Salzburg

The hills are alive, with the sound of Tourism. At least in Salzburg Austria. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and the location for the movie "The Sound of Music" and many come to immerse themselves in this musical history. Even if it weren't for the music, Salzburg is a beautiful place to visit.

Two hours by train from Munich, Salzburg straddles the Salzach river. The Altstadt and Fortress are south of the river, Mirabell Palace and Gardens are north.

Festung Hohesalzburg, the towering medieval fortress on a hill that overlooks town can be reached by foot or funicular. All areas to the fortress are behind a paywall but there are different plans for whatever you want to see.  Much is dedicated to armor swords, and other such stuff (not to be cynical, but there’s a lot of these collections in Europe).  If you plan to see all the medieval stuff in the castle, trust me, spring for the additional 3 euro tagged on to each of the ticket packages for the funicular ride UP to the fortress.

In between the fortress hill and the river is the main square of the old city.  Here you will find the Salzburg cathedral, sometimes referred to as the St Peter’s of the north.  The Cathedral is open daily.  On agood day you can play chess.  If you find a vendor selling what are essentially ginormous doughnut pretzels glazed in chocolate…DO IT.

 Off the main square and down Getreidegasse is Mozart’s Birthplace and Lots and lots of shopping.  Mostly of interest for tourists looking to spend too much on things they can get elsewhere or for the tacky nicnacks everyone just has to have.  There’s a McD’s down this street, but more interestingly a Nordsee. 

Not sure if I have mentioned it yet, but Nordsee is one of my German/Austrian comfort (Fast) foods.  They have grilled or fried fish of various species that can be grouped with various sides for a good meal.  They also have some of the cold - boiled or smoked sea critters that are popular with the coastal parts of northern Europe.  In some locations they have branched out to sushi.  Entrée’s, Salads, Sandwiches and snacks.  You have options.  This particular location is famed in family history as the site where my nephew Alec swiped the last prepared deep fried cod filet out from under the nose of my other nephew Braden who had his eyes set on it for dinner.  Braden had to settle for the broiled pollack instead.

Across the river over the Staatsbrucke takes you to the “New” part of the city, but of course that is relative.  1800’s as opposed to the 1600’s.  The Mirabelle Palace and gardens are over here and a must see destination for the sound of music fans.  The house where Mozart grew up is over here and is frequented by Amadeus groupies.  This is also where the main train station is for the town. Pay attention to where you are staying one stop later might find you closer to accommodations if they are in the Altstadt. Good Shopping and Food frequented by locals can be found wandering up Linzergasse.  Had a really good meal at a place called Das Restaurant Wasserfall, a bit pricey but memorable (at least 15 years ago it was…)

 Something you can find in Salzburg without much trouble are live performances of classical music.  Between Mozart and the von Trapps, it goes with the territory.