On Lake Constance, ferry companies cooperate to stay afloat
Austria’s border region: it might’ve been Swiss
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
Continue reading “Audio Dispatch: Austrian Achensee”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…
Alpine Views
The Wetterhorn
The Wetterhorn, seen above Reichenbach Falls.
The Wetterhorn
The Wetterhorn at sunrise.
Meiringen
The Alps
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
Davos
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
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.
Imst, Austria
Imst
Imst
Imst
Imst
Imst
