It did not look very promising weather-wise, and so we booked a massage each and spent the entire day at the hotel, making full use of the beautiful spa area with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two saunas (one hot and the other one REALLY hot), a steam bath and more. Surprisingly enough, not many other guests had the same idea, so we had almost completely free range of everything.
Coffee and cake in the afternoon were welcome, as was another lovely dinner later.
On Thursday, the 9th of May, we were going to make up for all that laziness!
A dramatic display of clouds greeted us first thing in the morning, but no rain was forecast, and so we drove a short way northwards from our village to the starting point of another tour we'd found in our guide book.
Please bear with me - this post is chock full of pictures of mountains and views from mountains into valleys and towards more mountains. Somewhat boring and repetitive if you have not been there yourself, so I apologise for that. We simply could not get enough of it all!
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| Sometimes the path was like this... |
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| ...and sometimes like this. |
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| Zoomed onto Castle Tyrol (Schloss Tirol / Castello Tirolo), the place that gave the whole region its name. |
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| Finally at the highest point of today's tour! |
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| It was all downhill from here. |
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| This one is for Kay - you know why, don't you? |
The way back down was just as strenuous, as the paths were sometimes rather steep and rocky, with just mossy rocks or a tree to hold on to. Good job it wasn't wet underfoot!
It was not all that late by the time we reached the car again, but too late to make it to the cake buffet at our hotel, and so we drove into the city of Meran/Merano to have a closer look around there, as you will see in my next post.
It is all so beautiful but I do wonder what it is like to live there in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI expect winters there are long and harsh, and without a four-wheel drive you'd be stuck easily, and people probably stock up on provisions before the first snow falls.
DeleteMountains are endlessly fascinating. When ever I have been in mountainous areas I've taken lots of photos too. The frustrating thing, for me at least, is that I can in no way capture what the mountain seemed like to me - although other people seem happy enough with the pictures. Hm, I like the idea of the cake buffet, although these days I actually eat very few cakes.
ReplyDeleteEvery corner we turned on the path, the views were just so beautiful, we could have taken yet another picture every few steps. I have already thinned out the pictures a little, but often can not decide which one I like best!
DeleteJust like the rest of all the food and drink at the hotel, the cakes were organic and made with local ingredients.
Stunning!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteCake and massage - sounds good to me! I would probably add a glass of prosecco too.....
ReplyDeleteWe usually had those to start off dinner :-)
DeleteI am continually amazed and sometimes astounded! by your adventures on the 'hiking trails' you have photographed on your blog. Each one is more detailed and lovelier than the last. I hope you keep on walking and walking and taking photos of your travels.
ReplyDeleteI hope that, too, Jill! It is one of the few worries I have about getting older, that I will possibly have to slow down and won't be able to get up those mountains any more.
DeleteLovely views. Now I almost feel I've been there :)
ReplyDeleteIt is like when you take us along on your walks around your town :-)
DeleteI think I would have head the relaxing spa and massage after that hike!
ReplyDeleteThe spa was always there, and we usually managed a quick round of sauna between returning from our hikes and getting dressed for dinner, but massages etc. had to be booked in advance, and we did not want to be restricted by appointments when we were out and about.
DeleteEverything is as lovely as a storybook. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt really is all very picturesque - hard NOT to take beautiful pictures there :-)
DeleteIt is all so beautiful! I think you were having a marvelous vacation, doing exactly what you wanted to do....In the winter all the spa things must be very desirable, but I think they always are after so much exercise.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kristi, it was jusr what we wanted and needed. A good spa is wonderful no matter the time of year, and at this hotel, you can rest in the garden on loungers and swings when the weather is fine.
DeleteIt all looks so lovely. The photos look even better when enlarged. So many mountains and uphill climbs.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visit other blogs, I almost always click on the photos to enlarge them, and I hope my readers do that on my blog, too.
DeleteI really love these photos! I looked at other sites about this area...one called it one of the most beautiful places in the world! Lucky you! Just as you say above, I hope folks will make your photos bigger so as to enjoy those mountains and clouds!
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a region that seems to be particularly blessed - in the warmer months, the clmate allows orchards and vineyards to thrive, and in winter, there is enough snow for the skiing tourists.
DeleteMy pictures can only give a poor impression of how beautiful,it really is, with the fresh air and birdsong added to the spectacular views!