Day 6
Today we leave Corvara, Italy and head to Berchtesgarten, Germany. It is a long drive and takes about 5 hours. We go through beautiful Barvarian towns and the swiss alps again. The sun is shining and sparkles on the mountain. We eat in a little Austrian resturant on the side of the alps. We arrive about 2:30pm and immediately head up the mountain to find the Kunterweg Church in Ramsau. Josef Mohr who wrote "Silent Night" was parish assistant here in 1512.
We then head to Obersalzberg for a quick overview of the land. This was Hitler's military base and personal retreat center away from Munch. There are still so many buildings still standing and in use from the Third Reich. We find the ruins of Hitler's house. It was bombed by the US military. There are bricks from the front of the house and the back retaining wall still standing. It was not high on the top of the obersalzberg - Hitler was afraid of heights and is nestled in the woods.
Then we head to our new hotel - the Alpenhof Hotel nestled in the mountains. It is a beautiful hotel with an indoor and outdoor pool. Stephen is the owner and a friend of Bill's. Dinner and breakfast is included in the hotel price. Another wonderful dinner.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Day 5
This is the day to explore Corvara and Italy. We head to the little town of Villa - visiting a little church and cemetery. This is one of the very few towns left that speak Latino. We then head up the Val Parosa Pass - reaching 2745 meters at the top after 15 switch backs.
We discovered the Castle Andraz by accident. This castle was found in 1000 AD. It protected the valley, built on a huge rock and dates back to the Middle Ages and Napoleon. We see beautiful wild flowers growing in the rock of the mountains and small streams of water falls coming off the mountain. The day is sunny and yet cool because we are so high. God has created all this beauty for us to enjoy.
There are ski lifts from each little town that is nestled on the side of the mountains. We stop in Arabba at a little road side stand for a Bratwurst for lunch. One little town called Livine has such typical Italian homes and narrow streets.
When we return to Corvara Bill and Chuck let Chris loose to go shopping. My only time to get Italy presents so I have to move fast! A rain storm starts again but the hotel has large umbrellas for me to use.
Another wonderful dinner after a cocktail party given by the Costas - the owners of the La Perla.
This is the day to explore Corvara and Italy. We head to the little town of Villa - visiting a little church and cemetery. This is one of the very few towns left that speak Latino. We then head up the Val Parosa Pass - reaching 2745 meters at the top after 15 switch backs.
We discovered the Castle Andraz by accident. This castle was found in 1000 AD. It protected the valley, built on a huge rock and dates back to the Middle Ages and Napoleon. We see beautiful wild flowers growing in the rock of the mountains and small streams of water falls coming off the mountain. The day is sunny and yet cool because we are so high. God has created all this beauty for us to enjoy.
There are ski lifts from each little town that is nestled on the side of the mountains. We stop in Arabba at a little road side stand for a Bratwurst for lunch. One little town called Livine has such typical Italian homes and narrow streets.
When we return to Corvara Bill and Chuck let Chris loose to go shopping. My only time to get Italy presents so I have to move fast! A rain storm starts again but the hotel has large umbrellas for me to use.
Another wonderful dinner after a cocktail party given by the Costas - the owners of the La Perla.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Day 4
This is the day we leave Garmish and drive to Corvara, Italy. Amazing that we can drive just a little while and we suddenly see Italians and the sounds change. Germans are very quiet, lean over to speak to you in a whisper. The Italians are excited we are here and talk loudly and jester with their hands for everything. We drive as far as St. Christina and are stopped because of a bike race - Yes, a bikes race up the mountain and back down. It is amazing to see these crazy people, young and old who bike up these steep mountain paths for 30 miles and then back down. We had to wait for 3 hours until the race was done and so it was perfect time to have our first Italian pizza and call Ida to tell her we were in Italy! We finally get to Corvara, Italy. A beautiful mountain ski town, nestled in the mountains. The hotel is the La Perla - a very fancy hotel like none we have ever seen. Our room balcony looks out to the mountains, with ski cable cars running along side. Our room is called the "romantik" - so beautiful. At night they turn our bed down, give us fresh towels, and have slippers laying on a little white mat by our bed. Every hotel has white bathrobes and slippers to wear down to the pool.
As soon as we get to Corvara a storm hits. The lightening and thunder bounces off the mountains. The electricity went out twice - just as we were finding the pool - which incidentally is in the basement, in a cave, with waterfalls to swim behind and whirlpools in a few areas. Amazing.
