I still don’t know what to call this northern Italian city. It has two names: Sterzing, the traditional, German name, and then Vipiteno, the official Italian name. I’ll go with Sterzing, to be more like the locals.
I already told the story about how sick I was and how much pain I was in in Sterzing. Having both strep and a strain in my back making every imaginable sitting/laying/standing position unbearable, I was a mess. Seeing these pictures again makes me feel yucky, despite the extreme beauty of the area. We had taken the round about way to get to Sterzing from Venice. The drive was beautiful, despite my moaning from the front seat wishing for my own bed and some drugs. And although there were moments I wondered if we would actually make it and not fall off the side of a mountain, the drive was absolutely worth it. I mean, look.
Little villages and castles all over the place, and, like I said, mountains! I live in a beach town. It’s flat. So I really wanted something different. This was different, for sure. In fact, as we drove up the single lane, winding road up a mountain to get to the apartment we had rented, my husband looked at me with a look that said, “WHERE have you taken us??” We passed men on the sides of the mountain in the field with sickles. And cows were roaming the streets.
(Below: the church that we jokingly determined was cut in half for the need for a road, the road signs that I found amusing – when you leave a city, there’s a sign with the name of the city with a big red line through it, and men with sickles. For real.)
He said it felt like Heidi. It totally was and it was perfect.
(I’d like to add here that multiple times during the planning process, I asked my husband for input. And several times, he agreed that he wanted nothing to do with the planning and would be happy with anything I chose.)
The Ungererhofschenke was amazing. It was completely modern and lovely inside. If fact, as soon as we got there, I’d never been so happy to see a bed.
And, well, check out this view!
Unreal. It was breathtaking, and I suspect this picture really doesn’t even convey how beautiful and serene it was. The owners were so lovely and helpful, especially considering our lack of German speaking abilities. And I was happy for the view, even if I only really saw it slumped on the couch feeling sorry for myself while the rest of my family were off enjoying the vacation I had planned!
That’s the restaurant area. I’m serious. Can you possibly get a better view?
Why, yes, you can. By sticking a beautiful little girl in front of it!
The second day, I had to suck it up and get on with our plans, or I knew I’d regret it when we got home. Our completely amazing hosts brought us out for a hike to a really great restaurant up in one of the mountains. (How many times can I say the word mountain in one post?)
In fact, I’m pretty sure she must have been tired of me saying over and over again how beautiful it was.
Our kids had good time together, picking wild strawberries and wildflowers along the way. My daughter was especially thrilled with the “wish flowers” (dandelions) as we don’t have any where we live.
In fact, her head was up in the clouds during the whole hike.
And my son enjoying running back and forth between the fast group and the slow group. Oh, to have that kind of energy!
When we got to the top, we did a family session for this lovely family that you can see here.
For our last night in Sterzing, we stayed right on the main street. From one great view to the next!
Sterzing was a fascinating little town. In fact, our host’s mother-in-law has never moved, yet she was born in Austria and now lives in Italy. Although it’s technically Italian, is very much German, though the residents don’t really identify with Germans or Italians. They’re their own people.
Sterzing was definitely a highlight of our trip. Being able to stay with local people who could show us around, and who warmly invited us into their home for the kids to play made such a difference. I love the internet for connections like that!
I think it’s the relationships formed along the way that can turn you from tourist to traveler, and I’m happy that our kids got to make that transition!
Next up… Germany!
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those views are absolutely amazing!!!! you’ve made me re-add “go to europe again” on my bucket list.
awwww, that last photo made me smile
and the sickles, got to have sickles! It’s the only way to get the grass in when the meadow’s so steep. I did draw the line though in our last appartment when my husband, trying to be a cheapskate and avoid buying a lawn mower came along to mow the lawn with a sickle.
You put on such a brave face whilst here, but you could see you were grimacing at every step. Such a shame!
Oh, and I’ve been corrected by my MIL – she’s not quite that old the annexation happened about 5 years before she was born
it was her mother who was born in Austria, died in Italy but never moved house. Still in the same house though.
And you can never say the mountains are beautiful often enough. After 12 years they still take my breath away.
SERIOUSLY how gorgeous it that!! Amazing. I have been to Austria (several years ago), and now I’d like to go to Sterzing. Can’t. Stop. Looking.
WOW…beautiful! will have to add it to our very long list of places to experience once the kids reach more travel freindly ages! These photos are gorgeous…breathtaking!
Your pictures are BEYOND BEAUTIFUL! Thank You for sharing your life with the world. Looking at these makes me want to get up and go with my camera. Thnak You!