• Age: 30
• Year: 2019
• Time of year: July
• Length of trip: 7 days
• Travel style: Solo, adventure, music

The recap:
Apple strudel every day
Sound of Music tour
A few of my favourite things

Day 1

Took the overnight bus from Sibenik, Croatia (blog post here) to Vienna, Austria (with a short stop in Slovenia). Checked into Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner. Then immediately went for nearby schnitzel and wine at Pulkautaler Winehouse & Restaurant. After feeling re-energized, explored the beautiful city at night including Hofburg Palace. Stumbled upon the Vienna Film Festival at the open-air plaza Rathausplatz (free to watch).

Day 2

Started the morning off right with one of the top reasons I decided to visit Austria – the apple pie, or ‘apfelstrudel’ as they say, at Tesla Cafe. Then headed to Shonbrunn Palace for the day – definitely recommend a full afternoon here, as it’s massive with lots to explore, including a maze I got lost in for a while. Headed back to the city afterwards for dinner and then drinks at the Chapel Bar.

Day 3

Time for a day at the river – the Neue Donau. But first a lunch stop at Figlmüller, known for their schnitzel. Took the train from Schwedenplatz to Donauinsel and walked down to Donau beach. Relaxed by the river with an aperol spritz in hand. Then headed back to Schwedenplatz for a night cap at Motto am Fluss on my last night in Vienna.

Day 4

Checked out of Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner and walked to the Westbahnhof train station for my train to Salzburg. Arrived mid-afternoon and checked into myNext Riverside Hotel Salzburg, walking distance from the Mülln-Altstadt train station. Then of course it was apfelstrudel o’clock at nearby Barenwirt. Then went to Sternbrau for a beer and pretzel soup (yes, it was delicious). Walked by the apartment where Mozart lived and wrapped up my first night in Salzburg with a beautiful sunset from the Marko-Feingold-Steg bridge, covered in love locks.

Day 5

Highlight: Sound of Music tour day!

Booked the Original Sound of Music Tour through Panorama Tours, which included the following stops (I was by far the youngest person on the tour bus, but enjoyed every second of it):

• Mirabell Garden and Pegasus Fountain, where Maria and the children danced in the movie
• Nonnberg Abbey (pass by), where Maria was a novice
• Schloss Leopoldskron (view from opposite of the lake), the house, where the Trapp Family lived in the movie
• Hellbrunn Palace (singing scenes in the movie)
• The Gazebo (now placed in Hellbrunn), where the Baron von Trapp kissed Maria for the first time
• Church Mondsee, where Maria and the Baron get married

After getting dropped off back in Salzburg, I walked up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, with beautiful views of the city. Then I stumbled upon a beautiful candlelit performance in Residenzplatz square.

Day 6

Another highlight day: Time to ‘climb every mountain’ – okay, just the one hill where they have the picnic scene in the Sound of Music.

Took the train to Werfen and found the Sound of Music trail – it was so beautiful and quiet; only passed two other people on the trail. The views at the top where epic, reminiscent of the Rocky Mountains in Canada. And yes, of course, I did a spin in the wind just like Maria in Sound of Music. I could have spent all day there, but headed back on the train for my final evening in Salzburg. Caught the start of the Salzburg Festival with a free outdoor concert, a perfect way to wrap up all of my favourite things in Austria.

Day 7

Checked out of myNext Riverside Hotel Salzburg and took the train to Zurich, Switzerland (blog post to come).