The drive to Salzburg from Milan was a treacherous one–the snow was coming down so hard and laying on the road, which made the journey almost two times as long. By the time we finally arrived in Salzburg, it was close to 2am. Honestly, it didn’t matter though–as soon as I saw the undisturbed blanket of snow on the ground and the thick flakes coating the tree branches, I felt an instant warmth and joy. After checking into the hotel, and taking a quick hot shower, I just wanted to stare out the windows at the still-falling snow casting the perfect silence over the city. There’s something so beautiful and comforting about seeing snow fall in the middle of the night when you’re supposed to be sleeping. It’s like you’re seeing something you’re not supposed to. It’s only meant to greet you in the morning. And greet me in the morning it did!
Like Innsbruck, Salzburg is perfectly charming. The shop-lined corridors, warm and inviting, begging you to come in and take a quick break from the cold and purchase something Sound of Music- or Mozart-related. (Incidentally, Mozart’s house is the yellow one in the photo below.)
While there is a lot to see in Salzburg, I spent most of my time in the Old Town area (common theme on my blog, right?). Salzburg’s Old Town (Altstadt) has one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Even in the winter, the city was teeming with tourists, which made it a bit annoying at times, but that’s to be expected when you visit a place as lovely as this Austrian gem.
I imagine that Salzburg is beautiful year-round, but it’s especially lovely in the snow. The city officials also had the sidewalks cleaned up in record time. By the time I woke up my first morning there (you remember, the one after that huge snowfall), the sidewalks were bone-dry and perfectly easy to walk on. I didn’t slip or slide once.. even in the crappy shoe choice I’d packed (more on this when I write about Prague).
The best time of day for me was right at dusk, standing on the bridge watching the sun disappear and seeing all of the buildings light up. I love seeing cities around this time of day–seeing them transform into something completely different. And the wintry skies in Europe (especially in Austria and Czech Republic) took on this gorgeous blue-purple hue that was perfect in so many ways. If it hadn’t been so cold, I probably could’ve stayed in this exact spot photographing for hours. (Tell me you also appreciate the dusk ones more than the daytime ones shot at the same spot.)
Austria is high on my list. I’ve always imagined the beautiful mountains and lakes in the summer. You’re slowly convincing me that winter would be a wonderful time as well.
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I’ve never seen Austria in the summer, so I can’t speak to its beauty (though, I imagine it’s just gorgeous), but there’s something so wonderful about it during the wintertime. Especially if you romanticize winter weather like I do!
I love the first purple sky shot so much. You did well!
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Thank you, Jill! Salzburg is just incredibly photogenic!! :)
Those shots in dusk are lovely – I could just imagine wandering across the bridge with a delicious hot chocolate.
Gorgeous photos in general, despite the fact that I am thrilled about the melted snow and blooming spring here in Canada.
Murissa
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Thanks, Murissa! I can imagine you’re totally over the snow, but living in Texas for 6 years really makes me miss it sometimes. (Though, I so miss seeing spring weather!)