Salzburg

I know you're all getting sick of these, but I'm almost finished!

Salzburg was such a nice change of scenery. It was a beautifully picturesque town that straddles a mountain (you literally have to walk under the mountain to get from the residential side to the commercial side!).

Making the trek through the mountain from our hotel.

Mozart's childhood house

We went to the Salzburg salt mines. It was hilarious! You had to dress in special clothes and ride the rails down to the mines. Definitely a tourist spot but we got a kick out of it.

In the mines: German/Austrian border!

The mines were up in the beautiful mountains above Salzburg. The scenery was amazing.

There was a little Nordic village recreated near the salt mines. 

Mom, this chicken coop is just for you!

Looking down at Salzburg

Downtown Salzburg: home of The Sound of Music!

 

The famous "Do Re Mi stairs"

More Salzburg scenery

A monastery built into the side of the mountain

 We found a great cemetery. Mom, these are for you!

We rode a funicular train to the castle overlooking the city.

 

I have no words. . .

There were hundreds of locks with couples' names on them. This one cracked me up!

 

Frankfurters- our favorite German meal!

Tyler and I decided that we're going to retire to Salzburg when we get older. :)

Vienna

I loved Vienna. It was such a beautiful city and there were so many incredible things to see. This was the first city on the trip that was almost exclusively music related. I wish we could have stayed there for a few more days, but we had a a great time with the 4 days we had.

Our first stop in Austria. It was August and the leaves were already starting to change!

The Vienna Cemetery was very moving. I was touched to visit the grave of Brahms, Beethoven, and more.

 

We traveled just outside the city to visit one of the Esterhazy palaces. This was the concert hall where Haydn premiered many of his string quartets. We enjoyed a Haydn quartet performance in the same hall.

The Hofburg palace within the Ringstrasse in downtown Vienna. They had an incredible music museum within the palace.

Inside the Hofburg

I love Clara Schumann. She's one of my favorite people in all of music history. It said not to touch anything, but I may have touched her piano. :)

I would love this music stand for quartet rehearsals!

I didn't know Dr. Seuss was around during the 18th Century. . .

My faithful traveling companion

We also visited Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The interior was really interesting, but the gardens were breathtaking.

 

 

 

At the top of the gardens looking down at the palace.

We spent a bit of time at Beethoven's apartment

Beethoven's death mask standing at his actual hieght

Do you think he has any mail?

It was hard to get a good shot of St. Stephen's Cathedral because it is so tall and surrounded by other buildings, but I kind of liked this shot.

I'm so glad my buddy got to come with me!

Another palace (Belvedere) converted into an art museum.

We enjoyed a fun concert at the Musikverein, where the Vienna Philharmonic performs.

I honestly have no idea where these next two pictures were taken. Another palace? Anyway, the grounds are pretty!

Next up, Salzburg!! (the hills are alive. . .)