Innsbruck to Switzerland

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Talk about breakfast with a view!  We had a table with a picture window view of the Alps in our hotel’s dining room this morning and it was a lovely way to start our day. 

 

We spent some time enjoying Innsbruck’s old town center this morning, and it definitely merits more time than we had to give.  The city is bisected by the Inn River and sits at the foot of majestic mountains.  The new ski jump, designed by Zara Hadid, towers over the other side of the city; it’s the most recent incarnation of the jumps erected for Winter Olympic competitions in 1964 and 1976.

 

The old main street, Herzog Friedrich Strasse, is lined with arcades and beautifully sculpted and frescoed facades; traditional wrought-iron guild and vendor signs extend over the pedestrian lane.  The establishments currently housed in the arcades are decidedly contemporary --  cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques -- even Mc Donald’s Golden Arches are discretely sheltered under the ancient arches of the arcades!  We especially enjoyed the exhibit at the Swarovski store, also under the arcade. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 At the end of the lane, where it enlarges to become a small square, is the Golden Roof, a highly decorated balcony and loggia erected by Maximilian I.  We wandered through the quiet lanes of the old town to the Hofbrau (Palace) and the Cathedral, which we were unable to enter, even to attend Mass, because Tom had his camera with him.  His promises not to use it were of no avail, so we continued along elsewhere. 

It was evident that the old town was being readied for a foot race, and as we neared St. Anne’s Column on Maria Theresien Strasse, the runners were warming up and preparations were being made for the start of the race. One of the sponsors was giving away its soft drink, and we were happy to accept their gift!

 

After leaving Innsbruck, we headed to Switzerland, where we’ll spend the remaining week of this trip.  We did pass through Liechtenstein, though our transit through the mini-country was so fast, it would have been easy to miss!   

 

As the afternoon progressed and we neared our destination, Beatenburg, a small village above Interlaken, the skies began to turn gray – a combination of clouds and fog.  Our narrow, switchback road was completely enveloped in fog as we climbed above the city and lakes, and the even narrower lane to our apartment had us wondering how we’d ever find our target. With the help of a dog-walking lady who appeared out of the mist, we did, and we were soon ensconced in a comfortable apartment with a balcony overlooking what we hope is a wonderful view; so far, the fog makes it impossible to verify that!  With church bells and cow bells ringing nearby, I think we’re in Heidi country, but again – who knows?!?

 

Beatenburg is our hub for a six-night Swiss exploration and we’ll be day-tripping from here until we head to Geneva next Saturday in preparation for a return home next Sunday.