Hohenwerfen Castle and Jagarsee

We had been passing this medieval hilltop castle, Hohenwerfen, everyday and were excited to check it out! We took the funicular up from the parking lot. The kids had a scavengar hunt to complete for a prize at the end, which kept them pretty entertained. Highlights were the falconry show, the views, and the courtyard with games and a cafe selling beer and soft pretzels. 

Photo taken on one of our sunny days

Writing a postcard to her class for their postal unit

On the funicular ride back down

When planning our trip, I knew that many people go on a Sound of Music tour when in the area. I was the only one in our family to see the movie and knew that the lot wouldn't really care about it. So instead, I looked up where some of the sights were and incoporated them into our daily sightseeing. Hohenwerfen castle is the one seen in the background of the scene where the kids are frolicing in the meadow in their clothes made from curtains. There was a clearly labeled spot on google maps to check it out so we drove up and had the place to ourselves to frolic to our delight (see Pete in the video below!). 

They had this wall with peep holes with scenes from the movie. 

No wonder they picked this spot for the scene! 

We drove 40 minutes to Jagersee, a gorgeous alpine lake with clear, turquiouse waters, surrounded by mountains. There was an easy 45 minute walk around the lake. When the kids started to complain, we'd stop to throw things into the lake and eventually, give them bubblegum, which is the ultimate reward to them right now. 

There were very few people around and it was really peaceful

Very likely our Christmas photo. 

Hotel artwork

Ready for their daily dose of pool fun

Jude wrote Maeve a sweet note at dinner and she copied the message back.

Salzburg Zoo and Schloss Hellbrunn

Day 2: We had our first of 6 breakfast buffets, which may have been one of the kids' favorite things of the whole trip (that and the swimming pool/hot tub that they went to every day to play with some German kids they befriended). Then we headed towards Salzburg to go to the zoo and see the Hellbrunn castle. 

Another beautiful day! We did that drive through the valley a lot that week and it never got old! 

I had looked up where the Sound of Music sights were in the city and learned that the 16 going on 17 gazebo is in the public park of the castle and I had to see it! The zoo highlights were the bear and fox who cohabitated and the lions, who were active right in front of the glass partition. From the zoo, we found the large playground by the castle and I took the opportunity to climb to the top of a mountain behind the zoo to get the birds-eye view of the castle with Salzburg (and the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress). A pick me up at the castle cafe before heading home to give the kids time in the pool before dinner. 

This day had me reminiscing about bringing baby Jude to the Schonbrunn Palace and Imperial Zoo outside of Vienna when he was just 9 months old. Pete was attending a conference and Jude and I bummed all around the city together. Where does the time go? 

I was psyched there was a spa and set off for the sauna. I saw the "no swimsuits" sign and thought, ok I can do this. I was not prepared for the sauna to already be occupied by a naked older man. Wrapped tight in my towel, I averted my eyes and laid down in the back, at which point the man started to talk to me in German! Nein! When another older naked man came in and started conversing with the 1st, my zen moment was definitely over and I got out of there! 

Fox and bear

Hohensalzburg Fortress

"7 going on 8!"

We needed to show our vaccination status (QR code) everywhere, even for outdoor terraces. And masks were required most indoor places as well. 

Be a unicorn

Doing half-board at the hotel made life really simple and the kids were spoiled