With just a few days left for mum to enjoy Europe, she requested one more destination holiday to somewhere she had long wanted to visit. Salzburg. This was an easy request to satisfy.
So early on Saturday morning, we jumped on a train and within 2 hours, we were pulling into Salzburg's main train station! Seeing as we were only there for such a short time, we checked into the hotel and left our belongings before making our way into the city. We wanted to squeeze in as much as we could to our 2 days.
We found our way in quite easily and made our first stop at the famous Mirabell gardens. Strolling through the gardens we saw many weddings taking place including one dove release! But the gardens themselves were beautiful.
Once through the gardens, we walked across the river into the city for a spot of lunch - because who really wants to go sight seeing on an empty stomach!
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| The street signs were amazing - even for McDonalds! |
Tummies filled, we were able to continue on.
It was at this point that we made our way back over to the Mirabell Gardens, as this was the meeting point for a tour that mum was planning to take. Sadly, we were unable to locate the exact meeting spot, no one was able to help us with directions and after walking for ages up and down the street, we realised it was a fruitless venture. So instead, mum hopped on the Sound Of Music tour bus journey.
The reason we separated from mum was because she had organised for us to do a bike tour but this was not starting for a little while, and she wanted to use her bus pass as much as possible.
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| Keeping cool in the random fountains |
With some time to pass, we went for a long wander through the streets on both side of the river, stopping for various reasons - shopping, cool drinks (cause it was bloody hot) and for some great views!
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| The very cool 'equality' lights |
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| A decorative egg shop - too delicate to bring any home |
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| Uh, yeah, I don't quite know what this was about myself... |
Finally it was time to meet up with our Fräulein Maria's Sound of Music Bike tour - I can simultaneously hear all the ladies cheering and the men groaning! Yes Michael did come on this tour with me, no he has never seen the movie. While I myself have only seen the movie a few times (not a massive fan) I was still interested to do the tour. Michael just likes any chance to ride a bike and this was the only bike tour on offer in Salzburg. So we jumped on our bikes complete with baskets and information cards (attached to the basket) and rode off with 'Maria'.
The tour actually surprised both of us. We rode past countless filming locations that were instantly recognisable to me, starting of course with the Mirabell gardens and the fountain that the Von Trapps danced around. But the further we went the more I recognised, and the more I actually started to understand the story.
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The oldest bakery in Salzburg - still using a water wheel
for its flour milling |
As we continued our singing cycling journey, we rode past a section of flowing water in a channel where several people were swimming. Our guide offered us the opportunity to jump in - fully clothed minus shoes of course - if we wanted the chance to cool off before continuing the journey. I just stuck my feet in (because I was wearing jelly shoes it was super easy, I went in shoes and all). The water was so nice a cool, almost icy and very refreshing. Several of our riding companions jumped in, bomb diving and shouting as their bodies hit the water. It was fun to watch.
The next stop was said to be a fair distance away, as we were now heading for the yellow house on the hill, to see the Gazebo. However we had two stops along the way, one somewhat scheduled, the other definitely not. One guy in our crew had a sudden nose bleed, and we had to clean him up - turns out being a teacher who is always prepared for anything comes in handy as I had tissues, baby wipes and all sorts of things in my handbag!
The second stop was just an added bonus that our guide likes to pass by if she has time - the local dairy, where they have a pump system where you can bring your own bottle and for 60c, receive a litre of fresh milk. As in, you can see the cows being milked inside the barn and you get the milk almost directly - it is just chilled before you get it. So there we all were, standing around in a paddock, drinking pure fresh cold milk. Had absolutely nothing to do with the Sound of Music, but it was awesome. As a non-milk drinker, even I have to say it tasted amazing!
We did make it to the Gazebo, and it was time for a pit stop. We wandered around the grounds of Hellbrunn Palace, but did not go inside to see the trick fountains - wish we had in hindsight, but there was no time on the tour.
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I realise it was well hidden till this photo - yes I had hurt my knee
prior to the ride.... All good now though! |
Our final major stop on this trip was the 'Front View' of the Von Trapp house, where Maria was seen walking down along the wall (singing the song about confidence) heel clicking and dancing, until she reaches the Von Trapp gate and panics. This was actually a real palace called Frohnburg Palace, which today is a students residence for the music university - Mozarteum.
