Wow, wow, wow, Chinese New Year (CNY) is round the corner again. For the past 2 years, I spent my CNY in Germany so this time round, I have decided to visit Austria for a change. I will be spending 6 nights in Salzburg and 4 nights in Vienna for this trip of mine. How exciting and looking forward to it.
Familiar sight? Hahaha.
Headed over to TGM Lounge at T2 to begin my food trail.
Grilled duo flavoured chicken skewers (spicy & sweet tare sauce), grilled green pepeers, grilled leeks, corn, pickles served with pearl rice and onsen egg.
Served with pearl rice and pickles.
Followed by SilverKris Lounge thereafter. 😊
Time to board for my first leg to Frankfurt.
Enjoying a glass of Bellini prior to take-off.
Supper up next……😋😋😋
New potatoes, pickled red onions, hard-boiled egg, black olives, dijon herb dressing.
A tantalizing dish that showcases the finest highly marbled A4 wagyu beef. Grilled to perfection in the traditional yakiniku style, the succulent beef is served alongside a medley of assorted seasonal vegetables and a warmed steamed rice.
A creamy and delicate chocolate cake with crunchy Valrhona chocolate pearls.
Freshen up with a double shot espresso after a good sleep on board.
Check out this new amenities kit from Le Labo instead of the usual amenities kit from Penhaligon. Refreshing change. 👍
Enjoying light delectable.
A hearty traditional dish of fried savoury radish-rice flour cake with prawns and pickled turnip.
Starting breakfast prior to landing.
Rolled oat soaked in milk and natural yoghurt with berry compote.
Thai style rice porridge with scallops, prawns and sliced seabass in light fish broth garnished with aromatic fried garlic, tong chai preserve vegetable, Chinese celery, coriander leaves and spring onion. Served with sliced chilli.
Chilling out at Lufthansa Senator Lounge while waiting for my connecting flight to Salzburg.
Enjoying a nice shower prior to boarding.
Arriving into Salzburg Airport in about an hour. As this is a small airport, we have to disembark from the plane at the apron and walk to the airport hall for bag collection.
Thereafter, headed over to the bus stop outside of the airport for my bus ride to the hotel.
I will be staying over at Austria Trend Hotel Europa Salzburg, which is conveniently located right next to the Salzburg Main Station.
As it is still early for the check-in, I took the opportunity to spend time around the hotel vicinity for familiarisation. There is a hauptbahnhof mall, Forum 1 right beside the station where there are supermarkets, fast food outlets and retail shops where you can spend time on.
Empress Elisabeth Monument of Austria (Sisi) in a small park at the Salzburg Central Station.
Had a quick lunch bite at Aydin’s Kebap.
The room size is very spacious and this will be my abode for the next 6 nights.
A picturesque bridge designed for pedestrians and cyclists that spans the Salzach River in the charming city of Salzburg.
Look at all the love locks that can be found on both sides of the bridge.
This river separates the New & Old Town of Salzburg.
Settled for an early dinner at Hana’s Rasoi Indisches Restaurant.
Boneless lamb with potatoes and onions in a rich garam masala sauce.
Perch filet in curry sauce.
It’s definitely a satisfying dinner to end the day with.
Great morning view overlooking the Salzburg Main Station and Forum 1 Mall.
Another lovely view with the mountain at the backdrop.
Having a nice local breakfast at Raha Country Bakery.
St. Andrew’s Church (the “Andräkirche”) on Mirabellplatz, with its striking towers.
Every Thursday morning, a popular weekly market is held right next to the Andräkirche – known as the “Schranne”.
For locals, a great chance to buy products directly from farmers. For guests, a marvellous opportunity to immerse in the bustling activity of a traditional Salzburg market.
Mirabell Palace is a historic building in the city of Salzburg, Austria. The palace with its gardens is a listed cultural heritage monument and part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Holy Trinity Church is a Roman Catholic church in Salzburg, Austria.
