Garmisch Partenkirchen

We arrived at Garmisch and headed straight for the Aire style campsite at the base of the Wankbahn (yes that is correct!). Its a large car park style site on the slopes of the mountain and is the ideal place to park while in Garmisch Partenkirchen.

We had headed for Garmisch as the boys were VERY keen to visit the towns swimming pool complex and its high diving boards, Wave Pool, Slides and Outside pools. We walked to the pool and spent the whole day there before walking into town for a nice meal and well deserved drink!

Berchtesgaden & Konigsee

We arrived in Berchtesgaden after a two trip from Kaprun and having crossed between Austria & Germany several times! I had just read a goof novel partly based on Konigsee so I was keen to see the place for myself. I was also aware of Hitlers "Eagles Nest" and the pretty town of Berchtesgaden.

We found a nice "Aire" style campsite only about 500 yard from the shores of lake Konigsee and camped before setting off to explore the lake. Its a busy tourist hotspot but the lake is very beautiful and we decided to hire a big rowing boat and set off up he lake.

We found  secluded spot about a third of the way up the lake and we decided to strip off and go for a skinny dip! It was cool & clear and very refreshing on a day that was sunny and 35 degrees...

On returning to dry land we found a lakeside Beer Garden and ordered a large Stein of Lager and a typical German dinner. Fantastic day in a spectacular place.

The following day we planned to get the bus to the Eagles Nest but after waiting for 30 minutes we were told that its incredibly busy and VERY hot up at the Nest. We decided to get a cable car up the Mountain by the lake instead and sent all day walking back down after having lunch at the top.

The following morning we set off for Garmisch Parten-Kirchen...

Zell am See & Kaprun

Its was only a short trip from Lofer south to another of our favorite campsites Sportcamp Woferlgut at Bruck at the head of the Grossglockner Pass between Zell am See & Kaprun. Its a great location as there a cycle routes to Zell am See, Kaprun and the Tauern Spa.

We also met up with our friends Andrew, Maggie & Tom who also spent most summers in their Campervan. This meant the boys had a friend to play with and we were able to relax and drink with adult company most evenings.

During the days we visited the excellent local Lido's including two in Zell on on the lake and one in the town, one in Bruck and the world renown Tauern Spa in Kaprun.

We were also able to have an excellent dinner at the Dorfkrug Hotel in Kaprun where we stayed this Xmas for a skiing break. While we were there we paid a deposit on a new year booking of the same suite for this new year.

On another day in Kaprun we visited the Gorge of river that runs from the high glacier reservoirs. Its about a mile long and you walk through it on wooden bridges and platforms. Quite an experience after the caving a week before!

We finally left Bruck for Berchtesgaden and Schonau on Konigsee....

Grubhoff Family Camping - Lofer Austria

We arrived in Lofer and set up our pitch at Grubhoff Family Camping Lofer Austria and immediately set off on a 12 mile bike ride to an amazing cave complex where you can follow tunnels into the mountain for 1.5k. Claustrophobia aside it's was a great experience! We also rode to the top of the National Park and saw some amazing views and tumbling streams. The mountain in Lofer is accessible by cable car and we used this to go up and then walk the trail all the way back down. We were very hot by the bottom station but where relieved by the cool waters of the Lofer Lido with its fab pools and a section of mountain stream you can swim in. We also visited Cafe Dankl. Several times for our fix of Apple Strudel and Cappucino

zugspitze luxury family resort

First of all apologies for being late with updates but Internet has been scarce and it's easier to work on my excellent BlackBerry Q10. We arrived in Erwald Austria after a short one night stop off at an aire in Trier Germany on the banks of the Mosel river. The Zugspitze resort is a favourite of our and we spent a lot of time on the bikes visiting the fabulous open air Lidos and and excellent restaurants. After two nights we left for Lofer.

2013 Dethleffs Advantage i681 - New Van

Forgot to mention we have a new and rather super new Van, a Dethleffs Advantage i681 and I will update the Blog header as soon as I get a good picture... Its a very much like this but sky blue...

2013 European Tour Commences...

Tomorrow morning we are heading for the Eurotunnel and then on to Trier in Germany for a night before heading on to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for two nights. We then move on to Grubhoff Camping in Lofer, Austria for six nights. we will update further from there...