Merano

I have an awesome aunt and uncle in Villanova, PA that I don't get to see often enough. But, despite that, they still keep up with my brothers and me. When they heard about the adventure Wynn and I were going on, they sent us a letter with some recommendations on it.  They also very kindly donated to the Beth and Wynn travel fund (soon to be a charity case!) that helped us enjoy a fantastic meal in Merano.

I have a cool cousin, cousin-in-law, and soon-to-be baby cousin in Berkeley, CA. I don't get to see them often enough, either. They helped us get gear for our trip.
So, with the help of my family, Wynn and I were geared up and ready for Merano.  Merano is one of the places Aunt Claudia mentioned in her letter.  She said she and Uncle Jim love the Dolomites area, especially Merano and Covara.  Wynn and I just picked one, and I wonder if we just guessed well or if Covara is as magical.  Merano is very Austrian.  The predominant language is German.  Lots of apple trees, vineyards, mountains.  Great food, interesting wine.

We had reservations to stay one night in Merano and on the train ride into town, we realized that would not suffice.  This place is stunning. So, we immediately went to the ticket counter and tried to get the ticket changed with no luck.  We tried calling a number they gave us from the hotel with still no luck.  We decided that even if we had to pay for another ticket, we just had to stay longer.  Hiking is one of our favorite things, so we could not leave this place without doing it.  We're glad we stayed. (We didn't end up having to get more tickets back).  The hike was strenuous and awesome.  For the first 3 hours, the only direction we went was up. Wynn at one point said, "I had no idea what I was getting into"...I think that could be the story of Wynn's life...
On the way back, we missed a turn going into Merano and ended up on the side of an interstate (but not really on the side, because there was no shoulder).  The sidewalk stopped all of a sudden.  We had to run into someone's apple orchard and make our way through bushes back to the right road. We finally made it  back to Merano worn out.

the hotel where we stayed

beer garden at hotel

view from outside of our hotel door reflected in
glass on balcony

the details of this place are amazing...
this is a wall beside the sidewalk topped
with terra-cotta

merano is called "the city of flowers"

Ok, so not EVERYTHING is pretty here

a much needed lunch break with incredible
view and delicious food

alpine hut on trail that had drinks/snacks

Wynn's toe on edge of trail...it was quite
a drop-off

Thanks Aunt Claudia, Uncle Jim, Ryan and Veena.

-bn