Our morning began with a delightful breakfast at our charming hotel, followed by a leisurely stroll along the Grado canal. We marveled at the local volunteer divers tirelessly clearing debris from the lagoon, a testament to the community’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty.
Embarking on a cycling adventure, we left Udine eager to escape the cramped hotel and embrace the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. Through vineyards and past charming Italian villages, we reached Palmanova’s historic fortress, where we savored a cappuccino and prepared for the final stretch to Grado. Our journey concluded with a delightful meal and a stroll along the promenade, setting the stage for our next adventure in Trieste.
We woke up to the beautiful sunny day on the Alpe Adria Cycle Path. With another shorter day of 40 km ahead, we set out around 9:15, weaving through town and enjoying the scenic views along the Drau river.
We woke to clear skies with a bit more chill in the air. Fall is on its way. After yesterday’s epic scenery we set off this morning at a leisurely pace, wanting to soak in the beauty. We cycled through side roads up and down into more Bavarian rolling hills. While the general elevation was downhill today, it was compensated by uphill sections before descents. We rode along the Moll river through stretches of forest and green valleys. The scenery reminded us of parts of North Cascades.
Wow, today’s scenery was jaw-dropping! We rode along the Salzach river and explored the green Bavarian hills dotted with cows, goats, sheep, and small farms. We even passed through two tunnels, one of which was 1.4 km long and incredibly loud from the car traffic.
Our last day in Salzburg was a highlight! We visited the stunning Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest and most intact castles. The early morning visit was perfect, with fewer crowds and plenty of time to snap some amazing photos. After exploring the fortress, we enjoyed a leisurely coffee at a hilltop cafe, soaking in the breathtaking views of the Austrian Alps and the lush fields below. It was a truly memorable experience.