{"id":12969,"date":"2018-02-24T11:27:05","date_gmt":"2018-02-24T18:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/?p=12969"},"modified":"2022-03-06T17:32:29","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T00:32:29","slug":"austria-days-11-14-big-family-european-expedition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/austria-days-11-14-big-family-european-expedition\/","title":{"rendered":"Austria: Days 11-14 – Big Family European Expedition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Day 11 – <\/span>Czech Republic to Austria<\/span><\/h4>\n

Today was a drive day, we planned to leave Prague at noon, stop at a castle in Cesky Krumlov, and then get to our BnB by dinner. That was the PLAN.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is what actually happened. (note \u2013 we were bound to have a few difficult days.\u00a0 We all survived and someday we can laugh about it. lol)\u00a0 We packed and left.<\/span><\/p>\n

We got on the road and made it to Cesky Krumlov for a late lunch (our drive times seemed quite off today<\/span>) . We ordered food from an English menu (as an aside, we earnestly tried to use basic phrases and had planned to get by with body language and pointing \u2013 but in all of Iceland, Germany and thus far all of Czech Republic, we have been blessed to meet people who\u00a0 spoke both their local language and also English\u2026not only that, but they were all <\/span>kindly enough to speak to us upon <\/span>our first hellos that we attempted).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The menu, however, didn’t quite translate. One of the kids ordered a grilled cheese and it was actually just grilled cheese\u00a0– not a grilled cheese sandwich, no bread just cheese. One ordered\u00a0lemonade but somehow that was translated to a <\/span>cafola \u2013 a Czech cola- “A carbonated beverage that tastes like wine” (but I thought it tasted like soap).\u00a0 We finished lunch but couldn’t figure out where or how to buy the castle tickets so we just visited the gardens and grounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we were back in the van to continue our way to our next home, I had thought we had just one hour left to drive but realized I had entered something wrong in the GPS and we actually had 3 more hours to drive putting us well past grocery store hours and into dinner.\u00a0 \u00a0I then proceeded to lose my mind. The kids were able to help me through my crazy by buying me the best chocolate that I’ve ever eaten! Mmmm\u00a0\u2013 and all was well again in the world.\u00a0 Surprising how chocolate can always do that.<\/span><\/p>\n

We found a restaurant for dinner with an English speaking Austrian owner who had lived in San Diego. \u00a0He was lovely and very helpful\u2013 and sat down to spend time with us and discuss his journey with us and we were able to tell him about our trip.\u00a0 \u00a0He was able to help us figure directions and even a place to purchase groceries\u2026in Austria (like much of Europe) grocery stores aren’t open after 8 and not at all on Sundays.<\/span><\/p>\n

So as this was Saturday night and we were pulling into a rental with no food and no food shopping until Monday, it all seemed pretty overwhelming! He was able to help us find a local mini-mart\/gas station that was open and where we were able to buy some basics food needs (bread, milk, cereal, pasta, butter, cola and as my final kick in the head, while shopping I bought 2 huge bottles of sparkling water instead of still!!)<\/span><\/p>\n

We drove through some pretty amazing mountains and arrived at one of the best BnB’s of the trip<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

This was a full two-story home.\u00a0 The main level had a full kitchen, an eat in dining area, a sitting room the master bedroom and 2 bathrooms one with a Jacuzzi tub.\u00a0 The second floor had 3 bedrooms and a sitting area\/loft will a pull out bed and another full bathroom.\u00a0 All of that plus a yard and gorgeous mountain views and English speaking hosts\u00a0 live on site in another separate area of the home.\u00a0 \u00a0We settled in and enjoyed some games and the movie \u201cSound of Music\u201d in English!!<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 12 – Austria<\/span><\/h4>\n

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We woke up to the most beautiful view out of our window! \u00a0\u00a0This rental had a backyard Playset and swing so we enjoyed our morning with some much-needed downtime enjoying breakfast and the views.<\/span><\/p>\n

We set out to explore an ice cave in Werfen<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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This visit was not for the weak of heart nor for anyone who may be afraid of heights! \u00a0We bought tickets on site and started a 30-minute uphill hike to the aerial tram which brought us uphill to another 30-minute uphill hike which bright us to the base of the cave. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Which included an equivalent of a 40 story building stair climb in 0-degree temperatures!! (pics weren’t allowed inside which was impossibly hard for me\u00a0\u2013 the link provides an idea \u2013 it was beautiful).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Afterwards, we ate at a restaurant at the top of the mountain – the views were gorgeous! The food (including apple strudel and Wienerschnitzel) was delicious!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

After lunch, we drove into Salzburg. <\/span><\/p>\n

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We saw the castle, the gazebo from The Sound of Music (anticlimactic), and the kids played in the park for a bit before heading home where we continued The Sound of Music – Grace was super excited especially at the gazebo song\/ dance!<\/span><\/p>\n

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As an aside- Austria is just absolutely perfect. Cute little houses – all of which have flower boxes and gorgeous geraniums… seriously all. Mountains and gorgeous green valleys, towns with great spired churches. It is just beautiful there!<\/span><\/p>\n

Kids were trying to talk us into alpine sliding or ziplining the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 13 – I’m in love with Austria<\/span><\/h4>\n

I love Austria. I really want to move there.<\/span><\/p>\n

We woke up to that view again. No rain. Sunshiney skies.<\/span><\/p>\n

We planned a couple different hikes but started with a visit to the Alpine slide, it felt fitting in the Alps\u00a0\u00a0 It was the kid’s favorite part of the vacation so far. (Though they keep saying that. Every day, whatever we’re doing is their favorite thing). <\/span><\/p>\n

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We went on the slide a few times and then I’m not sure how or why but there was also a whole trampoline park set up that was included! <\/span><\/p>\n

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Kids were thrilled and would have stayed there all day.<\/span><\/p>\n

We next drove to Golling waterfall<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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This was a hike 400 steps up to see 2 different falls. All of the water came from a cave we walked to at the very top. So pretty!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Our last hike was a gorge walk recommended by our host.\u00a0 Lammerklamm Gorge<\/a> is an amazing walk built into the gorge … right over the river! <\/span><\/p>\n

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I was really looking forward to this hike and it was “gorge<\/span>“ous!\u00a0 The blue of the water was an amazing shade and the hike was tranquil and beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\n

We ate dinner and ice cream of course. And finished our night with games at the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

We had to pack up and leave this gorgeous country the next morning. Again with a new language, new food, and new city. And this time no car for the next 11 days!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

A few observations:<\/span><\/p>\n