Salzburg

Salzburg:

After spending a good 5 days in Graz, I set on to travel all by myself. I had a booked a Graz-Salzburg train ticket about 10-15 days in advance for 19 EU, which was a steal. The train journey was one of my favorite experiences in the trip. The journey was through some of the lower Alps of Austria, lush greenery and beautiful houses everywhere, and the clouds too had come down making the landscape even more spectacular.

Graz to Salzburg train ride.

Graz to Salzburg train ride.

Arrived at Salzburg, had a slightly tough time getting to my hotel, Yoho International Hostel even though I had maps. Checked in, had lunch at Indigo Nation. Pretty good fusion food, had a couscous with vegetables(5.5 EU) and a Noddles with Basil Tomaten sauce(5.5 again), was really filling. Walked upto the Kapuzinerberg and was greeted to the amazing views of the castle and the Nonnberg abbey. The paths in the forests made for a refreshing walk.

The old town was really pretty, all the cathedrals were impressive(the Salzburg Dom, St. Franziskan and St.PEter’s) and they were SO different from each other. Took up the funicular to the castle, HohenSalzburg(11 EU two way, but I could have done with a one way ticket). By this time, rain had a whole new dimension, the whole landscape had been washed by the rains, it looked so fresh and green. The views were brilliant and commanding from the top. It was a litle like the “perfect castle” I had imagined, but I just wished the castle would have been a bit bigger.

I took the road upto the Modern Art museum which was interesting, most notably the imposing walls of the Monchesberg. The views of the castle and the town left me obviously spell bound. Walked back to the town(through the tunnel). The old town is a delight in the evenings, all lit up, the church bells ringing for a long time, a few musicians playing melodious tunes, and best part was having the Sachertorte at the Cafe Tomaselli, the chocolate + apricot flavor worked for me. The town was so deserted and cold even in Sepember, it felt as if it was almost winter. Had dinner at Cafe Costa( 8 EU for a large freshly made pizza). Rushed to the Mirabell Hall for the concert( had bought a ticket for 31 EU). The concert was soothing after a long day, I have to say that I was new to western classical music, and it definitely was an enriching experience(although it was so melodious that I dozed off a couple of times). So ended my 1^st day in Salzburg.

The old town, altstadt, of Salzburg.

The old town, altstadt, of Salzburg.

At the Salzburg Dom

Franziskankirche

At the Salzburg castle, HohenSalzburg.

Views from the castle.

The monchesberg.

The castle seen from the Modern Art museum.

Salzburg old town.

One of the Salzburg churches.

Concert at Mirabell.

Salzburg at night

Wild fruit cake at Tiziano, Salzburg.

Tiramsu at Tiziano, Salzburg.