OCTOBER 4 - TODAY WAS OUR "SPLURGE" DAY

 We managed to leave the apartment before 11 AM for a change! The place we were heading only served lunch until 1:45 PM. 

It's only about a half-hour drive from Garmisch to Lermoos, which is in the Austrian Tyrol, on the back side of the Zugspitz. There is no border post anymore, only a sign lets you know you have moved from one country to another. It's interesting to see the former facilities razed and/or converted to other uses. 

Our destination was the Hotel Post, which we have visited once every time we are in the area. It is our spot for a special treat, one of the most stunning traditional Tyrolean hotels we have ever seen, and (as Ron says) we have seen LOTS. We have never stayed there, as in our younger days, we found Lermoos too "sleepy". Now that we are "more mature" (as our friend Neil used to say), it seems that pace fits our requirements just fine. But, of course, the prices have gone up over the years, both the lodging and the cuisine. The least expensive room is now over US400 per night half-board. Ron says if he won the lottery, he would stay in the panorama suite for the rest of his life.

We arrived about 11:30, parked easily across from the hotel, and went into the lounge/bar area to await the restaurant opening. Only a small area was open for non-hotel guests. Ron had requested the best seat right at the window. As it turned out, we were the only people in that small dining room. The waiter, who was extremely efficient, professional, and spoke excellent English, said the hotel was full, but that guests were out enjoying the last days of sunshine. There was a small buffet in the adjacent hotel-guest restaurant where they could have a light lunch. Most would have their breakfast and dinner included in room rate, and probably not want to eat lunch in the same place.

The interior is just as beautiful as we remembered. The waiter commented that it is not modern, but traditional with charm. Charm does describe it very well.

One of many dining areas

Flaedli

After about 30-minutes in the bar area (with a lovely view), we went to our table. Ron had kurbis (pumpkin) cream soup and I had flaedli (strips of pancake in broth). We both had wienerschnitzel for our main course. The price caused sticker-shock, but as this is titled, it was our "splurge" day. The food wasn't outstanding, but the ambiance and scenery more than made up for it.

Ehrwalder Sonnenspitz 

The hotel is situated in one of the loveliest spots in the Zugspitze arena. The "back side" of the Zugspitz, as well as the Sonnenspitz and other peaks that are part of the Mieminger Alps loom in front of you throughout the hotel.

Zugspitze

After lunch we drove back through town. Traffic was too heavy for Ron to stop, but I snapped this picture through my open window. The balcony flowers are beautiful, and this particular house was completely bedecked. Two stories, but I couldn't capture it all.

We went to the SPAR grocery store. This chain used to be in Garmisch, but no more. We picked up some grocery items, wine, Scotch and water. 

Hotel Singer (from hotel web-site)

Our next stop was Berwang, about 9 miles from Lermoos. It is the highest village of the Zugspitz region. The road up was gentle enough, but we could feel the altitude affecting our ears. I wanted to see the Hotel Singer, which is a Relais & Chateaux, just to compare it to the Post. 

It was a lovely, exclusive hotel, but we much prefer the ambiance of The Post. I had an Irish Coffee and Ron had a Scotch in the upstairs bar. 

Driving back to Garmisch - Zugspitz in the clouds

Back to our balcony to read and reflect on a lovely day. The evenings have gotten very cool but we chose to wrap ourselves in the comforters from our beds.