We went to Austria last weekend, to find the snow (it still hasn’t arrived properly down here) and for a long over due catch up with friends staying in the area.
Our home for the night was in Saalfelden (on the edge of Berchtesgaden), a gorgeous dorf of Heidi style dimensions… There seems to be nothing here but mountains, white (snow and cloud!), green (grass and trees!) and beautiful alpine buildings. And along with such glorious unspoilt vistas, comes something equally precious – silence. That rare kind of silence which makes you realise you might actually have tinnitus, broken only by the odd rumbling mooo from the resident dairy cattle on our farm. Did I mention we were staying on a farm? Quite literally too – a huge part of the barn was below us (you would never have guessed, the accommodation was extremely comfortable – not that we saw altogether that much of it!), and shortly after meeting our new found furry friends, it was christened Ferdinand’s House thanks to the infamous story of a peace loving Bull that’s a huge favourite amongst the smaller members of our family (in fact most bovines they meet now get called Ferdinand, regardless of gender!)…
Ferdinand and Family…
We spent a few minutes topping up vitamin D levels on the rather handsome alpine balcony, before it was time to make tracks to nearby Maria Alm (which I loved by the way, it’s a really sweet little resort!) – but not before I vowed to myself to get up at the crack of dawn the next morning to catch the sunrise, with that scenery, it would seem rude not to….
Skis and boots hired for the Small people (I am not buying them when they are growing so quickly!), it was time to catch up with the friends from the UK – also here in search of the snow (incidentally, if you are about to embark on a family ski trip, you might appreciate a recent article I wrote for BritMums – you can read it here!)… This particular group might not hail from these parts, but they now how to enjoy every single aspect of this kind of holiday – which meant that getting up for the sunrise the next morning was not a particularly easy task… But I managed, and having struggled with the blinds for a few minutes (armed with my camera for the dawn), I finally managed to open them to reveal the foggiest morning I have seen in a very long time (the photo below was taken a good few hours later!)…
Thankfully the cloud obliged and lifted a few hours later, so the more intrepid members of my family were rewarded with glorious sunshine in which to enjoy their favourite pastime of chucking themselves down mountains. And me? I got to indulge in one of my favourite pastimes, a chat with an old friend (who sadly couldn’t ski thanks to a broken wrist!) some caffeine imbibing, and a trip to the top (I’m fond of those!) in a cable car for lunch…
And once all mountains had been conquered (and lessons for small people completed), the sledges came out, and the last drops of energy were burned up in the remaining daylight before the drive home (I will never get used to the fact that we are able to do that here!).
And I might have partaken in a spot of speed sledging myself, albeit accidentally – I trod on the corner of a flat plastic sledge helping the six year old halfway up a slope, and have the bruise to show for it… Until next time!
Scenic drive home
Lunaguava says
Love the mist in the mountains! The cows are lovely too :) Great post, congrats. Good luck and safe travels!
bavaria says
Thank you Luna! :) Safe travels to you too! :)
Travis says
Great post! We’ve driven through some of the rural parts of Austria and have always been blown away by the scenery. Unfortunately, we always seem to be in a rush and never take the time to stop and visit some of the beautiful small towns we pass – something I guess we will have to stop now. Safe travels!
bavaria says
They are well worth spending time in I have found! Thanks Travis, you too! :)
Jess says
I’m not a morning person, but that view would be worth getting up for!
And I like your name for the place – even without the horns, those are some pretty Ferdinandish cows.
bavaria says
Thanks Jess! :D
Love All Blogs says
You know I do love a good cow #milky
bavaria says
Wouldn’t be any chocolate without them would there? :D Thank you…
Swazi says
I love Austria it is so beautiful – wonderful photos :)
bavaria says
Thanks so much Swazi! :)
fritha says
WOW those shots are breathtaking! x
bavaria says
Thanks Fritha! :)
noel morata says
I love all the morning and fog images, it looks so perfect for an Austrian getaway, thanks for the trip. Hope you can also link up your post for Travel Photo Mondays, the link is up for the entire week, hope you can join us.
bavaria says
Thanks Noel… Will pop over tomorrow! :)
Mary says
Sounds and looks like a divine trip. (Minus the final ‘trip’ on the sledge that you made!) I would so be with you on the caffeine imbibing, cable car riding, view appreciating approach. And probably on the falling over too!
bavaria says
I am so clumsy! :D Thanks Mary! :)
Laura @ Kneadwhine says
I’m not a fan of fog but these photos are stunning!
bavaria says
Thanks Laura! :)
Emily @amummytoo says
Wow, those pics are stunning. I’m rather jealous. Can’t wait to move out of the greyness that passes for Winter here in the UK. Glad you all had a good time :)
bavaria says
It was pretty grey here today too… Thanks Emily! :)
Cass@frugalfamily says
Looks like you had a brilliant time – your photos are brilliant x
bavaria says
Thanks Cass! (:
anna says
wow such beautiful pictures! looks like an amazing place
bavaria says
Thanks Anna (:
older mum in a muddle says
How beautiful is that!!! Austria is stunning! And your pictures! Your pictures! Love the one of the cows, and the church in mist – so stunning. How lucky you are to live in a place where it’s so easy to go skiing – bet the children absolutely love it! X
bavaria says
Thank you… I think they think it’s quite normal now, but they will be in for a shock when it’s time to move on one day! :D xx
A Brit and A Southerner says
Just wanted to echo another comment thanking you for sharing this great post with this week’s Sunday Traveler link-up!
