Welcome Christmas cookies and fruit
After our two hour drive from Munich Airport to Salzburg, we reached Hotel Auersperg, a 4 star boutique hotel which features a blend of modern and traditional Austria. The rooms are given are in the new villa wing and are all very modern and when I walk in I see a welcome plate of Christmas cookies and fruit. It’s a nice touch as this is what a typical Austrian mother would prepare for her family around Christmas time.
A bakery in Salzburg
We’re experiencing what is known as an “old lady’s Summer” (Alt-Weiber Sommer) which means that the weather is unseasonably warm which will probably mean a distinct lack of snow as the temperatures peak at 12 degrees celsius. I’m a little relieved as I am rather hopeless in the snow although snow capped photos would be lovely indeed.
Salzburg is a small, charming city in a sublime alpine setting. It houses 150,000 residents but every year also hosts between 6-8 million tourists a year and it is clearly a city that makes it’s living from tourism as witnessed by the groups of tourists and guided tours. The two main drawcards are of course composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who was born in Salzburg and the Sound of Music film which was filmed in Salzburg.
Saint Rupert, Patron Saint of Salt
Salzburg means “Salt Castle” as they used to mine salt here directly from the mountain. Salt or “white gold” was precious indeed as it was the only means of preserving food at a time when there was no refrigeration. The best way to get around the city is with a Salzburg card which you can buy in 24, 48 and 72 hour blocks with the 24 hour card costing E22. This includes free entry into most of the attractions you’d want to see as well as transport.
Shopping street in Salzburg
It’s late in the afternoon once we’ve arrived. Tonight we are headed out to dinner at one of Salzburg’s most famous Hotels preceded by a quick tour of Salzburg. Our tour guide Martina is dressed in traditional Austrian costume and she shows us around the old and new areas of Salzburg. Night falls quickly here and when it does the beautifully lit streets almost come to life.
Guided Symbols
She tells us about all sorts of fabulous details like the guided symbols which date back to many centuries ago when people couldn’t read. To locate places, they simply looked for the symbol; the key is a locksmith, a pretzel is a symbol to the bakery and the beer barrel below is for a beerhouse. Can you guess which place this is below?
Guess whose guided symbol this is?
If you guessed McDonalds you are right. Even though there is a McDonalds it’s possibly the subtlest looking, toned down McDonalds there is in existence as they weren’t allowed to put up their neon arches and trademark bright visage. Many of the houses are baroque style in baroque colours (light blues, pinks, yellows and pistachio green) especially in the old town and there is a strict edict that you can only preserve and renovate a building, not tear it down.
Wooden floorboard ceilings seen through windows
This building was built in 1475 and renovated in 1971
Once a house is painted a particular shade, the owners cannot change the colour of the building. If you look carefully, the lower floors have higher ceilings and as the floors go up, the ceiling height shrinks. This is because the upper levels were formerly the servant’s quarters. Some houses have numbers written on them and the numbers represent the first time they were built and the second number is the year of the renovation.
Hotel Sacher
We pass the Sacher Hotel where the famous Sacher Torte is made which proudly claims to be the home of the original Sacher torte.
There are horse drawn carriage rides available throughout the city and we get used to hearing the familiar clip clop of the horses. There is also a man that keep the streets clean of ahem…horse manure. When the horse carriage driver sees that a horse is about to make a “deposit” he calls the man on his mobile phone who high tails it over to the location of the deposit to clean it up!
Man on the left with the wagon and broom: horse deposit cleaner
Not really Mozart you know…
Mozart Dinner Concert with period costumed actors
Fürst Window Display
Mozart is big business here with his image emblazoned on perfumes, flash drives, CD holders, mugs, pens, chocolates and Alison spots a Mozart cartoon on television. There is also a special type of chocolate called the Mozartkugeln. The brand Fürst produces hand made Mozartkugeln dipping up to 4,000 individual chocolates a day. Astrid from the Austrian National Tourist Office hands us each a silver wrapped ball and we take a bite-it’s delicious. In the centre is a praline marzipan ball then some hazelnut nougat and then a chocolate coating.
Mozart Geburtzburg
We walk past Mozart’s birthplace, with the words “Mozart Geburtshaus” (birth house) painted on the side.
Mozart Perfume
Cafe Tomaselli
We then stroll past Cafe Tomaselli which is where Mozart used to frequent and he added a mention of their wine in one of his operas. Interestingly, it is one of the few places that still to this day has a separate waiter for drinks and a “Cake Madame” who proffers cakes from a cart.
The bed in the hotel room Prince Charles stayed in
Our next stop now that we’ve worked up a hunger (although according to our body clocks it’s 5am Sydney time), is the Hotel Goldener Hirsch. Established in 1407, it is one of the oldest historically preserved hotels in Salzburg. Prince Charles was a former guest and in every room is at least one antique item of furniture. With 69 rooms and 4 suites it is said to be made up in typical Austrian style. Prices are firmly in the luxury category here and it is said to be one of the best hotels in Salzburg.
