Today was a quasi rest day, or even a splurge day. The walk was only about 3 miles (5 km) but it was nearly mystical with low fog/clouds hovering on the hillsides. I arrived at the Imperial Grand Hotel before 11:00 and the room wasn’t ready yet, so I dropped off my backpack and poles and went exploring.
First stop, the Parish Church where I asked about getting my pilgrim’s stamp (that made me find the parish office, with eventual success—the priest spoke German). Then I walked one end to the other—the whole town, in fact, the whole Alpine Region starts heavy-duty celebrations this weekend of the end of WW I—it’s 100 years, but the celebrations are only in their 91st year. Flags are everywhere.
Now, my decadent act was booking here, a classy spa hotel actually having been a summer getaway for the Habsburg Royalty at around 1900 when they still had claim to this region. When it opened it did so around its natural mineral spring sources (arsenic and other good minerals). I couldn’t resist taking advantage of their Wellness facilities: indoor thermal pool, jacuzzi, etc., all for $79 including breakfast!