This looks like a really great place and I have to commend you for your amazing photos you have here! Hopefully we will be heading over to Austria sometime soon to experience this for ourselves but this post certainly encourages folks to visit!
bavaria says
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I am glad you like the photos too! :)
Laura Halls says
Looks beautiful
I’m not a cold weather person it makes me moody lol but I think wrapped up warm enough I could cope for the sheer beauty
bavaria says
Thanks Laura, it is indeed beautiful! :D
Vaichin says
It has always been a dream to visit Austria. Your beautiful pictures have just reminded me why.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Vaichin! :)
Anna Parker says
Austria is never somewhere I’ve had on the list but recently I’ve seen lots of stunning photos and there is so much to see, especially in the summer when the snow has gone! Favourite film is Sound of Music!!
bavaria says
Well then it’s completely perfect for you! Salzburg is lovely, but I think Vienna is my favourite! :) Thanks Anna!
A Southern Gypsy says
I’ve never been to Austria, but desperately want to. I’ll admit I don’t ski because I tore my ACL last year doing so and it’s now about the only thing I’m terrified of doing, but I’d go for those views and the cows! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler this week :)
bavaria says
I just go for the views and the cows too, don’t worry! I couldn’t hope to keep up with my expert husband, and the children would now over take me too! :D
Coombemill says
It looks so beautiful there and you capture the scenes so well.
bavaria says
Thanks Fiona! :)
Mums do travel says
What a beautiful place and how lovely that you can drive there.
bavaria says
Thank you Gretta! We are lucky in this respect, and shall make the most of it whilst we are here! :D
Fiona Martin says
What a fabulous place – you were so lucky to spend the weekend there.
bavaria says
Thanks Fiona! I know, I need to remember that sometimes! :D
oana79 says
Emma, this sounds like a holiday from heaven! And your pics are stunning, make me miss Switzerland so much this time of the year!
bavaria says
I bet, Switzerland is a gorgeous place! Thanks Oana! :)
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey says
Ohhhhh this looks a great place to be right now. I love the name Ferdinand, but those poor girls…. why can’t they call them Ferdinandia?
bavaria says
Thank you! They didn’t even get names poor thing. The big dark brown one was Ferdinand and that was it! :D
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey says
Thanks heaps for linking up to #SundayTraveler. My comment still stands about the names. I am sad for the wee ones who never got a name… poor little beef steaks. I’ll also go and pin this now, hope that’s okay.
bavaria says
Of course it’s OK… Thank YOU! :)
Grace says
A fantastic weekend adventure – love the look of the horse and ‘sleigh’ would have had to have a go on that. x
bavaria says
Thanks Mum… If you look closely it has wheels too, genius! :D xx
Jen aka The Mad House says
Austria is on the men of the house list here!
bavaria says
And I think they would like it! Thanks Jen! :)
Charly Dove says
Fabulous post and the photos are wonderful as usual – especially love the balcony and the last one. Looks like a really great trip :)
bavaria says
Thank you Charly! :)
Luci - Mother.Wife.Me says
Those cows, those cows, love that shot! #BetterPhotosProject
bavaria says
Thanks Luci! :)
Keri-Anne says
Oh my gosh! Those views! That last picture is something special :)
bavaria says
Thanks Keri-Anne! That picture makes me laugh, he is such a little speed demon! :D
Helen The good life mum says
oh my goodness i just drool at your pictures so different to anything you get in the uk i swear you live in fairy land your children will look back on their childhood with adventure what a gift you have given them #CountryKids
bavaria says
I hope they will look back on it in fondness one day, thanks Helen! xx
Charlotte says
Wow that is so beautiful! I would love to visit some day. Stunning photos x
bavaria says
Thanks Charlotte! You should! :)
natalie says
Wow that looks truly amazing. Makes me want to go to Austria try our 1st family skiing trip.
bavaria says
And I couldn’t recommend a better place. Have a look at Maria Alm, it’s so beautiful, and has some good runs!
brinabird and son says
It is so beautiful. I love the mountains. We always argue over where we would retire…the mountains or the sea. I have not been to ski in years which is a shame. We had to trek a bit to find snow this year as well but no skiing just chucking it around and grabbing a lovely lunch.
bavaria says
Thanks Brina, I think skiing is like riding a bike, you never forget! You should be able to pick it up again in no time! And as for retiring, it’s a tough one, having lived next to both now I can’t decide! :D
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Ferdinand the bull, sitting in the shade smelling the flowers – one of my favourite childhood books. Thanks for reminding me.
