12 May:
Diane and Deb blog: Left Willard airport
on American Eagle at 5:30 pm. Arrived in Chicago at 6:15 pm. Ate at Chili’s and
left O’Hare at 10:30 p.m. on a 747 Lufthansa airlines! Arrived in Frankfurt
Germany at 1:40 on Friday, May 13.
May 13:
Left on a prop plane operated by Austrian
Airlines at 4:00 p.m…
I Took the bus into town, had some lunch, and
then made my way to the airport for my guests!!! Found some stairs in the
airport and it overlooked the flights coming in, guess who I saw immediately
getting off of their Austrian Arrows! I waved really big and they eventually
saw me!!
We went to my apartment by bus, had a
bottle of wine, and began to explore the city.
Ran into all my friends at
Markplatz, got free tickets to the Tram Party, where you get on the tram packed
with people, music, lights, and a DJ!
We got off at different stops
and got free drinks at each bar! Ate dinner at Theresean Brau. Debbie had white
sausage and a pretzel, Diane had a cheese toastie, and I had chicken asparagus
risotto. Ate with Johanna, Tom, Keri, Kelsey, Megan, and Cathleen. We were
lucky to get onto the party tram, even though it stopped two times while we
were having dinner.
Some of us managed to get on the crammed tram and
eventually made it to the next bar.
Horrible quality video, but you can see how insane it was.
Went to Down Under and another bar where we
managed to see a million more of my friends! Ended up at Hofgarden with a giant
pretzel and one last drink before catching the bus home for much needed red eye
sleep.
We managed to sleep until 11 am!
14 May:
Took the bus to a café once we were finally
awake. Got coffee and pasteries and took the bus up to Nordkette where we
overlooked the city, had our breakfast, and then began our hike up the
mountains!
We hiked up to Alzer Alm, about two miles up hill and had a drink.
They tried Aperol Spritzer, a typical Austrian summer drink! Refreshing!
Beautiful scenery, continued our hike up to another restaurant (Rumer Alm) and
had our lunch! 
Debbie had cheese dumpling soup, mom a salad, and I asked for
the vegetarian options, and he suggested something warm and sweet, and I asked
if it was a dessert, he said no. So I then ordered thinking, what could go
wrong? I ordred that, and also asked for a salad which he refused. A few
minutes later, our meals were served. Guess what I somehow managed to order? A
gigantic Austrian funnel cake… FOR LUNCH! WHAT?! Not what I expected at all!
After this lunch, we were at our highest point during our hike. All downhill
from here, literally. Haha!
The trail was steep and dangerous with many
roots and narrow paths with steep drop offs on each side. We were doing just
fine, having great confidence in our hike. Then all of a sudden, I turned
around and Debbie was hanging off the side of the path and hugging onto a tree
for dear life! I ran back to the scene and mom said “really Debbie!?” She was
afraid to look behind, thinking it was a long drop down. Her knee was throbbing
and tears formed immediately. Two seconds later, she realized it was not a big
deal at all and we couldn’t contain our laughter.
Just a few minutes after that fall, I asked
Debbie if it was her back or her bag, one second later….BOOM! She was on her
butt again between two rocks! From here, nothing but laughter and mom and
Debbie were rather nervous and very cautious the rest of the way down the
mountain.
Guess what happened for the third time? Debbie fell AGAIN!! And to
top it all off, mom managed to slip and fall on the path as well! Debbie 3,
Diane 1, Matt 0. At the bottom of the mountain, found a bus back towards my
apartment, walked down the hill a bit and back to my apartment. Just a half an
hour later a massive downpour ensued in Innsbruck complete with thunder and
lighting! Something I had not seen in Innsbruck yet! After the massive
downpour, we caught the bus into city center and had dinner at Krafhogel. They
both had Aperol spirtzlers to drink. Debbie had the traditional Austrian dish,
schnitzel and fries! Mom and I shared a giant chicken/vegetable wrap.
