By 8:00 a.m. we had eaten breakfast aboard the Scenic Crystal and boarded buses which would take us across the Austrian border and into Salzburg. As we crossed this bridge over the Inn River (a tributary of the Danube), we left Germany and entered Austria.
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| Crossing over the Inn River, into Austria |
Salzburg is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Mozart. At every turn there is some sort of reminder of this most famous Salzburgian.
Salzburg is also famous as the home of the Von Trapp family, and many of the scenes in the movie, The Sound of Music, were filmed here. Most prominent is the Nonnberg Convent, which sits high on a hill, overlooking the old town. This was the place where the real-life Maria lived as a postulant (nun apprentice) for a couple of years, beginning in 1924, and it was also depicted in numerous scenes in the movie.
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| Nonnberg Convent |
The town was one of the most relaxed and pleasant ones for us. We had fun browsing through some of the shops, sitting at yet another sidewalk cafe, watching the horses and carriages pass by, and soaking in the warm sunshine.
Looking up, you can't miss seeing many beautiful domes and spires adorning Salzburg's sky. One example is the Neue Residenz, originally built in 1588 as the private residence of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. Its tower houses a 35-bell Glockenspiel. We did not get to hear the bells, as they only ring three times a day.
Another magnificent building with towers and domes is the Salzburg Cathedral. This is the site of Mozart's baptism.
High on the hill, near the Nonnberg Convent, stands the Hohensalzburg Fortress, a castle dating from 1077. Wow! That's 932 years ago!!!
When we left the city of Salzburg, we boarded buses and took a one-and-a-half hour tour up into the Austrial hills. It was jaw-droppingly beautiful! Alpine meadows, forests, lakes and chalets. I'd already been impressed with the German countryside, but Austria was magnificent. I was ready to find my own chalet and make a move! At times on our route we were able to see the Austrian Alps!
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| Wolfgang Lake, looking toward the Austrian Alps |
Finally we reached our destination, a lovely Alpine chalet-style lodge, where we would be served dinner. We were welcomed into the lodge with a fanfare.
The apples strudel we were served for dessert was the very best we tasted on the entire trip.
The entertainment, after dinner, was a joy ... talented musicians, young and old, performing Bavarian folk music and selections from The Sound of Music.
Children doing the Schuhplattler, a traditional Bavarian folk dance.
A man playing the alpenhorn.
Theme from Sound of Music.
After the dinner and entertainment, we were bussed back to the ship. Dan seems to be coming down with a cold. I probably gave it to him, since I had one before we left home.
While we slept, the Scenic Crystal moved on down the Danube to Melk.
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