Salzburg

Our 2012 trip might be considered to be the trip of a lifetime. I probably won't have another opportunity to have the same budget, paid working leaves and good health condition to do this one more time. We have had our first Europe trip package back in 2011 but for some reason, I am more nervous and anxious as it is a do-it-yourself trip. Covering eight cities in fifteen days needs detailed planning, extremely organized itinerary and flexibility especially when you're travelling on a tight budget. It's like one mistake can create a chain reaction and the rest is over. 

During our planning, I told Jonathan that I want to make our trip unique. I want to visit a city that our friends/relatives might not have been to. That's why we choose Austria.

It's been my dream to visit Salzburg someday. I am a fan of the musical The Sound of Music, the story I grew up with as a kid. It will be my chance to see the stunning and picturesque location where the movie was filmed. We took a day tour via Viator, which offers the best way to see the city especially the countryside which could be harder to access otherwise. 

Our day started visiting the Mirabell Gardens. It is considered as one of Europe's most beautiful baroque garden. The best time to visit is early mornings before the hordes arrive. 

"Doe a dear, a female dear...Ray, a drop of golden sun...Me, a name I call myself..." Who would have not known this famous song? This place is a notable location where Maria and the children were seen dancing around the Statue of Pegasus singing Do-Re-Mi.

I think we have made the right season (Autumn) on visiting Salzburg. There are fewer annoying queues, most of the museums and major landmarks are free from the huge crowds.

One of the scene in the lake where Maria and the kids were coming from a day out. They were riding in a row boat and fell in the freezing water

We were told by our tour guide that The Sound of Music is not well-known to Austrians until the Hollywood stepped in to make a movie of it. So for the meantime, I'll be playing Maria, the lead actress hahaha.

The famous Gazebo, where "Sixteen going on Seventeen" was shot.

behind us is the Wolfgang Lake

Next, we drove to the small town of Mondsee, an hour of travel outside Salzburg.

 This is the church  where Maria and Von Trapp held their wedding.  We spent two hours of free time, enough to have our lunch and to buy some souvenirs. 

One thing I love about countryside is that you have a chance to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the place without being rushed. I feel like a kid, playing and running in an open space without thinking anything. I have never felt more like a tourist than I did here. 

Of course we're not leaving Salzburg without visiting the famous and legendary biergarten, Augustiner Brewery. 

The beer is served in a ceramic mugs. If you run your mug under the cold water of the fountain, it will give in an even better taste. The beer is manually brewed and stored in barrels of different sizes.  

The Salzach River

As with everything else, leaving is a bittersweet. It was fun, it was memorable, one of the places that will get stuck in your head. A place you would definitely tell your friends.