Dinner is a five course meal that lasts three hours. Fancy food that is delicious - can't be described!
This is the day we leave Garmish and drive to Corvara, Italy. Amazing that we can drive just a little while and we suddenly see Italians and the sounds change. Germans are very quiet, lean over to speak to you in a whisper. The Italians are excited we are here and talk loudly and jester with their hands for everything. We drive as far as St. Christina and are stopped because of a bike race - Yes, a bikes race up the mountain and back down. It is amazing to see these crazy people, young and old who bike up these steep mountain paths for 30 miles and then back down. We had to wait for 3 hours until the race was done and so it was perfect time to have our first Italian pizza and call Ida to tell her we were in Italy! We finally get to Corvara, Italy. A beautiful mountain ski town, nestled in the mountains. The hotel is the La Perla - a very fancy hotel like none we have ever seen. Our room balcony looks out to the mountains, with ski cable cars running along side. Our room is called the "romantik" - so beautiful. At night they turn our bed down, give us fresh towels, and have slippers laying on a little white mat by our bed. Every hotel has white bathrobes and slippers to wear down to the pool.
As soon as we get to Corvara a storm hits. The lightening and thunder bounces off the mountains. The electricity went out twice - just as we were finding the pool - which incidentally is in the basement, in a cave, with waterfalls to swim behind and whirlpools in a few areas. Amazing.
Dinner is a five course meal that lasts three hours. Fancy food that is delicious - can't be described!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Garmish, Zupspitzen & King Ludwig II Castle
Day 3
Wow, today is the big day - clear sky and so we head up the Zupspitzen mountain.
This is the highest mountain in Germany - 10,000 feet or 2950 meters.
You can not see the top from the bottom. From the top you can look out and see Austria, Germany, and Italy off in the distance.
We are way above the tree line and there is a glacier off the back of the mountain. Amazing how they could build this thing. Absolutely beautiful, breath taking! How God could create such beauty and massive mountain.
Many climb the entire mountain to the top. You can see little trails through the forest below as you go up the cable car. It takes about 2-3 days for the average person to climb. Some take a week to climb it. Some Germans can climb it is 4-6 hours. Germans are crazy about walking and climbing. Many come to the top with their little walking sticks and then climb down. Everywhere you see people walking and climbing through Germany.
Then we went to King Ludwig's other castle - Kongigsscloss Linderhof. This one is much smaller and the one he lived in the most.
We have been staying at the Riessersee Renaissance Hotel up in the mountains of Garmish. It looks over a valley.
There is a little hotel next to it called the Riessersee Hotel with a little resturant that is right on a lake at the base of the Zupspiten Mountain. We have eaten supper there every night.
Wow, today is the big day - clear sky and so we head up the Zupspitzen mountain.
This is the highest mountain in Germany - 10,000 feet or 2950 meters. We take a cable car that travels pretty fast. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top.
You can not see the top from the bottom. From the top you can look out and see Austria, Germany, and Italy off in the distance.
We are way above the tree line and there is a glacier off the back of the mountain. Amazing how they could build this thing. Absolutely beautiful, breath taking! How God could create such beauty and massive mountain. 
There is one little spot where people can climb out on a small ledge and over to a peak. They are crazy!
Many climb the entire mountain to the top. You can see little trails through the forest below as you go up the cable car. It takes about 2-3 days for the average person to climb. Some take a week to climb it. Some Germans can climb it is 4-6 hours. Germans are crazy about walking and climbing. Many come to the top with their little walking sticks and then climb down. Everywhere you see people walking and climbing through Germany.
After The Zupspitzen, we traveled through the mountains to find King Ludwig II castles. The main castle is called the Konigssclosser (castle of the king). It is high in the mountain - again, how did they build it way up there? This was an adventure to get too. Lots of walking up hill. Bill knows the back roads to beat all the buses and tours.
Then we went to King Ludwig's other castle - Kongigsscloss Linderhof. This one is much smaller and the one he lived in the most.
On the way we stopped by the Weiskirche. A beautiful rocco church in the middle of no where. There was a wedding going on so we stopped and watched for a while. Southern Germany seems to be the land of churches, cemeteries, mountains, and castles. And we are finding them all.
