Because of our hotel’s proximity to Austria, we travel to Innsbruck. This wasn’t our only trek near or in Austria. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest is very close to the Germany-Austria border. And on September 27, we will travel to Salzburg, Austria.
Here are our four delightful days I feature this week.
September 23 – Innsbruck
Innsbruck is the capital of Austrian western state of Tyrol. “The name means ‘bridge over the Inn.’” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innsbruck
Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, it was the home of the winter Olympics twice in 1964 and 1976. It is situated alongside the Inn River.
We had an hour and a half drive and as we got closer to Innsbruck, the mountains surrounded us on each side. When we arrived, we enjoyed a driving tour of the city with Tina, our guide. Then we did a walking tour and ended up at the famous Golden Roof.
“The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) is a landmark structure located in the Old Town (Altstadt) section of Innsbruck, Austria. It is considered the city’s most famous symbol.[1] Completed in 1500, the roof was decorated with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Emperor Maximilian I to mark his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza. The Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments, and other events that took place in the square below.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldenes_Dachl
From there, we found the nearest ice cream shop down a narrow alley. We had spied it on the walking tour. After our treat, we shopped in the area and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Rattenberg am Inn
On the drive back to Bernau, we stopped at Rattenberg am Inn, famous for its Swarovski Crystal/Glassmaking. I bought two shot glasses with an edelweiss etched on them. It’s the smallest town in Austria set along the Inn River, too.
On drive back, Lin and Mary Beth Gilbreath, a friend, had fun taking pictures out the bus window.
After dinner, square dancing was offered again. We didn’t dance because my foot was swollen from all the walking.
September 24 – Munich City Tour
Lin and I looked forward to this tour because of our experience three years ago. We did the city tour with Ingrid. We chose to do the walking tour with her, too. On the tour, she showed us a side alley where Hitler had people killed who wouldn’t do the “Heil Hitler.” The younger German generation has put a gold stream marker there on the street to identify the place.
Marienplatz
And of course, we arrived at the Marienplatz, Munich’s central square, at noon to enjoy the entertainment of the Glockenspiel.
“The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located in Marienplatz Square, in the heart of Munich, Germany.[1] Famous for its life-size characters, the clock twice daily re-enacts scenes from Munich’s history. First is the story of the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine in 1568, followed by the story of the Schäfflertanz, also known as the coopers’ dance.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathaus-Glockenspiel
Hofbrauhaus
We ended the city walking tour at the Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in Munich. Crowded as when we were there before, we walked to where the band was playing. I looked across the aisle and saw two men and a couple sitting where we sat three years ago. I asked them if we could join them and they wholeheartedly agreed. We ended up sitting exactly where we did before, across from the band.
We ordered a sausage sampler plate. Lin tipped the waiter well and he really took care of us. He brought the biggest pretzel I’ve ever seen.
I marveled as he brought out 6-10 huge beer mugs at once. I video-taped the men at that table and found out they were from Italy. A Norwegian man dressed in lederhosen sat across from us. He looked so German a group of women at a table near wanted their picture with him. We laughed.
We enjoyed the atmosphere there—loud and celebratory.
After a while, we ventured outside enjoying the street fun. Lin bought five scoops of ice cream while I shopped.
At the end of one of the streets, I found a Starbucks and enjoyed a decaffeinated pumpkin spice latte!
When we went back into the Hofbrauhaus to use the bathroom, the band played “The Beer Barrel Polka.” I recorded it teary-eyed. September 24 was Mom’s birthday and that was her favorite polka.
Once again, there was dancing after dinner, but we didn’t. I don’t know if being three years older made such a big difference, but we were exhausted most evenings and couldn’t dance.
September 25 – Reit im Winkl & Bavarian Traditional Schuhplattlers Show
How we both love this little village! Each village in Bavaria has a May Pole. When we arrived after a short bus ride, we headed straight to the bakery for a sweet and coffee. Then we walked up to St. Pankratius Church and lit candles. We walked around and enjoyed this Bavarian mountain town.
When we got back to the hotel, we rested.
Then that evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal back at the Kampenwand and the Bavarian Traditional Schuhplattlers Show. There is a strong commitment to keep the folk dancing of Bavaria alive, so we saw dancers of all ages and enjoyed great music. I know the long horns from the Ricola commercial, but these three sounded so wonderful—much better than the commercial.
Finally,
We thoroughly enjoyed these three days from Innsbruck, Austria to Munich and then a small mountain village. Have you ever been to Innsbruck or Munich? Let me know.
Next week, I will feature our trip to Dachau Concentration Camp. What an experience that was!
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