Following the Moldovan missionary conference we began an alpine vacation with a couple of days in Garmisch, the heart of Bavarian country. Staying in a quaint bed and breakfast we relaxed strolling the narrow pedestrian-only thoroughfares lined with shops, side-walk cafes and cascading flowers from every window box and balcony.

Unbeknownst to us we arrived at the beginning of a local weeklong festival which featured a parade of locals in their alpine dress accompanied by a band playing Bavarian music. Throughout the streets, in parks and in many of the restaurants groups played accordions and stringed instruments with an occasional omm-pah-pah tuba. It was there I began my diet-defying over-indulgence of wiener schnitzel. bratwurst and sour kraut, and apple strudel.

Our days were spent high in the mountains, riding a gondola to the Zugspitz and Alspitz, the highest peaks on the border between Germany and Austria. We were blessed with beautiful clear days with views of the valleys below and an impressive panoroma of mountain peaks that seemed to go on forever.

It was only a short drive across the border to Salzburg in Austria where summer tourists filled the narrow alleys of the old city. From Mozart Plaza to the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, originally built beginning in 1077, history and culture merged in a demanding itinerary. Moving from spectacular scenes of the city to a casual afternoon in the Mirabella gardens, our final day climaxed with a performance of “Sound of Music” at the famous Marionette Theater.

Moving on to Vienna we were delighted to meet with a group of IMB personnel for dinner in “The Twelve Apostles Cellar” restaurant near St. Stephens Plaza in the heart of the city. We quickly learned the subway system for getting about the massive city and enjoyed strolls along the Danube, relaxing in beautiful, massive gardens and walked miles to view the Schommberg Imperial Palace and the grandeur and impressive architecture of historical buildings throughout the city. We eschewed the many concerts as too expensive and multiple museums as too time-consuming, choosing to enjoy viennese coffee in sidewalk cafes and watch the crowds.

Our first week concluded with an all-day drive through the Southern Alps of Austria to Innsbruck before moving on to the Switzerland stage of our vacation, awed by the spectacular scenery along the way. More photos to follow next week.