Bill is good at stopping by the side of the road, where there is no side of the road, to take pictures. We hang on the side of the mountain and while Chuck and Bill jump out to take a picture, I pray... We have pictures of everything....
We have been staying at the Riessersee Renaissance Hotel up in the mountains of Garmish. It looks over a valley.
There is a little hotel next to it called the Riessersee Hotel with a little resturant that is right on a lake at the base of the Zupspiten Mountain. We have eaten supper there every night.
It is run by some friends of Bills', Micheal and Barbara. They bought the hotel and resturant about three years ago from Barbara's family.
It is beautiful to watch the sun set over the mountain!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Small Villages and Shopping Stops
Day Two
Headed Through the Switzerland and Germany to Garmish.
Garmish is where the 1936 Olympics were held. Hitler built a stadium. which is very small by today's standards.
We headed out to Mittenwald. A cute little town with shopping.
Then we headed up the mountain to Ettal where there is a monastery and a beautiful church. Every town has a church standing in the center of the town with all the stores and houses surrounding it. On the hour, you hear church bells ringing in every town.
Then we headed to Oberammergau. This town is known for the passion play. Over half of all the towns people participate in the play which runs every ten years. It takes about 2200 people to put it on. It is known all over the world. The town is made up of many little streets filled with stores. I bought my manger here. Lots of little wood carvers.
Ended the day by swimming and the hot tub and then dinner at the See Hotel across the street, looking at the Zupspiten! Most beautiful mountain reflecting in the lake.
As we crawled into bed we head fireworks and ran down to the end of the hall - The USA military base was shooting fireworks for the 4th of July! Beautiful end to the day. You know I love my fireworks!
Headed Through the Switzerland and Germany to Garmish.
Garmish is where the 1936 Olympics were held. Hitler built a stadium. which is very small by today's standards.
We headed out to Mittenwald. A cute little town with shopping.
Then we headed up the mountain to Ettal where there is a monastery and a beautiful church. Every town has a church standing in the center of the town with all the stores and houses surrounding it. On the hour, you hear church bells ringing in every town.
Then we headed to Oberammergau. This town is known for the passion play. Over half of all the towns people participate in the play which runs every ten years. It takes about 2200 people to put it on. It is known all over the world. The town is made up of many little streets filled with stores. I bought my manger here. Lots of little wood carvers.
Ended the day by swimming and the hot tub and then dinner at the See Hotel across the street, looking at the Zupspiten! Most beautiful mountain reflecting in the lake.
As we crawled into bed we head fireworks and ran down to the end of the hall - The USA military base was shooting fireworks for the 4th of July! Beautiful end to the day. You know I love my fireworks!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Beginning of our Vacation
Day One
The Air Travel
Leaving from Mpls-StPaul airport headed for Chicago.
We had a slight delay before leaving headed for Paris, France.
Day Two
Arrive Paris, France at about 11:40am. It's still about 4:40 am in the Twin Cities.
Arrived Paris about a 20 minutes late. Our layover was only an hour. So we had to hustle to get to the next gate. After waiting for a bus shuttle, we ran into a security gate with an extremely long line. We talked with one of the attendents who took us to the fast line - - that wasn't moving quickly. We finally talked our way to the front of the line and made it to the gate 5 minutes after the departure time. Thanks God the plane was delayed a half hour.
We finally made it to Zurich an hour after the planned landing time. 12:30pm local time; 5:30am Minnesota time.
We found Bill and were off to Garmish, Germany in the Bavarian Alps.
Driving through unbelievable scenery, we arrive at our hotel in Garmish above the town in a valley surrounded by mountains.
The Air Travel
Leaving from Mpls-StPaul airport headed for Chicago.
We had a slight delay before leaving headed for Paris, France.
Day Two
Arrive Paris, France at about 11:40am. It's still about 4:40 am in the Twin Cities.
Arrived Paris about a 20 minutes late. Our layover was only an hour. So we had to hustle to get to the next gate. After waiting for a bus shuttle, we ran into a security gate with an extremely long line. We talked with one of the attendents who took us to the fast line - - that wasn't moving quickly. We finally talked our way to the front of the line and made it to the gate 5 minutes after the departure time. Thanks God the plane was delayed a half hour.
We finally made it to Zurich an hour after the planned landing time. 12:30pm local time; 5:30am Minnesota time.We found Bill and were off to Garmish, Germany in the Bavarian Alps.
