Museum Hopper

Once we wrapped up at Schloss Hellbrunn, we headed to the Hohensalzburg Fortress .  At the bottom of the hill, you can buy a ticket up to the top.  We ended up buying the "basic" ticket .  We did not think the extras were worth it, particularly with how late we were getting to the fortress. To get up there, we took the funicular!  I think those are so much fun! The views from the top were awesome.  It is well worth visiting purely for that.  Here are a few samples: This museum gave us a real picture of the development of Salzburg.  It took us through the development of the castle and the fortress.  The audio tour was helpful and really gave context and the history of the fortress. The views really were fantastic.  We had a 360 view of the valley. Time in fortress: 2.5 hrs Times visited: 1 Overall: A-

While we are in Salzburg, Jason and I went to both of the Mozarteums .  They are comprised of both Mozart's birth place and residence.  We ended up buying the joint ticket, but doing the museums on two separate days. We went to the residence first.  I will say the first one put me to sleep.  Something about the structured music was extremely soothing for me!  The residence is on the north side of the river.  The birth place is on the south side of the river. I learned a lot about his family and how his early talent was nurtured.  His father, Leopold Mozart , was a gifted musician and quickly identified it in his children.   Mozart often performed with his sister, Nannerl , who was extremely gifted in her own right.   I often forgot how Mozart really had not been alive that  long ago.  You could easily trace his travels through Europe to cities that we had often wanted to travel to ourselves!  At the same time, he travele...

After Vienna/Wien, we took the train over to Salzburg.  Jason planned most of this stop, which was much appreciated.  One goal was to truly experience Sound of Music AND Mozart !  I think he did a wonderful job achieving both!   We rented bikes and went out to Schloss Hellbrunn .  It was about a twenty minute ride out there; it was also the most upright we had ridden in forever!   There were a few key items to see at Schloss Hellbrunn : The gazebo/glass house from Sound of Music The trick fountains The museum  A little history on the schloss -- it was built as a pleasure castle for entertainment during the day.  It actually had no bedrooms! Let me start with the numerical order although this does not align with how we actually spent our time!  We did get to see it!  It was covered with lots of tourists who were also on their own Sound of Music pilgrimage.  Jason even mentioned to get a picture with no one else in it! ...