Summer in Europe - August
Swiss National Day is August 1, so what better way to celebrate than to enjoy a cheese fondue at a little restaurant where there is only one table seating left.
We talked a little to the locals who spoke English well enough and enjoyed the atmosphere. Afterwards we drove some roads that maybe were a little unsettling but memorable nonetheless. We arrived at our campsite late but we got a spot and then the rain came. Lots of it! We thought we might be able to enjoy some things outside of the campsite but decided that staying dry was a nicer option.
So, we opted for enjoying some swiss chocolate while we watched the water sports from the restaurant area. They had a pool table with a mountain view, and when the rain stopped for just a little while we enjoyed some ping pong outside as well. We used this day to catch up on some internet usage and just enjoy a low key day.
Next up was the Bernina Express. This is a scenic train ride from St. Moritz to Tirano. A Unesco World Heritage train ride that has fantastic views through the very large windows. This journey between Switzerland and Italy is so beautiful. The train passes beautiful lakes and mountains that are so photo worthy. The railway was built between 1896-1904. The train uses the famous Brusio Spiral to gain height. It was fun to look out the window and see the other part of the train while you circled around.
When we arrived in Tirano, Italy, we walked to Castello di Santa Maria to see the wildflowers and castle ruins. This was followed by a walk through town where we found a children's playground and a zip line that the kids tried out. We walked through Satuario Della Modanna di Tirano church and enjoyed some gelato before getting back on the train to do our return train ride. This time I saw the stone igloos.
When we arrived in St. Moritz we drove to investigate St. Moritz- Celerina Olympic Bobrun. The oldest bobsleigh track in the world.
It was time for more swiss chocolate. This time at a specialty shop in town where the selection was fantastic and rich! We spent some time considering our options and then each of us picked a few of the decadent morsels of chocolate to try.
SO YUMMY!
For most of the trip we have used Euro's but Easton wanted some Swiss Francs so he went into a bank, asked the teller himself if he could exchange his own money. This is his first banking interaction, in Switzerland interacting within languages and currency. It was so cool to see how proud he was that he took care of this himself. I was proud of him too.
After driving for a little while we stopped at mountain river pass where we saw what we believe were marmots all over the land. This was followed by the Vereina Tunnel. When you can't go over it, and you can't go under it, you drive your car onto a train and it takes you through the mountain. I would recommend this. It was so different from just being on a train or a ferry.
We later arrived in Liechtenstein where we enjoyed the Walser Museum Triesenberg. We watched a video about the area and toured through the museum of older things from the area like looms and wheel barrows etc. We learned a lot before venturing out to find food.
We soon learned that EVERYTHING in town was closed, except the local McDonalds. This is funny because Brian told the kids there is no way in Liechtenstein that we will eat at a McDonalds, (despite Easton wanting to eat at one in every country) since we would only be there for one day, BUT... it was the only thing open. So, we went in. It was the most beautiful Mcdonalds I have ever been in. So clean, the washrooms and sinks all seemed to be from 5 years ahead of our time with automatic door openers that had the look and feel of what our current phones might offer if they were washrooms and sinks.
The next day we took a mountain hike in Malbun, Liechtenstein. There were ropes to climb and swings to enjoy as well as rocks to build inukshuks, bridges to pass, and rivers to enjoy. Hadley even found a mountain throne to sit on and we played music with sticks on a rock with grooves cut into it.
In Fussen, Germany we spent the night at a campsite near Neuschwanstein Castle. This made it easier to get up in the morning to line up for tickets as online ticket purchasing wasn't possible in the summer. In the morning, while the kids and Brian went to park, I stood in line with a lovely couple from the Netherlands who sheltered me from the rain with their umbrella as I waited for tickets.
We then took a bus to the top and did a small walk to get to the castle but we were still really wet. I know we enjoyed the castle and the history of Mad King Ludwig, but I think we also enjoyed being dry and warm. When the tour was finished we walked to the bridge where you can see a fantastic view of the castle, and then back down by bus to where we parked. The next day we went to explore Hohenschwangau Castle. This is the castle of Mad King Ludwig's parents. It was close by, close enough to see it from Neuschwanstein Castle.
While Brian and I had been to Neuschwanstein Castle before, we had never been to Hohenschwangau Castle. This day offered better weather. While still damp, it wasn't the downpour that we experienced while visiting Neuschwanstein.
In Austria my heart felt so much joy everytime we saw the balconies full of flowers. I can't explain it but it was so lovely!
We arrived, checked in at a local hotel after navigating the country roads and then found a nearby restaurant where the menu had chicken schnitzel, AKA giant chicken nuggets.
Our hotel had a pool, which we later learned was the town pool for swimming lessons and a play room where we tried out the foosball table and rock wall climbing among other things in the room.
Later when we arrived at the Arena Coaster, the kids wanted to ride the gravity toboggan down the mountain themselves this time. This was a great way to break up the drive and stop for lunch.
In Jausenstation Schwarzachtal, Austria. We took a nice hike up through a valley beside the river to a farm that had a mini restaurant where Brian enjoyed a beer, and I had the most lovely tea! The kids enjoyed a meat and cheese plate that they may talk about for a while. I quite enjoyed this hike. The path was nice to walk on, the views of water washing down rocks and mountains were amazing, the cows enjoying the fields as the farmers used their scythes and the company was in great spirits.
The kids wanted to do some kid stuff, so we found a gemstone mine at Edelsteinpark Niedernsill. Basically the company threw colourful stones into sandy areas with lots of water for rinsing and then you see what you can find. Not the most exhilarating but some kid fun.
