Often the most beautiful places are found accidentally. I have been travelling around Europe for few weeks now. Tired, exhausted it was time to visit a friend, relax for sometime and get some clean clothes.
The place to visit was Gmunden in Austria. You take a train from Vienna, two hours ride across the beautiful landscape of Austria, and another half an hour in a cab takes you to this town by the lake.
Gmunden is a small town in upper Austria, and the best way to explore is walking. It has a clear blue lake, swamped with swans, beautiful birds and some humans. It felt like picnic of men and nature at harmony. Everyone seemed to be relax and living their life in peace. My frien complained that the town has only one cinema hall, one dance club, handfull of shops and restaurants, not much to explore. People just come there to relax in summer. But i guess that's what I liked about the place, nothing in excess but just enough for all.
The autumn had begun, and everything looked beautiful with yellow and oranges. Taking a walk along the lake, watching the simple wonders of nature, I felt content. Every moment waiting to be captured. In the evening we sat by the lake, and watched a lone musican play his trumpet, just for his sake or may be for the swans bored swiming all day long.
The town was surrounded by mountains on all side, cutting it off from the rest of the world, protected from its chaos. The roads snaked around the town and moved through one village to another. We drove to small villages around the city, hiked to some beautiful spots, and visited some lovely old churches.
We drove to Salzburg, to visit Mozart's birth place, and also went to the small town of Hallstatt. Musicians played by the road side, adding romance and charm better than in Bollywood movies. I cooked some Indian dishes for my frien, and she got me deer meat, speciality of Austia.
I spent a week there, doing nothing much but just being. There is not much I can say about Gmunden, except a perfect little town out of the fairy-tales. The perfect place to relax, forget about the world and enjoy the simple life.
