We left Garmish and drove through Mittenwald in Germany but didn’t stop as being a Sunday everything was closed. Driving on to Innsbruck, we found our car park for the night and walked the 2 kms into town.
We visited the old town brought some souvenirs and frequented many cafes for drinks and food.
The main town area had a band playing in the maxilliam building under its golden roof
and then we went into the Hofburg the previous residence of Maria Theresia and her large family, she was the queen of Austria in the 1700 period. The Hofburg was refurbished in the 19 th century for empress Elisabeth aka Sisi.
The inside portraits focused on family and the grand hall ceilings had angles painted to depicted seven of her sixteen children that had died young. Then it was off to explore Innsbruck seeing many beautiful buildings.
day 2
We drove the non toll road through to Zell am See with the bavarian alps always present and such a gorgeous scenic drive.
We ended up at Kaprun 13 kms from Zell as this was the only accommodation we could find, the campground damp with a fast running gorge next to us but there was space for us and we got the awning out and did the washing.
day 3
We took the bus into Zell am See ( see meaning lake) and caught a boat cruise around the lake the scenery gorgeous with the Schmittenhohe mountain and other alps in the background.
then we walked into the town , viewed the Hippolyte church
and noticed a festival on behind the church. Beer food and music with many locals dressed in traditional costumes and a lot of older ladies in black. After a beer sausage, potato salad and snapps we moved seats to be in the shade and started talking to a english couple Keith and Denny and ended up spending the day with them going from one drinking spot to another. A fun day.
then it was the bus back to camp and a great fish meal in the cafe near the camping platz.
Austria doesn’t have many shelplatz, mostly camping grounds and boy are they expensive 85 euro for two nights.
day 4
Hallstatt
We got lucky in this very busy area and scored a shellplatz on the other side of the lake.
It is a nearly 2 km walk to the ferry where we crossed at Obertraun over into Hallstatt for the afternoon.
It is pretty here in Hallstatt but think Zell was a nicer town.
We explored the touristy town, loving the views over the lake.
and then back to camp for the nightly storm and rain, cooked dinner inside and booked our tour to the salt mines for tomorrow.
day 5
We walked the 2 kms again this morning to find the bus into town 5 euro, much better and cheaper than the ferry. After apple strudel
it was off to the salt mines for a really interesting tour of this seven thousand year old mine. We learnt how salt was produced over this long period of time. First was the funicular to the top and then we got changed into the costumes for the salt mine… not a great look.
The tour included 2 slides down the wooden rails previously use by miners and a train ride out of the mines. The temp in the mines is 8 deg which meant rugging up and then we had to put clothes from the salt mine, these kept you warm inside but boiling when outside between areas.
They had found an old wooden bridge from the mining days , thought to be from the 7th century , see below.
The afternoon was spent walking to the catholic church and the far end of town and taking photos of the traditional view of Hallstatt.
The views from the salt mines over Hallstatt lake and countryside was amazing.
Day 4
An exhausting day to the ice caves. First came the walk to the bus, then up to Dachstein via cable car , the first leg up the mountain.
The first cave, the mamouth cave was a 15 min hike up hill then a 800 m walk thru the cave with 300 steps. Not a particularly interesting cave but one where the water run thru years ago to create its existance.
Back down the hill for a coffee, then a 20 min hike up a steep hill to the Ice cave, which was amazing with ice everywhere and great formations. Another 800 m and 500 steps up plus more down. The cave is -2 deg but all the walking kept you warm plus a warm jumper, parker and gloves were worn.
Then another cable car up higher to view the glacier ,
have lunch then do the 30 min walk over to the five fingers look out and another steep climb back.
2 cable cars down and a long wait for the bus to take us down hill and walk back to the van. A long very exhausting day.
statistics for today
17900 steps 60 perc plus of this was uphill and 39 floors climbed. 13 kms.
day 7 Salzburg
We drove from Hallstatt via Fushl am See and St Gilgen, such a stunning area however there was no accommodation by the lakes so we drove straight to Salsburg. such a shame. not even a parking spot to look around.
