A Day in Salzburg: Old Town, Nockrel & All That Do-Re-Mi

November 12, 2018Austria

Although it was filmed in 1965, when you walk through Salzburg’s Old Town it’s as if The Sound of Music has just been released. There are Sound of Music tours, Sound of Music landmarks, even Sound of Music “myths debunked.” The city has a familiar feel, too, as if you’ve been there before, even though … Read More

Dürnstein & Melk: Dreamy Danube River Towns

November 5, 2018Austria

They’re perched along the Danube River like bookends of the Wachau Valley. The powder blue church tower of Dürnstein peeks out at the beginning of this stretch of the Danube, just beyond the town of Krems, official start of the 24-mile Wachau Valley. At the other end sits the apricot-colored abbey of Melk, majestically marking … Read More

Cruising the Danube: On Low Waters, Changing Plans & The Wachau Valley

November 1, 2018Austria

“Sometimes there’s just no way to hold back the river.” ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist For the past several months, our conversations would inevitably turn to the Danube River. Specifically, we were slightly obsessed with the Danube’s water levels and how they could impact our upcoming cruise. We monitored water level reports the way people planning … Read More

Vienna Day 3: Kunsthistorisches Museum & Schönbrunn Palace

October 29, 2018Austria

I’m not sure what I loved most about Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. The art itself ­– paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer – the museum’s lavishly beautiful architecture or the way the art was displayed. As we walked from room to room, I kept thinking that this was what an art museum should look like. Colorful, impeccable … Read More

Vienna Day 1: City Center Sights, Café Central & A Lovely Walk

October 21, 2018Austria

“Slow down, you crazy child And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while. It’s all right, you can afford to lose a day or two. When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?” ~Billy Joel, Vienna Vienna is a city that doesn’t seem to be in much of a hurry. Pedestrians patiently … Read More