Road Trip: Salzburg

Ahh, Salzburg.  It is such an enchanting city with church bells tolling back and forth in a banter of conversation, the peaceful river connecting the old town and new, and the surrounding green lush fields only a few minutes stroll from the hustle and bustle of the town center.  And who can argue with the fashion statement of a century:  young and old still sporting lederhosen and dirndls, available for purchase in the local shops.  They actually make it look cool and enviable.  I was hoping Matt would pick up a pair, but I am not sure this fashion would work outside of Austria.  The weekend we were there, Salzburg was hosting a marathon and the city was particularly lively with competitors and fans alike.  This provided ample entertainment for the kids.  But aside from these festivities, there is much to see and do in Salzburg, built by the wealth of the nearby salt mines.  The Hohensalzburg Fortress is definitely worth a ride up the funicular, with a well documented building process and beautiful views of the city.  Salzburg is also the birthplace of Mozart, and this is not easily forgotten with tours of his residence, birthplace, and places he possibly performed, sat, walked, ate, shopped, etc.  We attended an intimate concert at “Mozart in Residence,” almost too intimate if you ask my boys.  I think the violinist, in his enthusiasm to keep the musicians in sync, may have sprayed us in the front row.  Another popular place to visit is Schloss Mirabel, with beautiful gardens and a peek inside an aristocratic lifestyle.  And most importantly, many scenes from the “Sound of Music” were filmed here.  We saw it firsthand via Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour, a three hour bike tour of the movie highlights with very enthusiastic tour guides who encourage you to find your voice.  Definitely memorable.