Category Archives: Austria

Sandy Sculptures Lauterach, Austria, 8-2017

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Sandy Sculptures Lauterach, Austria

Where to spend Friday date night? Well, at the 20 million year old sand formations on the Bregenzer Ach in Lauterach, Austria of course. After 32 years of date nights this was a first for us. I had passed by these unique formations on numerous occasions and had made a mental note to spend some time there. So on a recent Friday we finally did. Armed with a spritzig prosecco and goodies we did just that. We enjoyed a lovely summer evening frolicking in the water and admiring the remnants of the petrified sea coast formed by the ebb and flow of the tides that had once graced these lands million of years ago…

http://www.vol.at/die-sandplatten-als-versteinerte-meereskueste/3725392


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Freeriding The Arlberg, Körbersee, Austria, 3-2017

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The blue snow glowed under the full moon as the dark slopes loomed silently against the skyline. At its towering feet the Körbersee Lake lay covered in its winter mantle and the March night was magical high in the Austrian alps. Franz, myself, and our son had come for some days of spring skiing to meet up with a lively group of friends we try to meet every year somewhere in Europe. And this year the snow gods smiled upon our lucky crew and bestowed some fresh powder and sun drenched days. To make things even better the primo weather made for some incredible photographic opportunities that our group indulged in.

The Körbersee Hotel is a small oasis in the Warth/Schröcken ski resort with access to Lech am Arlberg only a few hills away with the speedy Auenfeldjet gondola. What makes the lodgings unique is that access to the hotel is either by foot via a hiking trail from Schröcken or Warth or one can ski in, cross country or downhill. This small gem lies in a small valley with an unsurpassed view and an easy cross country trail around the lake with even more advanced trails into the mountains. We will be back next year for sure!

What makes this film especially unique it is our first time to use a drone for spectacular aerial views of these magnificent mountains, especially the Juppenspitze and the Mohnenfluh.

http://www.koerbersee.at

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Ice – Land Wirtatobel, Bregenz, Austria 2-2017

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The melting water had frozen into long gleaming daggers that decorated the steep rock faces along the icicle trail of the Wirtatobel ravine. The night before the temperatures had plunged and we had to be extra careful navigating the sidewalks let alone an icy mountain path. January had been the coldest month in Austria in over thirty years and Franz and I had been on the look out for an exceptionally cold day to photograph a flow of water that we drive past to go cross country skiing in our local mountains. After capturing our shot we made our leave and a little side road beckoned us. And what a sight we saw. We were enchanted to find the ravine adorned with elegant icicles on both sides of the crevasse and the gleaming formations captivated us as we walked in silence enjoying the splendor of a Sunday morning hike up the magical gorge.

http://www.langen.at/Wandern_und_Freizeit/Wanderwege_ab_Wirtatobel

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Birthday In Heaven, Nenzinger Himmel, Austria, 8-2016

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Nenzinger Himmel village

Turquoise skies graced with billowing clouds were reflected in the pool beside the burbling stream. In the distance the familiar clanging of cow bells mingled with chirping of birds that could be heard in the peaceful valley. We were in hiking paradise. Franz and I were visiting “the only heaven on earth” the Nenzinger Himmel settlement in Vorarlberg, Austria to celebrate my birthday. This pristine outpost is located at the end of a dramatic rocky gorge that winds along the Gamperdona Valley just above Bludenz and situated on the borders to both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The sparkling Mengbach (Meng River) cascades through the ravine 16 kilometers until it reaches the River Ill. High mountain peaks of limestone and dolomite loom over the fairytale like setting below. The village is comprised of 200 cottages and one simple hotel called the Alpengasthof Gamperdona at which we stayed. Tourism is permitted during the summer months with tightly controlled road access that ensures the integrity of the nature park. Hiking paths abound from the hamlet to emerald lakes and meadows bursting with alpine flowers. What a way to spend one’s birthday. I highly recommend it!

http://www.nenzinger-himmel.info

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Thrilling Turandot, Bregenzer Festspiele, Austria, 8-2016

