Western European 7-Country Tour (Part Three)

Mar 25, 2025 D4 (Mar 25): Europe Small Town - Funes Valley - Innsbruck - Scharnitz Wooden House Hotel, Austria Encountering the collision of snow and fresh green meadows in the Funes Valley, Italy, in spring brings a delightful sense of "catching the tail of winter." The snow-capped peaks of the Odle/Geisler mountains resemble winter's lingering kiss on the mountaintops. The bright blue BYD car in the courtyard evokes a sense of pride, not only as a splash of color but also as a vivid epitome of intelligent Chinese manufacturing. The peaks, wooden houses of Santa Maddalena village in the valley, snow, fresh greenery, and St. Johann Church create a picturesque layered beauty in the Dolomites. In winter, it's a skiing paradise; in summer, a hiking haven. Innsbruck is located in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Once an important center of the Habsburg dynasty, it still retains numerous medieval buildings and royal relics. Famous as a world-class ski resort, the city has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Stroll along Maria-Theresien-Straße after the rain and experience the unique romance and tranquility of Innsbruck's old town. The colorful buildings along the street, framed against the clear, post-rain Karwendel mountains, resemble a natural watercolor painting. The Triumphal Arch was built to commemorate the wedding of Empress Maria Theresa's son. During the wedding celebrations, the Empress's husband suffered a stroke and died; therefore, the two sides of the arch feature relief sculptures with the themes of "life and happiness" and "death and sorrow," respectively, representing a duality of joy and grief. The Annasäule (Anna's Column) stands in the middle of the street, topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary. At the end of the street, directly facing the Karwendel mountains, lies the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), the viewing platform for the Holy Roman Emperors. The roof is covered with over 2,000 gilded copper tiles, which shimmer even more brilliantly in the soft light after the rain. Tips: 1. Slow down: The street isn't long (about a 10 min walk), so take your time to savor the architectural details and the handicrafts in the shop windows. 2. Shopping: Along the street, you can buy Swarovski crystal jewelry and "Golden Roof Tile" chocolates as souvenirs. Funes, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol