GERMANY/AUSTRIA BONUS DAY

We booked our flight out for Saturday, but our connecting flight through Iceland was canceled due to bad weather. The airline rebooked us to fly out Sunday and put us up in the same hotel we stayed at the previous night, plus food vouchers. As far as travel plans being canceled, this was the ideal (no sleeping in airports). I did not look forward to sending that text to Bryan...he was still a lone man for 24 more hours! He took it very well. 

With half the day still in front of us we began brainstorming--my suggestions were a "little" out of reach and needed to be reeled in, but most importantly we found some food while we decided what to do with our bonus day. We all agreed that biking around the English Gardens was a good idea. We experienced our first rain of the trip, but it didn't spoil anything. Kelly's bike sounded like a motorbike, similar to the kind little boys make with a straw on their bike tire. It was hilarious to all three of us. It was a great way to the end the trip. Love these ladies-not only did I have a blast with them, but I realized over and over again that I am surrounded by incredible friends.

GERMANY/AUSTRIA DAY 6

Sound of Music and Hallstatt tour were on the itinerary for today. I really looked forward to this day. We started the day off with a delicious and cute breakfast at the hotel. I loved my cup of hot chocolate--from the flavor to the foam. Elizabeth made all of the arrangements with Bob's Special Tours and we completely lucked out with no one booking, which meant we had our own private tour.

We started the Sound of Music tour with the pond where Maria and the children fall out of the boat. The back of the mansion was also used in the filming of the Vontrap home. 

The front of the yellow home was used for the front of the Vontrap mansion. 

Next up? THE GAZEBO!!

We're nerds and we embrace it.

The road Maria walked her first time to the Vontrap home. We followed her Maria's heel click example and captured our own heel clicks, after 599 attempts.

On our way to Hallstatt we entered what is known as "The Lake District." It was beautiful. Our guide had a home in this area-a home that was supposedly Mozart's Grandmother's home. He declined when I asked for a tour. However, he did provide some great entertainment when he nailed so many  different accents from across the world.

~Hallstatt~

I loved this Bavarian town. I would love to return when the weather is warmer and enjoy a boat ride out on the lake and a hike or two with Bryan.  

 Up the funicular to some gorgeous views.

After Hallstatt, Luke was a different driver. Luckily, I still had dramamine coursing through my system. Kelly and Elizabeth were pretty motion sickness making the last few stops not as energetic. It is such a rarity that I am the one feeling okay, but I did have true empathy for them! Our next stop was the church where they were married. The chimes started when we were in the church and it made me love the day even more.

Our last stop was the Do-Re-Me scene with the fountain. Our tour guide played songs from the movie for us to sing along on the way to our final stop. I bet he hates that soundtrack so much! We, however, thoroughly enjoyed our sing-a-long. Elizabeth definitely knew the most words, followed by me and then I started wondering if Kelly had ever even watched The Sound of Music, ha! :)

GERMANY/AUSTRIA DAY 5

We followed Elizabeth's lead and caught a train for Salzburg. We visited lots more and took in the sights of the countryside. Upon arriving in Salzburg, we checked into our hotel, shopped for souvenirs, grabbed a quick bite for lunch and made our way to our official first stop of the day, our apple strudel cooking class! The class was a hole in the wall--literally in a cave--and added to the overall experience. We all shared some pretty good laughs during our cooking class and agreed this was one of the highlights.

 

 We burned some of our taste buds off as we hurried to make it to Mozart's Birth home/museum. How could I go to Salzburg and not see this?!? It was interesting and mind boggling trying to wrap my brain around how one person was capable of composing such incredible music from a ridiculously early age!

After the museum, we went to a concert featuring several of Mozart's sonatas played by a violinist and someone on the harpsichord (a harpsichordist?). My piano teacher, Mrs. Thornock, would have been proud of me when I didn't applaud between movements. :) I would have loved to hear a pianist,  but due to our schedule and safety, we stuck with this one. I am so glad! It was beautiful. When in Salzburg, live Mozart music is a must.