Just breathtaking photographs – I can just smell that beautiful clean air.
bavaria says
Thank you Trish… Such a lovely book isn’t it? xx
A Patchwork Life says
How brilliant to be able to drive to the slopes for the day – though quite like the thought of sitting on that alpine balcony too… looks gorgeous!
bavaria says
Thank you T! :) xx
mellissa williams says
I love Austria, I stayed in Zell am Zee.
You have great photos. I would love to go back!
bavaria says
Zell am Zee is lovely too! Thank you Mellissa! :)
hannah staveley says
Some very nice pictures .x
bavaria says
Thanks Hannah! :)
Shell Louise says
Wow those photos are gorgeous. I hope we get to visit one day. We have a dream of taking a driving holiday through Europe when the kids have grown up and moved out!
bavaria says
Thanks Shell! That sounds lovely! :)
Jazzygal says
I always love your photography but I absolutely adore the photos in this post! Wonderful and I loved reading all about your trip. Maybe I need to add a skiing holiday to my ‘must-do’ holidays ;-) I did go on one myself years ago but my son hasn’t!
xx Jazzy
bavaria says
I bet he would love skiing too! Thanks Jazzy xx
Coombemill - Fiona says
What stunning photos, Austria is so beautiful and how wonderful to have those views from the veranda. The sledging sounds like fun and our children would definitely enjoy throwing themselves down snow covered mountains – it all sounds very idyllic. Thanks for linking up and sharing your winter fun with Country Kids.
bavaria says
Thank you Fiona (:
Mummy of Two says
That looks absolutely beautiful. I’ve always fancied visiting Austria.
bavaria says
I really like Austria, it’s stunning, and the people are really lovely…
Ninja cat says
So so pretty . Makes me want to go there
bavaria says
You should, you should! :D
Mammasaurus says
This takes me back to watching Heidi as a child! Super jealous! I am off to daydream of holidays now….
bavaria says
It really reminds me of Heidi too, every time! :D
Hellie's Corner says
Lovely photos, the Alps are such a beautiful part of the world. #betterphotoproject
bavaria says
Thank you Hellie! :)
Christine says
Love the photographs, very atmospheric. I lived in Austria for a while so your posts bought back memories!
bavaria says
Thanks Christine! :)
Mumof2.com says
Looks gorgeous and like you all had so much fun (except for the bruise part!! – hope it has healed) #CountryKids
bavaria says
I will live! Thank you… :D
Carolin says
What a stunning view x
bavaria says
Thank you Carolin! :) xx
helloitsgemma says
beautiful – am singing Heidi songs (not sure where Heidi hails from) anyhow… I utterly snorted at the last paragraph!
I love that you always manage a small disaster/hiccup – it’s a special skill! I am proud of you. I shall be disappointed if future posts do not include one of these anecdotes. (soz)
bavaria says
Thank you, it’s a big part of being me! :D Heidi is actually Swiss, but did believe spend some time in Austria and Bavaria as well! :D xx
maggy, red ted art says
I am going to have to admit that you probably know Austria better than me… sigh. I am SUCH a Pseudo Austrian….
bavaria says
I bet I don’t! :D Thanks Maggy! :) x
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
I am so envious!
bavaria says
Bet you wouldn’t be jealous of my bruise! :D Thank you…
Mary @over40andamumtoone says
Lovely photos as always
bavaria says
Thanks very much Mary! :)
Elinor - Beachhutcook says
I am jealous it looks glorious. What a beautiful place. Elinor x
bavaria says
Thank you Elinor. We are lucky to have it on our doorstep! :) x
Sally Sellwood (@Recipejunkie27) says
Beautiful pics. When I saw the title of this, I wondered if ‘Ferdinand’ had anything to do with the bull – that’s my absolute most favourite children’s story. I even have a fairly original copy of it, sourced from a bookseller in the States no less.
bavaria says
A gorgeous book isn’t it? Jealous of your original copy too… Thank you! :) xx
Hausfrau says
I’ve always been a big Ferdinand fan, too! This place is so beautiful–it seems you had a great time!
bavaria says
Thank you Di… It’s a beautiful place isn’t it? We shall return! :D
Kelloggsville says
Lovely balcony, Lovely drive home. The snowy bit in the middle : meh! Lol
bavaria says
Hahaha… You actually sound a bit like me! My poor old husband definitely married the wrong person when it comes to skiing! :D
Louisa says
Austria is a beautiful country. Sounds like you all had a marvellous time! : )
bavaria says
Thanks Louisa, it was lovely! :)