Salzburg 70th Birthday Celebration by Private Jet

I flew by private jet from Farnborough to Salzburg with 29 of the group which took 2hrs 30mins. The Executive terminal was opened in 2006 but still looks space age and brand new. There are 3 private lounges plus a VIP lounge upstairs where we were hosted. I organised head rests, napkins & baggage tags for the journey to highlight the theme of the trip. On board there was an open bar & a light cold meal served on china tableware.

There are also commercial flights that operate from other UK main airports to Salzburg and an excellent 1hr 30mins train service from Munich past green fields, forests and pretty little villages & towns.

Salzburg is an Austrian city on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps. The city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the pedestrian Altstadt (Old City) on its left bank, facing the 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on its right. The Altstadt birthplace of famed composer Mozart is preserved as a museum displaying his childhood instruments.

After being met at the steps of the plane on arrival & fast tracked through immigration we arrived at the Luxury 5* Sacher Hotel, Salzburg in 15mins. The hotel was opened 150yrs ago and is very traditional in décor, beside the river Salzach & is famous for the chocolate cake ‘Sache Torte’ – which I was assured is calorie free (hmmm).

A 2mins walk from the hotel & a 5mins walk through the beautiful Mirabelle Gardens, featured in the film ‘The Sound of Music’ we enjoyed sparkling Austrian wine & canapes laden with Austrian cheeses & meats whilst being serenaded by a violinist in the very grand Marble Hall with its high painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and huge timber framed windows that overlooked the famous steps from the Do Re Mi scene of Sound of Music.

Our visit coincided with the Rupert Kirtag festival so Austrians were dressed in their local folk costumes, ladies & girls in pastel dirndl dresses & aprons with men & boys in their lederhosen. Which really added to the already great atmosphere of the weekend.

That night, we dined on a gourmet 3-course meal including Weiner Schnitzel & Sacher Torte in the traditional Austrian style wood paneled Zirbelzimmer Restaurant at the Sacher Hotel.

The next day we drove south towards the Tauern Mountains to the riverside town of Hallein & visited one of the world’s oldest salt mines daring back 2500yrs. Changed into miners overalls & started our decent by a ‘train’ into the heart of the Durmburg Mountain where we all (old & young) laughed & shrieked as we slid down 2 miner’s slides & then took an eerie & peaceful raft across a lake of brine amongst the stalactite & stalagmites.

We continued by road to the northern shore of the Wolfgangsee at the foot of the Schafberg Mountain where we sailed for 1hr 30mins along the river with vistas of beautiful mountains & valleys as we dined on freshly caught fish from the river & freshly made apple strudel & washed it down with a few glasses of cold Austrian beer. Such a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

In the evening we were driven to nearby Sollheim in the countryside to the 300yr old baroque jewel - Restaurant Pfefferschiff which has 1-Michilin star award where I had the most amazing, memorable food I’ve ever had anywhere in the world with excellent service. Our host was presented with a birthday cake in which he managed to blow out all 70 candles that sat precariously atop the cake!

Salzburg is one of Europe’s loveliest, walkable cities, with its cobbled streets, ornate shop signs, historical St Peters Church & abbey, Mozart museum, a variety of clothing, chocolate & jewellery shops. Salzburg is a destination for all seasons and a perfect weekend getaway. I fell in love with it and I’m sure you will too.