Germany, Austria & Italy: Parts 3 & 4




The next day, whilst driving to Austria, we came across many pull-offs such as this one to stretch your legs, or in my case, have a wee.

This side-of-the-road pull off had a lovely paved pathway beside it, perfect for bicyclists or just having a wander around.

There was also a tram adjacent to the road.

Google tells me this is called Red Clover. Gorgeous, isn't it?


The previously mentioned tram. Personally I think a lovely tram ride through the Alps would have been awesome.


The creek that ran alongside the roadway.




We drove a couple hours more, stopping at another lay-by. This one practically in Seefeld.



Finally we made it! This was the view from our hotel! Hotel Habhof in Seefeld, Tirol, Austria!

And this was the amazing view from the other side of our room. I couldn't get enough.



We arrived in enough time to have a lovely pre-dinner walk. Just behind the hotel was a lovely walking path.

To get to the path you have to walk past other hotels! How lovely!

I'm sure it didn't mean to say METH.


There were quite a few benches that had information on the surrounding areas.

I believe this is a variety of lupin, it's actually easier to tell on the stalk in the background.


Eis = Ice. Zeit = Age. The ice age trail!


Glacier flow - a glacier time long travel


The trail led to this lake, Möserer See. See = Lake. Pronounced Zee.


Right about here we came across a curiously friendly red squirrel, only it wasn't red, it was black!


Back to the hotel we go.



The only other "red" squirrel we saw.






This hauntingly beautiful view from our room still lingers, over a year later. It's just so breathtaking.

I loved the European way of having two twin mattresses side-by-side. I wish it were common in the UK.



This was downstairs in the hotel's restaurant area.

We chose not to have dinner at the hotel as it would have been an expensive affair. We instead walked to another hotel's restaurant down the street.

I honestly can't remember what this was but it was decent all the same. However, smoking is still legal in restaurants here so the atmosphere was diminished. 

Look at all the salad my husband never touched!

The restaurant from the outside.

Down the road from our hotel in the opposite direction was this church.



Peace bell of the Alps.

The trail on the way to the peace bell.

The bell!

------------- Monday --------------------

The next day was cloudy and cool and just absolutely beautiful.

I love the German concept of breakfast. Sliced meats, cheeses, bread, butter, granola, yogurt and whatever juice you please.



More areas of the dining room.


We drove three hours to Pragser Wildsee  AKA Lago di Braies

Naturally I had to wee after three hours so I had to gesticulate to the car park attendant that I wished to exchange paper money for coins to pay for the loo.


From Google: Lake Braies is a lake in the Prags Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy. 

Pictures don't do justice to how aquamarine the water colour is. I took hundreds of photos and none come close.


There was a well kept trail leading completely around the lake. We underestimated how long it would take us to walk around, however, and didn't finish.


You could rent canoes at this dock and paddle across the lake at your leisure.

Hotel Lago di Braies. Might have to book a stay here some time.


A better view of the dock house. This area is a photographer's dream.

One of my favourite shots. I love the colours and textures.



Alpine clematis. Had a whole 'nother caption but I finally found out what this is!

A better shot.







More mystery flowers.


And a mystery mushroom!





I believe this little guy is a chaffinch. 



It can be really difficult getting the lighting correct on a bridge-type camera. Guess I'm going back to SLR!

Loved the lighting in this once.





Pretty sure this cutie is a succulent, but I can't find it's name online.

Blue gentian.
Eventually we had to leave as it was getting late and we still had a three hour drive. We thought this place had dinner foods. We were wrong. Just sweets.

Then we come across another hotel/restaurant within the Italian border. We learned that despite being in Italy, most border restaurants serve German/Austrian food.

I don't remember what this was at all, but it wasn't bad. Not great, but not bad.

The name of the Italian restaurant we ate at that served mostly German food. 







That's it for Sunday and Monday, next time will be Innsbrook and the surrounding areas and then home again! See you again soon!