Salzburg and Vienna (Round 2)

Over Easter, Shea and I travelled to Austria once again to be with my brother and his family. Because they were in Singapore the first few days of our arrival, we journeyed to Salzburg so I could act out the Sound of Music.  For those who do not know, the Sound of Music (one of the best movies ever!) was filmed there.

When we visit a new city, Shea and I try to basically "complete" the city, where we see and do everything that interests us.  This way, when it comes time to leave, we can check that city off our list of places to visit and move on to the next.  Salzburg is one city that we could not complete.

It is just far too pretty and friendly to ever not want to go back to. There are beautiful mountains off in the distance which are begging us to be skied in the winter. Then, there all all these wonderful bike trails inside and outside the city that must be explored. Also, there is a Sound of Music bus tour that needs to be done! So I figure we have two more trips back to Salzburg before I can check it off the list.

We did see all the main tourist attractions though!

We had to take a pic with one of the famous water fountains from the Sound of Music.

We were only there for one full day, but the weather was spectacular.  The sun was perfect for most of the pictures we took. 

We rode the funicular up to Festung Hohensalzburg, a fortress above the city with fantastic views.

New shoes = blisters. Me trying to put a band aid on = photo-op for Shea.

Inside the fortress admiring the view of the Alps.

Panorama view of the mountains.  The area reminded me a lot of Banff, AB.

 Other than wonderful views, we also went to an marionette museum where I was hoping to see these guys from the Sound of Music.

They are apparently in a museum in Iowa.  So I got to see these instead!

Here are a bunch of VonTrapp singers.

 Then it was off to the Torture Area of the Fort Museum where we got to see some interesting torture devices from the Middle Ages.

Not really a torture device, but a chastity belt. Looks comfy!

The Pear of Anguish was inserted into one of the victim's orifices and the torturer would turn the screw at the top.  This would expand the four plates, brutality mutilating the victim. 

 Then it was off the the nunnery which was featured in the Sound of Music!

Julie Andrews stood here!

More views of the Alps. I NEED to ski those!

 And if the nunnery was not spiritual enough, we then went to a monastery. A monastery known for it's brewed beer!

If you ever go to Salzburg, visit the Augustiner.  You grab a mug off the wall, buy some tickets, fill mug with beer and sit down for some great people watching!  We met some lovely British people who recommended the skiing in the area.

On our way home, we walked through a park with another famous feature from The Sound of Music. 

Then it was time to get back to Vienna to see these little monkeys!

Spider David showing off his climbing skills.

Dora the Explorer Jessie loves to swing!

The wonderful Vera and I enjoying an Easter Market. 

Shea is happy because he got to have his cake and coffee in one of the Viennese cafes. 

Jessie loves wearing a crown! 

A little wrestling time with Dad!