Weekend in Salzburg

I was getting cabin fever in Vienna (surrounded by piles of work reading in the apartment) and it was a long weekend so I took a train (3 hours, fabulous views) west to Salzburg.

Taking a gamble, I booked a hotel online - it was cheap, two blocks from the train station, and walking distance to the Old Quarter. Now, I knew Salzburg was famous largely for two things - Mozart (he was born in Salzburg, died in Vienna - both towns put his picture on everything), and this is where the Sound of Music was filmed.

Little did I know what a big deal the Sound of Music is. My hotel was all Sound of Music, all the time (and right around the corner from a large "erotic" store. Didn't notice any Sound of Music maritial aides, but then, I didn't look too closely). Huge movie posters in the halls (and in my room as you see. Bet you never thought I'd be in a picture with Julie Andrews!) and the movie is on the Movie Channel - continuously. In several languages. Then there are the Sound of Music guided bus and foot tours. And all the tourists posing for pictures at various landmarks that appear in the movie. I know these sites now because other then CNN, what do you think was the only other English language thing on TV?

Salzburg is lovely, but has two weather patterns: either it's about to rain, or it is raining. Sad, as in the postcards it looks lovely with all the mountains around and the castle on the hill.

I had wanted to do a half day tour to Berchtesgaden (Bavaria, southern Germany) and was able to book it at my hotel front desk. Mini bus came to pick me up at the appointed time, and off we went for a four hour tour of the surrounding lake district, small villages and mountains. Berchtesgaden? What Berchtesgaden? Something obviously got lost in translation with the desk clerk. Oh well, it was an interesting afternoon anyway. The photo of the church on the lake is in St. Wolfgang (named for an 11th century Catholic archbishop, not the 18th centure composer). Yes, my non-Berchtesgaden tour included a 45 minute lake cruise. Maybe that helps explain the outragous head cold I have today...

Planning for Christmas here, I was able to book a great little inn right in the Old Quarter for us for three nights. Maybe the sun will come out then...