Salzburg

Salzburg. The hills were alive with the sound of music — and so was my heart.

Everywhere I looked, I could see a joyous Julie Andrews twirling through those fields, arms outstretched, with the snowy peaks of the mountains beautifully framing the scene.

For a moment, it felt like I’d stepped straight into my favourite Christmas movie?!!

The Hohensalzburg Fortress crowned the city, perched high above the baroque domes and church towers. I dragged Oliver all the way up there (natürlich) — icy steps, frozen hands, red noses and all — and yep… it was totally SOOO worth it. The views? Straight out of a snow globe.

Strolling down Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous high street — wrought-iron shop signs hung above cobblestoned lanes, pastel baroque façades lined the streets, and every window looked like a painting. Just stunningly gorgeous!!

And everywhere — Mozart. His face on chocolate wrappers, postcards, and statues; his music drifting from shop doors and street performers’ violins. It’s as if his spirit still wanders these streets — and even when we ducked into cafés to escape the cold for steaming hot chocolates (crowned with clouds of whipped cream — yummmmyyyy!), Mozart was still playing softly in the background.

We devoured our body weight in Sachertorte, and yes, I got wildly carried away buying Mozartkugeln chocolates and Sound of Music souvenirs (obviously) — only to realise I’d paid triple the price for a mug, fridge magnets, and spoons (which we collect as a little tradition for my mum and take back home whenever we visit somewhere new).

A full-on tourist trap slap-on-the-wrist moment — but zero regrets.

Salzburg felt like someone took all the things I love — the German language, snow-capped mountains, classical music, fairytale castles, incredible food, and ridiculously good cake (!!!) — and poured it all into one unforgettable city.