My Ashtonville: Salzburg - The Hills Are Alive

"A person needs at intervals to separate from family and companions and go to

new places. One must go without familiars in order to be open to influences, to change."
- Katharine Butler Hathaway

Salzburg Austria is a repeat performance for us. We were here in June of 2010 but the weather then was "pouring rain with alternating overcast skies!". It was such a beautiful city that I couldn't help but be disappointed that we couldn't explore it more. The upside to our trip in 2010 was that we were lucky enough to do the Sound of Music "thing" - staying at the Von Trapp family home (which was now a bed and breakfast) and going on the Sound of Music Tour.

So I figured, what the heck. We are this close and travelling from Vienna to Italy so why not stop over for a day? If we are lucky enough we can catch the city in a sunny state and relax a bit for a day and wander casually through Mirabel Platz and the Getreidegasse one more time.

And lucky were were. The weather upon our arrival was hot and sunny and with part of an afternoon and a full evening ahead of us we set out to revisit this beautiful city.

Salzburg is the city of Mozart and his presence is everywhere - on souveniers, posters, chocolate wrappers and boxes - whatever sells. And it sells. His birthhome is on the Giedenstrauss and less than 1000 meters away (give or take) is the home where he spent is youth. We toured both in 2010 so the photos are just for this blog. We revisited the Getreidegasse and Mirabel Platz finding several things we missed the first time around. Later that evening we strolled the walking path that lies along the river and stopped for some wine and apple strudel. A perfect evening.

The morning we left we awoke to sun and high temperatures once again. We left early for the train station (our train for Verona departed at 9:00 a.m.) enjoying the hot sun as we walked. As it turns out, we were luckier than we knew. By 8:30 a.m. the skies had completely clouded over and it was clear that a storm was brewing!! We boarded the train at 9:00 a.m. to the sound of thunder, and then rain.

Yes, our timing was perfect!!

Next stop - Italy!