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Venice, Ponte di Rialto
Rialto Bridge for those that don't speak Italian Needed to drag Maria (Annie) from her hills in Salzburg but it was well worth the effort as this day’s drive proved to be as spectacular a day as you could imagine. We are now on day 15 (7th. May) and the morning out of Salzburg takes us around some of the nearby lakes and villages such as Mondsee, Gmunden and Halstat. We stopped for lunch at Halstat and could have stayed a lifetime. We spent much longer strolling through the town than we had planned even though there were only a couple of streets to cover. It was perched on the side of a steep mountain as it dropped away into the lake. As you moved back from the lake you climbed steep narrow stairways pass houses that appeared to be built on top of the other. The only way into the town was through a one way tunnel, the way out was another one way tunnel built directly above the one going into town. Both tunnels were about 2km. in length. The lake was still, offering fantastic reflections of the snow capped peaks that towered all around. We spoke with the lady that owned the Pension where we had
Halstat, our first glimpse
Our first sight of this beautiful place lunch and she said she was not sure exactly how old the building was but the first known writings were around 1475.
The afternoon’s drive was even more spectacular and a little hairy as we ascended the renown “GrossGlockner,” this is the original pass that takes you high over the Austrian alps and into Italy. Other options are now available but the fun (and scenery to a degree) is taken by the use of tunnels up to 12 km. in length. The road is steep with many hair pin bends and sheer drops of thousands of feet off the edge of the narrow roads. The van is quite large and handled the road well which was wide enough to accommodate us quite comfortable... that is until the sports cars and buses appeared around the corner in front. Annie was saying her “Hail Mary’s (and a lot of other things I might add, mostly directed at me for putting her in a position where she surely felt she was going to die) Mind you, I had my say too... “Get that on Video will you,” “give me the camera if you’re not going to take the photos,” Annie wasn’t too impressed
Halstat, Wine O'Clock
How could you want to leave, not only a magnificent location but off the regular tourist track and just a beautiful place for another wine and a bite to eat. at all, especially when I finally did get the camera.
The pass took us above 2,250 metres and at some stages we had to wait as they were still clearing the snow from where some of the walls up to 20ft high had collapsed onto the roadway. It was the most thrilling drive I have done and one that Annie won’t forget in a hurry either.
Because of the extra time in Hallstat and the frequent stops for photos, and just taking in the scenery we fell short of the planned stop at “Cortina de Amprezza “but found an isolated campground on tail end of the GrossGlockner Strasse. It was a beautiful spot with the steep hill all around dotted with tiny picture perfect houses and hay barns. The little restaurant was open just for us I’m sure and we sure enjoyed the snitchel and several wines.
The following morning we were driving into Italy and the scenery wasn’t much different. This time it was the spectaclar Italian Dolomites. As the road started to ascend I could feel the apprehension from Annie, actually I felt it across the back of my head. Just before Cortina we stumbled across another town
offering the most beautiful views. Not as quaint and rustic as Hallstat but an amazing place where you could just sit and admire. The frozen lake, the ski lodges, and the craggy nature of the Dolomites all around had us spell bound.
From Cortina we had intended to continue west through the Dolomites and did attempt several kilometres but time (and the look on Annie’s face as the roads were not the best) was against us so we turned south toward Venice.
What can I say about Venice that hasn’t already been said, just a magnificent place where we spent two glorious days. We were camped on the water’s edge with a view to Venice which was quite beautiful e, especially of an evening as the sun was setting and the large cargo vessels passed within 50 meters.
That had better do for now, we have loved getting your messages and apologise for not responding, time has been difficult to find. Arivaderci (haven’t mastered the spelling yet) Ciao Annie and Rob.
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Cathie Graham
non-member comment
Oh, his blog brought back some memories!!! Screaming fights as we drove across those bloody alps with Pauls head swivelling at the amazing views and me (no previous praying experience) asking God to not let me die up there!!! The fact that Paul hadn't organised a car with hand controls but had just brought along his own portable ones and attached them to the brake and accelerator with VELCRO didn't help my anxiety!!! Anyway - have a ball - I do love Venice!! Lots of love Cx