We made a brief but delightful stop in Innsbruck for a refreshment break and couldn't resist visiting the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The sparkling crystals seemed to beckon me, and it was nearly impossible to tear myself away from their beautiful displays. They had stunning watches priced between 300-400 euros and up, and I regret not snapping a picture of them. Innsbruck itself looked inviting and remarkably clean, especially compared to the Italian cities we had visited.

Finding something that suits Aiden’s particular taste buds is always a mission, and this time was no different. We finally settled on a schnitzel for him, while I opted for a traditional meal of roast beef with sauerkraut and dumplings. Although the dumplings didn’t quite meet my expectations, the meal was decent enough. Unlike in Australia, in Europe, you have to pay for your water. The waitress brought us 2 glasses that looked a bit smaller than a normal glass filled with water, which I drank, prompting Aiden to joke that maybe it was for washing hands. The water tasted pleasant, and the waiter later confirmed it was indeed for drinking. The locals spoke some English, which made our visit even more enjoyable.