Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Deutschland part zwei

No I don't speak German but that doesn't stop me from tossing around a word here and there. Actually this post is more Austria than Germany but whatever. Picking up where I left off in my previous post (because I know you need every last detail)...we spent the day Saturday in the oh so picturesque town of Salzburg.


Charming.


Seriously charming.


I was in Salzburg a few years ago with my family and it was fun to see it again, this time with the markets in town. My hubs does a superb imitation of the Mother Superior in The Sound of Music saying, "There's a family in Salzburg...." in a very high pitched voice. It's funny. We took a Sound of Music tour with our girls and visited Mozart's birthplace and we all fell in love with the quaint narrow streets and the staggering beauty of the Alps in Salzburg's backyard.

A-ny-way...this time round I was with friends and we enjoyed visiting the market stalls and also touring the cathedral. You cannot help but feel a sense of awe when you are inside a magnificent cathedral.


The grandeur and beauty and the obvious care and craftsmanship so evident in the detail and design are truly amazing.


You really need to read Pillars of the Earth if you haven't already. You'll have a new found appreciation for a beautifully crafted cathedral once you're finished.


High up on the hill behind Salzburg sits the Fortress Hohensalzburg. The fortress is over 900 years old and was originally built to protect the prince from attack. Today you get a great view of the city from up top.


Course we didn't go up there this trip because hello, we had shopping to do...



These are hand painted eggs which come in every color imaginable.
They are absolutely, positively beautiful.


Speaking of beautiful...late Saturday afternoon we had to stop for cake and coffee in one of the local cafes. Yes, we had to stop. I'm pretty sure it's the law in Austria.


We eventually made our way back to the trains and on home to Munich where our friend and hostess (AM) whipped up some fabulous German spatezle for our dinner entree.


Another friend in the group concocted a delicious apple strudel for dessert and we had a relaxed evening sitting round the table chatting. For the record, we never run out of things to talk about. After dinner we had a little gift exchange with small presents we'd bought in the markets. AM's son came in while we were swapping presents and said, "Wait a minute...you all were together all day and you bought gifts for yourselves?" Yes, something like that.

Sunday dawned too soon too fast and almost before we could blink it was time for everyone to head home to their various and sundry cities and countries. I'll post about some of my purchases next week because I'm planning to link to the Christmas tour of homes over at The Nester's blog on December 13th. Which, incidentally, is right around the corner. I know I lost a weekend and it seems a little crazy to be traveling in December, but I'm not complaining...


Some things are worth it.

20 comments:

  1. Reading your posts make me feel so cultured. :) I know a certain 10 yo who would be quite jealous of your Sound of Music adventure. ;) Looking forward to hearing about your purchases! Fun post!

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  2. Fun! I loved Salzburg. Although we were there in June, it looks amazing with all the snow!
    Although I have to admit to falling asleep on the Sound of Music bus tour. Ha.
    I think I could travel in December.

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  3. What an adventure you have been on! Lucky you! Your pictures are gorgeous! I have looked at both posts. What fun! The architecture of the buildings is beautiful. Thanks so much for letting us enjoy your trip with you, can't wait to read about your purchases! Nothing like getting together with friends! Too cool!
    until next time... nel

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  4. How Fun!
    And also - how crazy - we were both in Austria on Saturday! Too bad we didn't know - or you had gone to Vienna! How funny would it have been to meet in Europe?!
    Sounds like you had an amazing trip! I'm jealous! I want to go to the Christmas Markets in Germany :)

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  5. Thank you for sharing, and especially thanks for all the pictures! It's the next best thing to being there. : )

    BTW, maybe it's the angle, but those pieces of cake look huge!

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  6. Love the painted eggs - did you buy some of those???

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  7. Another great Tour from you. I so agree that friends and laughter are important and I'm glad you got the chance to do both. Love the cobble stone roads and huge pieces of cake!

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  8. So, are the markets like a little Etsy shop? Housewives that are crafty and bring it in? Or is it a little more upscale than that?

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  9. Oh what a great time you all had. Green with envy, yet again!

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  10. Amazing place!

    Pillars of the Earth is next on my list of book to read. I recently watched the mini series on Netflix and was intrigued and now I really want to read the book!

    Blessings
    R

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  11. Ooh, your traveling posts always make me green with envy. I love all the beautiful cathedrals. I definitely need to pick up your book recommendation.

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  12. I´m living through you again. Loved reading about your trip. Now I know where I want to go, when in Germany/Austria.
    I´ll have to check out that tour of homes you mentioned.

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  13. OH, yes, so worth it and memories to last the rest of your life. Awesome! Love hearing about and seeing the pics of your wonderful, wild and wacky week-end with girlfriends.

    Blessings abundant to you!

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  14. I wouldn't care to lose a weekend, either, if it was a weekend like yours. Maybe I need to rethink my "I really don't want to go to Europe" thinking! (Especially Germany and Austria, where my family is from.) Thanks again for sharing the great pictures and the fun you had!

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  15. Wow! So beautiful! I'd love to go there someday. That cathedral is beautiful.

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  16. thanks for sharing...we visited europe many, many years ago between thanksgiving and christmas, your pictures and descriptions made me long to go back...so happy you were able to go and have such a wonderful time!

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  17. I always thought that with so many beautiful places to see here in the US, I didn't have much of a desire to travel through Europe. But the pictures you've shared have certainly changed that!

    It sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful time!

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  18. How did you not gain 100 pounds and spend a million dollars? I would've wanted to eat and buy everything!
    So incredibly beautiful.

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  19. I am so jealous. What a wonderful trip. The buildings are beautiful. I want that dessert too! Sounds like you had a great time.

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  20. Now I know where in the world I want to go the most!

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