Stubnerkogel Lookout

At the summit of Stubnerkogel is "Glocknerblick...the Glockner View" which provides fantastic views of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglocker. The look out area, is a round plateau that is 7 meters (just under 23 feet) in diameter. On the sides are wire-mesh fences that provide safety but don't obstruct the view. One side of the plateau actually protrudes out over the mountain, which wasn't really noticeable with the snow. (I attached a picture of what it looks like in the summer--good thing I didn't see this first). There is also a glass floor in one section so that you can peer down below. The views were unbelievably amazing from this spot!

Gondola Ride to the Top

This morning we took a gondola ride up to the Stubnerkogel summit station. The views were amazing. The gondola is in Bad Gastein and just a short walk (again up the mountain) from our hotel. It was currently only open to pedestrians, although we saw a few skiers who had found there way to the top. Once you reach the top there is a suspension bridge, restaurant and look out station. This was probably one of our favorite activitiesthat we did on our trip. The snow covered mountains provided such a different view of the world than the brown, sandy, desert land that we have become accustomed to. (The pictures are views from the gondola.)

Salzburg

As the sun set (and the cold set in) we left the Christmas Markets and continued our walk through Salzburg. We headed down the pedestrian streets, filled with shops and pubs. We stopped in "Republic" (a Lonely Planet recommendation) to warm up, grab a quick drink and a look at our map. We then continued on to "Augustiner Braustubl" (another Lonely Planet recommendation), a brewery run by monks. There was one beer selection on tap and it was only served in one sized ceramic stein mug (extra-large). You grab your own mug off off the shelf, rinse it and take it to the one bartender. You then grab a coaster, pay and find a chair in the beer hall. It was packed with people of all ages. We ended sitting with a local man, in at least his 70's who could out drink most in the room and was friends with the 90 year old man and woman a few tables down who were definitely out drinking most in the room.

We then walked back to the train station and headed back to our hotel.

Salzburg Christmas Markets

We walked from the train station to the older part of Salzburg. This is where the Dom Catherdal and the main Christmas markets are located. It was fun to do some exploring on our own and love that we could walk everywhere.

Salzburg is rich in history and is the home to Mozart and the Sound of Music.

The Dom Cathedral was redesigned during the Thirty Year's War and was consecrated in 1628. Its origins though, date to an earlier cathedral founded in 767.

The Christmas Markets surround the cathedral and nearby areas. We spent the afternoon checking out the hand made Christmas trinkets, sipping Gluhwein (hot wine), tasting the handmade deserts (chocolate covered pretzels) and getting into the Christmas spirit.

Train Ride To Salzburg

Today we took the train to Salzburg. The Bad Gastein train station is actually just a short walk up the mountain from our hotel so super convenient. The train definitely isn't the fastest way to travel but is super easy. You show up moments before the train, get on and get off at your stop. They serve food, you pick your own seats. We spent the three hours reading the Lonely Planet guide deciding what we wanted to do while in Salzburg and taking in the beautiful scenery. The train literally weaves through the mountains and small ski towns.

My shoulder was okay. I wore the sling throughout our trip, although had to switch winter coats with Chris so that I could zip a coat around my arm.

We have also been able to skype with Savannah and talk to my parents on the phone, which has been great. My mom has even agreed to extend her trip in Dubai, since I am going to need help taking care of Savannah when we get back!

Skiing...Day One (and Only)

Today Chris and I headed out skiing. The weather was cold and the scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately, this is the one and only day that I went skiing. After a fun afternoon out, I fell. I had fallen throughout the day but this time I guess I fell just awkwardly enough that I ended up breaking my shoulder in three places. Instead of continuing our day on the slopes we took a taxi to the nearest emergency room and had x-rays taken instead. The emergency room fitted me with a very unfashionable sling and told me to have it x-rayed again in three weeks.

We actually sent a text to the doctor who delivered Savannah and asked him if he could recommend an orthopedic surgeon. He responded immediately, and instead of waiting three weeks, we will see the doctor in Dubai right after the holidays.

Of course this was our fist full day in Austria, so we had to rethink some of our plans. We will do a little more sight-seeing than skiing! But are still having a great time and making the most of our vacation.

Day One...Austria

Last night we arrived at our hotel in Bad Gastein. We ate dinner at Jagerhausl, a restaurant just below our hotel. There is a picture of the restaurant which was probably one of the best places we ate during our entire trip. They served good beer and wonderful traditional Austrian food.

Bad Gastein is located in the Hihe Tauern National Park. The entire town is basically built into the mountain side so there are incredible views from every angle. The town seems quite quiet for being the week before Christmas. We asked a few people where everyone is and evidently the high season starts December 26th, so many of the restaurants and hotels have just reopened for the season.

There is also not a ton of snow. The locals also told us that this is the first year in many that it didn't start snowing in November. They are making snow on the ski runs but evidently not all of the run are open just yet. The local restaurants and hotels are all hoping for a big snow storm!