The Mozart-Wohnhaus, was the Salzburg home of Leopold Mozart and his family from 1773 to 1787 and was the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart between the ages of 17 and 25.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in the “Hagenauer Haus” of Getreidegasse 9 in Salzburg.
Lunch will be at Café Mozart, known for its good coffee and the especially fluffy Salzburger Nockerl.
The fluffy sweet pleasure represents the three mountains around Salzburg. It consists of fine whipped eggwhite, cranberries, and powdered sugar.
Filtered Coffee, Mozart Liquer & Whipped Cream.
The Kollegienkirche in Salzburg, Austria, is the church of the University of Salzburg. It was built in baroque style by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre of Salzburg.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, an expansive baroque complex that offers art & cultural history.
The Franciscan Church is one of the oldest churches in Salzburg, Austria.
This is an image of a crucifix on the exterior wall of the Franciscan Church in Salzburg, Austria.
Salzburg Cathedral is the largest early baroque church north of the Alps and the oldest episcopal church in Austria.
This is a sculpture called “Sphaera” by Stephan Balkenhol, located in Kapitelplatz square in Salzburg, Austria.
The Abbey Church of St. Peter is one of the most popular places of worship in the city of Salzburg. Many people associate emotional experiences with the Abbey Church of St. Peter, be it for weddings, baptisms, or funerals.
Hohensalzburg Fortress (view from afar) is the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe and also the emblem of Salzburg City.
Next up, spending the rest of the afternoon at Europark Salzburg for retail therapy, a stylish, modern shopping centre with 100+ stores, global retail chains & casual eateries.
Settled for dinner at Interspar Restaurant, a food court located on level 2 of Europark before calling it a night.
Starting the morning at McDonald’s before heading over to the Panorama Tour Bus Terminal for the meet-up for the full day exploration trip with a unique combination of 2 sought-after experiences: The Salt Mine Tour & The Original Sound of Music Tour which I have signed up.
Arriving on time at Panorama Tour meeting point to await for the start of tour.
In the morning, venture on a delightful ride to the World Heritage City of Salzburg. Here, we will trace the steps of “The Sound of Music” during The Original Sound of Music Tour, visiting the original film settings and discover the World Heritage City of Salzburg and see the landscapes where the film’s opening scenes were shot.
Watch the hills come alive on this classic tour to the original shooting locations of The Sound of Music!
The first film scene stop at Schloss Leopoldskron, a baroque palace. The lake overlooks Leopoldskron Palace.
The second film scene stop at Hellbrunn Palace.
The gardens of Hellbrunn Palace.
Step into the enchanting world of “The Sound of Music” as we visit the iconic gazebo, a setting from the beloved film.
Next will be the tree alley outside Hellbrunn Palace.
This is where Maria sings “I am confident”.
Picturesque view overlooking the St Gilgen village at Wolfgangsee in Austrian Alps. This is also the opening scene for The Sound of Music.
Third film scene stop. Hear the bells ringing at the historic Mondsee church where Maria and Captain Von Trapp had their wedding.
Reminisce the scenes and sing your hearts out to the songs of the Oscar-award winning film on this exciting tour.
Beautiful view of the street of Mondsee.
Quick snack break at Konditorei – Cafe Frauenschuh.
Final film scene stop at Mirabell Garden where Maria and the 7 children singing the beloved Do-Re-Mi song using the stair steps.
Post card souvenir with courtesy of the tour operator.
Kick off the adventure with a thrilling journey into the Bavarian Alps in the afternoon.
Explore the 500-year-old Salt Mine in Berchtesgaden, immersing in the fascinating underground world of salt miners. Discover the enchanting subterranean landscape, beautifully illuminated to show case it’s charm.
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed during the salt mine tour. This tour is truly interesting and educating. I would highly recommend it if you happen to be in Salzburg.
