Almerwirt Maria Alm

... Music. We wandered through the Christmas markets during the day and had an afternoon nap. My cold was just about gone but we were tired from not getting enough sleep in Ljubljana. After dinner we walked back to the markets to see them at night. They were just as lovely as the markets in Vienna. There were all sorts of things to buy- decorations, little presents and unique gifts as well as food stands and even a bar ...

... punks... and surprise, they were super cute and loved to help us... I called them Peter Pan and my Lost Boys!! We arrived at the Hotel and booked our Sound of Music tour, it left at 9 am the next morning, so we called it a night and got up early to have a super good free breakfast and go on the the tour...
The tour lady was super cute... she was just like KB, she loved to sing ...

... the Do Re Mi song on the steps...so in true fashion Leanne and I sang the song as we walked up the stairs. A lot of people I think thought we were crazy...but that's ok haha. After the tour we went to walk around the city for a bit...doing a little bit of window shopping, and walking through the streets they were starting to set up the Christmas Markets in...I really wish we had Christmas markets at home!! After wandering for a couple ...

... dry cereal with me to help with cravings haha), then went to St. Peter’s. It’s a monastery/cathedral/cemetery/catacomb combination at the foot of the fortress that’s built partly into the side of the hill. We walked around for a while, explored the catacombs, then went inside for some sketching.

Our last stop of the day, and of our visit to Salzburg, was going to be the Mirabelle Gardens ...

... would have to leave, the person was not getting the concept, until the mention of police and then it got quiet again. For about an hour it was quiet, then those young American's began returning to their rooms after having their fill of good Austrian beer, proclaiming to all who would listen, and the rest. This went on until 5-ish at which time the big bells in the church steeple, conveniently ...

... br>
Monday arrived even faster than it normally does and with it arrived my family. It was a bit of a hoot to guide them via emails sent to my dad’s phone, but they managed to find everything ok, and it was great to go over to the hotel and meet them. We don’t get to be together much anymore (especially when I go off living in other countries) so it’s a treat to see them and catch up on all the happenings and show them my home ...

Today was an utterly beautiful day. Sunshine and clear blue skies, the likes of which I haven´t seen in weeks, and which I didn´t think I´d see until I returned to Florida. A day like this could not be wasted indoors, and so I stayed outside all day, first exploring the gardens around Schloss Mirabelle, then heading across the river to the hill that resides snugly alongside the old ...

August 26-Monday
We left Kitzbuhel at 8:30. There was a brief stop in Berchtesgarden, in Germany, at 10:00. Up on the side of the mountain, we could see Hitler's Eagle’s Nest. It was rather chilling to see that part of history. The bunker is now a restaurant. Our rest stop overlooked a valley filled with wonderful homes. What a view! Back on the bus and on to Salzburg. Time 10:35.

... there was no way they were going to do justice to this building. When we were finished at the Cathedral, we took a walk through the shopping district, with its narrow, winding streets. It was such a rush being here. There was so much to see and do, but there just was not enough time for everything. I guess we’ll just have to come back again and see the sights we missed this time around ...

... paintings, the artwork are incredible! On our approach to the church, along one side, was a small cemetery with decorated graves (just like the one in the Sound of Music). When we turned the corner and saw more graves winding around the church and up the hills, it was absolutely awesome. Graveyards here in Europe (at least judging by this one) are very different from those in the USA. Since there is much less space to devote to the dead, each family has a ...