This day marks the beginning of our road trip. We started off in Prague and were on our way to Innsbruck in Austria. It was to be about a 6 and a half hour drive through. We started off early as we wanted to be in Innsbruck before dark; good thing the summer sun really sets late in this part of the world.

Checked up with the rental company if the car was equipped to pay cross border tolls (there are different highway stickers for all countries of the EU), checked on gas, loaded up on the food reserves and we were on our way. It was such a peaceful drive through the countryside. We passed by breweries, rivers, castles, monasteries. So pristine. We were driving on an open road and suddenly a car zooms past us; our car almost shook a little as the monster whirled by and this is when my eyes caught a glimpse of the speedometer of my car; Whoa; I wasn’t going slow by any stretch of imagination. Welcome to the Autobahn in Germany.

As we got closer to our destination, the majestic snow capped Austrian alps were sneaking up on us. Though still elusive they were surely firm in their approach. We rolled down the windows for a bit; the damp air that filled the space around had caressed the mountains while making its way to us. There was a river flowing alongside the road and albeit very soft we we could almost hear the flowing water. There were snow capped alps in the back drop that got larger with every glance. Mesmerising

Innsbruck

The coming morning when we drew out the curtains of the room, we were awestruck by the view out of the window . The peaks were shimmering with orange and gold hues as the sun beat down on them and at the foot of the mountains was the quaint town of Innsbruck. It was overcast with a thick cloud cover; but the sun would peak at every chance it got. The landscape looked a tad bit confused but was surreal.

While checking in the previous evening, I has asked for some bottles of water to be sent to our room and reluctantly they had asked me to have it from the tap ! Today when was walking out of our hotel, I met the same person and he politely inquired if I had the water from the tap. As a matter of fact I did; last night I had reluctantly tried the water and was quite honestly flabbergasted. This was the perhaps the best water I had ever tasted and it came from a tap! It was unfathomable; it was like tasting the alps, so natural and so pure. Till this day we rave about it. 

We went to the Maria Therstein Street. There are umpteen shopping options, cafes, eateries here set amidst pretty baroque architecture and ofcourse, the snow clad alps stand tall in the back drop. The Goldenes Dachl in the old town is one of the most monumental structures here and easily recognisable from the number of people photographing and flocking below it.

We went though our day exploring the town at our own pace. In the evening and did the furnicular in the evening. The main river here is called inn and it is gorgeous. We were strapped for time, but the Alpenzoo here is most recommended.

Today we went for a day trip to visit the Swarovski Kristallwelten. Kind of a given when visiting this part of the world; it is Swarovski’s take on a theme park except for the the fact that instead of rides there are “crystals” everywhere. That’s one way of being dazzled, I guess. 

Amongst other things there is a park here as well for the kids.  

In the evening, we headed back to the town square at Innsbruck and and grabbed dinner at a serene spot by the river.

Every corner of the town is supremely picturesque and a gorgeous background instantaneously pops up in virtually in every nook and corner; in such circumstances, the most relevant aspect becomes hand-eye coordination and SHUTER SPEED, especially when the prime subjects in the frame are as jumpy as willows in a windstorm… and oh yes, the bribes, negotiations that follow along to make them stay still for a clicker are epic…notice in the picture one of them has their hand up suggesting – are u done with the picture already because the time’s up!

The Salzburger

Today, we resumed out road trip. We had shifted to another gorgeous town called Abtaneu in Tyrol; we were going to use this as our base to explore the Salzburger region. Albeit small in size, Abtaneu was a true child of the Alps and it truly embodied the region’s soul.

During the day, we made a trip the town of Halstatt. Driving in this region can be quite challenging; not because of the road conditions, etc but because it is just so difficult to concentrate on the tarmac.

Hatstatt is a town right off a fairytale book. Simply stunning with a crystal turquoise lake and rows of alpine houses. There are loads of things to do here and lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, lookout points, experiences to try out, etc.

We took the furnicular to one of the most popular attractions here. It was an ancient salt mine in the region with a subterranean salt lake. The highlight of the tour is when you slide on two slide ways deep in the mine; the slides were actually used by the salt miners. The second of the slides, just before the tour ends, is a mega slide. Most enthralling

After the mines we walked to the Halstatt viewing deck . From the viewing deck you can see the town below and get an unobstructed panoramic vista of the entire region; the surroundings draw in such freshness that although the walk from the mine was on an incline; we were not fatigued.

We explored the pretty town for the rest of the day. Following a little drizzle, a dreamlike rainbow appeared over the  Hallstätter See.

Salzburg

Today, we were on a day trip to the town of Salzburg and tread the lands of the great sons of music like Mozart, Strauss and Haydn. The ecclesiastical power from the innumerable churches radiated from the skyline of the historic centre; the city has an incredible wealth of churches.

We first went to Mozart house so get a good load of history going on and walked through the Griesgasse. After lunch, we crossed over the Salzach and entered the old town – a UNESCO world heritage site with innumerable immaculately preserved medieval buildings and magnificent Baroque architecture. We opted for a tour of the city on a horse carriage – the best way and only way to experience the charm of this place  

We went about exploring the old town for rest of the day. On our way back we stopped at the red bull Hangar – 7, it was about a 30 minute drive from the city of Salzburg.

The following morning we reluctantly bid adieu to the palpable bliss of the Tyrol region and were on our way to Vienna. Before bidding goodbye, we stopped at a stream and fixed ourselves a little picnic.

It was getting brisk and damp now. And by the time we reached Vienna the heavens had opened up their flood gates. For the two nights that we were here, we could just stay indoors. Vienna was museums and cafes for us.