Driving through unbelievable scenery, we arrive at our hotel in Garmish above the town in a valley surrounded by mountains.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Our European Vacation Itinerary
Wed July 2 Depart to Zurich
Thurs July 3
Arrive Zurich
Drive Zurich – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Through the Voralberg in Austria
Cable Car Up Zugspitze (if weather is good)
Dinner: Hotel on the Lake
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel #175113
http://www.riessersee.com/hotel-garmisch_e.htm
Fri July 4
Mittenwald
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Zugspitze & Wank Cable Cars http://www.zugspitze.de/main_en.php
Dinner: Spago Partnachstraße
or
Werdenfelserhof Ludwigstrasse
or
Gasthaus Bräuwastl Zugspitzstr
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel #175113
http://www.riessersee.com/hotel-garmisch_e.htm
Sat July 5
Neuschwanstein (Enchanted Castles of King Ludwig II)
Oberammergau (Passion Play)
Wieskirche (The most beautiful rococo church on earth)
Dinner: See-Hotel on the Lake
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel
Sun July 6
Drive Garmisch – Corvara in Alte Badia, Italy 2h 42 min
Val Gardenia
Corvara
Lago Boa
Passo Armentarola
Dinner: La Perla
La Perla Hotel
http://www.hotel-laperla.it/offerte_e.htm
Mon July 7
Dolomites
Passo Falzarego
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Dinner: La Perla
La Perla Hotel
Tues July 8
Drive Corvara – Berchtesgaden 3h 41min
Drive through the Inn Valley
Obersalzberg (Hitler’s Hideout/headquarters)
Eagle’s Nest (Hitler’s retreat – captured by U.S. May, 1945)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehlsteinhaus
Dinner: Alpenhof
Alpenhof Hotel
http://www.alpenhof.de/wcms/bin/Server.dll?Article?ID=36&Session=1-PAUbM3R9-1
Wed July 9
Berchtesgaden Salt Mines
Wed Rossfeldstrasse (Road going 1500 m to mountain above Obersalzberg)
Dokumentation Obersalzberg
Hotel zum Turken (hotel seized by Nazi’s 1933, air raid shelter under hotel)
Alpenhof Hotel
Thurs July 10
Königsee
Salzburg (Mozart’s birthplace)
Dinner: Alpenhof
Alpenhof Hotel
Friday July 11
Drive Berchtesgaden – Munich 1h 30 min
Dachau Concentration Camp
Markplatz (Munich City Center)
Lunch: Hofbrauhaus
Dinner: Seehaus im Englischen Garten Kleinhesselohe
Munich Marriott
Berliner Strasse
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mucno-munich-marriott-hotel/
Sat July 12
Drive Munich – Heidelberg 3h 15 min
Weinstrasse Durkheim Flea Market
Lunch: Bad Durkheimer Riesenfass
Freinsheim
Dinner: Freinsheim
Restaurant Alt Friensheim, Korngasse 5
Heidelberg Marriott # 458784, 458785
Vangerowstrasse 16 011-49-6221-908 0
Sun July 13
Drive Heidelberg – Münchweiler 45 min
Weinstrasse
Sankt Martin
Lunch: Sankt Martin
Altes Rathaus
Deidesheim
Frankenstein Castle
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle
http://www.klostermuehle.com/hotel.htm
Mon July 14
The German Wine Road (deutsche Weinstrasse)
Lunch: Deidesheimerhof 06326-96870
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle
Tues July 15
Cruise up the Rhine River from Bingen to Sankt Goar
Tues Pfeddersheim (Vio’s Parents)
Visit vineyard
Worms Cathedral
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle (German only)
Wed July 16
Drive Münchweiler to Paris (Neuilly sur Seine)
Verdun
Douaumont
Fleury-devant-Douaumont
Citadel
Citadel de Verdun
Bd de la Citadelle
Reims
Paris
Eifel Tower
Seine River
Dinner : LILY DE NEUILLY
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parcy-courtyard-paris-neuilly/
Thur July 17
Montmartre (North of Paris, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh painted here)
Louvre
Catacombs
Dinner : Le Bistrot d'a Cote
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine # 84541958
Fri July 18
Notre Dame Cathedral
Versailles
