Tuesday 21st April, 2015
Four countries and five trains later, we arrived in the city of Innsbruck, our Alpine destination. The eleven-hour journey from France to Austria included a quick glimpse of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. While Switzerland wasn't part of our backpacking itinerary (it was a little out of our budget), I was more than content with catching a tiny part of its beauty. Unfortunately, I didn’t snap any photos during the ride; I preferred to soak in the stunning scenery with my eyes this time, especially since we were zooming along on a high-speed train. Nonetheless, we arrived in Austria and I was ready to explore.
Innsbruck, known for its stunning mountain views and outdoor activities, is a popular destination for winter sports and summer hiking.
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| Innsbruck Town Square |
Wednesday 22nd April, 2015
Waking up at Marmota Hostel, a 25-minute tram ride from Innsbruck train station, I was greeted by an incredible view from our bedroom window. As I pulled back the curtains to embrace the new day, the majestic Alps stretched out before us. It was hands down the best view I’d ever had at a hostel so far, but I craved more. I wanted to soak up every bit of Innsbruck, and what better way to kick things off than with mountains at every angle, a cloudless sky, and a mindful walk in the sunshine? Afterwards, a duo of cappuccinos and a side of eggs sounded like the perfect reward.
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| The colourful buildings of Innsbruck |
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| Triumphal Arch, Innsbruck |
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| Wandering through the shops, Innsbruck |
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| Dogs in costume and magnificent buildings, Innsbruck |
After fuelling up on protein and indulging in some people-watching, we spent a few hours wandering the town without any expectations or plans. There was so much to explore: souvenir shops advertising cuckoo clocks, hefty beer mugs, traditional Austrian attire, dogs dressed up in costumes, street performers, and Austrian architecture. The intricate details on the buildings left me in awe; I had never encountered such a display of craftsmanship.
Eager to learn more about Innsbruck's history and how locals contributed to the city's magical atmosphere, we visited the symbol of the city: the Golden Roof. Commissioned by Emperor Maximilian in the 1500s, the roof is adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper shingles, which gives it its impressive name and orange lustre. We also climbed the City Tower for the best treat in Innsbruck, snow-covered mountains, a variety of wildlife, and more colours than I knew existed.
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| Happy Hour |
Food in Innsbruck was quite pricey, so we opted for schnitzel burgers and kebabs from a fast-food joint instead. However, when you're a backpacker on a budget, a good beer is all you really need, and let me tell you, the Austrian beer did not disappoint. We set aside the water, settled in, and took full advantage of 'Happy Hour' with the locals.
After several beers and two schnitzels, the sun began to set, and my child-like wonder had got the best of me. My legs ached from our day of exploring, and I was ready for some cosy downtime and sleep. So, Jack and I hopped on the tram back to our hostel. We were off to Slovenia in the morning, and so we closed our curtains, whispered goodnight to the Alps, and bid farewell to Austria... for now.
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| P.s. Is it just me, or does the statue on the left look a lot like Evan Peters? |