“It was in 1590--winter. Austria was far away from the world, and asleep; it was still the Middle Ages in Austria, and promised to remain so forever. Some even set it away back centuries upon centuries and said that by the mental and spiritual clock it was still the Age of Belief in Austria. But they meant it as a compliment, not a slur, and it was so taken, and we were all proud of it. I remember it well, although I was only a boy; and I remember, too, the pleasure it gave me.
Yes, Austria was far from the world, and asleep, and our village was in the middle of that sleep, being in the middle of Austria.”
- Mark Twain, The Mysterious Strange

Innsbruck and Hall are both familiar places for Cindi and I. Owen and I were in Innsbruck for one night last year. Owen was very disappointed to leave after such a short stay so this stop is mainly his suggestion. I can’t say I don’t blame him. It is a beautiful region and one that warrants time be spent exploring. Hall is just a short train ride outside of Innsbruck and the place Cindi, Christian, Sharon and I stayed on our first trip together over here back in 2003. One of the highlights of that trip was having goulash suppe in a hotel across the river from where we were staying in Hall. When we were making our reservations for this trip, one of the places that came up was this same hotel from that trip. I don’t know if they still have the outstanding goulash suppe, but one can only hope.

Things to look forward to are the Hall mint, lots of great views and hiking options, and not to be missed gelato for Owen.