We woke up on Saturday had breakfast and I went for my morning run. After getting ready to walk to the train station, Ken told me he needed to stop off at the store to buy something but he would not tell me what it was. Finally after he found it, he told me that he was buying a lock so that we could lock it onto the bridge in Salzburg.
Tears filled my eyes. I could not believe that he had thought to do something so sweet. Armed with our lock, we got to the train station and boarded our very packed train to Salzburg. About halfway though the train ride it began to snow. Would we be lucky enough for another day of snow???
Big snow flakes falling
Once in Salzburg we started the walk to old town. We were with a large group of people for a while until we decided to break off to walk by Mirabell Gardens.
It looks a lot different in the snow. You might recognize the fountain from the SOM.
On the walk to old town we were delighted that it started to snow again! We were all bundled up and enjoying the walk along the river to the bridge.
Beautiful-Snowy Salzburg. That has a good ring to it doesn't it?
Another shot where you can still see that it was snowing.
We picked out a spot for our lock on the bridge and locked her up. I have heard that people throw the key into the river but to me that is littering, so I put the key into my pocket.
Our lock ready to be hung on the bridge
So excited that it is snowing while we do this.
This was such a fun thing to do.
This ended up being my favorite picture from our entire trip. It was such a sweet moment and even better that it was Ken's idea.
We then walked to old town to check out the market. It was packed and by packed I mean PACKED. The market was adorable but it was so crowded that it was difficult to even shop. We walked around and I told Ken about a different market we could go to, but we would need to take a taxi cab. We decided to go ahead and leave the old town market for hopefully less busy things.
The Salzburg Chriskindlmarkt
It was adorable, but just too crowded for our liking
Ice skaters and Mozart in Salzburg. We did watch the kid in the center eat it right before taking this picture.
We crossed over to the other section of town and thought we were walking in the direction to get closer to the other market that is at Helbrunn Palace. The key word here is THOUGHT.
Look at those blue skies trying to peek out.
It turns out we walked about a mile in the incorrect direction. Oops. While we love Salzburg, we always seem to disagree while we are there and get a little turned around. We decided to go ahead and go to the Augustiner Brau for a little lunch and biers to change the mood.
This place never disappoints. Ken enjoyed a one liter and I enjoyed my half liter of radler. It this place cannot turn a frown upside down, you have a problem.
We really do love Augustiner Brau
We dined on schnitzel and some sweet peppers filled with cream cheese. While we were sitting there a few different people asked me something in German and I promptly responded in German that I did not speak German. I think they were impressed. I mean, I was impressed with myself.
Before we left I stuffed my gloves with some hot hands and one of the group of German men thought it was funny and tried to communicate with me. I have no clue what they said, but they seemed to get a kick out of me filling my gloves with something.
We hailed a taxi cab and had difficulty communicating where we wanted to go. Finally, after some pointing on my phone the cab driver understood that I was saying Schloss Hellbrunn and promptly drove us there.
This palace is home to what I was hoping would be a much quieter Christmas market. It was dark, but the palace grounds were absolutely beautiful.
We paid three Euros each to enter, but also received two free gluhweins. We call that a win/win.
Hellbrunn Palace Christkindlmarkt
The market was full of trees and twinkle lights. It was quite beautiful.
Trees galore! It was so festive inside the palace grounds.
Some of the many treasures at one of the stalls
We wandered around the grounds and found an area that was completely committed to Krampus. We had read a little about Krampus since we knew we would see the Krampus run in Munich, so we walked down Krampus Lane at the market.
A little Krampus history for you and Krampus himself
Krampus and me. Thankfully he did not come to life and take me away.
This market also had a petting zoo and an area with fires where you could roast sausages and marshmallows. Clearly we had to purchase some marshmallows to roast.
Me roasting marshmallows with all the kids. I have no shame and was not going to miss out on the opportunity to roast marshmallows at a Christmas market in Salzburg.
So much fun. Don't worry, I roasted a few and gave them to Ken.
As we were heading back to the market stalls, I noticed a lit path off to the side with some sort of walk. I told Ken it was a romantic walk and we should grab gluhwein and check it out. As soon as we turned the corner I saw an unmistakable site and squealed. It was the gazebo from the Sound of Music!!!
I literally squealed with delight when I saw this and promptly started singing "You are 16 going on 17." Meanwhile, Ken had no idea what I was talking about.
Such unexpected delight! I guess I remember reading that the gazebo was moved somewhere a few miles outside of town, but I did not realize we were at that palace to be able to see it. Day made! Actually, my day was made with the marshmallows, so this was definitely a huge bonus.
We walked back into the main market to shop around as I had my eye on a nutcracker. I really wanted to get one or two to bring home and I was lucky enough to find one at this market. I also brought a chocolate rum stick and as soon as I bit into it I could taste the rum. Seriously, it was so strong, but so delicious too!
One of these guys came home with me.
Having a wonderful time at the Hellbrunn Palace Christmas Market
After too many gluhweins, we decided it was time to get a taxi and go back to old town. I wanted to see the market at night before walking back to the train station.
Salzburg Christmas Market
It was a lot less crowded at night and decked out in lights
The streets of Salzburg were lined with lights. I am telling you, this city is super charming.
The Fortress light up at night.
We found our lock and said farewell
Mirabell Gardens and the stairs where Maria finishes off Do Rei Me with her super high note
Snacks for the train ride home. No trip to Salzburg is complete without Mozart Balls.
We had an easy train ride home and settled in for the night at our hotel. We had a very full, amazing day in Salzburg. Up next is a full day in Munich complete with the Krampus Run!
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