Blogs from Salzburg, Austria, Europe

Yesterday we spent most of the day at the Schoenbrunn Palace, Vienna's answer to Versailles. Originally the emperor used it as a summer palace, but the last few lived there full time, right up to the abdication of the last emperor in 1918. We toured the state rooms, which are highly decorative in an 18th/19th century way. Unfortunately, no photos allowed inside. Like Versailles, the palace is surrounded by huge, beautifully designed grounds. We spent a couple of hours exploring the paths and looking in bemusement at the faux Roman ruins and strange fountains. Back in central Vienna we had our best dinner yet at a (mainly) vegetarian restaurant. They did veg variations on some standard Austrian dishes, such as the mushroom schnitzel I had. Very delicious! Today we took the train to Salzburg and spent ... read more

From the NY Times: The war in Ukraine has transformed Europe more profoundly than any event since the Cold War’s end in 1989. A peace mentality, most acute in Germany, has given way to a dawning awareness that military power is needed in the pursuit of security and strategic objectives. A continent on autopilot, lulled into amnesia, has been galvanized into an immense effort to save liberty in Ukraine, a freedom widely seen as synonymous with its own. No more so than my last trip to Europe in November, the war has changed Europe forever. And I think it has changed many of us across the ocean as well. I now hesitate to visit countries on the Russian and Ukrainian border. I see more armed soldiers than just about any time since the Cold War. In ... read more

Letztes verlängertes Wochenende waren meine Mutter und ich in Zell am See. Am Samstag fuhr meine Begleitung mit dem 9-Euro-Ticket vom Raum Nürnberg nach München und wir setzten die Fahrt mit dem Auto nach Österreich fort. Die Lage auf der Autobahn hielt sich dabei in Grenzen und nach dem Inntaldreieck wurde es besser. Am Hotel angekommen checkten wir ein und tranken erst einmal Kaffee. Danach nahmen wir den Bus zum Zentrum und spazierten am Seeufer entlang aber auch durch den Ortskern. Dabei fielen insbesondere die vielen Araber auf, zu denen die Einheimischen eine gemischte Beziehung haben. In einem Souvenirladen kaufte ich auch noch ein paar Pinzgauer Delikatessen. Anschließend kehrten wir zum Hotel zurück, wo wir zu Abend aßen und die Bar besuchten.... read more

A short visit in Salzburg When we were in southern Germany it struck us that our 9-Euro-Tickets actually allowed us to travel to Salzburg in Austria. Emma really wanted to go there because she had never visited that city. Ake had visited Salzburg once before. But that was 35 years ago so he barely remembered anything so he was also OK with going there. Here follows our story from the day we visited the city Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in. Historical city centre Salzburg's Historical city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. That means that there are many old well preserved buildings there and that it is a beautiful town. Mirabell Palace Mirabell Palace is a large impressive 17th century palace i... read more

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