Kitzbuhel - Austria, August 1984

August 17th
Set off for Coventry about 8.50am and arrived around 11am. Parked car and looked around the modern Cathederal and old Cathederal ruins. Drove to the airport and had a sandwich lunch. After going through the check-in we waited in the lounge. It turned out the flight would be delayed for an hour until about 5.45pm. During this time we had an ice cream. The plane arrived on time at about six. It was a Viscount which had four engines compared with the two on the Spanish holiday. Inside it had five rows of seats and a gangway compared with the Herald.

https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/955793/g-arir-vickers-viscount/

While the plane taxied, I checked the life jacket and emergency exits. The plane turned and accelerated away. It was quite cloudy so we could not see much. The plane cruised at 250 mph at 14,000ft, above the clouds and the journey took about 1 hour. As we came down we could see the dunes on the Belgian coast. Landed smoothly, disembarked and collected our luggage and got on the waiting coach, which was already half full. Put watches forward one hour and set off in the coach at 8.30pm.

Stopped at a service station at about 9.30pm. Had a plate of chips which had to be paid for in English money as we had no other money, and got no change back. Crossed the border into Holland then into Germany. We travelled all night through Germany. Crossed into Austria between 7-8am the next morning.

August 18th
Weather warm and sunny. Arrived Kitzbuhel and waited for our rooms at the Kaiser hotel to be ready. V sparse furniture, so we changed the room to one with a bath. Went back down for some lunch. I had a ham omlettte.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g807441-d940972-Reviews-Kaiserhotel_Kitzbuhler_Alpen-Oberndorf_Tirol_Austrian_Alps.html

A courier told us about all the excursions then had a walk up the hill to the Alpenhotel on Lake Schwartsee. We stopped for a beer and an ice cream. Walked back and changed for dinner at 6.45pm. Had tomato soup with bread rolls, chicken and chips, pineapple and corn, then a piece of apple strudel. Afterwards we went out into the main square and listened to a string and brass band, then back to the hotel.

August 19th
Woke up at 8am for breakfast. Bread rolls and butter with apricot jam and coffee. Walked to a swimming pool which had a whirlpool, waterfall and gushers. Walked back into town for lunch and saw a Tirolean band on the way. I had cheese and tomato pizza. Walked up a hill to a cable car station for the Hahnenkamm, but walked up the path instead. Saw lots of ants in the woodland - bigger than British ones.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1498428/walk-the-scenic-alpine-ski-slopes-in-summer/

 Walked 3/4 of the way to the top. For tea we had green bean soup, pork in batter with salad and boiled potatoes, then raspberry and apricot ice cream.

Afterwards we watched the news and weather on TV, then walked into town and had a beer at a cafe whilst listening to an accordian and zither.

August 20th
Got up at 6.45am. Breakfast was bread rolls with butter and apricot jam and coffee. Got on the coach at 7.45am, picked up others at villas and the Alpenhotel, then down the valley through towns and villages. Through Innsbruck over the Europa bridge (highest in Europe) onto the Brenner motorway (most expensive in Europe - £92m for 20 miles. Toll £20), through the Brenner Pass into Italy.

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/brenner-pass-and-europa-bridge-high-res-stock-photography/583574280

We stopped in Vipiteno where it was warm and sunny. Went to a wine shop and had free samples of Masala and Muscatel, upstairs were leather goods.

https://www.suedtirolerland.it/en/south-tyrol/valle-isarco/vipiteno/city-of-vipiteno/

For lunch we stopped at arestaurant further down the street. I had Spaghetti Bolognase. Took photos of the main street, saw the Orient Express, then back on the coach and up a very twisty route up to 3000m+ then we stopped to look at the view. The back down the same way and onto the old Brenner pass route which passes under the Europa bridge. We stopped to take a photo, then we went back to Innsbruck.

Here we saw the winter olympic ski jump and ice rink. Also saw the famous golden roof and took a photo.

https://www.tirolo.tl/it/cultura-e-territorio/attrazioni/tettuccio-doro/

On the main street we stopped at Clara's cafe for a cup of tea and a cake. Then had to return to the coach and got back to Kitzbuhel at 6.15pm. For dinner we had beef soup with noodles, then turkey in mushroom sauce with rice and mixed vegetables, then banana cocktail. Afterwards watched TV then I washed my hair.