Michael tried to do a good heel click - I was rather impressed! Meanwhile, I twirled in the fields with the Alps behind me, just like Maria!
We rode back into town with the final few movie tunes. With our bikes returned, we walked back to our hotel for a much needed shower!
Reunited with mummy, we made our way back into town to find a really nice place for our evening meal. By this time it was rather late, close to 9pm by the time we chose a restaurant, but everywhere was still packed so we didn't mind so much.
We chose a lovely traditional German style pub - but because we were in Austria, it could definitely be said that the food style differed from what Michael and I are used to. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal selections, and the company. It was a great night.
The following day, we all took our time to get ready and eventually, leaving our bags at the hotel, made our way into town in search of a breakfast venue. We came across a great quiet back alley cafe, where we each had a full meal and I even enjoyed a beautiful pitcher of iced tea.
Our goal for today was to make our way right up to Salzburg Castle and see inside. But we weren't in such a rush that we couldn't sight see on our way to the funicular....
Tickets purchased, we made our way up with the funicular (which mum found amazing) and then drank in the view from this first level of the castle grounds.
With audio guides around our necks, we made our way inside the castle for a directed tour. It was quite interesting, and yet quite bare. The best thing first section of the castle had to offer in my opinion was the view from the top of the tower.
We continued on through some of the older rooms of the castle that have been relatively well preserved, the paint on the walls fading but showing signs of what once was a vibrant wealthy castle. One of the reigning kings from this castle had a particular affinity with turnips, and his shield was evident in numerous places around the castle. Very amusing.
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| Turnip Shield |
Back outside, we wandered around to the front of the castle to make our way back down but I became completely distracted by a Marionette museum! So mum and Michael had to indulge me in a 5 minute detour!
The funicular led us down the hill once more and we decided to set off in search of one last meal before our train trip back to Munich. However, I had been craving a particular dessert, and mum and Michael took next to no convincing that our lunch should actually be a dessert.
Inside cafe Mozart, we knew what we wanted before the waiter reached us. I ordered the Marillenknödel - little dumplings filled with apricots (or plums as my dad used to make). This is why it was so special and why I just had to have it while I was in Austria - to honour my dad.
Meanwhile, mum and Michael both had their hearts set on the largest dessert I have ever seen. It was the famous dessert of Salzburg, known as the Salzburger Nockerln. This was a dish suggested as a 2 person share plate, which is exactly what they did. While the dessert was massive, it was, as the waiter said when serving it, 90% air! He wasn't wrong. This 3 mountain peak wonder was made of a souffle meringue mixture sitting on top of a jammy fruity preserve. The waiter served each of them a mountain and left the third in the bowl as they dug into their first serve (not before letting them both pose for a photo with the dessert). Both of them absolutely loved it and they had to find a way to split the third mountain evenly!
By now it was rather late in the afternoon and we really didn't want the two hour train journey to start too late in the day. However, the walk back to the hotel was not without some laughs!
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| Jelly shoes are the best! |
Bags collected, train boarded, we reached Munich safe and sound, ready for mum's last week in Europe.
We found our way in quite easily and made our first stop at the famous Mirabell gardens. Strolling through the gardens we saw many weddings taking place including one dove release! But the gardens themselves were beautiful. 
Once through the gardens, we walked across the river into the city for a spot of lunch - because who really wants to go sight seeing on an empty stomach!
Finally it was time to meet up with our Fräulein Maria's Sound of Music Bike tour - I can simultaneously hear all the ladies cheering and the men groaning! Yes Michael did come on this tour with me, no he has never seen the movie. While I myself have only seen the movie a few times (not a massive fan) I was still interested to do the tour. Michael just likes any chance to ride a bike and this was the only bike tour on offer in Salzburg. So we jumped on our bikes complete with baskets and information cards (attached to the basket) and rode off with 'Maria'.
We rode up and around Salzburg castle to the nunnery where Maria went and saw a great view out to the house where we would later see the Gazebo from the song "I am 16...". Our guide also pointed out to the alps where filming took place for the very opening of the movie. Editing in movies does prove to be amazing because it was from these very far away mountains that Maria heard the bells of the nunnery and came running. Knowing the distance now, it is clear that she would never have run that distance in that time, let alone heard the bells! But it was still nice to put it all into context.
