Day 17 Exploring Gmund en Kärnten

Carinthia is Austria’s southernmost state, it’s known for its alpine lakes and dramatic mountain scenery. Nestled in the heart of Carinthia, Gmünd in Kärnten is a small but vibrant town—one of Austria’s oldest. Running alongside a river, it offers medieval cobble-stoned streets, pastel colored buildings, a church, and a castle that has seen better days.

Yet, Gmünd is far from a relic. Its unique art scene is the main draw—there’s an abundance of art galleries scattered throughout the old town. We love towns that offer both art and nature and this is why we chose this as our base (Sarah is working M-W this week). Today we woke early to explore the town (stumbling into an arts and crafts exhibition—crocheted animals, Christmas ornaments, etc.) After a memorable lunch at the castle cafe (the one part of the castle that is not in disrepair), we took a long walk through the surrounding woods, returning along the river.Read more