On my trip last time to Europe, to Vienna, Warbucks wanted to take me to Budapest to see it...but we didn't have time. On this trip to Budapest, we did have the time, so we did a 2-day road trip to Austria. It was great to see more of it, and why not since your so close right? Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, we had a lovely drive from Budapest, to stop in briefly in Salzburg, with history and culture, and birthplace of Mozart, and an ancient fortress. It's best to spend the night, for after sunset, most day trippers clear out. The city itself has some great Baroque architecture, and very little of this city was touched by World War II. Some snippets of the road trip.
Views from the Fortress Hohensalzburg which was built in 1077
A view toward the fortress. The building dead center with dome is the Salzburg Cathedral.
Mozart's birthplace! The family lived on the whole third floor of this building on Getreidegasse Street, which is now a museum and preserved. This is where Mozart was born and raised, played the violin and the clavichord he used to compose the Magic Flute as a child.
Town square.
On our way out of town.
Looping back toward Budapest we hit up the beautiful towns of Hallstatt to stretch our legs and walk a bit...and then in Grafenegg to see the Schloss Grafenegg Castle, which is considered an outstanding example of romantic historical architecture.
Hallstatt
Yes...some snow and ice is still left behind yet. But this area took my breath away. The air was so crisp and clear. It smelled...clean?
Mr. DeVice is not going to be happy I made a friend.
And the castle in Grafenegg.
The best thing is these places are all within 5 hours of Budapest by rail or car, but we choose by car to take in the stunning scenic country sides of Hungary and Austria respectably. So beautiful. Budapest was only a little less then 5 hours and Grafenegg only a mere hour and a half . Needless to say, the two days after were spent relaxing and in bed with coffee. And Budapest had some of the best coffee I've had outside of Costa Rica. The nice thing of spending 15 days in a city if you can, it gives one time to see things, but also spending time relaxing. I try to always have a day or three, to relax, with no agenda.
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteAnd built in 1077? Seriously.
Love the narrow streets in those old towns. And is it me or the air seems to be.. cleaner??
XOXO
And those narrow streets had some incredible shopping! I bought quite a few things and some goodies that Warbucks ended up mailing me home.
DeleteSalzburg is full of mozarts. There is a famous summer festival!
ReplyDeleteI heard all about that music festival, I would love to attend that sometime. I heard it draws quite the crowd.
Deleteit is one of the most famous festivals in the world!
DeleteLove the castles. Did you go into the Mozart museum?
ReplyDeleteWe were debating on whether to go in or not, but but since we were only there for the day we went and did our own walking tour instead of actually going into many of the structures. Plus it was such a nice day we wanted to enjoy the outdoors.
DeleteTake me away from the water (any warm weather beach) and you'd find me in the mountains. The Alps would be awesome. I love that I get to live vicariously through your travels. LOL You never disappoint.
ReplyDeleteAt the time the Alps didn't really register with me.. but when I was doing the post I was like wow I was actually in the Alps! Words can't even express how pretty it was in person.
DeleteI like the ear-warming hats for the horses.
ReplyDeleteSalzburg is lovely but did you get any Mozart kugel?
ReplyDeleteJust about every store carried the Mozart Kugel. I overly indulged on my last trip there.
DeleteIt looks like those carriage horses are wearing devils horns! "Take me to 666 Avenue, please!" But I know they are really noise dampeners for their ears when working in traffic.
ReplyDeleteThat place looks wonderful, and now you have me wondering how many hours away Nurburg, Germany is from Budapest. They have the Nurburg Castle, and some world famous race track on public roads that allows people to drive on it for a fee when there's no racing. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNurburg is the other end of Germany, near the Belgian border) so I'd imagine a whole day's drive away! Jx
DeleteI have been to and featured Numburg before....it is very picturesque... but Jon is right. From Budapest it's at least an 8 to 9 hour drive. Now if you fly it's only an hour and 20 minutes. I surmise that would be one hell of a beautiful drive though.
DeleteGlorious!
ReplyDeleteImagine how many houseboys you could accommodate in Grafenegg Castle... Jx
You sure know how to wet my appetite. That would certainly be a lot of cock and butt chops! And who would I be to complain?
DeleteI'm guessing you wouldn't be able to complain anyhow even if you wanted. Your mouth would be full 24/7.
DeleteAnything's worth repeating twice right?
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing post. All the places in this earth never cease to amaze me on how pretty and picturesque they are. This whole trip looks great, but Salzburg would would be really cool to see. I'm a big nerd when it comes to history and really old places. I would love to explore that Fortress. Were you able to see much of it? And the countryside is absolutely breathtaking. The Alps!
ReplyDeleteOh! I am so envious of your tripping! It's the best way to travel, isn't it.Some years ago I bought a book "Classical Destinations" by actor Simon Callow.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have an extended period of time in one city, it's great to do day trips to outlying areas, it's my favorite, not to mention you get to see more bang for your buck. It truly was a beautiful vacation Dinah.
DeleteTundra Bunny here....
ReplyDeleteAnother batch of beautiful photos! I've always wanted to see Switzerland and Vienna... I thought those red headpieces made the horses look like jesters, not devils, but good to know that the horses' ears are protected from noise!
