Salzburg and Munich

Weekend two travel: Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany.

After much debate and waiting until the last minute to book hotels for the weekend, we finally executed our travel plans.

We finished class on Thursday, and then went to the train station to take the overnight train to Munich, Germany. That sounds easier than it is. Taking the overnight train means transferring from train to train until finally getting on a train for 7 hours. And you would think that once we got on that 7 hour train, we could sleep. However, that is not the case. For one, they do not turn off the lights in the train. Secondly, you think that once your eyes are covered and you found a comfortable position, you can finally sleep. Once again, that is not the case. As soon as I got comfortable, I was woken up by the train conductor poking my arm.

MUNICH: After 7 hours of mediocre sleep (more like short naps), we arrived in Munich, and we found Starbucks.

Then, we found brunch. If you go to Munich and want brunch, go to California Bean!! The pancakes were sooo good. The real reason we went there was because it was 7am and it was one of the only places open that early. But those pancakes were really good.

Then, we walked around Munich and saw all the sights, including seeing the Glockenspiel at 11am.

Lunch Time in Munich: Hofbrauhaus. Honestly, NOT WORTH IT. It was a tourist trap that we fell right into. We were refused service because we were American and the food was not good. But we sat in a pretty garden, and tried (only had one sip of) a huge beer.

SALZBURG: We got to our hotel that night, and went to bed.

The next morning, we found the BEST BRUNCH in Salzburg, and then walked around Salzburg.

Salzburg Fortress: THIS VIEW WAS INCREDIBLE. This is the best way to see Salzburg. I could have stood up there for hours. After looking out for a while, the backdrop looked faked. I loved this view.

We then walked around, shopped and saw Mozart’s birthplace.

THE BEST PART OF SALZBURG: SOUND OF MUSIC BIKE TOUR!!!! THIS WAS INCREDIBLE WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND SO MUCH FUN.

I loved seeing all the movie sights!!!

Leopoldskron Palace: One of the TWO houses used as the von Trapp’s family home.

“I am sixteen going on seventeen”

The front of the von Trapp’s family home. This is now a dorm for music students.

copied Julie Andrew’s heel click to finish out our bike tour.

Mirabell Palace Gardens: we loved this place, so we came back to take more pictures and admire the views.

Residenzplatz Square: fun fact- Julie Andrews had to stand on suitcases to be able to reach the water.

Dinner with the best strawberry wine @ LO’steria

BACK TO MUNICH: on our way back to the Netherlands, we spent another day in Munich. We went to Dachau Concentration Camp. It was hard and heavy, but important to see this part of history. But this was challenging to see.

more Italian food for dinner. This pizza was so good.

When we checked into our hotel in Munich, we quickly fell in love with staying at the Hilton.

BACK TO REALITY: train ride to Maastricht complete with working on our homework. This is the reality of study abroad.

What a weekend. Salzburg was stunning and Munich is a must see.

xoxo,

Megan