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Turandot stageThe summer storm threatened to fall all day. As the evening came the skies lightened and we were graced with a brilliant sunset splashed across Lake Constance. Franz and I were thrilled because we had tickets to the Bregenzer Festspiele in our city of Bregenz, Austria. This years lavish opera was Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. The story set in China is of the Princess Turandot who had enthralled many princely suitors. To win her hand they had to solve three riddles but if failed they were beheaded. The Prince Calaf falls for the Princess and solves the riddles but she refuses him. He then offers that if she can find out his name by morning he will die but if not she will his betrothed. The dramatic narrative combined with the light rain only added to the flowing beauty of the vocal performances and the Viennese Symphonic Orchestra who played to perfection on the floating stage.Turandot sceneThe opera performers were spectacular and the highlight of the evening, the aria Nessum dormas was met with much applause. The stage setting and lighting with the backdrop of the great wall of China complete with oversized terra cotta soldiers and Chinese lanterns adorning the moving platform was breathtaking. The costume design was lavish as well as were all aspects of the production from the fire jugglers and martial artists to the stellar acrobatics and dragons. What a wonderful operatic evening we had. I can’t wait until next year’s staging of Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

https://bregenzerfestspiele.com/en

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The Sounds Of Summer, Schetteregg, Austria, 5-2016

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The hills were alive once again with the sounds of buzzing bees, clanging cows, and running water. Wild alpine flowers were bursting with color and the fragrant scent mingled with the earthy cow paddies as Franz and I made our way up the Schetteregg mountain in the nearby Bregenzerwald. The summertime hiking season had begun. This day we explored the trails of the Schetteregg mountain that also has a cozy ski area in the winter. Our path was an easy hike and there was still snow in the higher elevations and we detected on the mountain side  a small avalanche that had recently happened. As we descended we were drawn to a small mountain hut with brass band tunes that had wafted down our path and came upon a group of young men celebrating a bachelor party complete with barbecue, traditional Austrian attire and music. What a great idea. We enjoyed a lunch of alpine cheese, hearty bread, and song.  It was just another happy day in the mountains.

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Solitude on the Hoher Freschen, Vorarlberg, Austria, 3-2016

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The recent snowstorms prepared a winter wonderland for a pristine ski tour. My friend Kurt and I fetched our skis and skinned it up to the top of the Hoher Freschen, a picturesque mountain high above the Rhine Valley. Our route began at the bottom of the Laterns ski area and  we trekked up 2000 vertical feet to the Nobspitze just above the top of the highest ski lift.

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From the peak in the far distance we could see our destination. After removing our skins we skied down to a lower plateau where our final ascent began. The valley was completely silent and we were the only skiers on the entire mountain and I cherished the solitude of the amazing surroundings. Climbing for two more hours we finally reached the top and it felt like we were much closer to a higher power perched at the edge of the snowy cliffs. Taking in the view and a snack we bundled up and headed back down to the bustle of the ski area. On my way back home these peaceful images were still embedded in my mind.

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http://www.laterns.net/web_w/index.html

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The Bregenz Fasching Parade, Austria, 2-2016

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Ore! Ore! cries filled the air of the 2016 Bregenz Fasching Parade that hailed the end of the abundance and gluttony of Carnival season. The weeks highlights began with “Fat Thursday” followed by the Sunday parade with drill teams, brass bands, costumed people, and decorated vehicles of all kinds. The grand finale took place on Rose Monday and the inner city was alive with activity before Ash Wednesday that marked the official end of revelry and Lent began the time of fasting and reflection until Easter Sunday. Fasching season went fast and until next year Ore Ore!


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Cross Country Skiing In The Neighborhood, The Bodensee Region Austria & Germany, 1- 2016

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It’s a beautiful day in the skiing neighborhood
A beautiful day in the neighborhood
Will it be mine?
Could it be mine?