Deer cookies and fruit platter for guests
Deer are the theme in the hotel’s restaurant and they feature prominently from the lamps to the cutlery. We sit down to an Austrian dinner of pancake soup, chicken Viennese style and chocolate cake called Rigo Jancsi.
Pancake Soup (Frittaten Suppe)
The frittaten suppe is delicious and warming and reminds me of my friend M’s pancake soup. We’re told that most Austrians choose soup for their entree, particularly in winter. Later at the end of our trip to Austria, I reflect back on the many Pancake soups I tried here and this was my favourite.
Chicken, Viennese style
The main arrives and it’s Viennese chicken which is chicken that has been crumbed and fried much like a schnitzel. The side salad and potatoes are also good, particularly the salad which is well dressed. There is discussion about how schnitzel came to be so popular and apart from the taste, its resemblance to gold appealed to people.
The hotel bar- usually very full on weekends and prior and post theatre.
Rigo Jancsi
The dessert is a rich Hungarian chocolate cake which is so rich it tastes like chocolate buttercream. My body is now asking me why I’m feeding it chocolate buttercream at 6am (not that I haven’t done it before) so I don’t eat all of it and we all go back to the hotel happy and full of food. I sleep soundly in my room. If this is only four hours in Salzburg, I can barely wait for tomorrow.
NQN travelled to Austria as a guest of the Austrian National Tourist Office and Emirates Airlines
Hotel Auersperg Salzburg Austria
Auerspergstrasse 61
5020 Salzburg Austria Europe, Austria
(43)(662) 0662 889440
www.auersperg.at
Hotel Goldener Hirsch, Salzburg
Getreidegasse 37
5020 Salzburg, Austria
(43)(662) 0662 80840
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=98
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41 Comments | Add your own
I’m going there. IT’s not cold and looks adorable.
Wow.. I wish all the McDonalds had to blend in like that one- would make the world a much prettier place.
great great post, lorraine. I see you had a wonderful time in austria. beautiful pictures.
Is the Mozartkugeln like an upmarket Ferrero Rocher, or I am being horrible gauche by even wondering that?
LOVE the travel photos and stories – can’t wait to see more of your time there! And as someone who regularly eats a few squares of dark chocolate upon waking in the morning, I’m terribly upset that you piked on the cake-buttercream
This city looks like it’s full of charm and character. All your pics are lovely, Lorraine, and I almost feel like I’m right there experiencing everything! And I must say that those are probably the most elegant golden arches I’ve ever seen, lol!
Thank you for this tour of Salzburg–it was a great afternoon getaway for me! The architecture looks incredibly charming, and that cake looks amazing.
Salzburg is so pretty. I so want to go back to Austria after seeing your photos. And now I have a hankering for rigo jancsi! Hehe
Definitely looks like a magical place especially in the lead up to christmas.
Ooooh Salzburg is the most adorable little city! I loved just wandering the gorgeous streets when I was there a few years ago! Delightful
All your photo’s bring back wonderful memories. There’s definitely no escaping the Mozart and Sound of Music madness in Salzburg!
I remember the Brewery on the hill in the old Monastery where monks are the brewers. You can sit in the beer garden & eat rich foods and sample the beer! Loved it.
I love that they clean up after the horses so fast!
And all the platters for guests look so sweet
what a nice place to be in, & it looks so gorgeous at night (and im surprised the scenic photo’s outweigh the food shots by a far way :O)
I’m so glad you’ve taken us back to Austria, I look forward to the rest of the trip. I love a new city at night, especially a European one.
Wow, who knew that McDonald’s could be so chic? Gorgeous!
So beautiful Hotel with charming pictures.
I need going to Austria to visit it and taste the glorious Rigo dessert
All the best,
Gera
Lorraine what a beautiful city. I’d love to visit it someday. Beautifully photographed.
I heart Salzburg soooooooooo much – it’s been 7 years, I need to go back for a visit.
The girls watched the sound of music for their very first time this week and I was marveling just how beautiful the architecture was in Salzburg.
But the food. I didn’t even think of the food (how unlike me!) what a great pictorial journey !!
Ah, I wish they would fly me over business class too
I loved Salzburg, home of mr.mozart!
Great pics =)
x
Did you do the Sound of Music tour – that was so much fun!
Oh and those Mozart chocolates are delicious…chocolate & marzipan are a fantastic combination!
A post with Mozartkugeln, the lovely streets of Salzburg, chicken schnitzel, pancake soup, and a Hungarian chocolate cake loaded with buttercream ~ just dreamy!
I want a guide like u please! =)
Oh, how beautiful it all is, NQN! It reminds me of my trips to Germany, Mozart chocolates and all! I love your photographs of the sights and the food. Keep having fun!
Salzburg! Wow….everything is just so…rustic, and so…European! Look at that bakery! Peeking through the window, everything looks tantalizing!
And pancake soup?!! Wow!
