TWO DAYS IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

TWO DAYS IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the Austrian Alps in the west to the Danube Basin in the east It is not only famous as one of the world’s premier skiing regions . but also for its historical buildings, world-class museums and galleries, breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains and hiking trails.
Salzburg is set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery. The snow-capped mountains of the Hohe Tauern rise in the south whereas the north offers the hills and lakes of the Salzkammergut. All sights are within walking distance of the old city centre, overlooked by the fortress Hohensalzburg, which can be reached either by walking up through the narrow, winding Festungsgasse or by taking the funicular. The Altstadt (the old city) was recently granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO. It is a mountainous country, nearly half of which is covered with forests.
When we arrived at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof –(main station), we saw buses in front of the building and got number 1 to Makartplatz (market-place).
Salzburg is a compact city oozing history, narrow streets, large squares and, of course, the spectacular Mirabelle gardens. Mozart’s house is at one end.

The 4 hour "Sound of Music" tour started at 2:00pm. The meeting place was at one of Salzburg's many squares, about a fifteen to twenty minute walk from the train station. The tour takes you to all the movie highlights, including the gazebo where Liesl and Rolf danced one rainy night, the palaces that served as the Von Trapp family house, and the church where Captain Von Trapp and Maria got married. The church is in a charming small town, and it's a gorgeous shade of pale yellow. Inside, the altar is like the movie. The tour also takes you along some gorgeous lake sceneries.

Salzburg is Mozart's home and the city celebrates this. There are two houses that are on display: one where he was born, and another where he lived for several years.
City tour began at mirabelle square; to the newer part of the city with Mozart’s residence. We then crossed the Salzach river & reached the old part of the city. There we visited St. Peter’s cathedral.

A number of operators run cruises along the Danube. On some cruises, a passport is needed; they last from one to eight days depending on the itinary. These services run between spring and autumn. There are regular passenger boat services from mid-May to mid-September along the Danube and on Austria’s lakes.
Eisriesenwelt , the ice caves, have wonderful ice sculptures. Fifteen kilometres (9 miles) from Innsbruck lies Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a museum/exhibition centre featuring unusual displays of crystal. Kitzbühel rose as a 16th-century silver and copper mining town and is now an exclusive resort with a lovely central area.
Some trains run through areas of immense natural beauty, and if there is such a "scenic train" in the country you are visiting, try to take it. Some Scenic Trains include The Albergline (Austria),