Salzburg: Secret Beer & Magnificent Cultural Capital of Austria

Salzburg, a “world stage“. So many threads run together here weaving a fabric of international atmosphere, magnificent small city and historical beer tradition. The world-famous puppet string theatre welcomes us travel bloggers on this Friday in June: Black Dots White Spots, JustTravelous & Teilzeitreisender, treating us to a short version of Mozart’s Magic Flute that brings back childhood memories. A view behind the scenes is a fascinating insight into this unique theatre, who is just about to “unravel all the strings” for Alice in Wonderland due to start in September this year. We absolutely have to come back. Last but not least in order to come and get our beer. But that’s another story altogether. Read on!

Arriving in Salzburg, we witness a play of The Magic Flute as never experienced before: In the city’s world-famous puppet string theatre!

“Papageno, Papageno!” – It is with an astounding easiness that all characters move across the stage. Amazing to watch, and really very unique.

When looking behind the scenes, part of the magic can be explained whereas the rest still remains.

… also, or especially, visible in the eyes of the children who join us for this afternoon show!

Here at the creative workshop, everybody is busy working all the puppets for Alice in Wonderland due to start in September 2013.

The details of the Salzburg puppets is just mind-blowing, and inside there’s literally hundreds of them from past and future plays. Do make sure you come here one day, and enter the magic!

“Is there a possibility to tell the story of Salzburg without mentioning beer?” – “Possibly there is … but it would be short and dry!”

Oh Martina! “I love beer.” Martina Gyuroka aka “Salzburg Bierguide” welcomes us with these and similar words to a late afternoon, easy beer walk through the historic town centre. With her compelling laughter, she splashes out countless anecdotes showing photographs and historic drawings (of beer mugs, and people) and reiterating the city’s many touch points with beer. Really and truly: No – historical – scandal or drinking phrase that she would not know about, no history that would eventually turn out to have some kind of beer connotation. “Before Christoph Columbus went on to discover the ‘New World’, he first came to Salzburg for a beer. And then got lost on his way to America.” – “Horny Betty is a beer that contains special herbs and spices, after which you best lock yourself in at home and hide away the key.” …

Martina Gyuroka aka “Salzburg Bierguide”. We love her!

Thanks to her, we find nice little beer pubs close to the old town, such as Zwettler Stiftskeller close to Salzburg dome.

Many stories (and street signs) revolve around beer in the famous city of Mozart.

We laugh a lot and talk even more. This tour is just perfect for all those who wish to experience Salzburg from a light-hearted, yet informative beer perspective: You ask, Martina has the answer. It’s a guarantee. At the end, we have dinner at Gasthaus Stieglkeller including one of the best views over the historic inner city of Salzburg. And have a drink, or two, of Stiegl’s “World Traveller” beer. Just for us travel bloggers, we like to think. After all, who else could have given rise to this name?

At Gasthaus Stieglkeller, we enjoy “World Traveller’s” beer: LIKE! 😀

As a match, I just had to order this beautiful Austrian speciality of dumplings filled with meat, fried onions and sauerkraut. Oh beauty!

The view from the Festung Hohensalzburg we enjoy a little later in the evening is just breathtakingly beautiful …

… as is the sunset “caught” by Johannes Zagermann.

The Festung Hohensalzburg at night: During the summer months, evening tours depart after 8.00 p.m. and last for about one and a half hours. It is really exclusive as there are certainly less people then. As a tip, we recommend going up using the Festungsbahn and then walking down the hill towards the city.

Thank you everybody for your visit: It is just sooo much fun to experience Salzburg together with you tweeting, instagramming & blogging friends & colleagues: Anne, Janett, Christian, Susi, Birgit & Johannes (from left to right): You guys rock!

Disclaimer: We have been invited by Tourismus Salzburg to experience the city and its cultural attractions and sights. All opinions are my own.