Well this is different! Winter road trip in the car. 4,000km through France and Germany then into Austria to meet extended family. If the rest of the gang can get here from Australia think we can do this, right?!
Many beautiful places, some new and some old (but new to us in their winter coat of snow). Lots and lots and LOTS of food, including more than a handful of exception experiences that will be hard to top.
Was super nice to meet the guys and even got a little skiing in. What more could one ask from a winter road trip?
Monday 9 December 2024
Road trip! But why the car? Sure, some of this could go on roof, but don't fancy 4000km drive with that wind noise
Monday 9 December 2024
Only 2 hours in & first bakery craving shot of the trip! Quick stop for snack of quiche & gateau basque. Nom!
Monday 9 December 2024
Driving in a winter wonderland Col des Issartets high point today @ 1123m. Hence the car: snail has no snow shoes.
Monday 9 December 2024
Xmas lights in Clermont-Ferrand. Ooooh... sparkly!
Monday 9 December 2024
Eats at Pitaya Thai, Clermont-Ferrand. Good size & kinda tasty, but overall bit disappointing. Can't win them all
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Random rest stop in the French countryside. Parked next to Chateau d'Effiat so quick, nippy stroll for a closer look.
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Wondering around Besancon... nibbling churros & enjoying more sparkly lights. It's a beautiful place!
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Le Taj Mahal, Besancon. Asked if I'd like it "very, very hot", was sceptical (it's France) but wow, had a kick! Yum!
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Evening walk from Germany to Switzerland... via France... as you do Lights on the Rhine looking nice at dusk
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Xmas markets in Basel. Lots of things to see... & eat! Lots of people here too but a very nice atmosphere
Thursday 12 December 2024
Little stroll in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Cold & grey, so good excuse to visit a local tavern! Cheers!
Thursday 12 December 2024
Unexpectedly asked to share some afternoon tea. Nom, nom, nom! Hope we aren't having a big dinner (preempting)!
Thursday 12 December 2024
Happy snaps with the fam in a very Christmassy Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Thursday 12 December 2024
Few beers & dinner with the family @ Alter Keller. Delicious food & good times. Definitely worth the 4,000km drive!
Thursday 12 December 2024
Misty walk home (erm... back to our hotel) after dinner in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Spoooooky! OK, only slightly
Friday 13 December 2024
Breakie at traditional German digs. Boiled eggs, cold cuts, etc. Prolly lucky I didn't see schnapps until leaving!
Friday 13 December 2024
Today's views from the road: snow, snow & a little more snow... oh, and a frozen lake Germany then into Austria.
Friday 13 December 2024
Arrived in Seefeld (in Tirol) to this very pleasant view from our balcony. That'll do! Now, time to go explore...
Friday 13 December 2024
Seefeld stroll. Dusk turns to night & lights come into their own. Obligatory mulled wine & a fruit covered bun thing.
Friday 13 December 2024
When you fancy a burger... lucky they have Indonesian chicken curry on the menu for someone else! Nom, nom, nom!
Saturday 14 December 2024
Seefeld snowshoe... without much deep snow, so just a beautiful hike in the end. Met some fury friends which was fun.
Saturday 14 December 2024
Delicious roast pork & crispy chicken. Some of the best Asian food I've ever had! + a cheeky beer or two. Cheers!
Saturday 14 December 2024
After dinner stroll home in the snow... someone loves it!
Sunday 15 December 2024
Not a bad breakie spot! Pls excuse empty plates: we were too quick. So included a shot of sweet stuff eaten later
Monday 16 December 2024
Ski day, but not the Pyrenees: at SkiWelt, Austria! Cloudy start but sunshine in the arvo Wait for it though...
Monday 16 December 2024
Awesome sunset up top (Hartkaiserbahn) before taking the last run home. Beautiful!
Tuesday 17 December 2024
Playing in the snow with little people...
Tuesday 17 December 2024
Apres... erm... well, not ski, but playing in the snow. Cheers!
