Day 2 – 01/10/2006
We woke to a bit of rain, but by the time we were done with our leisurely breakfast at the hotel, it was just overcast and a great temperature for me, tepid. We started at the post office and then walked to the Modern Museum, but like unseasoned tourists we try not to be, we didn't check the opening days and were disappointed when we found out they were closed on Mondays. This diverted us to across the river with a gorgeous view up and down the Salzach, the river that bisects the city.
The leaves are just beginning to turn and the atmosphere is turning to fall. We walked through the Mirabell Gardens with the fountain from the Sound of Music where they sing the Do-Re-Mi song and proceeded up to the XXXX Closter. We took the 'scenic' path where by Reeves got some great shots of the city and fortress, but Paula got over heated and wasn’t prepared to do a two mile hike with steep inclines and declines in city walking shoes. (Can you hear the grumbling coming from me even now…) In all, however, it was a lovely view, just not a well labeled sign and path. The Closter itself was a striking small chapel with an active monastery, fully equipped with monks in full length brown robes, complete with hoods, tending the picturesque garden.
It was almost three pm by the time we were down from the mountain when we finally had lunch off the Linzer gasse at the Gablerbrau restaurant. Reeves had a yummy Weinersnitzel while I had a spinach and cheese crepe baked with yet more cheese - quite decadent but very apropos after our long and tiring hike.
We walked back across the river toward the shopping district where I picked up a new bag (very cool, unisex bag that I can use as a handbag, laptop case and just general duffel. Here is the url: http://www.george-gina-lucy.com/ggl/content.html) and a gold charm for my charm bracelet. We proceeded back to the St. Peter's church to look inside. I have never visited a place with such Baroque influence. Although it is not my taste, it is very impressive craftsmanship and artistry. We stumbled across the St. Peter’s Stiftskeller restaurant which, deciding upon one glance, would be our dinner spot. It had then most unique interior, being part outside in a courtyard, and part enclosed in a Romanesque arched grotto – very atmospheric! On the route home we stopped at the Dom to take a tour of the interior and the crypt - again, the baroque influence is the dominant style here in Salzburg and was in no short supply in the Cathedral.
After a short rest in the hotel room we proceeded to dinner in the St. Peter’s Stiftskeller for which the building dates back to 803 A.D. It was set into a beautiful Romanesque arched grotto with ivied arches and candelabras. We again has some wunderbar Austrian dishes and because it was still early when we finished, walked around the town a bit and stopped that the mozARTs cafe to have some wine and ice cream. It is still a lovely evening, just perfect to sit outside with a sweater and a glass of warming liquid.