Have you ever arrived at a destination only to be so surprised by the majestic beauty that you’re at a loss for words? When I walked across the bridge into the heart of Salzburg, I was in shock. Hohensalzburg Fortress hung over the city and was an awakening of the senses. Powerful and grand from a distance, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is a real eye-catcher on the high baroque towers of the city. With bells literally ringing, I stared up at the fortress walls in awe. I had to go up!
I effortlessly reached the fortress by using the Cable Railway. (As an insider’s tip, try to get in the first cart for the best views.) It’s free to use if you have the Salzburg Card and it only takes a minute to reach the top. The panoramic view is extraordinary and offers fantastic vistas of the city and the surrounding mountains.
When I got off of the railway, I walked left for a view of the city. I had a general idea of direction from a bird’s eye view and stayed there taking photos for at least 20 minutes. I couldn’t believe I had so little knowledge of how beautiful it is. I was instantly grateful it was part of my trip.
On the other side, I walked by a restaurant and down a flight of steps. I came around the corner to this:
Can you believe it? Isn’t it stunning! There were benches and free WiFi. I stayed for two hours.
Finally, my nose was icy cold and my hands were tingly. I had to leave. If I have some free time tomorrow, I will spend it here. The mountain is alive with light and sound.
Bucket List Publications 
Wow Mist Mountain The Hobbit. What a shot 🙂
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*Misty 😀
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Free wi-fi on a bench?! I’m gob-smacked!! Love the photos.
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Breathtaking.
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So beautiful! I’ve always dreamed of visiting Salzburg!
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so beautiful….lucky lady!!!
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I love the areas you’re going through in Austria. I went on a guided tour through Germany and Austria, and seeing you going through the same territory is bringing back some great memories. I hope you made it to Mozart’s birthplace, too.
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Salzburg is my favorite city I’ve ever visited. Like you, I was fascinated by the fortress. In the one picture above you’re standing in almost the exact same spot as I was for one of my photos, though you had a much clearer day than I did. 🙂
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I was there this summer! The city is absolutely gorgeous. Check out the M21 restaurant! You have to pay to use the elevator to get up through the mountain, but the view of the city is spectacular!
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some kinda magic!
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Took some of these very same pictures when I was in Salzburg and even did the The Sound of Music tour which I was skeptical about at first but I was glad I did it. I loved every minute of Salzburg even if I did not visit Mozart’s house. I was told that the house in the middle of that lawn was the executioner’s house back in the day and that’s why nobody lived around him because who would want to live next to the executioner?
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Absolutely beautiful!
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Yes, I felt that way about Dubrovnik! Absolutely breathtaking!
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Gorgeous! I must go there…
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So Lovely 🙂
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We went there a few years ago and loved every minute of our stay there. It’s truly an amazing place.
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Some lovely pics – haven’t been to Austria for years and not ever to Salzburg – lovely country.
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very kewl 🙂 alot different thaqn california eh thats fer sure ..very kewl 🙂 enjoy ur meanderingz 🙂 Q
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It looks wonderful!!! Would love to go someday! 🙂
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Lovely!!!
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Lovely photos. We were in Germany nearly 30 years ago, and we wanted to go back to the area again right away. Boy, does time slip away.
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And free wifi on top of that! Bonus!
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Beautiful views!!
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Incredible!!!! Placed on my list to go.
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I adore Austria
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Thank you so much for the great memories via these photos. Visited a few times, while stationed in Germany, in the 60s. Still as beautiful as ever. Great place to visit. So much history. Blessings.
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Taking my kids here in August. It will be our first time to Austria! You’re pictures just got my kids and I even more excited about our trip 🙂
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Beautiful and you’re still “connected” !
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I love Salzburg, it is one of the only cities I have visited more than once in Europe- I like to see new places, but Salzburg is so wonderful it merited a second visit. 🙂
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I was wondering if there was going to be a Von trapp reference!
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I need this for the marathon!!!!!!!!
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Wow. That is breathtaking ❤
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Outstanding. The buildings / architecture: gorgeous!
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Your pictures are so gorgeous!!
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Oh I am just dying! First Vienna and now Salzburg- I love Austria -so- much. The history of it all, I really just melt into it! I remember seeing Mozart’s house in Salzburg for the first time and barely knew what to do with myself. Glad to see you are enjoying your adventure!
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Breathtaking pictures!
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I love how when you walk along the Salzach, you could sometimes literally hear music floating in the air from the Mozarteum classroom windows. And little Austrian fraus with their hats on their bicycles…gemütlichkeit.
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Great story and awesome pics. I was in Salzburg, a long time ago. Beautiful place.
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We will be there this summer…can’t wait! I get all teared up just thinking about it. : ) Gorgeous photos!
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you are living the dream! love your beautiful and stunning photo’s!
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It really is astounding!
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Lovely city and the Austrians were wonderful people to visit with. Much more relaxed and easy going than their neighbors to the north. The Germans warmed up once you got to know them. Hope you had a chance to take in the salt mines, too. Enjoy!
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Thanks for your inspiring words and images 🙂
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Stunning photos of a place I don’t think I ever thought of as a destination but as usual, you have made me want to take off and visit right away. The opulence and openess of the city and the views are unbelievable. I love to be surprised and awed and this looks like a place that you feel that way everywhere you look. You look happy. Great job.
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Sweet reminder of Salzburg and Austria in general. I only went there initially because I’m a sucker for the Sound of Music, but there is so much more to enjoy than “just” the memories of my favorite movie.
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That place looks very majestic!
Some places have a character to them, and you can’t help but be affected by the mood of the place.
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Looks amazing!
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Free wi-fi in that part of the world is a treasure! Salzburg looks beautiful in the spring. I really enjoyed the Mozart Balls there last summer – look for the ones in silver foil!
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Very beautiful nature 🙂
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Stunning place with such a great backdrop!!!
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