TRAVEL. PHOTO ESSAY.

Into The Mountains

Flying to the Alps

I’m enjoying my packed sandwich as I am looking down on the closed cloud layer. The plane is floating above the cushion-soft fluffiness. Up here, the sun is shining. I had hoped for a glimpse of the majestic mountains of the Alps when I booked us these seats but won’t see them for now. I know they are hidden.

It feels good. To sit on a plane and head off on vacation. I must admit as well, this time our experience at Berlin airport was much more pleasant than the previous one. While we struggled at first to find the entrance to the right parking (we had pre-booked the parking space), we then quickly moved through the terminal.

With online check-in done and only hand luggage, we proceeded through the security check without further issues and with the packed sandwiches in the bag. Arriving at the gate with 10 minutes to spare until boarding, I would say, the timing was perfect.

I hope I can say the same about our layover in Vienna, we have exactly one hour on the ground. Yes, even though, we’re only flying from Germany to Austria, we need to switch planes. Even though Berlin is the capital of Germany, it doesn’t offer any direct flights to Innsbruck, the airport located in the Alps where my parents are going to fetch us.

We’re about to embark on a great hiking trip together with my parents who just left Stuttgart, by car. If our journeys run smoothly, we are going to meet up in Innsbruck and then drive another 2 hours to the city of Toblach (Dobiacco), located in South Tirol, Italy.

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my favorite seat, the window seat. The clouds haven’t lifted but I simply embrace being up here.

Oh, and about those sandwiches. I don’t know why but it’s the first time I’ve packed us food for the flight. In all those years, I never thought I could bring food on a plane. I did some research since we’re taking two short flights and I knew we wouldn’t get food but then I found out I can pack us food.

So here I am, eating my sandwich above the clouds.

The captain just announced we’ve started to descend into Vienna. The clouds have cleared and I might get a glimpse of the city at least.

This is Vienna. The capital of Austria.

We’re flying past the airport and then doing a steep turn to line up in the queue for landing at Vienna international.

As expected. The second part of the journey went smoothly too. We landed in Vienna on time, found our gate and boarding started shortly after. A bus took us to the plane waiting at the airfield and we were back in the air.

During take-off, I had now an even better view of the city. I’ve been multiple times to Vienna. Whenever we drove to Romania we made a stopover in the city, having there relatives who always welcome us with open arms.

It’s been a while since I last visited, in fact, ten years on the spot. During our last trip to Romania was the last time when I visited Vienna. This time I’ll only wave at them from above.

A thin layer of clouds is blocking my view of the Earth but I’m hoping I’ll see some mountains as soon as we start descending over Innsbruck, a city in the heart of the Alps.

The pilot announced our descent. We’re expecting rain and 15°C in Innsbruck.

I’m still waiting to see the mountains.

But did I mention we made this entire journey without having to show even once our ID or passport? My husband was even asking me why I packed my passport since I can fly through Europe with my ID but I’m just so used to flying overseas that I always have my passport with me.

But they didn’t ask. Not even once. Not in Berlin in the airport, not at security or boarding. I only had to scan the barcode from my online ticket. That was it. Kind of concerning I’d say. Not sure. However, it made it all very easy and quick.

There they are. The Mountains. Still covered in some clouds but standing out from the rest of the landscape. A granite boulder surrounded by forests and lush green fields.

Those mountains look spectacular. Just plain rock. Rising to the skies. We’re entering the cloud layer. I’m expecting some turbulences while admiring the landscape.

We’re approaching the mountains. While we’re still high from the valley, I feel as if we could touch the mountain slopes underneath us.

I can see the city of Innsbruck nestled between mountains on all sides. What a beautiful location.

But I do understand now why these flights to Innsbruck often get diverted. It’s not easy to land in the valley in stormy weather.

And now we are above the old city of Innsbruck. What a beautiful town. Lots of flat roofs I can spot. Covered in grass and vegetation. Beautiful.

Are we going to land on top of the buildings? It looks like it at least. Just a few more meters and we are going to touch the ground.

The buildings move at the right time. A green lawn appears and then the runway. Wheels on the ground. It was a smooth one.

“Fly above the negativity. Positive thoughts are a multiplier of success.” — Vishakha Panchal

This is part one of the documentation of our trip to the alps. A holiday spent above the tree line.

Read more about my previous hiking trips:

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