Adjourn to Berchtesgaden town centre thereafter for a stopover before heading back to Salzburg.
Had an early dinner at Café Restaurant Einkehr Dachterrasse.
Black Angus Beef with cheddar, tomato & fries.
Begin the new day with a hearty breakfast at Wiener Café & Restaurant Johann.
All-time favourite goulash soup. This soup comes with chunks of beef & potato cubes, and it is tastefully done.
All the above is part of the Big Viennese Breakfast Set. 👍
Spending time at Designer Outlet Salzburg for the day thereafter.
The designer outlet is a cool and cozy beautiful place with a huge selection of shops that one can shop to their hearts content.
Having a great lunch at Rosso Pomodoro at the outlet.
Statue of Paracelsus, a renowned Swiss physician, alchemist, and philosopher who lived from 1493 to 1541.
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, located on a hill on the northern foothills of the Mönchsberg in the old suburb of Mülln in the city of Salzburg.
Mesmerising view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress while taking a leisure stroll along River Salzach.
Had an early dinner at Indian Palace Restaurant at Altstadt.
Grilled chicken fillet marinated with yoghurt and honey.
Lamb cooked with basmati rice in avadhi style.
Pikeperch fillet with bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, and chilli peppers.
Lovely night view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
This is the hotel that Maria stayed when she was filming “The Sound of Music” back then.
As it is a Sunday, most shops are closed for the day. As such, decided to have a quick tummy warmer at the comfort of my hotel room by getting some snacks from Spar Supermarket.
A Roman Catholic Baroque Church with amazing architecture.
Attending Sunday Mass at St Sebastian church.
Proceeded for lunch at Restaurant Pizzeria IL Centro II after mass.
Italian vegetable soup. Nice piping hot soup, definitely great for cold weather.
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, salami, mushrooms and oregano.
Penne with thinly sliced veal meat, garlic, in tomato sauce and parmesan.
Salzburg Museum is the museum of artistic and cultural history for the city and region of Salzburg.
You can hire a horse carriage ride to tour around the city too.
This afternoon, I will be making a visit to Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Making my way to the valley station located in the middle of the old town for the funicular ride up to the Fortress in about a minute.
Enjoying a breathtaking funicular ride up from the valley station.
Looking at the various string puppets exhibits.
View of Fortress seen from the Fortress Tower.
Panoramic scenic view of Salzburg city seen from the Fortress Tower.
One can easily spend 2 to 3 hours touring the Fortress and definitely a great way to do sightseeing on a Sunday. 😉
Had a quick dinner at Asia Imbiss Mr Wen before going to the classical music concert at Mirabell Palace Marble Hall.
The food is really good and delicious.
Head over to the concert venue after a satisfying meal.
Entry to the Marble Hall and waiting for the start of the Mozart Performance.
These are the pieces that will be played for tonight.
Soaking into the classical music performance.
What a great night to end the day!
Started the day with a quick breakfast at Anker.
This morning, I will be doing a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg. After much deliberation and consideration, I decided on a private tour instead of travelling via public transportation or rental car.
Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular tourist destination for its stunning scenery, charming atmosphere, and historic salt mines.
The exhibition in the Mozarthaus St. Gilgen shows their fate and tells their very personal life story. History with echoes to this day.
A breathtaking view of the lake district, the Schafberg and St. Gilgen.
This is where you will board the funicular to the top of Hallstatt.
Ready to go…..
Loved this white background view at the top of Hallstatt.
Having an early lunch at the Skywalk Restaurant.
As I have done the salt mine earlier at Salzburg Salt Mine, I gave this visit a rain check and also in lieu of the limited time available.
After spending a reasonable amount of time up here, it’s now time to head back down to the valley station.
This is a picture of Hallstatt, a beautiful village in Austria, located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt.
Mesmerising view of the beautiful lakeside UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt.
The Mühlbach Waterfall resides in the town of Hallstatt in the state of Upper Austria.
