December 20th I left Innsbruck on an early train to Salzburg. I intended to spend the morning going out to Hall, Austria, but it was raining. I decided to just head on to Salzburg. I had previously been to Salzburg, but looked forward to this portion of my trip because I planned to do a few things I didn't get to do on my first visit.
I took a taxi from the train station and was able to check in my hotel early. I headed out and discovered the wind was really blowing and was quite cold!
First thing, I was headed for lunch. I wanted to go to a restaurant I visited my first time there and have the Weiner Schnitzel. I got distracted by a Christmas store which had tons of the Salzburg eggs. After I took this pic I saw a no picture sign, so enjoy the illegal photo.
I didn't allow myself to buy any eggs because I want to come back for a spring market sometime, so I saved that purchase for later. Of course I bought a Christmas ornament and then moved on to my lunch spot. I love the dogs in all the places in Europe.
As you can see my waiter thought I ordered something other than Weiner Schnitzel. Honestly I could barely stomach a few bites of it AND it even cost more than what I really wanted! Lesson learned. If the waiter questions your order go back to the menu and point to what you want! I was super bummed because I had honestly been looking forward to this the whole trip.
I just skirted the edges of the Christmas Market near the Cathedral.
Since lunch didn't really hit the spot, I sought out Furst.
I got a lemon petit four
I also tried one of the Mozart Truffles. This is supposedly the place that originated them.
I had forgotten to bring my big camera (because I was so focused on that Weiner Schnitzel!). I thought about going back to the room for it, but it was just too cold, so I hopped a bus to my next destination.
See! Here I am working toward my goal of becoming more comfortable with busses! I took the bus just outside of Salzburg to Hellbrunn Palace. I had a bus friend. I couldn't figure out who she belonged to and at one point worried she now belonged to me!
Hellbrunn Palace itself is closed in the winter months, but they have a large Christmas Market. This market cost 7 euros to enter and while not unheard of, this was the first one I've ever paid to attend. I thought it was totally worth it.
There were lots of unique booths. Not a lot of mass produced things. I have no idea what geese heads were all about (they came off the stakes).
It even snowed/sleeted a little while I was out there.
Usually these are trick fountains when they aren't turned off for the winter.
Just outside of the Palace grounds, you will find a location that all the Sound of Music tours visit. The gazebo from "Sixteen going on Seventeen" scene.
I took the bus back to Salzburg. After warming up a bit in my hotel room, I headed back out. Just about block from my hotel, I found this.
Back at the market near the cathedral. I just love the vibe of this market.
I grabbed a bratwurst at this market for dinner.
Each time I've been there they have had a choir signing outside the cathedral.
Again, I just love it so much. I teared up listening to them because the scene is just so Christmasy. I could just almost have to pinch myself to make sure it is real.
I had read that you must go to Cafe Mozart when in Salzburg and try this famous Salzburg dessert called Nockerl. It only came in one size (too large for one person). I don't even want to tell you what it cost.
But for a tiny spoonful of a berry compote in the bottom, it was all meringue. That's it! I'm from the country and my dad always calls meringue on pies "calf slobbers". Well I would have really liked some pie underneath all that meringue! All I could think about is "holy cow this is just a big pile of expensive calf slobbers!
I did stop by the Läderach store after and bought some top notch chocolates.
I stopped by another market I really like, but I failed to take any decent photos.
Crossing the river and headed back to my hotel
I originally planned to stay at the same hotel I had before, but for some odd reason, they didn't have the December dates available for booking until late November. I had already decided to stay at the Leonardo Boutique Hotel and just decided to stick with it. While I liked the location of my first hotel better, I definitely like everything else about this hotel more.
They had a glass elevator and this was the view from the elevator.
My room was an attic room. It was very updated, clean, and spacious.
That's a wrap on Day 8...I iced the knee and ate some chocolate while watching the news before bed!
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