Savory Salzburg - Part 5

Sunday morning started with a bus trip to the center of town, followed by a second bus to the very end of the line in Untersberg for the Untersberg Cable Car which takes you up the Austrian Alps for views of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains.  (21 euros without the card, free with the card). This was the nature portion of the vacation:

 

 

This is where I know I lost some pictures and video that would really add to the blog.  First, the cable car was incredible.  It went literally from the valley floor all the way to the top of a very tall mountain.  I took a video of the entire 7 minute trip....jaw dropping.  At the bottom, it took you over green mountain streams, at the top, the cliffs felt so close you could touch them.  My stomach fell out of me 3 times when we switched cables.  At the top of the mountain, I went on a small 30 minute hike around the top of the Alps and froze to the bone, but got some amazing photos and felt like a mountain woman.  I also met a really nice American family (military in Germany) and had hot chocolate with them in the cafe.  Overall, definitely worth it. 

I took the bus back to the Hellbrunn palace which is also on that route.  More Christmas markets!  The shopping at this one was very good as well.  I got a really pretty bowl for my sister in law / brother and roasted nuts.  I also got more punch and went to the infamous gazebo again:

After that, it was back to the main town, where I stopped at Mirabell Palace (another SoM spot) to take a picture of the fountains frozen over:

Ice on the fountain!

I closed out the trip with a wonderful adventure to Augustine Bier Hall which is where they serve the original beer brewed by monks.  Essentially, you pay for the beer, grab a glass off the wall (full or half), wash it out in the fountain and hand it to a guy who fills it for you.  You can bring in your own food, so I brought in sausages and a pretzel from the Christmas markets and a book and enjoyed.

Not the healthiest lunch I've had, but definitely the most authentic :)

All told, I could have spent:  10 Euros on the castle, 21 euros on the cable car, and 5 euros for each day bus trips, which is 41 euros.  I paid 31 euros for the Salzburg card.  SCORE!

After that, I made a mad rush to get some last minute gifts and then rushed back to the hotel to catch a cab to the airport.  Flight back was very easy - flew through Vienna this time, so it was a nice quick trip.