Stunning Salzburg!

On our last day in Austria, we visited Salzburg, the crown jewel of the region. One day was definitely not enough to see it all. We just walked all over the small city, stopping in a few cathedrals and a beer hall for a hearty lunch (bacon noodle soup, beer cheese soup, pork knuckle). After lunch, we crossed the river to find the playground and see the grounds of Mirabell palace. I would have loved to visit the imposing fortress and see some of the museums, so we'll have to come back one day! 

Inside the Salzburg cathedral

Cool spot for Pete and Jude to play some chess! 

Stiegel-Keller restaurant with a view

The bells of all of the churches were ringing when I took these photos

Friedhof St. Peter Cemetery and church

The shopping streets had the most elaborate metal works signs

To enter town, we drove through a tunnel in the rocky hill above. The entrances on each side were really elaborate with statues and inscriptions.

Kids were fascinated by all of the locks (this is Maeve's new photo pose!)

Entering Mirabell palace gardens

Great playground right next to the palace.

With the kids entertained, I went in search of the the Baroque Marble Hall, one of the most beautiful and historically significant concert halls in Austria.

I ran into one other tourist trying to find the concert hall and together we found the room behind a number of closed doors. 

Taken from the top of the steps featured in the Sound of Music Do-Re-Mi scene

Kids on the steps with the unicorns

Crossing back over the bridge to go home.

Goodbye gorgeous city! 

Bärtl’s Family Trail

By Thursday, these kids were over our daily adventures and wanted a day on their Ipads and in the hotel swimming pool. We compromised and got a tiny adventure in amongst protests. The hotel had a map of all of the area hikes and while it was completely overwhelming. each area highlighted their kid friendly hikes. We choose Bärtl's Family trail in Filzmoos and set off for a nearby valley to begin the very easy walk, which took us past a number of playground features. Mission accomplished! 

Heavenly Hallstaat

I'd been waiting the whole week to visit Hallstaat, a town I read about in a Rick Steve's guide book many years ago. A charming town, clinging to the edge of a magnificent lake, which used to only be accessible by ferry from the main train station. The town also boasts the world's oldest salt mine, which dates back 7,000 years! Animals would frequent the site, attracted to the water and rocks because of their salt content. Hunters discovered the animals and found the source of the salt in the mountains. We took the funicular up to the top and then took the informative tour. The highlights were dressing up like miners, the numerous videos throughout the mines, the two big wooden slides and then the narrow train to get out of the mines. Not a highlight- remembering my mild claustrophobia as we walked the 1/4 mile through a narrow tunnel into the caves. 

The fall colors were so beautiful! 

The ascent to the salt mine entrance

Kids have to be 4 to go on the tour and they had outfits of all sizes

Leather patches on the butt and legs so as not to get wood burn going down the slides!

Racing down the slides. On the last one, the man gave Jude a huge push to get him to go faster

One of the movies lighting up the cave

Ah, back into the wide open! 

From the caves, we walked back to the funicular entrance, where there is a walkway out over the lake. We had a great view down to Hallstaat. We did not have cooperative children! Time to find them some treats.

Hallstaat below

The walk into town takes you along the lake and past an ice cream shop and bakery. We spent so much time in the mine, we forgot to have lunch! 

This was one, cute town! I'm glad to have seen it in the off season when it was pretty uncrowded. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the small streets, finding the lakeside playground, walking up to the church and taking in the views.