A quick stop at the Bürstner head office (Normie needed a small part) then it was onto Triberg in the Black Forest.
A cute little tourist town with many woodworking shops selling all manner of trinkets.
Next was the town of Rottweil, and yes this is where they first bred the dog.
Coming down from the hills to Lake Konstanz was a contrast.
Each night brought wonderful places to stopover.
Just before the Schwarzwald turns into Bavaria is Hohenschwangau where Ludwig II built his fantasy castle.
Driving into Bavaria near the Austrian border is very beautiful, the mountains here are not as tall as further south but it definitely makes for a more scenic drive.
We stopped for a couple of nights at Garmisch-Partenkirchen from where we were able to ascend the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.
Needless to say it was breathtaking and every bit as exciting as Mont Blanc last year
Very proud of Deb who fought many demons to get to this point.
Deb actually took the below picture as I was too scared to go that close to the rail.
After the majestic Bavarian Alps we came to the Königssee, a long, clear lake surrounded by high mountains. The terrible weather prevented us from taking one of the many cruises that leave here but even in the low cloud and drizzle this region was stunning.
Due to the bad weather, a visit to Berchtesgaden (also in this area) was out of the question so we nipped up the road (30 minutes) to Salzburg in Austria hoping that the rain would be gone in a few days when we returned.
Arriving in Salzburg the weather cleared a little (temporarily) so we were able to visit some of the outdoor attractions.
With the Salzburg box well & truly ticked we were originally planning to head west towards Vienna, however the rain returned and the forecast in all directions for the next week was bleak.
I had read about the Grossglockner High Alpine Road being one of the most scenic and dramatic routes in the Alps and as it was 75 km away hoped it would be clear by the time we reached it down south. Alas it was not to be and if anything the cloud & fog were thicker and the rain heavier with the forecast showing no let up ahead.
While enjoying lunch in Zam al See I checked Facebook and found our dear friends, Wendy & Ray Capkin, had just arrived in Venice and were posting very sunny photos of their visit. We quickly calculated that they were ONLY 350 km away and it would take approximately 6 hours to reach them, so we said “bugger this” and headed south to the land of pizza, pasta and hopefully, sunshine.
Love the comments and photos.
Thanks Marion
I’m shivering just reading your post. I think I might head indoors where its a bit warmer. Looking forward to Venice and the Italian sun.
It was cold but now we are sweltering. 31 today at Pisa.
great post. Loving being with you on your /our travels!!
Thanks Andy. Hope you guys can make it over here at some point. Maybe next year???
PS We are heading to Salzburg and the Salzkammergut at the end of June so you gave us a little taster. Thank you again and keep on enjoying. Maybe we will cross paths? Viv S.
Thanks for you comments Viv. I hope you have a wonderful trip with your rellies. We loved Salzburg. Last year we visited Mannheim were my grandparents and great grandparents lived and next year we are going to Wroclaw (old Breslau) I am sure like me you will enjoy visiting the “roots” of the family.
Those photos are so good! I did a photography course last year so it makes me
appreciate how well composed they are. They are better than postcards…honestly. Also we have been to some of these places so its nice to revisit them through your shots of your travels. Thank you so much. Vivian Sussman.
Love your photos. “Almost” ! feel like we are there with you
Thanks Col.
you definitely make me want to follow in your footsteps xxx
Wonderful pictures of your adventure wow you are living the dream, great memories love you both keep safe
Your Bro
Absolutely wonderful. The narrative is so helpful too. Keep it up Guys
Thanks guys
love it – hope to see you in the Dolomites early July!
p.s. you must head back to the Salzkammergut
Not sure it’s going to work now as we didn’t end up staying in Austria for very long. I think we will be in the south of ital when you are in the Dolomites. Bummer.
As always.. Such wonderful adventures!! I admit it .. I am jealous!!!
Ha you can always join us the offer is there.