The water flows down to the Lake Hallstatt through the town.
The village is known for its traditional Austrian architecture, including the iconic steeple of the Hallstatt Lutheran Church.
It is a small church that serves the village. The church overlooks the village and has a cemetery attached to it.
Recharging at Traditional Austrian Bakery Confectionery Shop before heading back to Salzburg.
This is a picture of the village of Gosau in Austria during winter. Gosau is a municipality in the district of Gmunden in Upper Austria.
It is located in the Salzkammergut region, which is known for its beautiful lakes and mountains.
The village is a popular tourist destination, offering activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
Spotted Asia Imbiss Mr Wen and settled for dinner after a pleasant dining experience last night.
Time flies, and 7 days in Salzburg just flew past before I knew it. I will be departing Salzburg for Vienna later at noon time.
Taking things slow in the morning by chilling out at Coffee Fellows.
Pretzel bagel, pepper pastrami (beef), cream cheese, cucumber relish, arugula, and cucumber.
Hot lemon, ginger slices, mint, and cane sugar.
Encore a visit back to Asia Imbiss Mr Wen for an early lunch before catching my train ride from Salzburg Hbf to Wien Hbf.
Time to board the train despite delay by 20 minutes.
Check-in to Ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof, which is conveniently located right opposite the Vienna Main Station.
The room is equally spacious. Loved the layout of the room too. This will be my humble abode for the next 4 nights.
The Vienna Main Station is the main railway station in Vienna, Austria. There are many retail shops, eatery outlets, and a big supermarket inside the station. Before I came to realise it, I had already spent the entire afternoon exploring this station. 😅
Decided to have dinner at the main food hall inside the station.
Simple yet very satisfying. 😋😋😋
Start the day with a quick breakfast at Subway before commencing sightseeing for the day.
Tuna sandwich with waffle fries & drink.
This is a topiary, a horticultural practice of trimming shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes.
Entrance gate to the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria. Isn’t this majestic?
The Belvedere is a historic complex comprising the Upper and Lower Palaces, renowned for its baroque architecture and expansive gardens. The Upper Belvedere houses an impressive art collection, including Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss.”
A Catholic church near Belvedere Palace, and it was built in 1866 according to plans of the Austrian architect Hermann von Bergmann.
Located in the city centre, this iconic Gothic cathedral is one of Vienna’s most significant landmarks.
A Gothic masterpiece with breathtaking views from the South Tower.
The architecture and decor inside are stunning, particularly the roof mosaic.
This is the Straub Epitaph, located in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. The epitaph depicts Christ’s farewell to Mary.
Next, stroll along Graben, a famous shopping street with historic buildings.
Can you spot Louis Vuitton building?
A baroque gem with stunning frescoes.
Sculptural artwork by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Matthias Rauchmiller.
Lunching at Chattanooga Café & Grill, a traditional restaurant serving local Austrian cuisine.
Pork with Pepper Cream Sauce.
The Mozarthaus Vienna was Mozart’s residence from 1784 to 1787 and is now a museum. The building is located in Vienna’s Old Town, not far from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and is his only surviving Viennese residence.
Horse carriages for sightseeing tour round the Old Town.
The former imperial residence, home to the Sisi Museum and the Austrian National Library (Insight into Empress Elisabeth’s life).
Admiring the grand opera house, one of the best in the world.
This vibrant market is a culinary hotspot, offering a diverse array of fresh produce, international foods, and unique eateries. It’s an excellent place to experience local flavours and the city’s multicultural atmosphere.
I have decided to pamper myself with a good steak dinner at El Gaucho.
Bread roll with butter, ricotta, salami & olives.
Ox tail, root vegetables, sherry & chives.
This is one of the best steak meals that I have had without a doubt. It’s definitely a great finale to end the day with. 👍👍👍
Visited Schönbrunn Palace this morning – A UNESCO World Heritage site with lavish interiors and vast gardens.