Next up is a stop at one of the three lidos in Zell Am See, Austria. The weather was lovely but the water was FREEZING! I may have dipped my feet in while Brian was determined to use the slide into the icy waters.
One of my favourite things to do was to go to Burg Kaprun. This is where we experienced traditional Austrian dance. This 12th century castle was our favourite because it wasn't just ruins, or a museum. It is still alive with music and dancing. Brian and I were also picked to join the dancers on stage. So much fun!
We enjoyed some beer, song, dance and laughter.
We went to see the set location in Werfen, Austria for the Sound of Music movie. The two songs: The hills are alive with the sound of music and Do Re Mi...were filmed at this location with the Hohenwerfen castle and the alps in the background. They had a cute little glass piece where you could set up your camera to make it look like you were part of the cast and of course we were lucky enough to meet up with another family who were so fun and wanted us to capture them singing the songs, complete with dance moves. We talked with them for a good long while as they had kids our age and travel makes easy conversation.
We stopped at Hallstatt, Austria. This is a Unesco World Heritage Village. Some say the Disney movie Frozen had the town based off of this town.
While walking through, Hadley was happy to find stray cats that wanted her attention. This was followed by finding a lovely restaurant on the water.
Just before packing it in for the night we went for another walk by the water and saw some swans who put on a show for us, flapping their feathers in the sunset. I managed to capture this well in a photograph.
The next day we went to Hellbrun Palace Park where the Sound of Music pavilion was moved from Leopold Palace for all to enjoy.
Of course Hadley is 16, so we had to sing the song from the movie: She is 16, going on 17...
The trick fountains built by Markus Sittkus at Hellbrun Palace in Salzburg in the early 1600's to have fun with his guests were still functioning and we were able to walk through today as they have maintained the fountains for over 400 years. We may have gotten a little bit wet. It was so much fun trying to avoid the hidden water spouts as the tour operator was trying to get us by turning on and off water valves. Hadley didn't enjoy this "fun" as much as the rest of us.
We spent the next day walking around Fortress Hahensalzburg. It is a large Medieval fortress in the city.
This was followed by a visit to Mozart's birth place. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. There was a lot of information displayed in the rooms as well as instruments and photographs. Easton also bought the world's smallest violin. Ok, maybe not officially but it was very tiny. Plus Easton often sings the song by AJR: the World's Smallest Violin. So this was a fun connection.
Sometimes it’s fun to embrace Austrian culture by trying on authentic clothing, so I did. It was fun to see and feel what the dresses were like, complete with apron. Brian also tried on an Austrian style rabbit felt hat.
That night we experienced an epic storm where the rain came down so hard and fast that tree branches were all around. Again, we got very wet!
We went to explore Salzwelten - Salzbergau Durrnberg, the salt mines between Austria and Germany. It was so fun to take the train and slides down to the bottom of the salt mine.
We tried to get to Eagle’s Nest, a Nazi constructed building used by the Nazi's for government and social gatherings, but the occupancy for the day was too high. This happens when you try to visit on a weekend in the summer in Europe. So we enjoyed it on a nice hike from afar.
The next day was a solemn but important day. We took the kids to Dachau Concentration Camp. From the train stop where people were brought in, to the beds where they stayed and all the history of torture, it is important to never have this happen again!
The evening was a little more joyful as we wandered through Marienplatz, Munich and stopped at the legendary Hofbrauhaus beer hall where there is communal seating where we were paired up with another family for food and drinks.
This is where we met Michelle, Chris and their son Quinn, and their daughter Carley. Easton is 12, Carley is 15, Hadley is 16 and Quinn is 17, so this was a great connection. They were from Connecticut, USA.
After our chicken meal complete with a giant pretzel and a sip of beer for Hadley as she is legal drinking age in Germany, we went our separate ways only to find each other getting gelato at the same location where we talked more, and then since the conversation was so easy, we joined them to watch soccer (football) at a local pub. What a fun night. I think this is where the kids started missing their friends. For the record, Hadley doesn't like beer and gelato is more her style. :)
We moved on to Cologne, Germany noting that solar panels seem to be everywhere in the country on the majority of the houses.
Here in Cologne, we visited the Cologne Cathedral. The church is enormous! Inside there is the Tomb of the Three Wise Men relics. The tomb had bullet proof glass and steel bars protecting the gold reliquary.
We also visited the original Farina Fragrance Factory in Cologne where the first cologne was made. We tried on some of the original formula which was zesty.
Brian and I backpacked Europe when we were in our 20’s. We wanted to show the kids what hostels were like. We rented four beds in a four bed room. The common area had board games and travellers to connect with. We enjoyed a game of Settlers of Catan and a few drinks.
We decided to go E-biking in Cologne. Our first experience on e-bikes. Now we all want one. Easton loved the turbo gear, he was a natural on the cobblestone as well! I loved how these bikes helped when there was a hill to climb. Otherwise, I felt quite at home riding around the city. I used to ride my bike almost every day as a kid so it felt so natural. Brian couldn't believe how comfortable I was. This is quite a different feel to riding the stones on our road back home.
When we arrived in Brussels, Belgium we walked around the city making sure to get some chocolate, see the Grand-Place (the central square), as well as enjoy a good meal before grabbing some Belgian waffles prior to our flight back home. The waffles were sooooooo fresh, warm and yummy! Sadly it was time to head home but what an EPIC summer!