Sound of Music ~ May 2013 ~ WallynDiane

May 9 

Our tour started poorly as our flight to Munich was diverted to NYC JFK for close to six hours due to navigation problems with the plane. Delta personnel were really great but it made for a painful flight, added expense as we had to take a taxi to the hotel and missed tour time. Fortunately this was our only problem of the trip. Our tour was blessed to have Serge Trotzky as our tour director. His insight, humor, and willingness to provide extra value to our tour was greatly appreciated by all. His contribution to the enjoyment of the tour was immense. Our bus driver Lazlo was also excellent. Our tour had 25 members. They were equally engaging, very prompt on departures, and a true joy to be around. So the combination of Serge and our group set us up for a fantastic tour. We barely made the welcome reception and missed the afternoon walk to old town Munich. The welcome reception was at our hotel, Munich Hilton. The reception had 2 drinks per tour member and lots a very good finger food. It filled all our bellies. It was raining in Munich and our evening bus orientation tour was made through the raindrops. Highlights was a brief stop at the BMW museum. Munich was a great town. The older buildings and monuments were dirty but still impressive. WWII restoration was impressive as well. After an approximate 1 1/2 hour tour we returned to the hotel for a good nights sleep. Despite the flight delay the tour was off to a great start. The Munich Hilton was vey close to the old city, had large clean rooms and a super breakfast buffet. Things were looking up and only got better. More to follow.

We headed out at 9 am and our bus dropped us a few blocks from the Hofbrauhaus. Munich had a home soccer game and the place was pretty full at 9:30 am. We then proceeded to the Viktualienmarkt. It was equally packed with people. We then walked to the Marienplatz where we were let go for free time. Serge took about 8 of us to the Asam Church which was a short walk from Marienplatz. The church was built by the Asam Brothers as their private chapel. It is a fine example of Boroque and Rococo style. It is a very small church but is well worth a visit. We also visited the Church of St Peter's, Frauenkirche and St Michaels. The Churches were interesting and worth the visits. We went back to Marienplatz to catch the 11 am glockenspiel show. Many folks were gathered to watch. Kind of fun but not one of those life changing experiences. At 1 PM we met for our optional tour to Dachau. Diane's father was in one of the first US soldiers to enter Dachau. Therefore it was an important visit for my wife. The experience was very powerful. The movie and the exhibits were very well done.

Asam Church picture:

Picture of Dachau below. Note that fresh flowers are delivered daily to this remarkably powerful site:

We did the evening option dinner which included a full stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus. It was around 6:30 and the place was now packed with many wearing their soccer team colors.The oompah band started to play and on their 3rd song everyone in the place started to sing and sway with the music. It was very loud and one of the coolest things I have done it a while. On leaving the Hofbrauhaus, a Bavarian local dressed in his finest Bavarian dress posed for pictures. That was equally cool. We then went to dinner at a local Munich restaurant. The food was very good with plent to drink. All in all a great day!

Sunday day 3 was clear in Munich. 

However it was overcast in the mountains and would eventually start to rain. We first saw the Alps about 20 minutes south of Munich. There was fresh snow of the peaks that made them look magical. Our first stop was in Oberammergau. It was mothers day Sunday and virtually nothing was open yet. They placed a red carpet down the center of the main shopping street which is a tradition on mothers day. This is the site of the Passion play held every 10 years. The play house is modern. The town is over the top with many painted scenes on buildings. Most of us thought the stop was nothing more than a bathroom break. Nice at best. We were suprised by a stop at Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow). This church is ranked very high as Germany's top Rococo style church. It is also a pilgrimage destination that was very beautiful. This stop was made by Serge and everyone loved this gem.

We were then off to Neuschwanstein. 

It started to rain and sleet when we arrived. The horse drwan carriage ride was very nice and it sure beas walking up that large hill to the castle. You are dropped off and still have to walk a steep hill to arrive at the castle. The guided tour was interesting, however no pictures were allowed in the castle. After the tour, we were given free time a lunch and to walk around. The lavish royalty life was impressive and sickening at the same time.

By the way, for you photography nuts like me, no pictures are allowed on the inside Neuschwanstein Castle tour.

Neuschwanstein Castle Picture:

After departure from Neuschwanstein (hope I don't have to spell that again), we had another suprise stop at the Ettal Monastery and Pilgrimage church.

This is a 14th century Benedictine Abbey that was very interesting to see. Another great value added to the tour by Serge.

We were then off to Innsbruck. 

We arrive at our hotel Grauer Bar and found a very European looking hotel. Clean, large rooms and most importantly, only steps from the old town of Innsbruck. We had a good included dinner at the hotel (fish). We elected to take the optional Tyrolean Folk show (my wife insisted). We got a few beers, heard some good singing, yodeling and those large wooded austrian horns played for an hour and a half. I enjoyed the show more than I thought I would. The performers were quite talented and put on a great show. Glad we went.

We awoke to dry weather and a high overcast cloud deck. At 9 am we left for a walking tour of Innsbruck. It was a very short walk from our hotel to the old town. Oh if every hotel was this close to the action!

We started at the Golden Roof. The Golden Roof was built in 1494 by Maximilian I. It was an interesting stop, offering a picture opportunity but not that WOW moment. Actually the next morning was perfectly clear and with fresh snow on the Alps gave us that WOW moment (both here and at the St Anne's column).

