Seefeld in Tirol, Austria

End of September we went on our first trip as family. I was invited to give a talk during the EMBO workshop "The modularity of signalling networks and proteins". Given that Emilia was so young, we didn't want to be separated and so Emilia and Franzi joined me in visiting Seefeld in Tirol in Austria. On Tuesday (20.09.) we drove from Leipzig to Seefeld with a short rest in Ingolstadt. We stayed at Hotel Viktoria, which was very pleasent. The next morning, we explored the beautiful landscape of Seefeld before I attended the conference at the afternoon and evening. I gave my talk at Thursday morning and in the afternoon we hiked to Reither Jochalm, which was quite a way with the stroller. Friday noon, we visited nearby Mösern. From the bell of peace we had a great view across the Oberinntal and the Möserer lake was nice too. At late afternoon, we visited the Leutascher gorge, which offered a great walk over the steep gorge.
And at the end of the trip, we visited Franzi's sister in Augsburg.

Overlooking Seefeld

Gorgeous mountain views across Seefeld

Overlooking Seefeld on our way back down from Reither Jochalm

Overlooking Oberinntal from Mösern bell of peace

Overlooking Oberinntal from Mösern

relaxed Möserer lake

At Leutasch gorge

Emilia enjoys to be carried by her mom

Great walk through Leutasch gorge

Obergurgl and Innsbruck

Wednesday (23.01.) morning I started with my colleague Marianne to an EMBO workshop in Obergurgl, Austria. After a short sleep our train left 5:50am... right the first train switching failed when an ICE from Berlin did not arrive in Naumburg. They gave us a new route catching another ICE in Jena... finally we arrived 6:20pm in Obergurgl - too long for such a short trip :P

The organizers welcomed us and all meeting participants were very friendly. Great atmosphere when Professors, group leaders, postdocs and phd students share breakfast/dinner tables and even rooms. After just 2 days I felt like knowing half of the ~120 participants personally :) Like some family meeting :P

The conference schedule was tight... each day breakfast from 7-8... then 2 sessions of talks with 30min break in between... from 12-4pm free time to ski, sleep or hike (we did the latter two :D)... another coffee break before the evening session. Then 2 hours for a 4 course dinner before poster sessions were held till 11pm... quite exhausting after 4 days :)

Walking up to Schönwieshütte in city clothes was rather a challenge :P It was a true winter wonderland to enjoy in Obergurgl. Never thought I'd ever say this: Those snow capped Alps are awesome :D

The last day (27.01.) we started quite early and subsequently had 1,5h to sightsee Innsbruck. The city has not too much to offer, but the scenery with the snow capped Alps in the background was gorgeous. And so was the cold, blue sky sprinkled with jet trails^^

Walking along Obergurgl

Obergurgl - most of it^^

near Schönwieshütte

Innsbruck in front of the Alps - gorgeous

freezing cold, blue sky over Innsbruck - covered with jet trails

2) Vienna - Wien

Saturday (23.04.) noon we drove to Vienna. A short 70 km ride. First we stopped and Schloss Schönbrunn. Many tourists, but an astonishing palace! Great views from the hill and some superb gardens. The Habsburger had some good taste :)
Then we went through the southern part of the city center, sighting Museums Quarter, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Old and new Hofburg... next we met up with our host from Couchsurfing, Zuli - an outgoing girl from Peru who lives in Vienna since 4 years. We joined a picnic at Kaiserwasser, a lake close to the UN-district, and she introduced us to some of her friends... later we partied at her place - got totally stoned :P Next morning we recovered and after some huge lunch we entered walked through all the city center. The buildings in Vienna are huge, appearing literally pompous, a representation of Habsburger's huge power in former centuries. Anywhere you look there are buildings in pompous Barok or playful Jugendstil. If you enjoy architecture, art or classic music, then Vienna is a must see! I'm pretty impressed :)
At evening we met Mailin, our second host from Couchsurfing. A German girl living in Vienna and somehow feeling harassed by Austrians. But probably difficulties arise as Germans rather see Austria as 17th federal state, while they see us abusing their special rules^^ Oh and "Austria was the first victim of Nazi-regime" - a statement only uneducated might acknowledge :P
Vienna is not really the place to go clubbing as prices are intense. But it is the first place I saw where more guys than girls were attracted to the dance floor^^ After some good sleep we visited Schloss Belvedere and enjoyed a good view over Vienna again as the finish of our trip. The road led us back home, where we arrived close to midnight.
All in all Vienna impressed me, my prejudice about it being a city for old people is washed away :)

Palace Schönbrunn

Church next to Schönbrunn's gardens

Naturhistorisches Museum

Vienna Townhall

National library

Karl's church

Palace Belvedere

Garden of Belvedere