Day seven of Contiki! A 25km bike ride through the mountains and rivers of Austria. They said it wasn't a competition, but I won :) The first half - uphill - was an enormous challenge, but the reward of the downhill ride was exhilarating, and only a bit dangerous. A stunning view of Austrian countryside and fresh air was invigorating, especially after spending so much time in hot, dirty cities. Another hour spent getting burned in the town of Hopfgarten and we...

Day five of Contiki As soon as we crossed the border into Austria it was clear. The alps and rivers were a perfect combination of Germany and Switzerland and the weather is perfection. Our first stop was the Swarovski Crystal World, with a stunning museum filled with quirky and wonderful pieces. After a museum tour, we spent a time browsing the products. The pieces were stunning, and the prices reflected this. My only purchase was a Snow White themed bracelet f...