Winter Holiday to Innsbruck, Austria Day 1: ER Visit and Christmas Markets

When we made the decision to stay in Europe this Christmas break, we knew we wanted to go on a winter holiday. Austria is known for its affordable ski holidays and flights to Innsbruck were only 58 euros round trip (that is not a typo!) so we booked a 5 day trip to the Austrian Alps! We were excited to see what the Austrian Christmas Markets had in store after experiencing those in Germany and Prague the past two years. With 4 grandparents aboard the flight, I pictured handing a kid off to each set and kicking back and reading a book on the flight. Ha! One can dream...

Our sweet boy's perfect, unblemished face... (and karate bear)

We arrived after dark and woke the next morning to a dusting of snow, but there was fog and clouds obscuring the view of the alps from our apartment's balcony. Then, the clouds parted just enough to get a quick glance. So big and so close! An exciting start! Then as we were all getting ready to explore Innsbruck, I hear a smack followed by hysterical crying. Jude had tripped running into the bathroom and cut open his forehead on the porcelain toilet seat. Pete was beside himself for telling Jude to run and the deep gash and pools of blood has us seriously freaking out. Thank goodness a doctor was in the house (Opa) who took charge and managed the situation until I could look up the nearest emergency room (something I will do in advance of all of our trips from now on!). Pete, Opa and Jude were off to the ER while the rest of us got ourselves and Maeve ready to go.

Pete said that as soon as Jude saw the toys in the waiting room, he was happy. Such relief. He was very brave and we were thrilled to hear that they could use glue to fix the wound and not stitches!

We were out of the ER and en route to the Christmas markets by 11am and boy did I need a gluhwein (mulled wine)! There was thankfully no shortage.

Innsbruck has the most spectacular setting nestled right at the bottom of the Alps so you have mountain views everywhere in the city. 

With our little angel

We made the climb up the town tower to take in the views. 

Not too shabby... 

Oh, that was hard work climbing the tower, more gluhwein please!

Off to the Hofburg Imperial Palace...

where pictures weren't allowed (whoops).

Off to the next Christmas market. This one complete with kid puppet theater, entertainment, a carousel and yummy food.

The grandparents took the kids back to the apartment while Pete and I had a late afternoon date. A stop at a brewery (obviously) and then a rooftop bar to sip prosecco, take in the mountain views and marvel at our good fortune.