Not too difficult, in the valley so not too much elevation. 5 miles round trip with waterfalls everywhere and the snow covered mountains always rising above all. It is truly beautiful here. The chairs that we are sitting on is the cover photo today are on a platform the spans the river right at the big waterfall. You can lie there and enjoy the wonderful view of the waterfall with the Alps above.

    Weather started to turn while at the platform and shortly after we started back the rain returned. Needless to say we got back much faster than we did going! 😂. Cocktail hour (good German white wine) and dinner at home tonight, pasta again.    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    Gün 30

    Stubai Valley, Austria Day 29

    24 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    And the rains came! An all day rain expected today and so to Plan B. My “go to” traveling rainy day is always a museum. Carol agreed. So back to Innsbruck today via train. Fun to take the train and leave the car behind. We could catch the local valley train to Innsbruck about 5 miles from here. About 10 miles and took the better part of n hour. Beautiful countryside but very wet today.

    Raining in Innsbruck as well but we quickly found the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. And with the same ticket also came entry to the Hofkirche, a church built in the 1500’s by Maximillian I as the church for his burial tomb. And it’s all there. An immense tomb in the middle of the church. In addition there were 28 of the original 40 life size statues of people ion Maximillian’s life and other figures important to him. E.g. King Arthur. Good audio on their app.

    On to the Folk Art Museum. Several floors with an extensive display of objects from early Tyrolean arts, culture and daily living. An enjoyable couple hours, taking in both sites. Beck in old town Innsbruck and raining significantly so we dashed into the closest restaurant we could find. Good lunch of typical Austrian food. Cheese dumplings with salad for me and ??? For Carol.

    A long walk to find the right train station and the right train. Had a wait so took in another church across the street, a Basilica. Another good example of Renaissance art and architecture. Home, with a stop,at the grocery store and dinner in tonight. Still raining. Should be better for our last day here tomorrow. 🤞    Okumaya devam et

  • GezginEurope 2023
    1
    Gün 31

    Stubai Valley, Austria Day 30

    25 Mayıs 2023, Avusturya ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    And the day dawned beautiful! Rain and grey clouds are gone replaced with blue skies and sunshine on the fantastic mountains! A great setting for our last day here in this quiet town with spectacular scenery.

    Off before !0 for the hike we had planned. Cable car up the mountain to the starting point. The goal was to hike to a monastery hidden in the Alps. Fun time, not a difficult hike, gravel path all the way. It is a popular trail for day hikers. Lots to see and do around the beginning as well. A slide for “kids” - that would be us. See video. Mountains all around -360. See 2nd video. Took our time, taking pictures and playing with our new app that identifies all the beautiful small Alpine flowers. Arrived at the monastery a bit after noon. Checked out the chapel, souvenir shop and lunch outside looking at the mountains. Took a different way back to the cable car and Carol found the first geocache for the trip! Very exciting. Then we had to do the slide as well. A great day in the mountains.

    Back home to relax a bit before going out to dinner. Many restaurants closed right now as they are in between seasons. Tried the Italian one on the plaza good , not great. Home to watch one more episode of The Tailor and pack.

    Off for Slovenia and Lake Bled tomorrow.    Okumaya devam et

  • 2024© FindPenguins
  • Ana sayfa
  • Hakkımızda
  • Blog
  • Grup takibi
  • Basın
  • Hükümler
  • Gizlilik & Cookies
  • Destek
  • Damga
  • Türk