SALZBURG - STAY FOR LESS "Euros"

SALZBURG is the Northern gateway City into Austria from Germany & another of Europes beautiful Cities.It lies on the banks of the River Salzach &, as its name suggests, its original wealth comes from the supply of Salt & some old Mines can still be visited today. Apart from its nearness to the splendid Alpine Mountains to the South, Salzburg's main Touritst appeal today is from the World of Music as its the birthplace of Mozart ( 1756 - 91, 36 years) & also the setting of the 1966 Musical Movie “ The Sound of Music” (SM) from the talents of Rogers & Hamerstein. It is based (loosly) on the real life story of Maria von Trapp & stars Julie Andrews (Maria) Christopher Plumer (Capt) with his children, Louisa, Frederich, Marta, Gretal, Lisel, Kurt, Begitta

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – INSTITUT ST SEBASTION at Linzer gasse 41 (close to the Old City across River Salzach , walk under 2nd Rail Bridge from Sation to St. Seb. Church, go into side entrance) tele (43) 0662 871386, - www.st-sebastian-salzburg.at - E19 in 8 bed dorms incl. breakfast, sheets & good lockers. Foreign students stay at this Hostel so self -catering kitchens are available on each floor (ask for utensils) also good laundry facilities & an elevator, up only, can take you to the 5th floor sun terrace.This is an impressive, spacious Hostel, more convenient, tranquil & relaxing than YOHO.

Reserve – YOHO Hostel at Paracel sus strasse 9 (nearest to Rail/ Bus Station, walk under first train bridge, then second right) tele 0043/ (0) 662 87 9649, www.yoho.at - E17 in 4/8 bunk dorms incl sheets & lockers, shower/WC rooms separate. No self - catering but excellent food menu with meat & produce from the YOHO Farm (GB recommends excellent Spagetti Bolenese E5) Noisy but friendly Bar, separate TV/Meerting Lounge & laundry in basement. A great atmosphere Hostel with plenty going on where the SM video is run each morning at 1030 (really) "its one of my favorite things" so next day you can go visit all the familiar locations.

FOOD for self - catering or lunchtime snacks is best from local SPAR Supermarkets one found near NO 1 & another larger EUROSPAR Store near the Rail Station for YOHO. There is also a daily produce market held in the Old Town but at “Austrian” high prices

TRAVELLING AROUND - getting here by Ryanair's (cheap) direct flights from the UK is great & apart from getting to /from the Airport (E1.80) local transport is not really needed, as the compactness of the City with the narrow streets & cliff top walks do not allow it. Regular Bus Services for ventures out of Town, to Berchtesgaden for example, are essential & the E8 Day Pass ideal

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. SM, Mirabell Gardens - beautiful 18C Fountain & flora where Maria & Children sing & dance "Do - re - mi"- Library in Schloss
2. SM, Nonnberg Abbey - Maria started her real & film life here, its inner sanctum & outside is peaceful & inspiring
3. SM, "Maria" View - cliff top overlooking the whole Town is impressive, you can measure exactly the filming spot
4. SM, Mozart bridge - pedestrian Bridge over the Salzach, below Castle, is slightly changed but the appeal remains
5. SM, Leopoldskron Schloss - private Stately Building, seen over the Lake, where Maria & children fell out of boat
6. Mozart Birthplace - very touristy Street with long staircase to climb so look in Wax Museum next door to see model
7. Dom, Cathedral – 1628, restored 1959 with 4 colossal statues, dome & twin towers also a Museum
8. St Peters Church – 1143, decorated in Rococo style from 1783, with helm tower
9. Sigmunds platz – 1695, next to the Cliff Tunnel, this handsome horse trough fountain & frescos on back wall
10. Capuchin Fairy – 260 steps from Steingasse to City views then 20 mins to Bavaria views & 10 mins to upper views

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. No 9 Getreide gasse – Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart born 27/01/1756, family lived on 3 rd floor, he left to live Vienna April 1781

2. Hohen salsburg Castle – domenates the City from the summit of the Monchs berg,takes 20mins on foot or quick lift

3. Eagles Nest - "Hitlers Hostel" is the Gremany, Bavarian Retreat given to him by his Nazi buddies in 1938 for his 50th birthday. It sits on a high promintary above the village of Berchtesgaden with "Mega" views all around - Mountains, Lake Konigsee & back to Salzburg. You need a E8 Bus Day Ticket to take the No 840 from Salzburg to Berch. then a No 838 to the "Nest" Transit Station. Here you board special Buses to the "Nest" Top for E14.50 ( this includes the non claustaphobic lift to the summit ) Note: from the "Nest" you can walk a further 4km upwards to the Mountain tops so go prepared for a longer stay here if its a clear day. Or return earlier to the bottom & take a further Bus to Lake Konigsee before returning to Salzburg, all on the same Bus ticket

* - 2006 Heidi & Gottfried, Scott NZ, Joanna CAL, Martin & Michael OZ - Big Ben NZ, Ryan LA, Brett LV

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