Serge then took us on an hour or so walking tour of Innsbruck. Most people on the tour loved Innsbruck. The town was quaint and the churches impressive.

We then left for the optional carriage ride tour in Innsbruck. 

We first took a train, then the bus to be picked up for our horse drawn carriage tour. The carriage ride was thru a nice village and some woods. The views were outstanding. We visited a small church that had a child that was given saint status then was evoked. We had a large shot of schnaaps as well. We then ended up in a small tavern for a wheat beer and sandwiches. That optional was very enjoyable.

We then were driven to the olympic ski jump. Seeing that jump was on my bucket list and the jump and views of the mountains were simply outstanding. There was a small platform just above the skiers platform that allowed us to look straight down the ski jump. That was a wow moment.

We then had the afternoon to ourselves. We went to the Hofkirche to see the amazing 28 bronze statues. Very unique and enjoyable experience. We then visited other Innsbruck churches that were all impressive. No optional or included dinner was available that night. We needed some pasta and ate at Mamma Mia's. We showed them the recommendation of their place in Rick Steve's Vienna/Salzburg/Tirol tour book. They got a big thrill out of that and we were treated royally and the food was perfect (aka- very good and cheap).

Hofkirche Picture:

All in all, I believe the entire group loved Innsbruck- we sure did.

Re: May 9th Sound of Music Tale

The last day in Innsbruck finally was sunny and clear. 

We awoke to this view:

View of The Golden Roof with the Alps backdrop:

View of St Anne's colmun with Alps backdrop:

Innsbruck was magical in the clear weather. 

So was the drive to Salzburg.

We had a quick stop at an overlook of the lake district and another at an upscale hotel. We then had a surprise 1 hour stop at Königssee in southeast Berchtesgadener. It was absolutely beautiful. Königssee lake was stunning. There was boat tours there but we didn't have time for one. We also saw this same lake from our Eagles Nest tour. We had a great lunch here. This stop was not in the tour description, but everyone was so glad we stopped. Wow!

Königssee picture here:

We then stopped at another small town a few minutes away from Königssee. I love small towns and this one had a small shopping district and another great church. Then on to Salzburg. Salzburg was the primary reason we went on this tour. We were blessed with beautiful clear weather.

We had a local guide for a walking tour of Salzburg.

First off was Mirabell gardens and the iconic Sound of Music movie film locations. 

See the picture here:

and here:

We then walked through old town Salzburg. 

This is one beautiful part of the world. Great town and churches. For me, this was the highlight of the tour. We then had free time or the afternoon meal optional tour. We had planned to do our own thing in Salzburg that afternoon. However in talking to Serge, that optional included a guided tour of the Hohensalzburg Castle as well as visits to Sound of Music film locations (film home, the infamous I am 16 gazebo, and other scenes). I am so glad I talked to Serge because all the optional tour description said was a meal optional. The meal was very good and when coupled with the other included tour was definately a must. So for you folks taking this tour in the future, make sure you know what this tour includes so you don't miss some of the film locations.

Seeing Innsbruck and Salzburg in clear weather was simply magical. Fortunately the clear weather continued for our second day in Salzburg.

Salzburg Area picture:

We awoke to another perfect weather day in Salzburg. We elected to take the Eagles Nest optional tour. There is a visitor center and bus exchange stop below the mountain. We boarded the "special" bus to the ride to Eagles Nest. My what a beautiful ride. The Nazi party built the road to and the Eagles Nest buidling in 13 months. The road to the top of the mountain is quite an engineering feat. What superb views. The bus then drops you off and you walk through a long arched tunnel to an elevator that takes you to the actual Eagles Nest building itself.

The building itself is not really that special. Plus knowing this was built for Hitler adds a bit of anger to the site. However, once you step outside and see the views of the Berchtesgaden Alps, all is forgotten.

Picture of Eagles Nest Building here:

View of the Berchtesgaden Alps from Eagles Nest here:

The Eagles Nest Tour is a must see, but is totally weather dependent. Our tour guide said that the day before was the first tour of the year. Overcast weather and snow (they were shoveling snow on the side of the Eagles Nest building when we were there) didn't allow for any tours. We were very lucky to have perfect weather.

We then were dropped off in downtown Salzburg for a free afternoon. We spent lots of time in Mirabel Gardens and visiting the movie film locations. Salzburg is wonderful even without it's ties to the Sound of Music movie. I would go back to Salzburg in a heartbeat.

Another view of Mirabel Gardens. Iconic film location. I was standing on the Do Re Me steps, looking at the Pegasus fountain, the trellis to the right and the Hohensalzburg Castle. 

Another picture here:

We walked most of Salzburg (easy city to navigate) and visited all of the important churches.I am not a classical music fan, but knowing that Mozart was the Salzburg Cathedral music director was very cool.

Dinner was an included be my guest dinner and a place outside of Salzburg. The food was very good plus they had a local band playing Austrian Traditional music. The entire Salzburg experience was magical. Really hated to leave.

Last picture of Salzburg from the Hohensalzburg Castle:

I know I am slow in writing this tale, but work is so busy that allows me very little free time.