Awesome Adventure | Top 5 Adventures in Salzburg


Experience all the musical city has to offer from Red Bull Hangar 7 Restaurant Ikarus, Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood to Grey Lines Sound of Music tour and visit the old town which hold UNESCO World Heritage Site status (birthplace of Mozart, walk the Getreidegasse Salzburg’s most famous street, the newly opened Domquartier, cathedral-museum complex, Hohensalzburg…


1

 

Eat at Europe’s Oldest Restaurant

St. Peter Stiftskeller

St. Peter Stiftskeller in Salzburg Austria: Salzburger Nockerl and old portion of restaurant.
St. Peter Stiftskeller in Salzburg Austria. Left, Salzburger Nockerl and right, an old portion of the restaurant.

 

A must-stop is Europe’s oldest restaurant, St. Peter Stiftskeller. Traditional Austrian dishes are presented alongside grilled meat and fish.

I tried the whole grilled fish with seasonal chanterelle mushrooms, and finished with a Ferris wheel (literally) of desserts including the typical Salzburg fluffy meringue and jam dessert, Salzburger Nockerl, crème brulee, chocolate mousse, and mint sorbet with fruit.

On another night I took in the Mozart concert – a richly decorated all white baroque room creates the perfect backdrop for the operatic concert with live string quartet accompanied by a candlelit multi-course dinner.
 


2

 

Check out the Tricked Out Fountains

Hellbrunn

Hellbrunn Palace Fountains and Zoo in Salzburg Austria.
Hellbrunn Palace in Salzburg Austria: left, flamingos at the zoo; right, the fountains.

16th century Archbishop and Prince Markus Sittikus commissioned Italian architect Solari to build his summer palace, Hellbrunn. Embedded and hidden throughout are the trick fountains that tease, intrigue and wet guests without warning. (Also home to a zoo).


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Walk the famous Getreidegasse

Salzburg Old Town

Wrought iron signs on the Getreidegasse in Salzburg Austria
Wrought iron signs grace the famous Getreidegasse in Salzburg Austria.

Sophisticated.  Traditional.  Musical. Typically Austrian. Any trip to Austria would not be complete without experiencing this alpine city.

The birthplace of Mozart and backdrop to The Sound of Music, the city’s old town holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

As we walk along the Getreidegasse Salzburg’s most famous street, my guide tells me that, “there would be no Austria without salt and Salzburg got its name from salt.” Salzburg is at a crossroads in middle Europe and for almost 7000 years gained wealth through its Hallein salt mine.

Today the city has an upscale vibe and remains “a stage for all the world.” Be sure to take in the newly opened Domquartier (cathedral-museum complex), Hohensalzburg Castle (the imposing fortress seen from all angles throughout the city), and the weekly market near Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

 


4

 

See landmarks from The Sound of Music

Grey Lines Sound of Music Tour

Leopoldskron Palace (the Von Trapp family home in the movie and typical hills are alive scenry
Left: Leopoldskron Palace (the Von Trapp family home in the movie). Right, typical “the hills are alive” scenery.

I chose Grey Lines Sound of Music tour to experience the magic and learn tidbits about this classic movie, I didn’t know (like the film is relatively unknown to Austrians).

The calm waters surrounding Leopoldskron Palace (the Von Trapp Family home) will make you feel as though you ought to be sipping pink lemonade on the terrace  with the Von Trapp children. Be warned from the city to the surrounding lake district there is breathtaking scenery at every turn.
 


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Eat to give you wings

Red Bull Hangar 7 Restaurant Ikarus and Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood

Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood Fish dish, poached char with creamy risotto.
Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood fish dish, poached char with creamy risotto.

 

Red Bull Hangar 7:  Imagine a revolving grand prix of international heavy weight chefs, featured each month at an airplane hangar in Austria.  Sound like a plot of a Michael Bay film? It’s not. Red Bull pioneered the concept and when I visited Restaurant Ikarus British Michelin two star guest chef Sat Bains was in house with a tasting menu that reflected his classical training and modern techniques. (Think foie gras muesli: a contrast of sweet crunchy oats combined with small shards of nitro chilled foie gras; and Chocolate: a take on the aero candy bar with mandarin gel to cleanse).

Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood: A winding staircase leads guests up to the Michelin star restaurant furnished with art deco minimalist wood chairs.  Inside the 100 seat restaurant, head chef Franz Fuiko offers a mix of specially designed cones filled with gourmet fillings (my favourite was the Moroccan style lamb), and gourmet plates including a poached char with creamy risotto.  Don’t forget to try the signature sparkly Carpe Diem kombucha tea, a healthy and refreshing non alcoholic drink.

Read more about Salzburg, Austria in the Fall 2014 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.