Austria at Christmas -- Educate me, please
<BR><BR>Seriously though, what "kind" of tips are you looking for?
Oct 1st, 2002, 06:54 PM
#3
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That sounds lovely. My very first trip to Europe, 22 yrs ago was in the fall but as winter approached I insisted we train it from Venice to Salzburg. It was magic. We stayed at a little pension in "obergnigl". in the hills above town ate a little feast in ou room of things we'd gathered thru'out the day, walked in those hills Christmas morn, even attended the local Catholic service in an old boroque onion-domed church. We decoreted a "tree" (actually a pine branch) branch with bits and pieces of things from ourluggage, outside, the markt and what our kind landlady offered us. There was an outdoor concert choir near town in a castle w/ a moat (no idea now where it is) inwhich we stood on the banks and the choir sang form the ramparts, illuminated w/ candles. In town the Kriskindlmarkt sells crafts snacks, confections, plants, and families wander happliy and the children look spellbound. I guess that also addresses the question about the perfct Xmas village, too. Do walk and hike as much as possible, too.
Oct 2nd, 2002, 05:50 AM
#5
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First of all, check out the skiaustria website which is chock-full of info about all the ski towns. Second, Seefeld is a ski town reknowned for x-country (Olympic venue) which is a ski suburb of Innsbruck. Innsbruck proper does not have skiing, you take a bus etc. to various venues. Seefeld is a true picture postcard in the snow even though it was recently developed it has the traditional architecture and very, very pretty mountains, the typical onion dome church, etc. Do go x-country skiing! It is magic to glide through the woods in sunny, powdery, empty forests and picnic in a glade. There is a wonderful public sports complex with an amazing sauna to use after, where everyone is buck naked, and the sauna meister swings around a towel drenched in eucalyptus water while everyone talks, laughs, etc. It is a sauna where they pack you in check to jowl at least 25 people at a time. Easy to make friends! The locals will probably adopt you on the spot if they see you floundering around on x-country skis and give you some lessons for free.
Oct 2nd, 2002, 05:53 AM
#6
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Also consider Vienna, which is a fabulous city around Christmas (or any other time).<BR><BR>Also, you may want to look at the "Romantic Road" in Germany. There are beautiful old towns up and down the highway. I can specifically recommend Rothenburg, which looks like a real life post card. It has world famous Christmas shops there. We stayed at the Burg hotel and had a fantastic time.<BR>From Munich, it's about 3 hours, maybe less.
Oct 2nd, 2002, 03:00 PM
#7
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Hey Guy:<BR><BR>Ski Austria gave you a great spot! Nothing like the european sauna's!! Seefeld is a lovely place. If you guys have a car then you can take the road up to Seefeld one day, continue up to Mittenwald( beautiful) the next day, and continue on to Garmish for a dinner in the Frauendorfer..a must for ski-groups!! But keep in mind it is a well traveled mountain road that can get pretty dicey when it snows!<BR>JOHN<BR><BR>JOHN
