THE HILLS ARE ALIVE

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After Vienna, I enjoyed a scenic train ride westward along the base of the northern edge of the Eastern Alps - a colossal sight and quite a contrast from the flat plains I was used to seeing traveling through the Northwest part of Europe. By this point I was three weeks into my trip and had been go-go-go since I started back in London. I was a bit drained from all my hustle and bustle and needed some time to myself to relax and unwind.

I set my sights for two days in Salzburg, Austria the birthplace of Mozart, headquarters of Red Bull, and the scenic backdrop of the Sound of Music movie. There was obviously no couchsurfing for me this time but instead I checked myself into a single room at the Hotel-Pension Adlerhof. I walked into a tiny room with two small twin beds and walls so thin you could hear a pin drop next door, but clean and cozy nonetheless. I set my backpack down without bothering to unpack collapsing on the closest bed within reach as if I had not slept in days. And there I stayed the rest of the day only prying myself up and out to grab a bite to eat. Apart of me felt guilty cooped up in a hotel under the covers, eating pizza, and watching CNN instead of exploring the wonders of Salzburg. But rain came in the afternoon pitter pattering at my window that was enough to justify my nothingness.

The next day I was refreshed, ready to see daylight, and determined to have at least one productive day in Salzburg. Yet I had no energy to explore the town by foot so instead I booked a Sound of Music bus tour.
The tour was led by Peter with the cutest Austrian accent. As the bus set in motion, Peter gave us an overview of Salzburg's history, the real von Trapp family, and insight into the making of the movie. The tour was coupled with video clips and commentary by Charmain Carr who played Liesl, the eldest von Trapp sibling. Our first stop was at - Leopoldskron, the lakeside Castle that served as the front of the von Trapp home. The mood of the tour was set with songs played from the original soundtrack like "Do-Re-Mi" as we passed the Mozart footbridge that Maria & the kids ran across; "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" played on our way to see the glass gazebo where Liesl secretly met messenger boy Rolf after dinner; and of course the tour was not complete without the "Hills are Alive" played as we and drove beyond Salzburgs borders up in altitude through the lake region of the Alps where the opening scenes of the move were shot. I had an "Oh my God" moment when the bus pulled over for us to take photos of the gorgeous panaromic views. Our last destination was the Mondsee Cathedral where Captain and Maria's wed. If anyone is a Sound of Music buff...go to Salzburg. Do the the tour.

It was a small world yet again meeting some fellow Californians on the bus. Maria, from San Francisco, studying in Paris and joined by her mom Raquel visiting from home. Then there was Kelly and Jessica from So Cal (Orange County). They were both fresh out of college on a 6-week adventure through Europe before entering the real world. The three of us exchanged travel stories over coffee discovering we had visited many of the same cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. They were also helpful giving me tips on Interlaken, Switzerland which they had visited and I too would be visiting just a few days later.

The tour ended in the early evening and I headed to bed early in preparation for my travels back to Germany. The two days spent in Salzburg were a nice change in scenery and just what I needed to rejuvenate my spirits.

For more Salzburg Pictures ---> Click Here

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