As we continued our singing cycling journey, we rode past a section of flowing water in a channel where several people were swimming. Our guide offered us the opportunity to jump in - fully clothed minus shoes of course - if we wanted the chance to cool off before continuing the journey. I just stuck my feet in (because I was wearing jelly shoes it was super easy, I went in shoes and all). The water was so nice a cool, almost icy and very refreshing. Several of our riding companions jumped in, bomb diving and shouting as their bodies hit the water. It was fun to watch. 
The next stop was said to be a fair distance away, as we were now heading for the yellow house on the hill, to see the Gazebo. However we had two stops along the way, one somewhat scheduled, the other definitely not. One guy in our crew had a sudden nose bleed, and we had to clean him up - turns out being a teacher who is always prepared for anything comes in handy as I had tissues, baby wipes and all sorts of things in my handbag!
We did make it to the Gazebo, and it was time for a pit stop. We wandered around the grounds of Hellbrunn Palace, but did not go inside to see the trick fountains - wish we had in hindsight, but there was no time on the tour.
Our final major stop on this trip was the 'Front View' of the Von Trapp house, where Maria was seen walking down along the wall (singing the song about confidence) heel clicking and dancing, until she reaches the Von Trapp gate and panics. This was actually a real palace called Frohnburg Palace, which today is a students residence for the music university - Mozarteum.
Reunited with mummy, we made our way back into town to find a really nice place for our evening meal. By this time it was rather late, close to 9pm by the time we chose a restaurant, but everywhere was still packed so we didn't mind so much.
Once descended and inside the castle again, there were a handful of interesting objects and a museum full of period artefacts. This was really cool to see, and the staged exhibit of some of the artefacts was lots of fun!
The following day, we all took our time to get ready and eventually, leaving our bags at the hotel, made our way into town in search of a breakfast venue. We came across a great quiet back alley cafe, where we each had a full meal and I even enjoyed a beautiful pitcher of iced tea. 
Our goal for today was to make our way right up to Salzburg Castle and see inside. But we weren't in such a rush that we couldn't sight see on our way to the funicular....
Tickets purchased, we made our way up with the funicular (which mum found amazing) and then drank in the view from this first level of the castle grounds. 
With audio guides around our necks, we made our way inside the castle for a directed tour. It was quite interesting, and yet quite bare. The best thing first section of the castle had to offer in my opinion was the view from the top of the tower. 
Once descended and inside the castle again, there were a handful of interesting objects and a museum full of period artefacts. This was really cool to see, and the staged exhibit of some of the artefacts was lots of fun! 
We continued on through some of the older rooms of the castle that have been relatively well preserved, the paint on the walls fading but showing signs of what once was a vibrant wealthy castle. One of the reigning kings from this castle had a particular affinity with turnips, and his shield was evident in numerous places around the castle. Very amusing. 
Back outside, we wandered around to the front of the castle to make our way back down but I became completely distracted by a Marionette museum! So mum and Michael had to indulge me in a 5 minute detour! 
The funicular led us down the hill once more and we decided to set off in search of one last meal before our train trip back to Munich. However, I had been craving a particular dessert, and mum and Michael took next to no convincing that our lunch should actually be a dessert. 
Inside cafe Mozart, we knew what we wanted before the waiter reached us. I ordered the Marillenknödel - little dumplings filled with apricots (or plums as my dad used to make). This is why it was so special and why I just had to have it while I was in Austria - to honour my dad. 
Meanwhile, mum and Michael both had their hearts set on the largest dessert I have ever seen. It was the famous dessert of Salzburg, known as the Salzburger Nockerln. This was a dish suggested as a 2 person share plate, which is exactly what they did. While the dessert was massive, it was, as the waiter said when serving it, 90% air! He wasn't wrong. This 3 mountain peak wonder was made of a souffle meringue mixture sitting on top of a jammy fruity preserve. The waiter served each of them a mountain and left the third in the bowl as they dug into their first serve (not before letting them both pose for a photo with the dessert). Both of them absolutely loved it and they had to find a way to split the third mountain evenly! 
By now it was rather late in the afternoon and we really didn't want the two hour train journey to start too late in the day. However, the walk back to the hotel was not without some laughs!
