Chris and I spent a magical holiday in Austria for a family friends destination wedding. From airbnb to the Schloss Leopoldskron and all the beautiful walkable places in between the quaint beautiful city of Salzburg.
The Christmas markets were incredible, they also featured the Krampus tradition, a folkloric beast-like creature. We laughed and explored, we visited the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and a group of us booked a private 4 hour Sound of Music tour. We explored the Nonnberg Abbey, went to Scholosspark Hellbrunn, saw the famous gazebo where the “I am 16 going on 17″ song was performed, we visited the church where Maria and Captain von Trapp married, this was located in Mondsee. The view was unreal as we drove through the mountains. We also hiked up the steepest of hills to tour through the Fortress Hohensalzburg. A group of us saw an outstanding lifelike marionette performance of The Nutcracker at the world’s oldest marionette theatre.
A visit to Salzburg wouldn’t be complete without visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, where I learned all about his life, his relationship with his family, walked around the very room he was born in, and read the letters he wrote to his sister, one of which included his daily routine.
Among all the delicious traditional Austrian foods we enjoyed we also went out for a date-night at a delicious Syrian restaurant called 11:11 Make a Wish. The hospitality there was fantastic, and the art was very cool, we later found out that the artist was a friend of the owners.
Our friends were married at a Catholic church at Pfarre Mulln with Father Franz, who was the sweetest and funniest Father & Monk! He greeted folks from all over the world in various languages (English, Spanish, German, Romanian). The reception took place in the Great Hall at Schloss Leopoldskron where a beautiful string quartet played, and where the most gorgeous library was located.
I never would have imagined visiting Austria in the dead of winter. As I reflect I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to visit such a magical place.
Here’s to the year ahead. May the whole year provide an abundance of love, respect, liberation, and joy. Happy New Year.