May 15:
Woke up at NOON! Crazy! Guess we were
exhausted! It was a rather gloomy day, but a 90% chance of rain all day which
we somehow managed to avoid. Only light sprinkles in the evening! It snowed in the mountains that night though!
We shopped a
bit, although most stores are closed on Sundays. Mom bought an Ausrian fleece
jacket and a t-shirt for Kaleb! Debbie got Bryan an Austrian t-shirt! Had a
slice of pizza outside for a snack, showed them my school, and then we had
dinner at Café Central. Debbie and I had tomato soup which bread, and mom and I
had a chicken sandwich and salad. Debbie tried a Raddler (beer with lemonade)
which we really enjoyed! Walked to the train station and shopped for snacks for
our train ride in the morning to Venice, as it is the only supermarket in town
open on Sundays. Back to my apartment, packed up everything, and got some rest
for the next leg of our adventure.
May 16:
Woke up at 8:00 with our bags packed and
ready to go catch our train to Italy! We had breakfast in the train station,
got some ssnacks, and boarded our train.
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| Innsbruck Train Station |
 |
| Ready to go! |
In just half an hour, we were already
in Italy, enjoying the beautiful views from the train.
 |
| Enjoying the ride! |
Took a lot of photos,
saw mountains, vineyards, and before we knew it, we were at our first and only
transfer. We made our way to the correct platform and just three minutes before
our train was to depart, a train arrived which we only figured could be our
train. We eagerly got on, sat down, put our bags away, and before the train
even left the stations, we had an entire picnic spread out on the table with a
bottle of wine ready to be poured. The conductor asked for our tickets and I
handed them over. As the train began to roll down the tracks, he informed us we
were on the wrong train… The first thing I was worried about was if this train
was going to Venice or not. Thankfully it was and he gave us the option of
getting off at the nxt stop, which we had no idea if our actual train would
stop at this destination, or stay our and pay a few more Euros.
 |
| "You are on the wrong train." |
 |
| Digging Diane! |
 |
| Nice! |
We enjoyed our meal and quickly finished
two bottles of wine and were more than happy to arrive in Venice Italy before
our expected arrival time thanks to my incorrect transfer!
Walked around more, bought a mask and purse
for Megan. Bought a gondola and somehow made a few extra Euros! Made our way
back to Venice Chic, got some rest and started another eventful day!
17 May:
 |
| View from hostel |
Woke up, met fellow Americans from
Washington and had breakfast and coffee downstairs. Took a bus to the airport and before we knew it we were boarding our flight to Sicily!
 |
| You can see Venice here! |
Took a nap on the flight and before
I knew it we were landing in an airport/airforce base! Somehow found a city bus
that dropped us off in Trapani 2 minute walk from our place! Perfect!
Check in to Palazzo Serraino which was the
nicest place we have stayed at yet! Free breakfast in a café downstairs,
anything we want, free bikes, very spacious room, free snacks and wifi, kitchen
and no shared bathroom. What more could we need?
We then walked around the city, we were already
impressed as Mom had our expectations set low! Much better than I thought for
sure. We had bruschetta and a bottle of wine outside in the sun in the historic
city center.
 |
| Delicious. |
Walked around more. We would have eaten
earlier, but most restaurants are closed from around 2:00 until 7:30 at night!
Enjoyed the sunset and then went back to a restaurant that was recommended to
us!
We all had pasta which was nothing less
than authentic and delicious. The olive oil and bread and wine was DELICIOSO!
We took our time, unlike Americans would normally do. Had quite a few laughs
and enjoyed our night.
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| Guess where I stopped at on the way back? |
18 May:
Woke up and had breakfast downstairs in our
favorite little café here in Trapani! Had cappuccino, pasteries, and red orange
juice!
After this, we walked to the port, bought our transportation to
Favignana, an island off the coast of Trapani.
