Salzburg, Austria
On our first full day there we took in a scenic trek from Großgmain in Austria, walking to Bad Reichenhall in Germany. The picturesque route led us through lush green meadows, abeam of charming Bavarian villages all with a beautiful alpine backdrop. Bad Reichenhall, is a lovely pedestrianised spa town with traditional architecture on the Saalach river renowned for its salt production and health resorts.
The following day we visited the imposing feature on the Salzburg skyline... the Festung Hohensalzburg, a majestic fortress that overlooks the baroque towers of the city. As you ascend the hill to reach the fortress, you are treated to breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. Once inside the fortress, you can explore its well-preserved medieval architecture and dating back to the 11th century. Various chambers, courtyards, the state apartments, weaponry displays and a gallery of puppets from the Salzburg Marionette Theatre can be seen there. The views from the top are marvellous. Underneath the fortress cliffs lies the Petersfriedhof, a serene and atmospheric cemetery dating back to the Middle Ages. As you stroll through the peaceful grounds, there are ornate tombstones, intricate ironwork, and beautiful floral arrangements. A short walk away is the Mirabell Palace and its beautiful gardens. Therewithin is the Pegasus fountain (as immortalised by the dancing/singing children in the Sound of Music...Do Re Mi!).
Another interesting visit was to Hangar 7, an extraordinary blend of art, technology, and aviation. This unique building, owned by Red Bull, houses an impressive collection of aircraft, including historic planes (such as a B-25J Mitchell and a Lockheed P-38L), helicopters, and Formula One race cars. It is very slick throughout, even the toilet decor is something to behold! Hangar 7 also features a restaurant, and a bar, allowing one to appreciate the technical innovation whilst indulging in a beer of course. After this we visited the massive Stiegl brewery established in 1492. We had a traditional meal there. Brewery tours can be taken there too.
A 35 mile drive from Salzburg, crossing across Germany enroute, is Lamprechtshöhle...a cave system which is one of the largest in Europe, offering an interesting subterranean adventure. It is 61km long, however, general visitors just go into the first 700 meters of it, with 392 steps to achieve an ascent of 70 meters within the caves. The cool air and ethereal beauty of Lamprechtshöhle creates a surreal experience...note that it is susceptible to flooding at times.
Other attractions which I have taken on a previous trip there include a Sound of Music tour taking in local landmarks from the musical.. such as Leopoldskron, Mondsee, Hellbrunn Palace etc. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756, you can also visit his birthplace at 9, Getreidegasse. The Salzburg Marionette Theatre is worth a visit too, with shows encompassing various themes, such as the music of The Magic Flute by Mozart and the marvellous Sound of Music. N.b. These tend to need booking up before you arrive in Salzburg. There are numerous out of city attractions including the salt mines at Hallstadt, Schafberg mountain railway and the magnificent lake at Wolfgangsee.
Like much of Austria, there are fabulous cycle routes and really great walking everywhere....and coupled with the scenery, the gastronomic elements add so much to Salzburg too... I love it.