In September 1998, after joining SAP, my new employer, I went to Heidelberg, Germany for 7 weeks of workshops and training. As this was my first visit to Europe, I made the best use of all weekends and drove to many countries including Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. I visited only one city, Salzburg, in Austria during one of the weekends.
Today’s Austria is what was once the German speaking core and center of power for the large multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire, stretched eastwards from present-day Austria through much of east-central and south-central Europe. It included the entire territories of modern day Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and portions of Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Poland and Italy.
The modern republic of Austria came into being in 1918 as a result of its defeat in World War I.
My visit was in 1998, no Digital Camera at that time, only Film Camera, so I don’t have many pictures to show here. Also, these pictures are not of good quality but I still wanted to post here as my memories.
Pictures below are from our drive to Salzburg through Austrian Alps.
One of many beautiful lakes in the Austrian Alps.Driving by the Hohenwerfen Castle.Restaurants and Lodges in Austrian Alps.Our Hotel stay in the Alps. I remembered entire staff came out to say Good-Bye when left next morning.
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Its Old Town (Altstadt), with its world famous baroque architecture, is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world and is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Salzburg is the birthplace of the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Pictures below are from one of the weekends, I drove to Salzburg with my three colleagues.
Mozartplatz, a calm and relaxing square with a statue of Mozart at the center. The great composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born just a few blocks from this square.Residenzplatz, a large, stately square in the historic center, named after the Residenz building of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg.Salzburg Cathedral, the seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Salzburg, built upon a site where cathedrals have stood since the 8th century.Getreidegasse, A busy shopping street in the historic Altstadt (Old Town) of Salzburg, that runs parallel to the Salzach river. The narrow street is characterized by numerous high townhouses side by side with its wrought iron guild signs.Mozarts Geburtshaus (Mozart’s birth house), The Mozart family lived in this house and where W.A. Mozart was born. The house is now a popular museum devoted to Mozart and his family, with interesting memorabilia and letters.Hohensalzburg Fortress, a large medieval fortress originally constructed in 1077, sits atop the Festungsberg mountain at an altitude of 506 meters (1,660 ft). It is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.A view from the Mönchsberg over the old town to Hohensalzburg. The Mönchsberg, at 507 meters (1,663 ft) above sea level, is one of five mountains in Salzburg.Schloss Hellbrunn, The summer palace of the Archbishops of Salzburg, famous for its trick fountains. Hellbrunn was only meant for use as a day residence in summer, as the Archbishop usually returned to Salzburg in the evening; therefore, there is no bedroom in Hellbrunn.The old town has many shops selling Mozartkugel (Mozart Balls), most famous Austrian chocolate candy. My colleagues and travel buddies for the Austrian trip.Enjoying Stiegl Beer, from a local Salzburg based brewery founded in 1492. Enjoying wheat beer at Die Weisse, a Salzburg based, Austria’s oldest wheat beer brewery, in operation since 1901. Took a bottle of this Stroh 80 (ABV), (160 proof), Austrian Spiced Rum from the Airport Duty Free shop.
After visiting Salzburg, We drove back to Heidelberg, Germany for work.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 