On January 25th we flew to Munich, via Toronto, with members of ClubSki 30. We arrived in Germany at 9:00 AM and then had a 6 hour bus ride to Val Gardena. The bus took us through the Brenner Pass and Innsbruck, Austria. Once we got settled in our hotel, the Garni Dlaces, we went to the restaurant next door for a 3 course dinner.
Genevieve skied for one day. The rest of the week we spent sightseeing and going from café to café in Selva, St Christina and Ortisei. These three villages, located at an elevation of approximately 1350 to 1600 meters above sea level, have a population of only a few thousand. This area is a very popular tourist destination and welcomes between 1 and 2 million visitors each year. The area is famous for its skilled woodcarvers, unsurpassed ski slopes and beautiful scenery. The Dolomite super ski Area has some 1220 Km of ski runs and 450 lifts.
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy is home to the Iceman exhibit. This town was only 35 Km south of where we we staying and we took a day to see Ötzi. Ötzi was found by two German tourists from Nuremberg, Helmut and Erika Simon, on 19 September 1991. The body was at first thought to be a modern corpse, like several others which had been recently found in the region. Lying on its front and frozen in ice below the torso, it was crudely removed from the glacier by the Austrian authorities using a small jackhammer (which punctured the hip of the body) and ice-axes using non-archaeological methods. In addition, before the body was removed from the ice, people were allowed to see it, and some took portions of the clothing and tools as souvenirs. The body was then taken to a morgue in Innsbruck, where its true age was subsequently ascertained. Subsequent surveys in October 1991 showed that the body had been located 92.56 meters inside Italian territory. The findings were transferred to Italy and have been on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology since 1998. This proved to be a very important discovery by providing a lot of information and insite into how advanced the people of this area were at this early period of time in history. Photos of the exibit are not allowed to be taken so some were obtained from the web to include with this posting.
We had great weather, meals and wine during our stay in the Val Gardena area. The week before Lent is also Carnavel time in both Italy and Germany with people dressed up in costume, parades and entertainment daily. This was an extra bonus for Genevieve.
Double Click to enlarge Pictures.
--------******--------- Getting There
A map showing the Val Gardena area, where we stayed in Selva and where Genevieve skied. The Fischburg Castle is located on the map to the left and below where we stayed.
Garni Dlaces, our Hotel in Selva.
A Hi Res Image that you can download and print. Double click to load the Hi Res version of the image to your computer and then right click on mouse to get to 'Save Picture as' in the menu options. (This is a 5 MBtye file and may take a bit of time if you are using a low speed internet link.)
The Fischburg Castle which was located a short distance from our Hotel.
The Resturant next door to our Hotel in Selva.
One of the many Castles that are located along the route between Munich and Selva. This one is near Klausen.
Claire and Clive at a rest stop just before Innsbruck.
--------******--------- Dining Out
The menu for the Hotel des Alpes Resturant.
These are the specials for the day. Can you understand it? We couldn't.
Enjoying our meal at the Hotel des Alpes Resturant
The rest of the gang at the Hotel des Alpes Resturant.
Don Armour is located second from the left. He organized this trip for ClubSki 30. Don is intimately familiar with the area, has been doing the planning and coordination of the Val Gardena trips for many years and is an expert at making all the arrangements.
Kevin, Eileen and Dave dining at the resturant next to our hotel.
Genevieve's Crème Brûlée.
At the Goalie's Bar
Genevieve, Bob, Claire and Clive enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in a small Cafe in Selva.
Bob, Betty, Debbie and Agnes at the same Cafe.
Genevieve with Alex, the owner of the Goalie Bar (A favourite hangout for the ClubSki 30 gang).
Carl poofing the jock strap.
Genevieve and Bob partaking of Carnival Festivities.
--------******--------- Otzi
The Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral in the Main Square of Bolzano.
Another view of the Main Square in Bolzano.
Heading for the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.
Genevieve being serenaded by an elderly violinist. He was no Vivaldi, but we gave him a tip.
The view of Otzi (picture from web).
What he was believed to look like (picture from web).
One of the implements found at the site (picture from web).
Bob and Genevieve in front of the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.
--------******--------- Carnival
Carnival Festivities in the Main Square of Ortisei. The locals get dressed up and parade through town. The kids wear their costumes to school during the week. Many of the bars and resturants also have their waiters dress up to promote the festivities.
--------******--------- General Pictures
The Main Square in Ortisei.
Genevieve in ice trek mode. We went on a short hike on one of the nearby hills. Unfortunately, the terrain was very steep, icy and dangerous. We had to proceed with the utmost care. Needless to say, Genevieve did not classify this as the most enjoyable activity of the trip.
The ski bus was always very busy at the end of the day.
A view of the ski out run from our Hotel. The Fischburg Castle is just around the bend.
Agnes and Genevieve hiking the hills near our Hotel.
Bob and Genevieve in front of the Hotel, the Garni Dlaces.
Returning from a hard day of sking on the Meadows.
St. Anthony's Chapel on the main square of Ortisei (built in 1673).
Genevieve on the road from our Hotel to the Village of Selva.
Bob and Agnes Gascoigne on their balcony.
Mary, Bob, Genevieve, Agnes and Dave in front of our Hotel waiting for the bus to town.
Aedes, the Ortisei Parish Church that was built in 1796.
Mary, Bob, Debbie and Genevieve at the Selva Bus Stop.
Dave and Mary in front of the Rino Resturant.
The view looking South from our Balcony.
Genevieve enjoying the fresh mountain air.
A view looking in the other direction.
On the bus enroute to Munich. As you can see there is a bit of traffic.
A post for the Munich portion of the trip will follow.
posted by Bob Burke at 4:54 PM
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