Alps Archives - AnthonyGanzer.com

January 1, 2012August 30, 2021

Audio Dispatch: Austrian Achensee

Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of sound-rich portraits of European cities and sites. In this episode, I head to the Austrian Alps, and climb a mountain above the Achensee. The trains and ferries are no match for the nature…for those willing to enjoy it. Two slideshows included

You aren’t bothered by tourists up here, on the face of a mountain above the Achensee, an Austrian lake not far from the German border. Here you can hike among the cows, facing a steep descent to the lake. The Achensee region is one that thrives on tourism and gimmicks, but nature kept my troupe occupied and amazed. So it is on this mountain, with these cows, that I give you my trip to the Achensee.

MUSIC: “A Hiding Place for the Moon“ by Antoine Dufour

September 4, 2011August 30, 2021

Audio Dispatch: Lake Constance

Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of sound-rich portraits of European cities and sites. In this episode, I try to capture the feel of Lake Constance, and a visit to an Austrian town at the foot of a mountain.

The waves of Lake Constance act as sentries on the border of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The region around the Bodensee (as German-speakers call it) is so integrated that ferry companies from all three countries merged to save costs, and share their international resources. But Lake Constance also has the benefit of sitting in the shadows of respectable mountains—meaning one can sail, lounge by the lake and hike up a mountain in one trip. And that’s just what I did. Here is my trip to Lake Constance…

October 9, 2010January 18, 2017

Alpine Views

The Wetterhorn

The Wetterhorn, seen above Reichenbach Falls.

The Wetterhorn

The Wetterhorn at sunrise.

Meiringen

The Alps

The view from the cable car

Almost reminds me of Phoenix..without the heat.

Meiringen from near the top of Reichenbach Falls

Near Meiringen

Above Meiringen

Green above Meiringen

Surveying the Earth below

An apple tree set against one of Meiringen’s mountain guardians.

The Aare River

The photo doesn’t do the awe justice, but maybe use it to fuel your imagination.

A great view

The view from a lower-level gondola station.

From a lower-level gondola station.

The triangle shape of this mountain, plopped almost on its own, reminds me of Jaws.

There is always time to look at the sky.

One of the many peaks surrounding us at all times.

Not sure where we are headed…

This is about as high as we could go with the gondola. We hiked down the mountain from here.

From a lower-level gondola station.

Another view from our hotel.

Dusk from our room.

Hazy, but beautiful.

Oh to walk among clouds.

Walking along the water’s edge

So close, yet…

The winding path took us down the mountain. It might not look that far, but it is.

The view from our hotel at night.

Moon and street lamp giving this view a subtle glow.

Davos

Near Ospizio Bernina.

Near Ospizio Bernina, in the Swiss Alps.

Near the glaciers in the Swiss Alps.

Zuoz, Switzerland

On the Bernina line, through Graubuenden.

Along the Bernina line in the Swiss Alps.

Lago di Poschiavo

Le Prese, and the Lago di Poschiavo

The Alps

In the Swiss Alps

Fog forms above snow-covered mountains.

Alps over there..really..

Le Prese

This train station is one of, if not the, highest in Europe.

Sometimes you just want to pluck the clouds out of the sky.

October 6, 2010September 26, 2021

Ricola’s (herbal) Flavor Makers

September 21, 2010August 30, 2021

Audio Dispatch: Meiringen

Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of sound-rich portraits of European cities and sites. In this episode, I try to capture the feel of an Alpine town relying on nature’s beauty and a fiction writer’s legacy to offer a unique and worthwhile experience.