A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
Monday, December 30, 2024 . Once we reached Aqua Dome in Längenfeld from the Ötztal Bahnhof (train station) using bus #320, we dropped off our 3 large suitcases and decided to grab lunch (as our room #169 was not yet ready). . . We decided to grab lunch at the cafe and sat near the bar. We ordered the following items: . . Boris: Frittatensuppe…
Read More: Relaxing at Aqua Dome, Langenfeld
Welcome 2025! . We are celebrating the New Year at Aqua Dome in Langenfeld, Austria! . . . We had a wonderful New Year's Day celebration at Aqua Dome with a fine dinner and an enormous dessert buffet. . . . . . . . . 2024 in Review. Highlights . A fabulous trip to Portugal with stops in Porto, Douro Valley, Aquadome, Piodao, Coimbra,…
Read More: Welcome 2025!
Is human knowledge only to be found in books?. As wonderful as books represent, document, and express human thoughts, they are not a substitute for direct, personal contact that comes from seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing things for oneself.. . Can any book truly capture the exhilaration of windsurfing on Maui, snowboarding on freshly fallen powder at Mammoth, piloting a Cessna single-engine aircraft, swimming with…
Read More: The Bucket List 2024
. How was 2024 in Sports? I was more active than in previous years. Tennis was my most intense activity. . 187 days of playing tennis at Almaden Valley Athletic Club (AVAC). . 97 days of Fitness at Almaden Valley Athletic Club. 14 days of SUP surfing (Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Lihue's Kalapaki Beach). . 9 days of wing foiling (Crissy Field and Coyote Point).…
Read More: The Year in Sports 2024
Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? . At the end of 2024, I will rate the following (from best to worst) based on my personal experience. . . . . Restaurants. . Even though Michelin has not rated it, Mama's Fish House on Maui is our favorite restaurant worldwide. It combines an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere with exceptional cooking and a magnificent tropical…
Read More: Best of the Best 2024
Sunday, December 29, 2024 . At around 18:00, we decided to see the Lumagica Christmas Light show in Innsbruck. This was a major highlight of our stay in Innsbruck, and we are so happy that we did not miss it. . . The tickets were 19.90 euros per person, and there was a long line to enter. I could purchase tickets online or in person…
Read More: Enjoying Lumagica Christmas Light Show
After breakfast, Inna and I decided to walk to Schloss Ambras in Innsbruck (a 4.2 km/1-hour walk through downtown Innsbruck). . . . . . As we walked through Innsbruck, we noticed the various shops (including numerous hair salons). When we reached the southern part of Innsbruck, we noticed some of the uglier/cheaper housing (rectangular apartment buildings where pensioners probably reside). We saw excellent public…
Read More: Visiting Schloss Ambras Innsbruck
We rode the Nordkette Funicular one level down to Alpine Zoo, where we spent a few hours looking at the following birds and mammals: . . . Mammals. Beaver. Chamois. Elk. Otter. Wolf. Sheep. Cow. . . Birds. . Common Raven. Bearded Vulture. Golden Eagle. Black Woodpecker. Hermit Ibis. Snow Grouse. . Here is a short video I recorded of a woodpecker: . . .…
Read More: Visiting Alpine Zoo in Innsbruck
Inna reserved four nights at the Hotel Innsbruck from December 26 - 30, 2024. We wanted to explore the Christmas Markets, visit popular local museums, and ski in the area. . . . I sent an email to the Hotel Innsbruck to inquire about snowboard rentals in the area: . . 1. Where is the best/closest snowboard/ski rental shop (near the hotel)?. We recommended „Die…
Read More: Innsbruck, Austria
Wednesday, December 25, 2024. After breakfast, we decided to head into town and try hiking the Verwall Trail around Verwall Lake (the trail starts at Hotel Mooserkreuz). . . According to our hotel's concierge and Snow-Online: . Verwall trail is considered one of the most beautiful trail sections in Austria. This 10-kilometer intermediate route starts near Hotel Mooserkreuz and leads into the scenic Verwall Valley.…
Read More: Hiking Verwall Trail in St. Anton