August 7, 2010
Today we had what we call "a travel moment", one of those experiences that you want to last forever and that you know you will never forget.
We drove north from here in Bolzano to a tiny town called Castelrotto, poked around a bit, decided we weren't dressed warmly enough and went back to change. It's chilly being up this high in the mountains.
Being up on the Suisi Alm, the largest alpine meadow in Europe was an amazing experience. We took a cable car up the mountain from Suisi, then another one further up into the meadow. Sitting there looking over the meadows and the alpine huts, hearing the tinkling cow bells, and breathing in the fresh mountain air was simply indescribable. There are not enough adjectives in the English language. Even photos cannot capture the beauty of this spot. You will just have to come here. Soon. Den and I agree that this is a day that will be etched in our memories forever.
Earlier on this trip we decided our philosophy was to "Fill up the life we have." We have expanded on that. Now our goal is simply to "get a bigger cup" :)
Showing posts with label bolzano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bolzano. Show all posts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Otzi, the Ice Man. We're in Tyrol!
August 6, 2010
Today we drove from Trieste, past Venice and Verona, then straight north to Bolzano. The landscape changed almost immediately as we entered a mountain pass through the Dolomite region. This area is stunningly beautiful--tiny villages nestled into the mountains, green velvet meadows, tidy terraced vineyards--and we began to see the Tyrol influence in Bavarian style houses with geranium flower boxes.
We had a heck of a time trying to find our hotel. The GPS doesn't always recognize that some streets are one-way and that others are pedestrian-only . . . and there are a lot of both in Bolzano! We were totally frustrated trying to find a place to park, and finally left the car in a handicapped zone outside a church. We found our hotel on foot, followed the hotelier's directions for where to park, and settled in. This is yet another great hotel. We have a big room, complete with a sitting area, a huge bathroom, and we are one of two rooms on the top floor. We're calling it the penthouse.
We had a fascinating afternoon in the Ice Man Archaeological Museum. It is the home of Otzi, a 5000 year old man whose frozen and preserved body was found in a nearby mountain area by hikers in 1991. Even his clothes were well preserved. Scientists have been able to determine his age, his health conditions (he had arthritis), his recent injury (he had been shot with an arrowhead), and even his last meal (by examining the contents of his stomach). The museum had fabulous displays of local Copper, Bronze, Iron Age, and Roman artifacts.
Today we drove from Trieste, past Venice and Verona, then straight north to Bolzano. The landscape changed almost immediately as we entered a mountain pass through the Dolomite region. This area is stunningly beautiful--tiny villages nestled into the mountains, green velvet meadows, tidy terraced vineyards--and we began to see the Tyrol influence in Bavarian style houses with geranium flower boxes.
We had a heck of a time trying to find our hotel. The GPS doesn't always recognize that some streets are one-way and that others are pedestrian-only . . . and there are a lot of both in Bolzano! We were totally frustrated trying to find a place to park, and finally left the car in a handicapped zone outside a church. We found our hotel on foot, followed the hotelier's directions for where to park, and settled in. This is yet another great hotel. We have a big room, complete with a sitting area, a huge bathroom, and we are one of two rooms on the top floor. We're calling it the penthouse.
We had a fascinating afternoon in the Ice Man Archaeological Museum. It is the home of Otzi, a 5000 year old man whose frozen and preserved body was found in a nearby mountain area by hikers in 1991. Even his clothes were well preserved. Scientists have been able to determine his age, his health conditions (he had arthritis), his recent injury (he had been shot with an arrowhead), and even his last meal (by examining the contents of his stomach). The museum had fabulous displays of local Copper, Bronze, Iron Age, and Roman artifacts.
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