The Journey South: TGT Episode 5

And so we left Vienna, for Innsbruck. Breaking our habit of spending two nights somewhere before moving on in favour of progressing quickly to Venice we journeyed Vienna to Innsbruck, then onto Venice via Bolzano, Trento, Verona and Padua.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck in August is a bit nippy and decidedly alpine; it is a famous Winter resort for a reason. There is a mountain at the end of every road, and the mist rolls down into the valley most mornings. We only overnighted in Innsbruck but I wish we'd had longer to explore.

(Mountain at the end of every road)

We stayed at Bistro B'n'b with the Sill River running past our window. The hotel itself was like something out of the late 70's but we got good sleep there. We made our way into town to find some dinner and stumbled across a Medieval Fayre complete with court jester in the Old Town. I was pleased to see that even out of season Innsbruck was making an effort to entertain.

(Stilt Walkers)

That evening we had my favourite meal of the whole holiday at Goldenes Dachl - a restaurant right beside the historic building of the same name. We really ate the view this time - Dad had gulash and I had Bauernschmaus with local beer but the real thing to write home about was the wine, Lagrein Doc, oh my goodness me!

(Goldenes Dachl)

(Tiroler)

Our journey to Venice was an incredible 7 hours of train travel. Innsbruck was decidedly chilly and hilly, as I've mentioned. Venice was warm and sunny and cloudless. We left Innsbruck in jumpers, we arrived in Italy in t-shirt and shorts. The bonus of rail travel though is that you see it all unfold before your eyes, there are no shocking temperature changes.

During our 7-hour journey we made friends with two American alcoholics and the Danish coffee lady who was working on the trains as her gap year opportunity to meet people. We stopped to change trains in Verona and the heat was immediately apparent. Relieved to join a train with air-con the mountains unfold to reveal the plains around Venice. Beautiful.

(Alpine)

(Speeding)

(Terrace)

(Laguna Veneta)