Although Mozart should be the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Salzburg, most Americans at least, know Salzburg for The Sound of Music instead. (Others also know it as the home of Red Bull.)
However you know Salzburg, is to love Salzburg. It is the fourth largest city in Austria, yet Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) is still alive and still feels comfortably quaint and quiet. It is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps. (Our hotel was built in 1365.)
The Hohensalzburg Fortress still stands proudly over the "Old Town." It can be seen from miles away and is one of the largest fully-preserved castles in central Europe.
The girls were not nearly as excited as I was to make the climb to the top . . . . .
. . . . but it was worth every step for the spectacular view!
Even "Bob's Sound of Music Tour" was enjoyable --- for a group tour --- and included a lot of interesting trivia :)
(I didn't realize that the movie was based on a true story.) Bob is an American running small SOM tours because he understands the American fascination. Many Austrians, however, have never even seen the movie that we have watched every Thanksgiving since we can remember.
This was one of the first stops on the SOM Tour: the von Trapp family villa.
(The Fortress is peaking over the trees on the left.)
The "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" gazebo.
The fountain around which Maria and the children sang "Do-Re-Mi."
(There's the Fortress again in the background.)
The church where the Captain and Maria were married.
Outside of "Old Town," but still picturesque.
Headquarters of Red Bull. (We may need to get some --- Steve and the girls are starting to get a little weary.)
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