Wednesday 18 December 2024
Little jolly to look at Hintersteiner See. There are llamas at home too, but somehow more exciting here
Wednesday 18 December 2024
Beer & pizza at Memory Cafe, Ellmau. Delicious! Place seems to be frequented by stars, so got a selfie with Arnie!
Thursday 19 December 2024
Today's random views from the road: Sankt Jakob in Haus, Pillersee & a small gorge near Schottl.
Thursday 19 December 2024
Rest stop & a chance to walk through this very cool little gorge (Innersbachklamm). Gem of a find!
Thursday 19 December 2024
More xmas markets & sparkly lights, this time in Salzburg. Then a short walk across the river & back to our digs.
Thursday 19 December 2024
Cheers! But... erm... why are we drinking from what appear to be tiny vases??
Thursday 19 December 2024
In a strange twist of fate turns out our hotel this eve is right next to a highly rated Indian restaurant Nom!
Friday 20 December 2024
Hotel room breakfast... at least they left us fresh raisin bread so there's something vaguely nutritious?
Friday 20 December 2024
Morning stroll into central Salzburg... lucky we already had that hotel breakfast... erm... feast?
Friday 20 December 2024
Salzburg cathedral organ recital. Some interesting art, esp. in the crypt, but not super impressed with the music
Friday 20 December 2024
Culture done, back to the market to say hi to sis & munch some random treats. Dampfnudeln the clear winner! Yum!
Friday 20 December 2024
Dinner @ Ichi go Ichi e, Salzburg. Wonderful food (both ramen & rice dishes) & lucky to find space on a Friday night!
Saturday 21 December 2024
Views on the morning drive from Salzburg: Fuschlsee & Wolfgangsee (over St Gilgen & to St Wolfgang im Salzkammergut).
Saturday 21 December 2024
Side trip to Hallstatt. Beautiful but bitterly cold in the lakeside shadows. Should have got up earlier... doh!
Saturday 21 December 2024
Afternoon drive to Abtenau via Gosau. Beautiful scenery, especially near the end when the sun came out
Saturday 21 December 2024
Arrived in Abtenau to catch last rays of sun, from the balcony & above. Love this place but just here for the night.
Sunday 22 December 2024
Tschuss Abtenau Was short but sweet... maybe see you again when it's not so white? Could bring the snail?
Sunday 22 December 2024
Arrived in Steuer... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...!
Sunday 22 December 2024
Lunch @ K2 Restaurant with Meli & Sam. Nom, nom, nom! Very white out front, but sorry about bizarre light inside.
Monday 23 December 2024
Skiing deserted Dachstein West. Snowed all day so ate squashed sanger in telecabin. Hoping pics are better next time!
Monday 23 December 2024
Apres-ski done right: Sauna, snow, spa, beer! Cheers, Sam!
Tuesday 24 December 2024
Good morning Steuer! Bit of snowfall today then?
Tuesday 24 December 2024
Short afternoon stroll in a snowy forest. Met some interesting characters!
Tuesday 24 December 2024
Xmas dinner with the Stoddards. Thanks for having us guys! More thanks to Nate the chef & helpers, what a spread!
Wednesday 25 December 2024
Good morning Steuer! Is that blue sky & fresh snow? Looks like it's gonna be a great day!
Wednesday 25 December 2024
Bluebird day at Dachstein West. Sunrise to those sunset beers top of last lift. Good times!
Thursday 26 December 2024
Time to dig out the car and head home! So long Steuer - that was fun!
Thursday 26 December 2024
We're passing the Black Forest today so... coffee & obligatory gateau at our last rest stop in Germany. Super yum!
Thursday 26 December 2024
Couple of hours drive later, some of that even on the autobahn! Yes, is cold today so had to clean snow off by hand.
Friday 27 December 2024
Bakery aisle & kebab (well, doner meat sandwich) complete our meals for today. Who said road trips aren't healthy?
Saturday 28 December 2024
Found a nice Italian restaurant & ordered plat du jour... which wasn't pizza. Doh! Still, that steak wasn't bad!
Saturday 28 December 2024
When you nonchalantly said your winter trip would be a 4000km drive... & get home only 3.7km short of that. LOL!