Salzburg Austria - The Hills are alive

Up and out of the flat early. Late night decision to do a day trip to Salzburg. Although this takes a day away from our time in Munich, it saves us traveling back south after heading to Rothenburg. 

We rush to station, as we have no idea what time we can catch a train, given spotty internet service and late decision, we don't have a clue. 

The train a quick 90 minutes. So Champagne, fruit smoothie and a Nutella croissant for Chris. This is a great way to start our travel.

The train climbs slowly through green lush farmland, community gardens, rolling green hills, past medievil villages and into the alps. These mountains are spectacular to the point of looking fake or a movie set. After so much time on flat land the mountains are a welcome sight. 

As we pass a small town we watch an elderly gentleman waiting for a friend. As they meet there are hand shakes, European welcome kisses and loads of smiles. 

This is beautiful country for many reasons. 

We arrive in Salzburg to a sunny day, what is this bright thing, haven't seen it since leaving the US. 

Salzburg is every bit as grand as I anticipated. A baroque masterpiece, the birthplace of Mozart. ......This town is picturesque. Hilltop fortress, architecture, surrounded by the alps. Stunning. We do some touring around the winding streets, narrow alley ways. Christmas markets, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and roasted sausages fill the air. 

Dom ~white, stark, bronze throughout. Very different from other churches on our travel. An amazing frescoe of the Passion of Christ! 

St Peters, older, beautiful wood, amazing pipe organs. 

We stroll through cemetery, so old, beautiful intricate stone work and wrought iron crosses. Also home to catacombs, cave like chapels and crypts coming out of the stone wall. Below the fortress. Also were the Von Trapps were filmed hiding from the nazis. 

Up to the fortress, 900 year old cliff top fortress, we choose the funicular. 

Walk around, amazing views, the fortress transitions from pure stone. Quite amazing. 

It is a beautiful day to ditch the jackets and explore. We consider a hill top hike, but without clarity of where it goes or the how we decide against it. Back down to explore city. We stroll town then jump a bus towards Augustiner. Hopefully! 

We find the stop and jump off, but the beer hall doesn't open for a bit. We walk the neighborhood  lovely view of the town wall and old fort. We wander up and down paths. 

Time to see what this Augustiner has to offer. Amazing! Seriously the best beer hall. Those monks knew what they were doing back in the 1600s. 

We hit up the beer line. You grab a stein from counter, rinse in large trough, beer is poured from wooden barrels. Cafeteria style options, we grab pretzel, wurst, kasse! Delicious. 

We get a big table in the back and join Helga and Franz, the given names (given by us that is). They have a picnic and are enjoying their beer. They no English, is no German, but Prost non the less.  As they leave, we are joined by a couple Americans. Bryan and his daughter. Dawn has been studying in Sweden and headed home in a few days. He is over for some travel adventures. She is headed back to Arkansas. What a change from Germany! 

We head back out, tour more of the city and get the Sound of Music little known facts and scene locations. 

More Xmas markets, last stop dinner at a restaurant that is over 600 years in business. We enjoyed, weinner schnitzel, krautt, and pork stuffed dumplings. Each a different style. Chased with zwickle beer and wine! There was one strange moment when three people dressed in black descended in with loud bells and screams, and commotion, it felt like we were in the middle of a dramatic play. 

Thanks for dinner Karyn, you would have loved it, we raised a glass to you!! 

Back to evening stroll and hit the train station. Post card writing and a nap on the train home. 

We must return to Salzburg. So much more to explore.

So long, Farewell