August 21st
Sunny day. Bread rolls and butter with apricot jam and tea for breakfast. I put on my shorts and we walked into town to buy food for lunch. We then set off to walk to Lake Schwartzsee. V hot. Had lunch then moved round to a grassy area for sunbathing. Stephen and I hired a rowing boat for 1hr. Then came back to the swimming area. Water v cold at first but easy to swim in. Also nearby was a water skiing machine which would take you round in circles.

https://www.tyrol.tl/en/highlights/nature-and-landscape/lakes/lake-schwarzsee/

Then walked back to the hotel over the hill. For dinner had leek soup, then pork chop with chips and apple strudel. Walked into town afterwards and had a beer at the Park hotel, then back into the main square to hear the string and brass band. A lady with Schnapps came round, but not to our table.

August 22nd
Bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea for breakfast. Then Stephen and I went shopping for our lunch (ham & cheese rolls). At 9.45am went outside to wait for the coach to take us to Grossglockner glacier. Another V hot day.

https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/oesterreich~berg--und-seilbahnen~sonstige/528820/grossglockner-gletscherbahn-zwischen-kaiser-franz-josefs-hoehe-und-pasterze-27072011.html

We went up on a funicular railway which was very steep. It started quickly and went into a tunnel that lasted for ages until finally it came out at a cable car station on the Kitzstienhorn at about 2,200m. Then a cable car took us to the summit at 3029m, passing over a glacier and the world's highest cable car support post.

At the top we got out and followed a long tunnel down to a viewing area balcony. The last part of the tunnel was hewn out of the ice. From the balcony we could see the Grossglockner peak (3,798m) the highest mountain in Austria. V lucky because we had good views without a cloud, it was quite cold though so we were glad of our extra clothes.

https://www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en/service/tickets-prices/up-and-downhill-ride-tickets/hike-and-swim-ticket

Then we went to the restaurant and had some bacon and pea soup with our sandwich. Went up to the panoramic terrace to get a higher view of the surroundings. Then it was time to get back in the cable car and down the funicular. Back on the coach, we went to Zell am See.

https://www.alpenblick.at/en/a-holiday-in-zell-am-see/zell-am-see/

It was boiling hot so we went down to the lake and had tea and cake in a restaurant, then back on the coach to Kitzbuhel. For dinner we had soup, then chicken in a sauce with noodles, then raspberry and vanilla ice cream. Afterwards we watched the news and weather on TV then walked by the river into town and stopped at a restuarant (where I had a pizza before) for a beer.

August 23rd
Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea. Made sandwiches for a packed lunch and set off to the cable car station at the base of the Kitzbuheler Horn. V hot and sunny. We got off at the first station (1,300m) then walked up the very steep path to the Alpenhaus station where we stopped for lunch just below, watching cows being herded in the high meadows. We stopped at a restaurant at 1,700m for a piece of chocolate cake and cream with a mineral water and orange. V good views of Kitzbuhel and valley.

https://www.ebike-holiday.com/alpenhaus-am-kitzbueheler-horn#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-

Got the cable car back down later for free. Went back to the hotel for a bath and rested. Dinner was pancake soup, chicken with roast potatoes and green beans, then apple and plum [pudding?]. Afterwards we walked out looking for mini-golf, but could not find it. Had a beer in the main street - Tenne hotel.

https://www.skisolutions.com/accommodations/zur-tenne

August 24th
Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea. Walked into town to get things for a packed lunch. Cloudy day. Walked to Lake Schwartzsee where we had lunch. Then Stephen and I hired a rowing boat. Just as we got back it started to rain. This got heavier so I [we?] ran back to the hotel. Waited for the rain to stop and later went out to find the mini-golf. I got 63 and a hole in one. For dinner we had vegetable soup, then fish fillet with chips and peas then fruit slice. Afterwards we walked into town and found a restaurant with a piano playing and alot of other British people there. As we came out it was pouring with rain.

August 25th
Still raining. Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea earlier and caught the bus to Salzburg at about 8.10am. The bus crossed the Austria/Germany border twice to shorten the journey time. Very low clouds. When we were dropped off in Salzburg we had to walk through a tunnel to the main centre (the town is surrounded by hills). While dad looked in a record shop, we went for a cup of tea in a top restaurant. Wandered around the shops, bought a Mexi-burger from a Nordsee fish shop (fish cake in a bread bun with sauce). I found a shop selling 4711 items and managed to get my spray.