Our ferry did not leave for
another hour, so we walked along the coast/port and eventually went to the
fishermans market and saw old men making nets and also selling fresh fish,
olive, fruits, and vegetables on the street! Made our way back to the ferry
(Eduardo) which took 40 minutes after a stop at antoher island.
 |
| For you Kat Drake! |
 |
| Megan- you're Shamu boat, for sale! |
Got off the
ferry and realized we were in a gorgeous picturesque island off the coast of
Sicily! Within five minutes, we got three bikes for 5euro each all day! Not
crappy rusty old bikes, but European touring bikes with baskets, and gears!
This is highly suggested as the island is larger than we thought and allowed us
to explore a lot!
 |
| Sisters lost in Sicily! HILARIOUS! |
Explored over half the island, stopped at
numerous places which were breathtaking and completely surreal.
 |
| Involved with the Revolution in Libya |
Eventually
after a lot of hunger and thirst we rolled into a beach bar where we got fresh
fruit and lemonada! Enjoyed the view of the beach and then got back on our
bikes
Back to the town center, found pizza, bought postcards, and returned our
bikes in time to catch the 6:00 ferry (Sofia M) back to Trapani express in just
20 minutes!
After such an active day, biking over 8
miles, we called it a night and relaxed in our bed and breakfast.
19 May:
Woke up rather early for us, made Italian
coffee from a Moka Pot we discovered in our kitchen!
Then got ready, and made
our way downstairs and around the corner to Anytime Café! The lady was happy to
see us again, had two glasses of FRESHLY squeezed orange juice, two
cappuccinos, pinepplae juice, and three pasteries!
After yet another delicious
itlain breakfast, we got our bikes from the bed and breakfast and rode down the
main street about 15 minutes down to the bottom of the mountain.
From here we
took the gondola/chair lift (new mode of transportation) up to the top where the
town of Erice was!
Walked around, explored the old town and enjoyed the views
from the top.
 |
| Great street sign |
 |
| Someone wore the wrong shoes! |
Saw castles, churches, and numerous little boutique shops. Had
lunch, pizza again surprise surprise!
 |
| One of my favorite photos from Sicily |
Made our way back down the mountain, rode
our bikes along the main street, turned towards the beach and rode along the
coast back to the bed and breakfast!
 |
| After a gelato stop of course! |
 |
| Our hotel! |
 |
| Doing a bit of hotel work. |
Got our transportation figured out to the
airport on Saturday morning and also got numerous suggestions for our final day
in Sicily! Either off to San Vito or to see a temple in Segesta! Got ready to have dinner in the old city center again!
 |
| Sunset |
 |
| About to have the best dinner! |
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| Best bruschetta! |
 |
| Veggie pasta! |
|
Had the absolute best dinner since being in
Europe. Not exaggerating one single bit. Wine. The best bruschetta you can
possibly imagine, some vegetable combination, bread and olive oil, and then the
main course. Sicilian made pasta, olive oil, garlic, eggplant, and more loads
of freshness and deliciousness. I can’t describe it, but it was AMAZING.
Honestly, you have no idea! By the end of our meal, we met up with a fellow
couch surfer, the coolest people out there! Marco from Erice. His mom is from
San Vito la Capo and his dad is from Trapani. Amazing guy who has a thirst for
traveling and adventure! So glad mom and Deb got to meet exactly what
couchsurfing is all about!
 |
| A fellow Couchsurfer Marco!! |
Got to know him better and then went to a bar and
had some authentic Sicilian drinks! Called it a night by 1 a.m. and got some
sleep.
20 May:
One of our earliest days waking up yet! Got
ready, had breakfast one last time in our favorite café.
21 May:
Woke up extremely early, went outside our
hotel and our taxi was waiting for us to go to the airport.
 |
| Extremely early in the morning! |
 |
| Sunrise |
Seamless
transportation all the way to Munich. Slept the entire time on the flight and
took a bus into Munich city center. I was beyond weak and was half asleep.
