Tuesday, June 17 (Grunau im Almtal, Austria) – I was referred to The Treehouse (as the B&B is called) by my friend Anthea who I met in Ireland and randomly ran into in Rome. She said she thought I would like it because there are lots of active things to do, and it is halfway between Vienna and Salzburg (two stops on my way) so I figured I’d give it a shot.
When I first arrived, I borrowed one of the bikes from The Treehouse (after being a bit sore from yesterday’s bike tour of Vienna) and started peddling. I was told there is a lake I could ride to so I left with that in mind. I stopped off at what I think was the town’s only open café (really, we’re in the middle of nowhere!) and enjoyed some late lunch and coffee. Then I hopped back on the bike and peddled for miles and miles, only stopping for an occasional photo of the unreal scenery.
When I first arrived, I borrowed one of the bikes from The Treehouse (after being a bit sore from yesterday’s bike tour of Vienna) and started peddling. I was told there is a lake I could ride to so I left with that in mind. I stopped off at what I think was the town’s only open café (really, we’re in the middle of nowhere!) and enjoyed some late lunch and coffee. Then I hopped back on the bike and peddled for miles and miles, only stopping for an occasional photo of the unreal scenery.
View while biking
After what seemed like hours, I hadn’t seen a lake and wasn’t sure I was going the right way. It was starting to get chilly so I turned around (at what ended up being just before the lake!) and started for the B&B. Although the 30km ride got chilly as the sun went down, it was such a nice break from the nonstop city touring and breathing in the fresh air was so necessary. There isn’t much to do here, and that normally stresses me out, but as I sit here in front of the stream, there is nothing I would rather be doing.
By dinnertime, I realized why this place is so special. It is a mix of camp and a summer home. There are activities to do like tennis, archery, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and there are home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, at the Treehouse there is also a bar and no curfew… so better than camp! The staff at the Treehouse likes to say that people come for a night and end up staying for days, and they are right! I’ve met people here who are on their 6th day when they meant to stay for 2. It is just a perfect place to relax, get some exercise, meet people and have a nice break from the nonstop touring we are all in the middle of. But, do keep in mind it turned out to be a very young clientele, many of whom are participating in the semi-guided European tour called Busabout (which I will discuss in a future post). The people can get rowdy and loud at night, so it is definitely not for everyone!
By dinnertime, I realized why this place is so special. It is a mix of camp and a summer home. There are activities to do like tennis, archery, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and there are home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, at the Treehouse there is also a bar and no curfew… so better than camp! The staff at the Treehouse likes to say that people come for a night and end up staying for days, and they are right! I’ve met people here who are on their 6th day when they meant to stay for 2. It is just a perfect place to relax, get some exercise, meet people and have a nice break from the nonstop touring we are all in the middle of. But, do keep in mind it turned out to be a very young clientele, many of whom are participating in the semi-guided European tour called Busabout (which I will discuss in a future post). The people can get rowdy and loud at night, so it is definitely not for everyone!
Working on the blog behind The Treehouse
Some guests of The Treehouse getting fresh water to wash down homemade lunch
The next day I got back out on the bike with a group of 15 new friends while we went on a search for the famous waterfalls we had heard so much about. Well, hours later there were no waterfalls, but we had a few good laughs, some great exercise and a whole lot of memorable photos.
View from another bike ride
I also (obviously) went horseback riding! There is a barn just a few kilometers from the Treehouse where many guests go for a leisurely trail ride, and I was lucky to get a private two-hour ride with Simone. We went along the river, in and out of neighborhoods and in the woods – it was excellent. Highly recommended for anyone who visits the Treehouse!
There need to be more places like the Treehouse – or if there are more, I want to hear about them!
There need to be more places like the Treehouse – or if there are more, I want to hear about them!
Horseback riding in Grunau im Almtal
Riding along the water
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