Day 13
Four countries in one day - a new record! Last night we decided to take a side trip to Italy. So this morning after breakfast we first toured through some of the alpine villages near Hall, then took the Autobahn to the Brenner Pass.
The Brenner Pass Autobahn is an engineering feat - and costs about 5 bucks to ride through spectacular scenery. Oh yeah, the weather was perfect when we awoke -- blue sky and few clouds.
We were waved through the border once again, and went to the small town of Vipiteno / Sterzing (Italy), where we strolled around the "Old Town" and bought an Italian Ice and a postcard. What big spenders!
We spent about an hour, then headed just south of town where there is a medieval castle whose owner gives tours.
We were trying to decipher the sign before climbing to the castle, when a group of school kids came down. Their teacher tried to explain the sign to us but it was in Italian and German and she knew no English. The teacher asked the kids if any spoke English, and one said "Good Morning"! With the help of some slurping noises and rubbing of the belly and pointing to the sign, the kids told us that the owner was eating and the next tour wasn't till 2:00. As we were walking to the car, the kids said "bye bye" and "Thank you" to my "Arriverderci"!
We headed back out of Italy on the old 512 route through the Brenner Pass that is more scenic and has no toll.
We arrived back in Innsbruck in time for a picnic at the Olympic ski jump! I had been there 15 years ago as it was being built for the 1976 Olympics. It was fun to see it again and the view was great.
Oh yeah, this morning we passed thorough the town of Igls and I had immediate Deja Vu -- the Young Columbus trip had stayed there. I even remembered what hotel we were in.
After Innsbruck we headed west towards Switzerland. Lots of construction on the roads. Before leaving Austria we passed through the 14km (9 mi.) Arlsberg tunnel. Of course we were stuck behind a truck going about 30 mph most of the way!
Then country #3 - Liechtenstein! Switzerland actually controls the border - with automatic weapons and very serious faces. We had to buy a $20 Swiss Road Tax sticker.
Then we headed into Liechtenstein's capital -- Vaduz -- which is one street about a mile long. We parked at 4:31 and the banks had closed at 4:30, but we were able to change money in a store and have a beer in a cafe.
Then country #4 - Switzerland! Tonight we are staying in the ski resort of Flim. We didn't get here till 6 p.m. and were tired. Everything was big hotels. It is off season and our room is about $110 -- more than we wanted to spend but then again I talked her down from around $150 and I got to swim in the pool. Plus, the view is great.
We had dinner at another hotel's restaurant, as everyone in our lobby was in suits and ties. This town seems pretty fancy, especially in ski season.
Hopefully tomorrow's weather will be as nice as today's -- and the scenery as spectacular. We are in real alpine territory now -- pine trees, snow-capped mountains, chalets, tunnels and waterfalls. Hopefully tomorrow brings more of the same!
Day 14 >>>
The Brenner Pass Autobahn is an engineering feat - and costs about 5 bucks to ride through spectacular scenery. Oh yeah, the weather was perfect when we awoke -- blue sky and few clouds.
We were waved through the border once again, and went to the small town of Vipiteno / Sterzing (Italy), where we strolled around the "Old Town" and bought an Italian Ice and a postcard. What big spenders!
We spent about an hour, then headed just south of town where there is a medieval castle whose owner gives tours.
We were trying to decipher the sign before climbing to the castle, when a group of school kids came down. Their teacher tried to explain the sign to us but it was in Italian and German and she knew no English. The teacher asked the kids if any spoke English, and one said "Good Morning"! With the help of some slurping noises and rubbing of the belly and pointing to the sign, the kids told us that the owner was eating and the next tour wasn't till 2:00. As we were walking to the car, the kids said "bye bye" and "Thank you" to my "Arriverderci"!
We headed back out of Italy on the old 512 route through the Brenner Pass that is more scenic and has no toll.
We arrived back in Innsbruck in time for a picnic at the Olympic ski jump! I had been there 15 years ago as it was being built for the 1976 Olympics. It was fun to see it again and the view was great.
Oh yeah, this morning we passed thorough the town of Igls and I had immediate Deja Vu -- the Young Columbus trip had stayed there. I even remembered what hotel we were in.
After Innsbruck we headed west towards Switzerland. Lots of construction on the roads. Before leaving Austria we passed through the 14km (9 mi.) Arlsberg tunnel. Of course we were stuck behind a truck going about 30 mph most of the way!
Then country #3 - Liechtenstein! Switzerland actually controls the border - with automatic weapons and very serious faces. We had to buy a $20 Swiss Road Tax sticker.
Then we headed into Liechtenstein's capital -- Vaduz -- which is one street about a mile long. We parked at 4:31 and the banks had closed at 4:30, but we were able to change money in a store and have a beer in a cafe.
Then country #4 - Switzerland! Tonight we are staying in the ski resort of Flim. We didn't get here till 6 p.m. and were tired. Everything was big hotels. It is off season and our room is about $110 -- more than we wanted to spend but then again I talked her down from around $150 and I got to swim in the pool. Plus, the view is great.
We had dinner at another hotel's restaurant, as everyone in our lobby was in suits and ties. This town seems pretty fancy, especially in ski season.
Hopefully tomorrow's weather will be as nice as today's -- and the scenery as spectacular. We are in real alpine territory now -- pine trees, snow-capped mountains, chalets, tunnels and waterfalls. Hopefully tomorrow brings more of the same!
Day 14 >>>
