Today was a 2.5 hour trip to Innsbruck through more beautiful countryside. The autobahn (A12) is having a makeover so lots of traffic jams. 

We went to Muhlau on the outskirts of Innsbruck to travel on board the Nordkettenbahnen to the Hungerburg mountain station.  Then a cable car took us further up the mountain to the Seegrube restaurant, located at an altitude of 1905 metres above sea level, for a two course lunch. 

It was borderline inedible. Tomato soup, made sour by almost uncooked onions followed by pork with sauerkraut for me. Fermented cabbage… a crime against humanity! For Margaret, a cheese dumping soup (dumplings like play dough) followed by a gnocci like pasta in a cheese sauce. Italy might declare war!

Haute Cuisine translates literally as High Kitchen. Well… it was made in a kitchen at 1900 metres.

After lunch I ventured even higher,  joining the cable car to the Hafelekar, the highest viewpoint at 2256 metres (7600ft above sea level). Margaret gave it a  pass. Spectacular views and thinner air. For those with the stamina, it was possible to walk up about another 500 feet.

The whole mountain experience was incredible, a fabulous excursion. The smallest of flies in the ointment was that every transport carriage was packed tighter than the London Underground in rush hour.

Once off the mountain, we had an hour or so to explore the city. Very pleasant. Cafés to the rescue in the heat. We had drinks. I previously discovered Radler, a lager shandy made with fruit juice instead of lemonade. Delicious. 

The coach park was located adjacent to beautiful city centre gardens to wait in the shade.

An excellent day out.