At the entrance of the Giant Ice Cave (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
After our wedding, my husband Yash and I were busy navigating a long-distance marriage, spending the work week apart—Yash in Bengaluru, while I was in Mumbai—culminating in a cherished weekend together at our home in Mumbai. As newlyweds, the strain of weekend-only encounters eventually began to take its toll. So, as we approached our six-month anniversary, we decided to restore our spirits with a romantic retreat to Austria.
A Lesson In History, Music And More At Salzburg
We landed in Munich, Germany, and took a scenic train ride to Salzburg, where, as Julie Andrews famously sang, the hills truly come alive. In this enchanting city, the melodies of The Sound of Music and the timeless compositions of the Austrian maestro Mozart still linger in the air. After checking into the Sheraton Grand Salzburg, we spent our first evening indoors, savouring the distant chime of church bells and soaking in the rustic Alpine charm.
One of the best ways to explore Salzburg is through The Sound of Music movie tour, where we travelled from one iconic filming location to another in a coach. A television played the corresponding scenes, and we happily Do-Re-Mi-Fa-ed our way to Wolfgangsee, the spectacular backdrop of the film’s opening scenes. We then journeyed on to Church Mondsee, where Maria and the Baron got married. Passing by the Nonnberg Abbey, we stopped at Schloss Leopoldskron, the lakeside façade of which served as the Von Trapp family home. We serenaded our way to the gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace, where Maria and the Baron shared their first kiss, ending our tour with a stroll through the iconic Mirabell Gardens.
From Left: The Sound Of Music Tour; The Belvedere Palace (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
The following day, we immersed ourselves in the heart of Salzburg’s old town, tuning into Mozart’s symphonies. We began with a leisurely breakfast at Café Tomaselli, a centuries-old family-run establishment frequented by Mozart himself when it was called Café Staiger. Two Melange (similar to a cappuccino) coffees, a walnut croissant and an apple strudel later, we walked towards the birthplace of Mozart.
The Hagenauer Haus, now known as the Mozart Geburtshaus, was once owned by Mozart’s father and offers insights into his early life and family lineage. We saw personal artifacts, including original letters Mozart wrote to his parents, and took a moment to listen to his compositions through an old telephone. As Mozart’s Requiem reverberated in our ears, Yash and I boarded a cruise on the Salzach River, passing sketch artists immortalising the city’s heritage on canvas. Unwilling to leave the old town, we instead enjoyed a rooftop dinner at Eleven-Eleven, an authentic Syrian restaurant.
Of Storybook Alpine Villages
From Left: Dachstein Glacier; Vienna State Opera (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
Firing up the engine of our rented car, we started a new day in Austria, setting off to the Dachstein Glacier to visit the giant ice cave. After a 1.5-hour drive, we ascended to Schönbergalm by cable car and hiked to the cave’s entrance. Before we knew it, we were transported to a mini Narnia, mesmerised by the colossal ice formations.
A memorable highlight of our trip was exploring the car-free town of Hallstatt, perched between the mountains and a fjord-like lake with quaint wooden houses. With an Almdudler (an Alpine herbal lemonade) in hand, we meandered through the town, making a mandatory stop for the gram at the market square, which seemed straight out of a storybook. Resting our weary feet, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the tranquil lake.
From Left: Hallstatt; Innsbruck (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
As we explored the peripheries of Salzburg, we uncovered the origin of its name derived from—Salz or salt—a nod to the region’s historic salt mines. We rode a thrilling funicular that raced up the mountain to the Hallstatt Salt Mines, considered one of the world’s oldest salt mines. As we journeyed through the mine with our guide, we uncovered its geological secrets and explored the millennia-old living quarters, concluding our adventure with a delightful mine train ride.
A City Of Old-World Allure
“Happy six months, my love!” I beamed at Yash as we drove through the majestic Austrian Alps. Our first stop was Swarovski Kristallwelten, ensconced in the valleys of Tyrol. We immersed ourselves in exhibits, from the glass slipper in Disney’s Cinderella (2015), a winter wonderland created by crystal dust, to magical outdoor sculptures. To commemorate our six-month anniversary, it seemed only fitting to purchase some Swarovski jewellery. We then drove into Innsbruck to admire colourful Baroque houses along the River Inn. After enjoying some Mexican grub at Machette – The Burrito Kartell, we headed to Cafe 360, a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the city, where we marked the moment with some splendid Prosecco.
From Left: Syrian food in Salzburg; Cinderella’s glass slipper at Swarovski world (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
As our trip drew to a close, we boarded a train to Vienna, leaving the Alpine scenery behind, and catching our first glimpse of the city’s old-world allure. Our first stop for the evening was Café Sacher, home of the original Sacher Torte and the perfect spot to enjoy some kaffee and kuchen (coffee and cake). Intellectuals and revolutionaries have been gathering at Viennese coffee houses for centuries—flipping through newspapers and engaging in friendly debates. Fuelled by rich Viennese coffee and people-watching, we then headed to the Vienna State Opera, making for a captivating finale to our evening.
On our final day, we explored the Upper and Lower Belvedere Palace, admiring the centuries-old Baroque architecture and sweeping views of manicured gardens—heavily inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France. Inside, we wandered through galleries showcasing medieval art and the world’s largest collection of masterpieces by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Colourful Baroque houses (Photo Credit: Henna Shah)
The Naschmarkt, a lively outdoor market in the city centre, was the perfect end to our romantic rendezvous, where we relished falafels at Dr. Falafel, picked up some fragrant Iranian rose buds and headed to the airport. As we flew back home, aerial views of the Danube River bid us farewell. In that fleeting moment, the distance between Yash and I melted away, mending the rifts of the past few months; replaced by the promise of a fresh beginning.
Related: A Journey Through Lisbon And Vienna’s Architectural Gems
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Henna Shah