Salzburg

The city is located in the heart of Europe. Flights to Austria arrive from everywhere. From Vienna, the Austrian capital, there are frequent trains to Salzburg. The journey takes less than three hours and the scenery will show you that you won’t be wasting your time. 
Once you arrive there is plenty to see. You can start in the historic centre, wandering the narrow alleys and admiring the pretty squares. When it comes to sights, there are some that you really can’t miss. For instance, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077, is the best-preserved fortress in Europe. Inside, you can find out a little bit more about Medieval decoration and, for the more adventurous, there is a museum dedicated to the objects of torture used at that time.  
The house in which Mozart was born is another spot on the list. A museum, opened in 1880, which has become a pilgrimage site for classical music lovers. The next stop is Salzburg Cathedral. With a beautiful façade, and a huge Italian-style dome, it is the city’s most iconic religious building. Despite its history full of many misadventures, it remains pristine, impassively contemplating life in the city.  
Let’s continue, on to Hellbrunn Palace. Built in 1612 to be the summer residence of Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. An architectural jewel.  

Now, let’s take a break. One of the best parts of getting to know a new city or culture is to also partake in the local cuisine. And Salzburg is quite eclectic in that sense. On the menu there are, for example, Kaspressknödelsuppe, a cheese and potato dumpling soup, or Schweinsbraten im Weissbier-Kümmelsafterl, a pork dish with a sauce made of beer and caraway. But there are also traditional dishes, such as Schnitzel, sausages, stews and even fish from the region’s lakes. Salzburg is beautiful and has the additional advantage of being in a region rich in natural beauty. Therefore, it is also a great starting point for new adventures, such as getting to know the little town of Hallstatt.