Austria - Vienna, Salzburg, Halstatt and Sound of Music
Austria simply can't be beat when it comes to beauty. You've
seen the country in the Sound of Music, but the cities of
Vienna, Salzburg and the alpine town of Halstatt are just as
nice.
Vienna
Vienna is a city with a ridiculous amount of history. The home
of the waltz, Habsburg Palaces and an unrivaled musical past.
Walk for an evening through the cobblestone streets in the
center city and you can almost hear a famous composer at work.
In fact, many of the walking areas are lined with small
orchestral ensembles playing their way through the evening.
Elbowing in on their act, of course, are those unique artist who
dress in a period piece and then stand in one position for what
seems time eternal. Buddhist monks would be envious if they
believed in envy.
The only downside to Vienna is the expense. It is very
expensive. If you are going to spend some time in the city, be
ready to pay for the privilege.
Salzburg
Salzburg is one of my favorite cities and I always try to hit it
when I am traveling through Europe. The real home of Mozart,
Salzburg is Vienna without less of the hustle and bustle. A walk
through the shopping district will leave you breathless and,
sometimes, penniless, but it is a worthwhile go. Salzburg is a
city where you can drink bear with monks, take in an opera or
just walk through exquisite rose gardens. Unfortunately, it
gives Vienna a run for its money when it comes to being
expensive. Yes, pun intended.
Halstatt
Halstatt is the little town in the Alps that puts the Sound of
Music to shame. Located roughly an hour outside of Salzburg, the
easiest way to reach it is by train. The train travels well up
into the Alps and drops you off by the side of a lake. You plop
down in a little hut and wait for the ferry from Halstatt to
appear. The ferry then halls you across the lake to a Alpine
town with no cars - Halstatt. It is like stepping into the past.
People are friendly, prices are reasonable and romance is on the
hoof. Swans swim along the outdoor cafes dotting the lake and,
well, it is pretty dang nice. If you are looking for a little
romance, Halstatt is definitely worth your consideration.
For many travelers, Austria gets scratched off the "must visit"
list because it is so expensive. Still, you should try to visit
it at least once in your life to take in the splendor.