Salzburg
"Salzburg is a city of views and perspectives. Passageways connect the Old Town and are the link between loud/touristy/discovered... and historical/serene/quiet. Wherever you are standing in Salzburg, look at that spot from a different angle." ~ Justin's Travel Journal entry, 7/18/2016
Salzburg is mostly famous for two things -- Mozart and The Sound of Music -- but there's so much more to the city: beautiful gardens, churches, a medieval fortress, and cobble-stoned lanes showcasing the town's architecture, history, and music. Enjoy a concert here. Visit the homes where Mozart was born and lived. Browse the shops and restaurants along the Getreidegasse and notice the unique wrought-iron signs. Tour the Baroque Cathedral and mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress. Sample locally-made schnapps and Mozart balls. Wander Mirabell Gardens and St. Peter's Cemetary, one of the most beautiful in the world. Take in a marionette show. Or simply explore... you never know what you'll find around each corner.
Salzburg is mostly famous for two things -- Mozart and The Sound of Music -- but there's so much more to the city: beautiful gardens, churches, a medieval fortress, and cobble-stoned lanes showcasing the town's architecture, history, and music. Enjoy a concert here. Visit the homes where Mozart was born and lived. Browse the shops and restaurants along the Getreidegasse and notice the unique wrought-iron signs. Tour the Baroque Cathedral and mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress. Sample locally-made schnapps and Mozart balls. Wander Mirabell Gardens and St. Peter's Cemetary, one of the most beautiful in the world. Take in a marionette show. Or simply explore... you never know what you'll find around each corner.
Here's two fun Salzburg-y tips: 1) You can tell a good wiener schnitzel by sitting on it. If it doesn't leave grease stains on your pants, it's a winner. 2) Crosswalk lights here are short. Cross quickly!
By now, our group has bonded well, like we've known each other for a long time. You're guaranteed fun travel partners on Rick Steves tours.
After dinner together, Rolinka asks if we'd like to take an evening orientation stroll around Old Town. Thank God we said yes, otherwise we wouldn't have stumbled upon a traditional candle dance around the Residenzplatz Square fountain, accompanied by a live orchestra. The show concludes with all 100 performers tossing their candles into the fountain. It's like something you'd expect to find in one of those movies that romanticizes Europe and features the characters randomly stumbling upon all these magical coincidences and experiences! Justin smiled, looked at April and said, "This is why I love Europe." Throughout the tour, Rolinka has entertained us on the bus with the music of the European greats we soon will be learning about. Music is everywhere in this town! We love Salzburg! |
"We woke up at 7am to the sound of bells!" ~ Journal entry, 7/19/2016
The next morning, we get up early to explore Mirabell Gardens before the tourists arrive. The Sound of Music is one of Justin's favorite movies, so he enjoyed having the grounds nearly to himself for photo-ops.
The upper photos were taken at "Do Re Mi" sites: where Maria and the children ride their bikes (left) and where the song ends on the steps (right). Below left you have an image of a peaceful Mirabell Gardens before it is inundated with visitors, and below right you have a view of the Old Town taken just outside the Gardens at the riverfront. Click each to enlarge. |
After breakfast, we joined our local guide Brigitte for a walking tour of Salzburg. We begin again in the Gardens, and take our group photo.
Brigitte then leads us to the Old Town, where she takes us past or into main sights -- like the Mozartplatz, Residenzplatz, the Getreidegasse, Salzburg Cathedral, and St. Peter's Church -- and a few undiscovered gems as well. Look up! Some buildings even have dates of construction on them!
We end around lunchtime and the rest of the day is free, although Rolinka has arranged an optional marionette puppet show for those interested (we love how she seeks the best possible experiences for us!). We take in a few more sights like St. Peter's Cemetery and the Festival Concert Hall -- and pick up some schnapps at Sporer -- before joining about half our group for the performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
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An Evening of Music
You cannot go to Austria and not experience classical music. While Rolinka did organize an optional dinner concert for those interested, we booked our tickets ahead of time for an evening concert in Hohensalzburg Fortress, which would allow us to both explore the grounds of the fortress after it has closed to the public, and enjoy pieces by Mozart, Strauss, Haydn, and others. The views are breathtaking!
The intimate concert was held in the Golden Hall, high above Salzburg. It was delightful and moving, and listening to this beautiful music in a warmly lit room as the sun went down in the windows behind the musicians, was breathtaking! What a wonderful way to end out final night in Salzburg! We enjoy one last lingering nighttime walk through Salzburg's maze-like Old Town before waltzing our way back to the hotel.
The intimate concert was held in the Golden Hall, high above Salzburg. It was delightful and moving, and listening to this beautiful music in a warmly lit room as the sun went down in the windows behind the musicians, was breathtaking! What a wonderful way to end out final night in Salzburg! We enjoy one last lingering nighttime walk through Salzburg's maze-like Old Town before waltzing our way back to the hotel.
"Sound of Music" tours abound in Salzburg, but thankfully Rolinka will save us money and take us to some of the filming locations the next morning on our way to Hallstatt! Listening to (and occasionally singing) the movie's soundtrack en route, we visit the famous "16 Going on 17" gazebo (located in the gardens of Hellbrun Castle) and get a glimpse of the lakefront villa used as the back of the von Trapp residence. We get here before the crowds arrive and have these sites all to ourselves!
Luge Ride
As we drive further east toward Hallstatt, we discover a whole new Austria: the famous Lakes district. Surrounded by hills, these lakes offer families and nature-lovers endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Visitors can rent cabins or hotel rooms, get out on the water, or take a funicular up in the hills. Did you know that Red Bull is a famous Austrian export? The owner, Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, has a home near here. He discovered a similar drink in Thailand and modified it to suit Western tastes.
Before we get to Hallstatt, we stop for a luge ride! Similar to a bobsled, you're lifted backward up a really long hill (check out the awesome view in the bottom left picture!), and at the top you can choose your path: snail (slow) or rabbit (fast). As you ascend, the lake in the near distance magnifies. Rolinka tells us that on her tours usually one or two people choose not to do the luge, but we are her first tour where everyone participates! It's lots of fun, we promise. Just keep your hands on the handle, follow the instructions, and keep your arms in.
Before we get to Hallstatt, we stop for a luge ride! Similar to a bobsled, you're lifted backward up a really long hill (check out the awesome view in the bottom left picture!), and at the top you can choose your path: snail (slow) or rabbit (fast). As you ascend, the lake in the near distance magnifies. Rolinka tells us that on her tours usually one or two people choose not to do the luge, but we are her first tour where everyone participates! It's lots of fun, we promise. Just keep your hands on the handle, follow the instructions, and keep your arms in.
Luge rides give you wiiiiiiings!
Now... onto Hallstatt!
Now... onto Hallstatt!