GSOC Innsbruck, February 5-13, 2016

by Trip Leader, Martha Abernethy

Our February trip to Innsbruck, Austria was a delight in so many ways:  the skiing, the sightseeing, the eating but most of all - the folks on the trip.  Sue Auffinger reports:  We took the free ski bus to Kuhtai. There is a quaint ski village at the base of the slopes with restaurants, hotels and shops - very family friendly.  Another day we took the train from Innsbruck Central train station to St. Anton.  The place is massive and only 51 Euro for an all day pass. The views are spectacular.  Train travel was easy and cheap.

We also skied Patscherkofel,which is very close to downtown Innsbruck.  The scenery is beautiful and the slopes very well groomed. The Olympic Men's downhill course from the 1976 Olympics took place on Patscherkofel. (Remember the famous Franz Klammer run?)  Steve skied it (but did not beat Franz' time, LOL)  The Igls Bobsled run is also located in Innsbruck.  We saw the last training run of the Women's 2 man Bob of the World Cup competition. Up close and personal!

The rest of us explored Innsbruck.  Beth Livingston and Camille McDowell proved themselves masters of organization and use of the Innsbruck Card!  We visited Nordkettle with its Igloo, the Alpine Zoo, the Imperial Palace and Gardens, the Ambras Castle, the Cathedral of St. James, the Bergisel-Schanze ski jump and restaurant, the Golden Roof and all the fantastic restaurants of Old Town.  Outside of town we experienced the Swarovski Museum - a mind-blowing collection of crystals that I can't begin to explain.The Berggreens from Atlanta discovered a fantastic Greek restaurant that hosted 3 different groups of our clan as family - along with many shots of ouzo.  Wow!

Several day trips included Salzburg, Venice for Fat Tuesday and a tour of Castles.  Our tour guide and coach driver were fantastic and well prepared - a lot of fun, also.  I wish I could detail those days - not enough room in the e-blast.

Every evening we'd gather in the lobby/bar and swap stories and plan dinner.  This group of old friends and new friends mixed and mingled and got along just great.  It was a pleasure taking them to Innsbruck.  We had a small reunion at the Chili-off.  What a fun group.

Mark your calendars for March 3-11, 2017.  Steve Auffinger has asked me to pull together a ski with fun/games for the Aosta Valley in Italy.  Check out this website www.lovevda.it/en.

We'll be back with you in late April with details.

In the meantime, please take time to enjoy the Innsbruck Photo Album on our GSOC website!

Martha Abernethy

www.marthasgetaways.com

martha@marthasgetaways.com
336 655 5240