Lindenberg, Germany

It’s a beautiful day in the Bodensee neighborhood and perfect for cross country skiing. Within thirty minutes from Bregenz we have access to numerous cross country trails in nearby Germany in the Schwabian Allgäu region. A favorite trail is in village of Lindenberg and during the week there are relatively few people and the tracks run through both high moor and forested prealpine areas. After skiing there are several nearby restaurants that serve up hearty Allgäu cuisine such as regional meats and bread dumplings, Kässpätzle, a type of dumpling topped with alpine cheese and crispy onions, and Maultaschen similar to a ravioli stuffed with a variety of fillings. A favorite lunch choice is the Gasthof Pension Hirsch in Scheffau and for cake and coffee the timeless Gasthof Löwen in Offenbach is run by a friendly couple who serve up an assortment of the BEST cakes ever! The cherry black forest cake is to die for. It is a must when visiting the region.

http://www.outdooractive.com/en/cross-country-ski-trails/lindenberg-im-allgaeu/cross-country-ski-trails-in-lindenberg-im-allgaeu/1415829/
http://www.gasthof-pension-hirsch.de

Sulzberg, Austria

The quaint village of Sulzberg, Austria is another favorite cross country destination in our Bodensee neighborhood. Located about 20 minutes from Bregenz it is home to a Nordic Sports Park complete with kilometers of training trails, competition tracks, and panoramic trails. The Salzburg Ski Club makes this their home and the tracks are meticulously maintained. As for after skiing sweets, the local Gasthof Alpenblick makes Franz’s favorite dessert the not so politically correct Moor im Hemd which is a speciality chocolate cake made with almonds in a water bath. Really yummy!

https://translate.google.at/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.sulzberg.at/&prev=search

Below is the making of an authentic Moor im Hemd made by Franz’s dear Aunt Ursula.

Bürserberg / Brandnertal, Austria

The snow glistened in the February morning sun and the air was warm due to the Föhn winds that blew from the South across the Alps and brought spring-like conditions to Bürserberg in the Brandnertal ski area. Franz and I were blessed with clear skies and the view from the high plateau Tschengla was spectacular. We had received fresh snow the night before so the 20 kilometers of cross country trails were well groomed and were waiting for us lucky skiers. The Rona Panoramaloipen on the plateau was created for the European Youth Olympics in 2015 and it now consists of three shorter trails and is simply breathtaking. The trail loops around ancient stone monuments that were constructed on “vein stars” that formed neolithic stone circles where the early astronomers observed the movement of the night sky. The site was also used as a calendar and a ritual site with the stones believed to host powerful energy fields and were of significance to the ancients.
http://www.vorarlberg-alpenregion.at/en/brandnertal/winter/off-the-piste/cross-country-skiing/
http://www.vorarlberg-alpenregion.at/en/brandnertal/culinary-culture/stonecircles/

Kleinwalsertal, Austria

The loud clanking of bells from the harness of a pair of strong mountain horses as they pulled a sled along the wintery landscape of the Kleinwalsertal fit the alpine scenery perfectly. Franz and I had come to this lovely valley to spend a few days cross country skiing. We had been here several times for downhill skiing and hiking, but this time we had come specifically to cross country ski. The area has three main trails covering about 50 kilometers from flat to vertical depending upon your level of expertise and they are very well maintained. The first day we explored the Steinbock trail an, easy to medium track beginning in Mittelberg with Franz completing the entire loop of about 15 km. The second day we began in Hirschegg Au on the Küren-Wäldele-Egg trail that is considered a medium to difficult run with Franz finishing about 7 km of the loop. Both trails ran through picture perfect terrain and it was balm for the soul.
http://www.kleinwalsertal.com/en/holiday-worlds/activities/crosscountry

We had booked the last available lodging in the entire valley and were lucky to have found a place in Hirschegg at the Apartments Hilbrand. The studio was charming and the host friendly. We also enjoyed a memorable meal at Haller’s Hotel Restaurant and the cuisine lived up to its stellar reputation. All in all we had a wonderful weekend and we are sure to visit this enchanting valley again and again.
http://www.hilbrand-walser.de/
http://www.hallers.at

It was a beautiful day in the skiing neighborhood…

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