Some of you have followed me along on my weekend trip to Salzburg through Instagram and Twitter - now here is the full coverage as promised. It was a real winter tale trip to the Austrian city of Mozart and 'The Sound of Music'. From the moment of my arrival until I departed it was snowing. And the old town was literally one big Christmas market. A real winter tale atmosphere!
If you have never been to Salzburg let me tell you one thing: It is well worth a visit. However, you have to acknowledge the fact that many, many other tourists had the same in mind so it can get a bit packed in the old town. Nevertheless, the baroque city center, the overlooking fortress 'Hohensalzburg', the winding river and the ringing bells from countless churches will make you travel in time and space and set you in a magic surrounding amidst the Alps.
Salzburg is not too big so you can basically visit most of the main sights by foot. Don't miss the fortress (there is a funicular, but you can walk up there and take in the beautiful panorama of Salzburg), the Salzburg Dome, the St. Peter monastery hosting Europe's oldest restaurant - the 'Stiftskeller St. Peter' (the food and service are top notch), visit Mozart's birth house, enjoy a play of classical music in the famous Salzburg festival hall. Of course you should buy some traditional Salzburg Mozart chocolates (yummy dark chocolate filled with marzipan, nougat cream and a pistachio cream heart) and local handmade ceramics from the nearby town of Gmunden sold in a beautiful boutique in the old town. Oh, and don't forget to taste the local traditional dessert, a 'Salzburger Nockerl' (it's the dish you see on my pics here).
During December the entire city is turning into one Christmas tale. All little squares and places are turned into Christmas markets with festive lights, Christmas trees and booths selling local food and artisanal products, mulled wine and homemade gingerbread. Choirs are singing in front of the Salzburg dome and the atmosphere is truly enchanting - I felt like in Dicken's 'Christmas Carol'. I hope I could convey a bit of this feeling through my pictures. Have a great week, friends!
Photography by Igor Josifovic
