We turn the bend, and there she is…! Twirling, skipping, singing “the hills are alaaiiiive, with the sound of myoooosic”. Julie Andrews!! But, the man at the wheel (my newly appointed husband!) drives on, unblinking… OK, so I’m day dreaming, but who wouldn’t?! For the von Trapp family sang, courted, daringly escaped from, all right here —  in Salzburgerland — making up our biggest childhood treats! You know, for you’ve been here too! — at the gardens, the mansion, through Maria’s abbey, and the gazebo where we dreamed of turning 16!

Soon enough though, Fairytale kicks Hollywood’s butt… the Salzburg skyline is like the cover of my fav storybook! Gentle rows of slanting red roofs, a sprinkling of  domes and spires, the river Salzbach, an unraveled ribbon of blue… The musing giant of a castle (Hohensalzburg), sitting atop the cliff, guarding his city. All framed by the stunning Alps, at no extra charge! I’m brimming with let’s-turn-the-page wonderment, as we amble into Salzburg.

But, I have a task — (what? honeymoon over already?!!! 😉 ) — the task of finding us alternative accommodation. The current digs is fine, really, but “someone” terms it as “plan B”!! His verdict is we need some place more special! Ach, Ja! I take it on… Piece of Apfelstrudel! 🙂

That book cover didn’t lie! The town is bathed in sunshine and charm! Little cobblestone alleys zigzag, darting surprised into large open piazas with fountains! The 35-bells calliron chimes out overhead. The stunning Cathedral, with its ornate Baroque dome, is almost like a grand center piece! And the views going up to the castle takes your breath away, even if you took the easy funicular ride! 😉 

At every turn there seems a playfulness in the air! The streets are lined with the finest of Baroque and Renaissance buildings… so grand and regal… but at the other end, the high castle plays peek-a-boo like a truant child! Then there’s this beautiful Baroque summer palace (Schloss Hellbrunn), so elegant, so refined… but at stately dinners with the Prince Archbishop, high society guests would get  a drenching, water squirted on them, by trick fountains!! Lol!!! 😀

Another delightful Salzburg original: a series of back alleys, called “Through-Houses” (Durchäuser), connecting the modest houses behind, to the expensive, fashionable main street, Getriedegasse! The big mansions were so tightly crammed on Getriedegasse, oftentimes the alleys had to go right through the rich man’s ooh-la-la house on Main Street!  So… er, your place, or mine? At your place, through mine!! 😉

The vibe is almost like Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile! Like something of incredible classical finesse, yet with a gleeful, almost mischievous, twist. Like Eine kline Nachtmusik (a small piece of night music)?! 😉

Mozart grins at me, winking! Now this time I’m not day dreaming! Everywhere Mozart’s mugshot smiles back — from keychains, magnets, trinkets, even fine chocolates! Salzburg celebrates Mozart, their own, home grown wunderkind, in every wondrous way! Mozart’s birth house is sacred pilgrimage to many. And since Mozart began playing/composing when other kids are still struggling to speak, this is literally where his music was also born — his square piano, his first violin, among many other Mozartobelia, on display.

And if its dinner time, it must be Mozart Dinner-Concert time… a most thoughtful wedding gift from our friends! Listening to the soloists and ensembles perform, over a historical menu dinner, at another beautiful palace, Mirabell Gardens, brings our day’s end with a resoundingly glorious crescendo!

Uh-oh, we’d forgotten to search for a place…! We return to hotel plan B, thinking ah well, tomorrow, tomorrow…! 😀

Next morning, my friends arrive from Germany, to meet my best half. 😉 And we drive together, east of Salzburg, through picturesque Salzkammergut. I believe  we actually missed a turn somewhere, and drove instead into Paradise….! For Salzkammergut is where even the sun adjusts his color-brightness dials, to beam down just the right accent lighting.

Endless sweeps of green meadows and rolling hills, a few craggy higher Alps thrown in to add drama… the turquoise blue lakes, holding absolutely still, lest even a ripple break the spell. An exquisite tapestry that’s at once expansive with striking colors, as it is fresh, luminous and delicate.

Quaint, little Alpine villages dot our drive, St Gilgen, Strobl, St Wolfgang… like delectable mini desserts on a sampler tray! And then suddenly… we chance upon it! Our “some place special”, our dream accommodation — there, half way up the mountain pasture, is this solitary little digs, with a sunny deck, Gasthaus Thoralm. And we turn out to be their only guests!

Does everyone feel their honeymoon spot was really special?! Or is it just that this place’s so tailor-made for us?! Our days are spent strolling the hills, returning arms laden with wild flowers, listening to the cow bells ring… (amid deep moo’s!). And gazing and gazing, till the cows come home…! And, y’know how folks rave over sunsets… but try sometime, sitting high on a quiet hill, no lights anywhere close, watching a full moon dip very gently, into a lake so a-shimmer, it feels like a scene alive! 

When we leave, it is with more vows than we came with! Vows to revisit in twenty years (if we’ve still not killed each other)! 🙂 Gasthaus Thoralm, we’ll be back, in 2020…! This is fulfilling that vow, albeit virtually… for now! 🙂

Note: Lonely Planet had declared Salzburg (and Salzburgerland) as #1 Top Destination of the year 2020! There, see! Wasn’t just special for me!

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Notes: Unless otherwise credited, all pictures belong to the blogger DistantBeckons

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