Cheeky little trip into Vipiteno Sterzing

Intended to go for a day out to one of the lakes in the German Alps ... en route the discussion melted into "well Italy is only a couple more hours away" and we just kept going, as you do.

We drove along "motorways" through amazing Austrian alpine scenery via Innsbruck then into the Italian part of the Tirol. It really wasn't much different to being in Austria as there was a mixture of spoken and written Austrian and Italian (and English!).
In Vipiteno half the shops were closed, or closed half day on Thursdays, but it was still pleasant with not too many people on the streets.
It amazed me how for once in a town/city the very new and stylish architecture complimented the old.

The kindest day of the week weather wise with sun and gentle breezes, so we could eat comfortably outside in a piazza whilst watching the world and its dogs go by.

Stopped off at the Austro-Italian border on the way back at an outlet park .... I am so glad I wasn't able to use my credit card ... there was clothing reduced from 190Euros to 5Euros and a Bialetti shop with so many different types, colours and sizes of coffee makers ... it was like a candy store to a kid!