Austria

  • Austria

    Rosshutte Seefeld King’s Trail

    July 29, 2016 - By 

    Hiking in Dachstein. Check. Driving on Grossglockner. Check. Last but not least, a hike in Tirol near Innsbruck! In order to avoid a mishap like in Dachstein, I double checked the route and thoroughly planned our transportation options.  The only real issue was weather. “Isn’t it wonderful when you wake up before dawn, put on a 30-lb. pack, and hike for three hours up a steep mountain just to stand in a white room?” a friend sarcastically asked once.  That was what I was afraid of most.  All our efforts of getting up early, spending money to take the chair lift…

  • Austria

    Grossglockner High Alpine Road

    July 28, 2016 - By 

    It is said that a drive on Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a must on anyone’s itinerary in Austria. The pricy toll of €35 per vehicle with the addition of iffy weather made me grimace, but we took the chance anyway with the weather and headed up the road early in the morning to avoid crowds and the possibility of rain. We were glad we did. But first, our plan:  We’d hang out in Zell Am See during the day, drive to the entrance of the toll booth in the evening, and spend the night in the parking lot.  We’d wake…

  • Austria

    Dachstein

    July 27, 2016 - By 

    With all the countless mountains and trails scattered throughout Austria, choosing a mountain range to hike turned out to be quite the difficult task.  I don’t know what drew me to the Dachstein.  The easily accessible chair lift to the mediocre skywalk, the family-themed Ice Palace, and the uninspiring suspension bridge obviously attracted groups of inexperienced “hikers” but I managed to find a hike long and challenging enough only suitable for the determined.  Despite the crowds lingering near the chair lift, we only saw one other couple during our hike, and my poor planning led to additional unplanned adventure. =) Due…

  • Austria

    Vienna (and Melk)

    July 26, 2016 - By 

    Rich, prosperous, and musically legendary, Vienna definitely has a lot to be proud of.  As Austria’s largest city (consisting a population of 2.6 million in the metropolitan area, nearly 1/3 of the entire country!), Vienna offers plenty to do for its locals and tourists.  However, we weren’t in Vienna, or Austria for that matter, for the glorious architectural wonders or the myriads of packaged symphonies and concerts catered to tourists.  We were there for Austria’s western treasures–the glorious mountains and quaint villages comparable to Switzerland but without the Swiss price tag.  This sadly meant a rush through Vienna’s “must-see’s” before heading…