Somehow managed to open my eyes at the exact moment a woman fell out of her
high bus seat, into the aisle, and nearly down the steps in the middle of the
bus! Everyone was very concerned and she got up as if nothing happened. Once
she ended up moving seats, the three Italian girls sitting around her could not
contain their laughter. As I continued to think about what just happened, I
started crying I was laughing so hard and couldn’t stop laughing! Just one of
those moments.
Once at the train station in Munich, I
managed to fit all of our suitcases, technically six bags, into one locker!
Success!
 |
| Doesn't even show how amazing I was at doing this. |
Guess what th next stop was? Yupppppp. Starbucks!! Had to get my fix
as there is not one in Innsbruck of any of the cities we visited in Italy. Took
a new form of transporation (Subway) to Marienplatz and walked around a bit.
 |
| Welcome to Germany! |
Went to the oldest beer garden in Munich, Hofbrauhaus, which is over four
hundred years old. Even though it has been destroyed twice, once by war and
another by fire. It now holds over 3,500 guests at once! We sat outside in the
garden, mom an Deb had beers and a GIANT pretzel. I had cheese spatzle and
Debbie had a grilled pork sausage with potato salad.
 |
| Prost! |
 |
| She was happy! |
Walked
around a bit, made our way to English Garden and found another bier garden
outside which was quite the popular place as it was beautiful weather and a Saturday
afternoon. Complete with a german band, beer, pretzels, and many folks dressed
in authentic german attire.
Got some ice cream, walked through the rest of the
popular park with sunbathers, musicians, tightrope walkers, bikers, runners,
and even surfers! There is a spot where the current is quite strong and creates
a perfect wave for surfing, a popular spot for the experienced.
Made our way back to city center, did a bit
of shopping, bought food for the train ride, got our luggage and took the ICE train
back to IBK.
 |
| Studying.. |
 |
| Cool pic |
One more full day in Europe for the both of them. Much needed rest
tonight!
22 May:
Last day! Time to go hiking!
 |
| Water break. |
 |
| Amazing Alps! |
 |
| In the woods! |
 |
| She loves it! |
 |
| Much easier trail today! |
Finished our hike, and then went into the city. Went
inside a church outside my school I had never been in. Also took fun
pictures!
Had our last dinner together in Old Town.
Went back home where I studied a lot for my final and they packed up everything and got some sleep.
Overall, really really fun memorable trip!!
Three countries, over 1,300 pictures and 11 modes of transportation:
Car, Plane, Tram, Bus, Train, Ferry, Feet, Bicycle, Gondola, Taxi, Subway
More blogs to come: Vienna, Zurich, and random days in Innsbruck!
After this, we walked to the port, bought our transportation to
Favignana, an island off the coast of Trapani. 
Got off the
ferry and realized we were in a gorgeous picturesque island off the coast of
Sicily! Within five minutes, we got three bikes for 5euro each all day! Not
crappy rusty old bikes, but European touring bikes with baskets, and gears!
This is highly suggested as the island is larger than we thought and allowed us
to explore a lot!
Explored over half the island, stopped at
numerous places which were breathtaking and completely surreal.
Eventually
after a lot of hunger and thirst we rolled into a beach bar where we got fresh
fruit and lemonada! Enjoyed the view of the beach and then got back on our
bikes
Back to the town center, found pizza, bought postcards, and returned our
bikes in time to catch the 6:00 ferry (Sofia M) back to Trapani express in just
20 minutes! 
Then got ready, and made
our way downstairs and around the corner to Anytime Café! The lady was happy to
see us again, had two glasses of FRESHLY squeezed orange juice, two
cappuccinos, pinepplae juice, and three pasteries!
After yet another delicious
itlain breakfast, we got our bikes from the bed and breakfast and rode down the
main street about 15 minutes down to the bottom of the mountain. 
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