Want to know what really gets me going in the morning? Fresh air. “Oh, come on Elena”, you may say, “tell us something new this time!” Right. But fresh air is made even more special when taking a modern cable car less than 15 minutes drive from the city centre of Salzburg up a local mountain …
I am talking about Salzburg’s famous “hill”, the massive Untersberg mountain at almost 2.000 metres above sea level. Just next to the city, views of Salzburg from high up there are just spectacular.
I am truly amazed – even if my ears crackle during the fast ride up the mountain. “Can you see this hiking trail?”, Maria Reitinger points out in the distance, Maria who has come to join my travel blogger friends and me on this early morning trip. “From there upwards, you can only climb the mountain … It takes less hassle, and time, to take the cable car”, she muses. No mountain goats this morning, but the panoramic views are an incredible reward for getting up early indeed. Plus, of course, the fresh air. Check out why a ride up the Untersberg mountain is definitely not to be missed (your ticket is included in the Salzburg-Card, by the way!).
Taking the modern cable car up the Untersberg mountain near the city of Salzburg …
… rewards us with spectacular views such as these …
… and has us go straight for the mountain top …
… where according to Austrian tradition, a warm welcoming hut is waiting for us!
Magic moments up here in the fresh mountain air …
… inspiring me for one or the other Selfie, featuring my recent book publication “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”! More about it in my next blog post here.
Gasthof Schorn restaurant is your answer for regional, seasonal cuisine boasting fresh water right off the Untersberg mountain next to the cable car in Grödig.
Now, Salzburg as we know it, is a city very well known for its delicious cuisine. Take our recent discovery of a truly tasty “beer & food pairing menu” at the Trumerei restaurant for instance. The StieglKeller right inside the old town, complete with apple strudel baking classes. A selection of tasty dumplings at the Weiserhof restaurant run by Roland Essl, the Kaiserschmarrn cooking class organized by top chef Richard Brunnauer, the tasty food tour delights right around the old town of Salzburg …
But the countryside around Salzburg is nothing less tasty either. I shall never forget our visit to Austria’s one and only caviar producer & fish delicatessen bistro shop Grüll, including a selection of some of the best fish I have ever eaten in my whole life. Or Gasthof Schorn, whose quality in food is only matched by the welcoming nature of its owners. Cheers with table water straight off the mountain!
The Ziegler family has us welcome: Fresh air leaves you hungry (and thirsty)!
Right next to the traditional restaurant Gasthof Schorn …
… we also find a “pumpkin paradise”, as the seasonal nature of this food exhibition shows.
Quite spontaneously, Martina decides to organize cute little “Venusbrüstchen” chocolate balls for an afternoon tasting …
… and I wonder why in German they are referred to as “Venus’ breasts”? 🙂
Now let me point out to you some of the more hidden spots for a visit of the countryside around Salzburg: How about learning more about nature’s herbal treasure chest?
“Well”, Renate smiles, almost shy, then her face lights up, “I have always enjoyed doing these herbal tours for visitors. Take this one here for instance …” and off she goes, leading us across a park and straight back to her home and garden, right by the foothills of the Untersberg mountain. Renate Prosser is local town Grödig’s “herbal lady” and very knowledgeable about which plants to harvest for preparing a small herbal snack. She does so by welcoming us to her home, creatively cooking up recently harvested herbs and leaves for spicy pancakes and a zucchini cake. As a guest in her home, we are invited to cook with her, using my opportunity to tell her more about “Lydia, the herbal lady” from Kleinwalsertal. Renate is keen to know more, just like us she loves being connected to other nature lovers. For more information about her herbal tours and a visit of her home right by the Untersberg mountain, please contact the local tourist board at info@groedig.net.
The beginning of autumn is a wonderful time of year …
… for starting to look for fresh, seasonal herbs alive with the strength of summer..
… passing beautiful, historic mansions …
… all the way to Renate’s private little garden at the foothill of the mighty Untersberg mountain.
Here, Renate can be found processing our recently collected herbs in her kitchen …
… inviting us to become active in their use for creative cuisine ourselves!
Creative travel as I love it : Feeling home with Renate Prosser in Salzburg.
To this day, I keep dreaming about this juicy and very tasty zucchini cake: THANK YOU, dear Renate, for taking us into your home as if completely natural! We really felt like family for the day!
Between Grödig & the old town of Salzburg, you will find Hellbrunn Palace. It is known for its sweet little Christmas markets, but also its countless little water fountains – more than 400 years already.
I have only visited Hellbrunn Palace as part of a Christmas market visit once. However, I now realize that I did miss a good deal of its major attraction: Hundreds of little water fountains that is! They were installed many hundred years ago by the former city duke and archbishop Marcus Sitticus, who enjoyed them as an impressive display of wealth to entertain his guests. They, of course, did not know that little fountains even sprouted from the dining table, creating many a liquid surprise. Hellbrunn Palace – truly worth your while, not only during hot summer days. Check this out.
At the moment, the air is still calm upon the historical gardens and palaces in Hellbrunn …
… but somebody has clearly pushed a button: Let the water show begin ..!
I am stunned at the creativity and ingenuity of the former building masters …
… as we take a real look “behind the scenes” at Hellbrunn Palace …
… understanding once and for all, why water is such a dominating element here!
Our ladies for the day: Dream-Team Martina & Maria in Grödig & Hellbrunn Palace!
Fancy some more? My last blog post guides you back into the city of Salzburg, including a visit to the (beer) Bottle Shop, a food pairing menu at the Trumerei beer restaurant as well as some delicious apple strudel baking classes at the StieglKeller restaurant in the old town … enjoy!
Disclaimer: We have been invited “behind the scenes” of Salzburg by the city of Salzburg. All opinions are my own.