Barb and Tim visited us in February for a week in the Austrian Alps! Their visit started here in Bad Soden with tours of castles and Fasching parties with our friends. Then it was off to Alpbach Austria where we had the most amazing experiences!
Alpbach is our favorite wintertime destination because it offers great family friendly activities like skiing, swimming, sledding, spa-ing, and just all around comfort and relaxation. We were really excited to share this special place with Barb and Tim.
Our first night we had an traditional Tyrolean food and live music in the dining room. The next night went on a torch lit hike up the side of the mountain from our hotel and spent the evening eating fondue in a hut and toasting with schnapps.
Our first day on the slopes was great! The sun was shining and views were magnificent. Everybody skiid well and we all loved the traditional Goulash Soup and beer lunch. Every night was capped off by a swim outside in the middle of hte mountains and for some (Todd) a European Style excursion to the Spa where he let it allllllll hang out.
The following day Barb was kind enough to watch Stew for the afternoon while Tim, Todd, and Jackie went back for more skiing...the sun was shining and the snow was fresh. Before dinner we sat on our balcony and watched the ski show that takes place on the small hill next to our hotel (that we hiked for the fondue night). There were choreographed groups coming down the hill 'dancing' to music that blared over the speakers, there were guys doing huge jumps and tricks, and fireworks at the end.
The third day we decided to have a day off the slopes, and had a great sledding adventure. We were driven up steep and winding roads (Barb kept her eyes closed) to a chalet at the top of the mountain where we enjoyed an amazing lunch and then grabbed our sleds to get back down to the bottom. We spent about an hour winding back and forth along the side of the mountain all the way down. That evening we had a beautiful zither music performance and enjoyed another gourmet meal. We capped off this night (and most others) with a few rounds of backgammon by the fire.
On our last day we all hit the slopes again on a different (more friendly) side of the mountain where everyone found a trail that suited there taste. Not to mention another wonderful lunch of traditional Austrian Food. After skiing we poured a couple of cocktails and watched the sun set over the mountains in true "Apres Ski" style! Before our final dinner we took a horse drawn buggy to a special old bar at the top of the mountain. The views of the town were gorgeous. We were tucked in with blankets and our driver was a man who had lived in the village for 87 years! A real "local" if I have ever seen one.
The next day we drove back to Frankfurt, and only a minor/major mishap with the rental car slowed things down a little ; ) We spent Barb and Tims last day at the Fasching Parade downtown Frankfurt and enjoyed one last schnitzle before they left.
Check out our video collage and a few extra pictures below.....
http://youtu.be/lvj0Uz6e59Y
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