If you ever get the chance, take the train from Venice to Munich. It is well worth the hours spent. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Snow really is beautiful when you are looking at it through a train window!! Definitely a picture book landscape with mountains, valleys, ravines, trees, houses, churches, castles and even a few horses just for fun, So many ooh and aah moments and so little time for pictures before the next ooh and ahh moment arrives.

And before we know it, we’re in Austria. Since I was a little girl I have dreamed of coming to Austria and now, I am here. My heart is beating faster and I have a grin on my face from ear to ear. I think that my husband thinks that I am a little crazy but I am sooo excited!! My camera is ready and I hope to get in a shot or two but for the moment, I am just drinking it all in.  This is my history, my ancestry. I am no longer dreaming. I AM HERE!!