A lovely camp was found in the suburb of Salzburg called Aigen. The mountains were behind us and the rest of the afternoon after shopping was to do the washing and relax. Sky para-gliders used this mountain and the paddock behind us to land everyday.
day 8
After catching the bus 7 into town we just had a walk around today. Salzburg is a very pretty city with lots to do . So we bought the Salzburg card and will start exploring inside things tomorrow.
Today we explored both sides of the river, the mozart platz and many streets.
Day 9
Our first stop was Mozarts birthplace, which had some interesting history on Mozart and his musical family. He started performing at seven years old playing both the piano and violin and started composing around nine years. a genius no doubt. We also listened to someone play a ballad on his piano while we were there.
Then next stop was up the funicular to the Hohensalzburg, the fortress in the pictures above.
The fortress which had great views over the city and the fortress dated back to the 11 th c with each arch bishop adding to its size until royalty took it over in the 18 c. After WW1 it become the property of the state. It had some interesting bits inside learning how the arch bishops held all the power pre 18c and they certainty knew how to spend money on themselves. The views were the best over the city and river in Salzburg.
We had a brief look at the water museum and st sebastians church and cemetery.
Next was the Salzburg museum which we found boring and its special exhibitions also boring.
Then over the padlock bridge , past the landestheatre and market place. A beer and ice cream then home.
day 10.
Today we walked to the Schloss Mirabell (palace)and viewed it from the outside. Only the staircase inside was seen as now the inside are all offices and the grand hall only caters for concerts, so no entry for us. The gardens were pretty but nothing fantastic, then lunch and next we visited Mozarts residenz which didnt give us to much more info than his birthplace yesterday.
Next we went up the Monschsberg lift for the view of the city
and had a beer before taking the river cruise. The boat with its 2x 600 motors didn’t go far against the following salz river so didn’t see much we hadn’t seen by foot, so not recommended.
Then after a another beer and ice cream before home again to the van.
day 11
A late start and after apple and cheese strudel for morning tea we went to the new residenz which was great.
Some great stucco work and ceiling paintings in the residenz of the arch bishops , shame , wealth spent on themselves is so shameful. This followed into the cathedral museum with some stunning pieces ,0ne cross had over 7000 diamonds plus emeralds and rubies in it.
we were lucky to stand on the balcony overlooking the cathredral and hear the last few minutes of the organ concert.
Lunch, another wiener schnitzel was followed by a look at the xmas museum and we bought a glass xmas bell in one of the shops and home for a early day and time to relax.
Tomorrow is Johns birthday and his wish is to do nothing.!!!
Day 12
johns birthday and we did nothing but the washing and had pizza at the restaurant for dinner.
Day 13
Todayour first visit was to Lidl for supplies then to Hellbrunn castle and the tricky water fountains just 4 kms on the south side of Salzburg.
The palace was built by Arch biscop Markus Sittikus in 1624.
The castle/ villa wasn’t that impressive but told the story of the archbishop and his expensive ways of entertainment.
The water fountains were fun and sometimes surprised you and you got wet . Grottos were everywhere and displays though out the gardens were little moving models.
Then we moved onto Berschgarten and found a shellplatz only 5 mins walk from Lake Konigsee with a creek running behind is to the lake.
We walked down to the lake and were surprised to see all the shops a hotel and the emerald green lake was stunning.
We chose a swim , the water quiet cool but refreshing and then back for a beer by the van and bratwurst sausages for dinner.
day14
Today we drove to ramsau bei berchtsgarten to find the church by a stream we had see on u tube. what a scenic view wow we went into the church and saw some locals dressed in traditional dress and bought some presents for is and the girls.
After lunch we did the cruise up lake Konigssee the mountains so high and stopped a t Bath zzzz
for a explore and them down to Salat at the end of the lake before returning home just before a storm came over and down came the rain again.
day 15
We drove to berchesgarten and took the bus up to the kehlsteinhaus , hilters nest or tea house . The clouds allowed for no views and inside was really just a restaurant now so in all it was a very expensive trip for strudel and coffee
Our last day was trying to avoid Austrai and its tolls as we set off north, the next blog.