Châteaux along the Loire
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine
Dinner: Le Vauban
Sat July 19
Depart Paris – Home
Thurs July 3
Arrive Zurich
Drive Zurich – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Through the Voralberg in Austria
Cable Car Up Zugspitze (if weather is good)
Dinner: Hotel on the Lake
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel #175113
http://www.riessersee.com/hotel-garmisch_e.htm
Fri July 4
Mittenwald
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Zugspitze & Wank Cable Cars http://www.zugspitze.de/main_en.php
Dinner: Spago Partnachstraße
or
Werdenfelserhof Ludwigstrasse
or
Gasthaus Bräuwastl Zugspitzstr
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel #175113
http://www.riessersee.com/hotel-garmisch_e.htm
Sat July 5
Neuschwanstein (Enchanted Castles of King Ludwig II)
Oberammergau (Passion Play)
Wieskirche (The most beautiful rococo church on earth)
Dinner: See-Hotel on the Lake
Riessersee Renaissance Hotel
Sun July 6
Drive Garmisch – Corvara in Alte Badia, Italy 2h 42 min
Val Gardenia
Corvara
Lago Boa
Passo Armentarola
Dinner: La Perla
La Perla Hotel
http://www.hotel-laperla.it/offerte_e.htm
Mon July 7
Dolomites
Passo Falzarego
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Dinner: La Perla
La Perla Hotel
Tues July 8
Drive Corvara – Berchtesgaden 3h 41min
Drive through the Inn Valley
Obersalzberg (Hitler’s Hideout/headquarters)
Eagle’s Nest (Hitler’s retreat – captured by U.S. May, 1945)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehlsteinhaus
Dinner: Alpenhof
Alpenhof Hotel
http://www.alpenhof.de/wcms/bin/Server.dll?Article?ID=36&Session=1-PAUbM3R9-1
Wed July 9
Berchtesgaden Salt Mines
Wed Rossfeldstrasse (Road going 1500 m to mountain above Obersalzberg)
Dokumentation Obersalzberg
Hotel zum Turken (hotel seized by Nazi’s 1933, air raid shelter under hotel)
Alpenhof Hotel
Thurs July 10
Königsee
Salzburg (Mozart’s birthplace)
Dinner: Alpenhof
Alpenhof Hotel
Friday July 11
Drive Berchtesgaden – Munich 1h 30 min
Dachau Concentration Camp
Markplatz (Munich City Center)
Lunch: Hofbrauhaus
Dinner: Seehaus im Englischen Garten Kleinhesselohe
Munich Marriott
Berliner Strasse
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mucno-munich-marriott-hotel/
Sat July 12
Drive Munich – Heidelberg 3h 15 min
Weinstrasse Durkheim Flea Market
Lunch: Bad Durkheimer Riesenfass
Freinsheim
Dinner: Freinsheim
Restaurant Alt Friensheim, Korngasse 5
Heidelberg Marriott # 458784, 458785
Vangerowstrasse 16 011-49-6221-908 0
Sun July 13
Drive Heidelberg – Münchweiler 45 min
Weinstrasse
Sankt Martin
Lunch: Sankt Martin
Altes Rathaus
Deidesheim
Frankenstein Castle
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle
http://www.klostermuehle.com/hotel.htm
Mon July 14
The German Wine Road (deutsche Weinstrasse)
Lunch: Deidesheimerhof 06326-96870
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle
Tues July 15
Cruise up the Rhine River from Bingen to Sankt Goar
Tues Pfeddersheim (Vio’s Parents)
Visit vineyard
Worms Cathedral
Dinner: Hotel Klostermühle
Hotel Klostermühle (German only)
Wed July 16
Drive Münchweiler to Paris (Neuilly sur Seine)
Verdun
Douaumont
Fleury-devant-Douaumont
Citadel
Citadel de Verdun
Bd de la Citadelle
Reims
Paris
Eifel Tower
Seine River
Dinner : LILY DE NEUILLY
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parcy-courtyard-paris-neuilly/
Thur July 17
Montmartre (North of Paris, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh painted here)
Louvre
Catacombs
Dinner : Le Bistrot d'a Cote
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine # 84541958
Fri July 18
Notre Dame Cathedral
Versailles
Châteaux along the Loire
Marriott Courtyard Neuilly sur Seine
Dinner: Le Vauban
Sat July 19
Depart Paris – Home
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