Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Christmas in Germany: Day 3...Innsbruck...

Innsbruck, Austria is a place that I have hoped to visit for quite some time now, but unfortunately the timing had never been appropriate on our other trips.  When thinking up day trips for this trip, I knew Innsbruck had to happen.  Let's just say that Innsbruck did not disappoint and it is very high on our list to return for hiking.

We woke up on Friday to rain outside our hotel in Munich.  I was a little bummed because I was hoping to run, but did not want to be a drowned rat.  We were up early and decided to go downstairs for breakfast.  Our hotel had an amazing breakfast along with amazing coffee options.  Hello multiple latte macchiatos for me daily!

After breakfast the rain had let up a bit so I suited up for a quick little run.  Ken always knows that I scout out restaurants, biergartens, and other things while I run.  I reported back that we were super close to another Augustiner, which is our favorite bier hall!

After my run we relaxed and bit and then got ready for the day and made our way towards the train station.  It was still raining and sadly Ken's umbrella decided to bite the dust on our way.  We were lucky enough to be right by a CVS type store and got a new one.  We determined that blue umbrellas go to Munich to die, since Mike lost his blue one there last year.

Armed with a new umbrella we were on our way.  We had a little extra time to kill so we stopped off for lattes.

Ken's latte macchiato and my snowman latte, complete with marshmallows.  It was delicious!


We boarded our comfortable train to Innsbruck and were off to Austria!  A lady boarded the train and said something to us in German.  Ken quickly responded IN GERMAN!!!  that we do not speak German.  She paused for a moment and gave us the biggest smile before carrying on about her day.  Ken and I were both so surprised how quickly he was able to reply in German.  :)

Treats for the train ride


Ken and his dunkel ready to get to Innsbruck!

After a quick hour and a half train ride, we arrived to Innsbruck.  We really did not know where old town was, but we were quickly able to navigate and find our way.  Innsbruck is absolutely gorgeous!  I can only imagine how beautiful it is on a clear day.

The streets of Innsbruck.  The trees were covered with lights and we were fortunate enough to see them lit up later.

Darling Innsbruck with the Alps hiding in the clouds


We quickly located the main Christmas Market and it was quite busy.  We were both in desperate need of using the restroom, but the restroom line was insanely long.  We continued on to try to find a different option and stumbled upon the river and the other side of town.


The river flowing through Innsbruck

We decided to cross the bridge across the river and we found a movie theater where we could both pee.  We also located another Christmas market that was right by the river.  This one ended up being one of my favorite of the entire trip.

One of the Innsbruck Markets

We settled into the market and quickly got ourselves some gluhwein and shopped around.  It was drizzling on and off but we did not let that ruin our Christmas fun.  I found a stall that had a lantern that I planned on buying later and we scouted out some food options.  We settled on this spiral potato on a stick that we saw several people with.  It did not disappoint.

Gluhwein and potatoes.  Heaven or heart attack, you decide.  

There were many seasoning options, but we chose bbq, cheese, and a little salt.  It was absolutely delicious but quite a bit of potatoes.  As we were finishing our gluhwein we noticed it was spitting snow.  Well, the small flakes turned to large flakes and we decided to step out of the stall to enjoy the glorious snow.  I was THRILLED to see the snow!

I was so unbelievably happy that it was snowing!  It was all that I had hoped for when planning this trip!

Christmas markets, snow, gluhwein, and in Austria????  This was definitely a pinch me moment.  I had such a huge smile all day.  

Just chilling in Innsbruck

Merry Christmas from the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nut house.  Two points if you get the movie reference.



Walking through the main market

The Christmas tree in the main market

The snow turned to a little bit of rain so we decided to stop under an umbrella and order some gluhwein to warm up.  I mean, how horrible, right?


The Innsbruck market from our point of view.  I think the funniest part is Ken filming and then bringing it down to see me.  Short people problems.  :)


We found a little bar to stop in for a drink out of the rain and to warm up.  It was funny because I forgot how much people smoke in Austria until our bartender lit up a cig.  We enjoyed our cocktails and made our way back to the market I liked so much for more gluhwein and to purchase my lantern.

The market lit up at night

Gluhwein times two please!


Our purchases were made and we started back to the main market to hear the music that was being played from a balcony above.  It was magical, just magical.

Just in case you were wondering if he loved the Christmas Markets, well, he did!  He had such a fun day in Innsbruck!

The Innsbruck Chriskindlmarkt


Christmas Carols live in Innsbruck.  Seriously.  I could have died from all of the Christmas cheer.


Christmas lights for days


It was so beautiful all lit up!


The streets were lined with lit up trees


This guy had an AMAZING day in Innsbruck

I loved Innsbruck!

This Innsbruck Christkindlmarkts get two thumbs up from us.  We brought home our mugs as souvenirs and I bought a lantern that will always remind of this day.

Twinkle lights on the way to the train station.  My heart was close to bursting with all the Christmas magic.


We arrived to the train station and bought some snacks for the ride home.  We really enjoyed our train ride home.  Complete with Ken taking some pictures of my many facial expressions.

At the hospital everyone jokes that I can give a look that is so horrible that it might kill someone.  I think this might be it???


We arrived back in Munich and grabbed a snack before the stalls closed.  Ken was trying to get a foot long wiener and the last one was sold right before his eyes.  He almost cried.  True story.  

We settled on potato cakes and pomme frites.  I deemed no more potatoes for the rest of the trip after these and our spiral earlier in Innsbruck.

The beautiful Munich Chriskindlmarkt

A section with some of the best stalls at the Munich Christmas Market


The market promptly closed at 9:00 pm, but we were not ready to call it a night.  We stepped into the Ausgustiner by our hotel (different one from yesterday) and looked for a spot for two.  While Ken was using the restroom, I ran into Ludwig and Anna from the day prior!  Seriously, what are the chances!?!?  We chatted with them for a bit before we found a place to sit down and enjoy a little food and drinks.  It was such a great day.

Hanging at Augustiner in Munich and redeeming myself from my photo earlier with a smile.  


We wrapped up our day with drinks at our hotel before calling it a night.  It was such an amazing day that we did not want to go to sleep.  We had so much fun in Innsbruck.  Seriously, we loved our first full day of Christmas marketing!

Up next, Salzburg!

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