Entrance to the majestic palace.
Fountain in the palace.
Vienna’s most famous palace with beautiful gardens and a grand history.
Followed by breakfast at Café Museum.
2 organic poached eggs, leaf spinach, hollandaise sauce, micro greens and toasted white bread.
Continuing to Stadtpark thereafter, famous for the golden Johann Strauss monument and relaxing greenery.
Beautiful city park where one can spend time with nature.
Another picturesque view of the park.
Scattered throughout the park are statues of famous Viennese artists, writers, and composers, including Hans Canon, Emil Jakob Schindler, Johann Strauss II, Franz Schubert, and Anton Bruckner.
I’m having a fun time with mystery statue hunting in the park, too.
Danube River in the centre of Vienna, Austria.
Savouring a nice set lunch at Nirvana Indian Restaurant.
A modern art museum in Vienna.
Experience Mozart & His Vienna Like Never Before.
Slowing things down in the evening at Kärntner Straße, a famous pedestrianized shopping street in Vienna, Austria.
Followed by a light dinner at Wienerwald Restaurant.
Before I knew it, I was already onto my last day in Austria. My final sightseeing for the day.
Start the morning with a brekkie at Strock Café.
The Soviet War Memorial in Vienna, Austria, more formally known as the Heroes’ Monument of the Red Army. The monument is located at Vienna’s Schwarzenbergplatz.
The Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) is one of the most important baroque buildings in Vienna. The mighty green giant dome stands quite clearly at its centre.
Traditionally considered to be the oldest church in the city.
St. Francis of Assisi Church, also known as the Emperor’s Jubilee Church and the Mexico Church, is a Basilica-style Catholic church in Vienna.
Pipe organ inside the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Vienna, Austria.
Adjourn for a quick lunch at Noodle King.
A historical amusement park with the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel.
Maria am Gestade is a Gothic church in Vienna, and also one of the oldest churches in the city alongside St. Peter’s Church and St. Rupert’s Church.
It is one of the few surviving examples of Gothic architecture in Vienna.
One for the road retail shopping for loots at Mariahilfer Straße at the most well-known longest shopping street in the city Vienna is the . Located in the 7th district, it is the longest shopping road in the city.
Pit stop break at Café Ritter for recharging.
How it starts is how it ends. Light dinner at the food hall at Vienna Main Station. 有始有终. 😊
It is time to leave for my final activity for the night, attending the Vienna Supreme Concert at Palais Eschenbach.
Seated and getting ready for the start of the concert.
Enjoy a memorable evening of Austrian music with this classical music concert.
Soak in and hear the professional musicians perform the best of Mozart, Strauss, and other composers.
One more for your enjoyment. 😉
What a spectacular classical music performance! This is truly entertaining and highly recommended if you ever were to visit Vienna.
It’s definitely a great finale to mark an end to my Austria trip.
It’s now time to leave for the airport for my morning connecting flight from Vienna Airport to Munich Airport.
Chilling out at Austrian Lounge prior to boarding.
Taking a quick break at Lufthansa Senator Lounge before boarding for my second leg flight.
Looking forward to coming home.
Homecoming in 12 hours’ time. 🤗
Start of sky lunch……
With onion, cucumber and spicy peanut sauce.
Leek-potato mash, quail eggs and pea sprout.
Thai style stir-fried chicken with sweet basil, chilli, vegetables and steamed rice.
Delightful combination of rich chocolate, buttery caramel, and a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness perfectly.
Savouring light delectable midway to the journey.
It’s time for breakfast prior to descending.
Fresh raspberry, oatmeal and pumpkin seeds.
Sliced braised beef shank and beef balls with kway teow rice noodles served in beef broth.
Great meal as expected. Well, it has been another good trip thus far. Austria is definitely a rich heritage cultural place, and I am glad that I have covered in great detail. Hope you enjoy the read as always and that it will inspire you to visit Austria.