Hotel Crystal

Frescoes

by sandysmith

Just enjoy strolling around the town and admire the beautiful frescoes and deorated oriels that are everwhere. This blue house - the Landhaus Schwarzinger - towards one end of the town was a favourite. It is a baroque farmhouse from the 17th century.
If interested in the decorative motifs then check out the travelogue below.

Hinter Kaiser and Nieder Kaiser in the background

by dabidc

Once you leave the trees and follow the road, there is more chance to see the views.

On the way up you pass a launch site ( starting place) for a ride down the mountain on sleds in a concrete track.

A mist or cloud hung around the lower mountains.

by dabidc

The day was clearing and becoming sunny is St Johann, but as the mountains got closer the cloud stayed on the tops of the mountains.

I came out of the forest and walked along the narrow road as it climbed to the Rummelhof Inn.

Like an oasis in the desert the inn was a place to aim for as I took my time wandering the country roads. Unlike a mirage the Inn actually came into sight and eventually sound. A group of hikers, the same ones from the photo, were already eating and having some liquid refreshment.

The train journey from Graz to St Johann in Tirol.

by dabidc

"The journey along side the Mountains."

The train journey was by way of Bruck an der Mur, Leoben, Liezen, Schladming, Bishofshofen, Zell am See and Saalfelden to St Johann.

The first part was in cloud conditions and among the forests, so did not present an opportunity to take photos.

The photos are along the stretch of track from Leoben to Schladming, all the views were new to me and all were taken while the train was moving. Not the best but they do give some idea of the countryside, especially to the north of the train.

"Trackside views to the north of the train."

Possibly Eisenerzer alps.

"Flat valley with high Alps to North"

"Castle and defensive wall lie in ruins."

"Small town with white building in the hills."

"Could also be a Schloss."

"North of the Dachstein lies Hallstatt."

"Near Bischofshofen is it Hochkonig Mtn?"

This was an elusive mountain to catch a glimpse of let alone photograph. The train passed through a valley east of Bischofsofen, twisting and turning along the valley, never getting a view of the odd shaped top of the mountain.

Anyone out there tell me which mountain it is?