Lakeside Loveliness

You've probably never heard of Hallstatt unless you are a Rick Steve's fan. It is a small little lakeside village in Austria (near Salzburg). THIS was my favorite stop on the entire trip. Picture perfect!

Here is the town square:

After checking in, we took a funicular up to the salt mine. It is supposedly the world's first known salt mine.

For the tour, they make you wear these jumpsuits that are kind of like pajamas. They are all different colors, but I fit right in.

The best part of the tour was two wooden slides that we flew down. I think our speed converts to 15 miles per hour.

This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful lookout spot.

The next day we visited Dachstein Mountain and an ice cave.

This lookout was called the 5 Fingers. 

Adam took a sled ride down this icy hill... Notice the father on the right who feared for his child's life.

After our day on the mountain, we came back to town and rented a little electric boat. It was so peaceful out on the lake.

(Sigh) I wish we were still there! Next on the agenda was Fussen, Germany.... land of fairytale castles and mountain luges! Woot!