Day 14: Salzburg.
Today has been, hands down, my favourite day so far!
I was up early this morning (after having a restless night, in anticipation for the day's activities) so I could meet my Fräulein Maria tour guide at 09:30. The tour was quite a small group, only 8 of us (all Australians apart from me). Our tour guide, Jonas, was Danish and we even had our very own Maria (an American opera student who was studying in Salzburg). We each got given a bike with our own little basket (so grateful since I had my handbag).
The tour started from Mariabel platz (just next to the "Do Ray Me" garden, which we would go in later). From there we got on our bikes and (slightly wobbly at first) cycled over the river to the old town to see the theatre where the Von Trapp family sing during the film (unfortunately you have to pay to go inside). We then cycled through the streets that the kids and Maria walked round when they were singing "Do Ray Me", towards the fountain that Maria splashes in when she leaves the convent. From there we headed up to Maria's convent (which was unfortunately locked when we got there). The convent is above the old town, near the fort, and from its gates you can see out over Salzburg. From the convent it was back down to the old town to the cemetery where the real "Uncle Max" is buried, and for a pretzel stop (from Salzburg's original pretzel stall). We then headed out of the city to see the Von Trapp family house (which is actually two different buildings, one for the front shots and one for the rear). The front part of the house from the film is now part of the Mozart University, and the back part (which overlooks the lake) is a conference building. While we were by the lake we re-enacted the tree climbing scene (luckily no-one fell in). From there we rode through the suburbs of Salzburg to where the gazebo is located (they moved it 9 times over 11 years after the film was released because people kept re-enacting the song "16 going on 17", causing noise complaints). Unfortunately, due to a lot if accidents with people falling over when trying to jump from bench to bench like Liesel, the gazebo is now locked (we did take lots of jumping photos outside it though). We then headed back into the old town, over the bridge Maria and the kids run over, to the last stop on our tour, the Mariabel gardens (and those famous steps). We gathered around our "Maria" for a picture at the top of the steps, singing the song. Unfortunately, after over 4 hours of cycling, that was end of our tour.
After we all said goodbye, since Jonas was finished for the day, he showed me around the gardens for a bit. It was really nice being able to walk around where the big scene was set, taking photos (and having a lot of photos taken of me). Sadly, after an hour Jonas had to leave, so I headed back over to the old town for some lunch.
After lunch I walked around for a bit, taking pictures or the pretty streets, and of the house Mozart was born in. Since I'd been cycling for about 4 hours, I was getting quite tired, so after a while I headed back to the hostel. I then spent my last night in Salzburg watching, the nightly showing of, the Sound of Music (so much better after doing the tour!).
So there you have my last (and best day) in the beautiful Salzburg. I think it way even be my favourite city so far! Tomorrow it's time to nice on again, to the petit Lichtenstein.
Watch this space.
Lois x