Crossed over the river that runs through the centre to the more modern part. Shops shut at 12.30pm. Found our way to a park area where we ate our sandwiches. Took photos of the gardens, walked back to the old town into a large square and went in the Cathederal. There was an orchestra and choir practicising.

https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/churches-cemeteries/salzburger-cathedral

Many paintings high on its ceiling and dome with white walls. On our way back we saw a Fransican church which had a massive golden alter.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vladnet/38806453734

When we got back to the hotel it was still raining. For dinner we had Smokey bacon poached egg soup, then gammon with mashed poatato and mixed vegetables, then fresh fruit salad. As it was raining we stayed in and watched TV and had a beer,

August 26th
When i got up it was still raining. Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea.  As the rain had eased a little we walked into town to see the start of the Kitzbuheler Horn race. A lot of competitors were taking part. Had a cup of tea in a restaurant then went to the zither music place for lunch. Then went to the Aqua-arena. While Stephen and dad swam, I had coffee and apple strudel. For dinner it was potato soup, chicken, rice & peas and chips, then yoghurt. Stayed in and had a beer.

August 27th
Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with strawberry jam and tea. Caught the train to St Johann at 10.19am, still raining. Walked around the shops. Had lunch on a seat near the river and army training centre.

https://www.skistar.com/en/Summer/summer-in-st.-johann/

Then it started raining again so we went to a sports centre and watched the swimming and played pool. Went to the dry toboggan run which was a concrete slipway and you just had a brake to control your speed.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/34410384635832047/

Got a chair lift to the top. So good had another go. Bought a cake and ate it at the station while we were waiting for the train. Had a bath when we got back. For dinner we had cauliflower soup, then roast pork with boiled potatoes and salad, then stewed apricots. Afterwards as it had stopped rainiing we went to the zither place for beer and apple strudel.

August 28th
Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with apricot jam and tea. Bought things for sandwiches then set off walking (it was a sunny day). Walked to the lake then onwards up through forested areas. On through meadows, got a good view of the Kitzbuheler Horn. Walked on to another lake then had lunch. The back through the forest to Lake Schwartzsee. Stephen went swimming then we went round to the Alpenhotel for a raspberry ice cream soda. Walked back to the hotel. For dinner (our last night) we had a candle on the table. Soup then goulash and vegetables, then pineapple rings. Afterwards we went to a bowling party. Had a free beer when we got there. We were divided into teams. The first game was highest score wins. Winners had to down a Schnapps. We won the second game and I had a Schnapps. Got back at 12 O'Clock.

August 29th
Breakfast was bread rolls and butter with apricot jam and tea. Had to be out of the rooms by 9am. Walked down to the mini golf, there was a free competition. Went round with the Vaughan's, got 75. Then walked into town and bought chocolates at Spar. Had a cup of tea then went to a pizza place for lunch. I had totellini and some spaghetti and chips. Then wandered down to the river and watched trout. Walked with mum up to Schwartzsee to get places dor the coach journey. On the way we looked in a church with paintings and a very decorated alter. At Schwartzsee had a Bilberry special ice cream (Sch48 - £2) and a lemonade. Waited until 6.30pm before we got on the coach and then picked up some more people from hotel Kaiser. Stopped in Germany at about 9pm. We had sandwiches with us so just had a coffee, Back on the coach we saw a video of Airplane, which was great.

Only slept about three hours through the night. Stopped at about 6.30am for five minutes to stretch legs, then on into Belgium where it was raining. Arrived at Ostend airport about 7.15am, had some orange juice, bread rolls and tea. Waited in the lounge after checking in the luggage, then went through to the departure lounge. Coventry plane arrive before the Lydd one so we got on that flight. It was cloudy back in England at 9.30am. Set off at 11 from Coventry after taking a few wrong roads. Stopped at motorway service station for lunch - steak & kidney pie, peas and chips, then on into a sunny afternoon. Stephen drove on the motorway until the exhaust fell off. The car made a roaring noise but was safe enough to get back home at 3pm.