Alpine days

Although I have yet another full day, during which I plan to enjoy my visit to Munich tomorrow, this will be the last blog of this series, and it will encompass the last couple of days.

On Saturday, as previously reported, I had driven to Bolzano, where I stayed a couple of nights. I absolutely loved the hotel I stayed in, the Ameiserhof, in the town of Collalbo.

The hosts were most wonderful, attentive and interesting, and they guided me through a day of hiking through beautiful forests, which culminated with the spectacular view I posted on facebook. Breakfast was the best by far, with all kinds of choices offered.

While you might have seen the short video I had posted, it did no justice to this area. Spectacular mountain vistas, lovely chalets decked out with sill flowers, hikers of all ages and nationalities enjoying all the outdoor activities. Truly lovely. To add insult to injury, the automatic setting in my camera is not working properly. Everything in the background is overexposed; I hope I will be able to fix some of these photos back home. It would be a shame otherwise.

Best burger I ever had. Kid you not.

Along the hike..

I had to take a short ride on a scenic train before starting my hike. It left me off at this small station.

View from the train

The train station at Collalbo

The area is studded with castles

I had come to Bolzano (surprise) to watch Sampdoria’s second game of the season. It was another defeat, which left me and the numerous fans who had come from quite a distance saddened and disappointed. To us, our team is a lot more than mere soccer fanaticism. It is a passion we carry inside with burning love. I have never forgotten my team in the 50+ years I have lived in America. Lamentably, this recent period has been the worst ever recorded in the team’s history.

The smile did not last long...

But with that, it’s time to move on to today. I have begun my drive to Munich, Germany and am currently overnighting in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It has been a long day of driving mountain roads, zigzagging in out of Austria and Germany. Breathless scenery everywhere, with poetic alpine villages amid dramatic mountain backdrops.

I had always wanted to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and being somewhat close, I wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip away. This is the castle that inspired Cinderella’s. I would have loved to get a better view, but there was too much traffic to get really close; I was happy though being as close as I got.

A square near the hotel in Garmi

Now, I had my Wiener schnitzel for dinner and am ready for bed. Soon, you will be as well, and so I wish you all a good night. See you again in a few weeks when we will explore New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment together. Gute Nacht.