Day 9: Mittenwald (Eric)

Day 9: June 5th, 2019. There’s something about a trip to the mountains that rejuvenates the body and soul. Our destination today was Mittenwald, a small town nestled amongst the German Alps. The town itself is quite picturesque with numerous frescoes painted on the sides of many of the buildings. The classic alpine architecture is quite beautiful. A gorgeous church was also at the center of the town. 

We came not just to see the town but also the amazing scenery that surrounds this place. We started with a stroll to see the Leutasch-Klamm Gorge and Waterfall. This place was remarkably cool, both literally and figuratively, and it was a nice break from the heat of the day as we wandered through a short, narrow gorge that ended in a spectacular waterfall. 

Next, we headed back to town admiring the views along the way. 

We stopped for a bite to eat at a fabulous Italian restaurant called La Viola which was an appropriate precursor to our visit to the Geiganbaumuseum, a museum about the history of making violins and other stringed instruments. Mittenwald has a history of making such instruments since the 1700’s. It was an interesting and educational experience as the process of making violins is quite an arduous task. 

Finally, we hiked up into the hills to arrive at Lautersee, an alpine lake. This was a breathtaking experience as the views around the lake were amazing. The hike up and down was moderately strenuous but entirely worth it. This was a fabulous day all around, and while we are both tired, it was a fun alternative to another day in the city. I highly recommend a visit to Mittenwald if you have the opportunity.