Salzburg morning

You know how sometimes when you have no expectations you receive the most wonderful surprises? That’s what Salzburg has been for me. When we originally planned to visit Austria, Salzburg was on the top of my son’s list because of his fondness for The Sound of Music. In advance of our visit, I booked the Fraulein Maria bike tour, which we’re taking later this morning, but that was the extent of our planning. 

We arrived Friday evening, purchased some groceries and headed to our Airbandb on the west side of the river slightly north of the historic center. I awoke early Saturday morning, dressed and set out for a walk with the daily outdoor market as a destination. I quickly went off my mapped directions preferring to wander, something easy to do when you’re completely on your own. I found my way down to the river completely charmed by the architecture and natural beauty of this small feeling city. The alps are absolutely breathtaking.

I left the river and made my way through the narrow streets to a bakery where I bought the day’s first treat – a cheese pastry and a cafe au lait. Perfect. Appetite temporarily satiated, I went back to my roaming around soon finding myself in the Mozartplatz. It was still early, maybe 8:30, and the large square was almost mine alone. There was just so much beauty everywhere around me that I felt almost overwhelmed. 

I stumbled on the market on my way “home,” and leisurely took in the stalls filled with flowers, meats, crafts, schnapps and other locally grown and produced goods. Remarkably, I found my way to the apartment without misstep – pretty crazy for a woman who has been known to get herself turned around and requiring directions on more than one occasion. Salzburg just felt easy and I could barely wait to see more.