Salzburg looks like a beautiful city. I remember eating Mozart chocolates when I visited Europe – they were so good! I brought a box or two back home but sadly they’re all gone now
Ha ha ha! MacDonald’s? Lovely yet scary at the same time. What a fabulous trip to a most beautiful city.
But Salzburg – the 2 main drawcards are Mozart and the Sound of Music? I thought it would be the tea salons and the pastry! But that may just be the draw for us food freaks!
Pancake soup sounds weird at first, but I guess it’s not so different to noodle soup!
Glad I’m not the only one who takes careful note of such things as horse poo collection.
Salzburg and Austria remind me of my all time favourite childhood book Heidi
very picturesque. Great cover story Lorraine, you make us feel like we were there with you but you would find me making a bee-line for the pastry shops,lol.
Love this post! Beautifully written (you always do) with lots of delightful, enchanting photos. You do it so well. Glad you had lots of good food and lovely sights in Salzburg.
It’s 11.45 at night, I’m thinking where can I get an emergency supply of Mozartkugeln?
right, so now i want to go to salzburg for the sole purpose of whirling around on top of the hills and singing as loudly as possible.
What a beautiful trip!
So lovely! I miss Salzburg, it’s such a beautiful place!
Ooooh I want a pretzel hanger thing like that last pic. It’s pretty and would be really handy if you got peckish….
You just reminded me I still have a bunch of photos which I took at Munich last October which I had not written about… and now I wished I had taken the opportunity to detour to Salzberg. The buildings and the streets look so much like Munich square. The Bavarian region is beautiful!
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe you should and it is!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Hehe I know, isn’t that funny?
Hi Anja-Thankyou so much!
I had a marvellous time!
Hi Hannah-Hehe well it’s a bit different but they’re everywhere to be found there so in some ways they’re similar (and they’re both round!)
Thankyou! 
I tried it but I couldn’t finish it 
Hi Faith-It’s absolutely stunning I must say! Thankyou so much, that’s such a nice thing to say!
Haha I thought the same too 
Hi lisa-Hehe you’re welcome!
Yes it’s such a pretty city 
Hi Esz-Ah yes I wonder how you’d find the Rigo Jancsi!
Hi sandra-Yes I think we visited at just the right time!
Hi Lisa-It is isn’t it!
So charmingly pretty!
Hi john-Yes they definitely know how to draw the crowds there! Ahh yes and the monks also have the bakery too which we visited. I didn’t know about the beer garden though, that sounds so cute!
Hi Fiona-Haha me too!
Yes it’s such a nice touch 
Hi Betty-I know, that’s not very me is it?
Hi Amy-Thanks! I have plenty more to share too
Yes they’re stunning aren’t they!
Hi erin-I thought the same thing!
Hi Gera-Yes it’s so lovely. I think you should!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou!
You are too kind 
HICakelaw-Absolutely, time for another visit!
Hi Liss-Oh I used to absolutely love that movie. I wish I’d seen it before going!
Haha I know, it’s unlike me to have so many scenic pics! 
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-That was a dream come true!
Thankyou! x
Hi mel-We didn’t have time for that I’m afraid but that would have been great!
Hi Midge-hehe why thankyou so much! It felt like a dream being there
Hi Brianna-Aww thankyou!
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels-Thankyou! Oh do they have them too?
Thankyou, you too! 
Hi sophia-I know, it’s lovely how they preserve things. I wanted to buy everything!
Hi Jacq-Ahh yes they disappear so quickly don’t they!
Hi Jamie-Haha I know! There are lots of coffee and cake shops but sadly not many tea salons or pastry!
Hi Conor-No it’s quite normal really!
Haha great minds think alike! 
HI matilda-Ahh I loved Heidi too! I really wanted to try those sweet rolls that she pinched
Thankyou so much! 
Hi The Little Teochew-Aww you are so sweet Ju!
Hi Moya-Haha I know, been there lusted after that!
Hi grace-Haha you are so funny!
Hi Lauren-Thankyou!
Hi pigpigscorner-It is gorgeous!
Hi Alison-Wouldn’t that be the coolest? And you can just reach up and get one if you need it!
Hi shirley-Ahh yes it’s quite close. Maybe next time?
I must go one day! 
Oh my goodness! I was in Salzburg and Mozarts gaburtshaus (birth house) only last week! it was minus 6 deg though that day. That was the token museum shot I was talking about! We arrived home on Tuesday. Don’t tell me we were there at the same time! How outrageous:-)We bought pretzels from the little market just through the arch at the end of the street!
wow!! thanx for the tour dear!! nice architecture!!! and i love all the pics you have taken
Hi canobie- I was there at the end of November/early December
Ahh so you got snow? Would have made for some lovely pictures! How fabulous! 
Hi nora-You’re more than welcome. Isn’t it just gorgeous? Thankyou!
If you ever should go to Austria again, check out the Mc Donald’s in Innsbruck – Then the one in Salzburg is not special anymore!
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[...] Our next dish is the frittatenzuppe or pancake soup which is a light broth with sliced up pancakes. Having tried three in Austria this is my second favourite after the one at the Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg. [...]
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