Salzburg und Österreich

Sunday we arrived in Salzburg at around 5:00. It took us awhile to find our hotel but after wandering through another Weihachtsmarkt we found it next to the Dome. We were tired and cold so we had a nice dinner at the restaurant next to our hotel and turned in relatively early. We stayed at this really old hotel and the woman who ran it was so nice. When we checked out the next day she even gave us a bag of rolls and cheese to take with. She kept saying how happy she was to have us stay there. Anyway, Mary somehow talked Phil and I into going on the “Sound of Music” tour of Salzburg and a few neighboring villages. The tour was supposed to show you famous sites from the movie. It sounded like it was going to be really cheesy but it was amazing. We had our own personal tour guide and she quickly figured out that we were more interested in seeing the area than hearing about the film. Although she did continue to play the soundtrack throughout the trip. It was really great and our tour guide was so nice. I don’t think there’s any other way to see so much in so little time for such a good price. Here’s a few pictures I took from the tour van as we drove through town.



I guess this is the Von Trapp house from the movie in the background.



We then drove to this castle just outside of Salzburg. This is where they put the famous gazebo from the movie. There where also some glass blowers at a shop there. Here’s a few more pictures.



We then headed up into the mountains. It was unbelievably beautiful.



We even stopped for some apple strudel. This was our view at the cafe.



Here’s a few more pics along the way. We passed through the towns St. Gilgen and Bad Ischl.



Our last stop on this tour was this really pretty church where some couple got married in the movie... whatever.


More from the Weihnachtsmarkt.



Our last stop was the castle on the cliff in the center of town. Fortunately there was a cable car thing to take us to the top. The view was incredible. There was a light fog on the hills and the sun was beginning to set. It was almost unreal.









Meiner meinung nach, man muss, einmal im Laufe seines Lebens, Salzburg und Österreich besuchen. Am schönsten!

lg

München

I will go ahead and post in english this time since it will be a bit long and complicated, and I want everyone to be able to understand it (plus, a number of people have complained about posting in german). But this will be the last post in english since it’s really good practice to write it in german. I attached a link for a translator that will allow you to get the gist of what I’m writing about.

So, Mary and Phil came to germany and on saturday we drove to München (Munich) but friday night we checked out the Mainz Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market). Here we are.


The Autobahn was pretty cool but you have to be careful when you’re in the left lane because cars can come up on you real fast. Phil did all the driving. And he did quite a good job (just don’t ask him his feelings on navigating the Mainz streets). Anyway, here’s a couple shots of the Autobahn and the pretty sunset.


We stayed in the nicest place in München. They didn’t have an elevator and initially gave us a room on the 5th floor. I asked if they had anything lower, and they said they had no doubles available on the lower floors. They felt bad though so they ended up giving us a family suite on the second floor for about the same rate as a double. It was cool. We even had separate rooms. It was huge!


Saturday night we strolled through the old city and checked out the Weihnachtsmarkt. It was absolutely gorgeous. Here’s a bunch of pics.






That night we wanted to go check out a Bauhaus (big-ass beer hall). They were all packed since there was a soccer game. Coincidentally the Mainz team was visiting and I actually ran into a friend from Mainz in one of the beer halls. Prost!

Liederhosen!

The next day we walked around the old city a bit more and tried to keep warm by drinking Glüwein (a mixture of wine and hot cider). Here’s a few more pictures.



Phil and Mary went to the top of this big tower in one of the many churches but I didn’t since the steps were steep and high. But Phil took a few pics for me.



That afternoon we hopped back on the Autobahn and headed for Salzburg. Since I have so many beautiful pictures of Austria I’m going to do it as a separate post.