March 24, 2018    Vomp, Austria

We left the Florence flat around 10 a.m. and headed to Vomp, Austria by train.  Trains are relaxing once you are on them, but sometimes one train is running a little late and it cuts into the time you have to make it to the next one.  We had such an experience.  We were a catapillar-like line of rainbow color coats running, and dashing between people, dragging suitcases up and down escalators and running across platforms.  I'm sure we were quite the sight!  But once we collapsed into our seats and our heart rates returned to normal, we had a lovely ride through northern Italy, into the Alps to the north side of the mountain range to Vomp.  It was just breathtaking!!

We arrived in Vomp after dark, so the view had to wait to be discovered until morning.  The house is fantastic, only about 8 years old, with all the comforts you could want plus a few more.  There is a two person infra red sauna plus a whirlpool tub on the main floor.  The beds are comfortable and the kitchen is spotless and well stocked.  Peter and Anya are the kindest of hosts and speak English well.

The pictures are great, but can't quite do the view justice.  Here are some.

On this train, we had a little room with 6 seats.

The kids had the berth next door.

Kid berth.

The "hallway" outside our berth.

Still in norther Italy.  Lots of vineyards.

Picture from the train.

Old structures pop up here and there.

Some fortress/castle we passed.

Picture outside train window.

Getting into the highest altitudes of the Alps.

The altimeter on Rod's phone.  We are over 5000 feet!

The Brenner Pass has a long history as a connection between northern and southern Europe.

At this point, we were getting a little nervous we hadn't packed enough warm clothes!

Baby, we are up there!

The view from mine and Rod's bedroom!  This is what we awoke to on Sunday morning! 

The view from our deck off the bedroom.

Looking out from the deck.  Fantastic!

The posts from Rome were mostly churches.  The posts from Austria will be mostly views like this!