Day Five - Salzburg

     Today we set off by train to Salzburg. It has returned to a typical January day of overcast and a tad gloomy, but this does not dampen our spirits as everyone has told us what a charming and beautiful city Salzburg is.

     In fact, I was there on Easter Day many moons ago...when I was in my Oak Park River Forest high school madrigal choir we traveled to a few European cities one of which was Salzburg and that was back in 1972, SO I was wondering what would look different some 40 years later... good news is not much (that I can remember anyway!)

     The trains in Germany are so efficient - on time, clean, and comfortable. Upon arrival, our guide, Richard picked us up and took us on a quick "look see" tour of the city. First stop was the Maria Plain Church which sits on top of a hill and normally would have offered a beautiful view of the city, but it was still early and the mist was heavy. But the inside of the church was ornate and striking. This church is also known as the place where Mozart played one of his most famous compositions, "Grunungsmasse".

     Then off to a nearby hotel (used to be a castle… can’t remember the name, who can keep track?).  Our guide led us to a secret terrace which overlooked the city, which provided a breathtaking view of all of Salzburg, especially the old part.  As we were there the church bells from a number of surrounding churches pealed, signaling 12:00 Noon.

    

  See the ancient fortress in the background – we left a tour of this for a future visit!

     Then off to ANOTHER castle, this one Schloss Mirabell, which played prominently in several scenes of “The Sound of Music” as when Maria was frolicking through the covered arched trellis..  This was a beautiful garden evening January.  I can only imagine how magnificent it must be in the spring and summer, filled with flowers.  The opera house for the Salzburg Music Festival is located close by.

    

  ONWARD to The Leopoldskron Palace, where in The Sound of Music movie you will remember the Countess was drinking pink lemonade on the porch overlooking the lake.  

The Gazebo where the two lovebirds were singing, "I am 16 going on 17..."

.. and another castle, Hellbrunn, and even more – gorgeous even in January – gardens.  This one was built by a catholic Archbishop who was more powerful than the Emperor of Austria…

     

Me and our tour guide Richard...aren't his red glasses divine?

    

 Enough castles!  On to shopping down Salzburg’s version of Rodeo Drive, Getreidegstrasse!  No cars are allowed on no only the street, but within the entire area known as Die Alte Stadt, The Old City.  This area includes a number of beautiful squares, as well as the living quarters of both Mozart and Frans Schubert.

Teens look the same the world over..

There is a store which sells millions of ornaments, all made on Egg Shells…

     

     After doing some needed retail therapy (Bill’s schedule had not allowed much time for this previously) we stopped for lunch.  Bill (the vegan you will remember) and I enjoyed a heart lunch of Beef Goulash, while Lulu sensibly had lentil soup and salad.  Then Bill (the vegan you will remember) insisted we partake in a regional favorite… when in Salzburg you MUST have “Nockerl”.  It is like a meringue concoction… see below… and we finished it!

Back on the train to Munich!   zzzzz……