I hesitate to ask, but in the first photo, what did the store named "KOCK" sell?
Switzerland's on my list if nothing for more than it's natural beauty, but Vienna is incredible you should go especially since we both enjoy Vienna Blood so much. The countryside of Hungary and Austria are very much like Switzerland ...extreme Beauty.
DeleteI don't know I actually remember seeing inside that shop, but I hope it is what I think it is!
I just texted Warbucks, and he told me it was jewelry.
DeleteTundra Bunny again...
DeleteWell, Maddie, looks like we're both attracted to fabulous jewelry/Kock, LOL!
I think Steve's below comment sums it up!!!!!!!
DeleteSalzburg is picturesque! My dead mother-in-law (I guess she wasn't dead then but it was hard to tell) visited Salzburg on a school trip with her youngest child's high school music group and said she asked which house the Trapp family lived in and the tour guide said they didn't know anything about it, only Americans liked that story because it was silly and schmaltzy. I'm only telling the story so I can mention she may or may not have been dead at the time.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
LMAO!!!!! I assume you two your close?!?! Nope, we didn't do any of the Sound of Music tour shit. Though on my last trip three years ago, I did see the Mirabelle Palace where parts were filmed, but didn't put it together till later. I'm not the biggest fan of the film.
DeleteI only just found your comment in the spam folder.
Just think. You coulda got a Kock ring. Oh ha! is my face to laugh I. Seriously beautiful, stunning scenery in that neck of the woods, and how lucky are you to be there enjoying all that clean air and Romantic architecture?
ReplyDeleteI would have got a Kock ring...but the jeweler seemed to be enjoying the measuring process too much Nations.
DeleteThe glorious buildings and their architecture look amazing in Salzburg. As does the towns of Hallstaff and Grafenegg with their offerings. Indeed, a fantastic place for wanderlust.
ReplyDeleteNever been to any of these towns...and what a shame. I was so close. This town really like jumped up to the universe from a fairytale I 'd say. And Hallstatt must be seen in all seasons to discover its beauties I'm sure. It looks breathtaking. Love you new friend there!!!
ReplyDeleteI suspect your right. I'd love to see all four season there.
DeleteThe Austrian pics take me back, right back to 1986 when I spent three days in Salzburg and NINE in Vienna, Arriving at Wien Hauptbahnhof I recall disembarking from the train (from Munich), feeling quite overwhelmed by a sense of history in this city of culture, perhaps unparalleled in the entire world. While exiting the station still in a daze of wonder, I was greeted by a graffito, huge letters chalked on a wall on the building opposite telling me to........."FUCK OFF".
ReplyDeleteIn both cities I 'did' all the sights one is supposed to (though NOT the 'Sound of Music' tour) plus a number of concerts and couple of operas, and was duly impressed with all. However I did somehow also manage to spend a great deal of time in Vienna's main gay sauna - and, truth to tell, it wasn't only time that was 'spent' there! :-)
Raybeard...you certainly did put into word perfectly the feeling I had once arrived in Vienna and Budapest. It is overwhelming and mind blowing to know just how far back these places date. I especially enjoyed in Vienna and Salzburg the Mozart history being a listener of classical music. Both cities just seduced my so easily over many other cities I have traveled. And we were so NOT giving in to the Sound Of Music tour, though on my trip to Vienna, I admit we made the trek to Salzburg then also to see the Mirabelle Palace...but didn't put it together with the Sound of Music since it's not one of my favorite movies.
DeleteOh... and the thermal springs...aren't they a nice "mood" enhancer? I'm sad to say while in Vienna three years ago, I didn't experience the gay saunas, you minx. I did however enjoy the hospitality of a lovely gay couple though. Nothing like experiencing the locals!!!
I've enjoyed your visit today Raybeard and always enjoy you popping in. Hope your weekend is treating you and the puss's well. I'm out of doors this Earth Day pottering and planting in the garden.
W/e is going fine thanks M.M - and with the pussies too - as I hope your own w/e is.
DeleteYes, my 9 days in Vienna still wasn't nearly enough to do justice to the place, brim-full with culture (of ALL sorts) as it is.
Always good to drop by to your blog. It's never ever boring. If it was I'd stop, but it's too good to cross off my list. Keep on!
When I travel, I prefer most days with no agenda. This trip looks like heaven. I want to go, but have3 other travel plans and obligations coming up.
ReplyDeleteYes....it seems to be catch up time with us all.
DeleteThis whole trip is right up my alley!! These pictures are so damn pretty and inspiring. I feel bad William and I never made it to Budpaest. That with a day trip like this we would have loved. The pictures alone leave me in awe.
ReplyDeleteThat Beaky gets around!
ReplyDeleteSx
We need more devil horses in the US.
ReplyDeleteOh there's loads of them in DC.. they're all in the Republican house. They referred to as Horses asses.
DeleteGorgeous pictures!!!!!!! But I can't help but wonder, did you get to try any Hungarian dick?
ReplyDeleteBeaky! Or at least his Hungarian cousin. I don't know which is worse?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, apart from that little git, it all looks beautiful, Maddie!