Salzburg

Yep, were in Austria!
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As Alla told us before we arrived, Salzburg is a gem.  The city is rather small, and is tucked up against two large hills jutting out from what is otherwise a valley against the backdrop of the Alps.  One of the hills is home to a castle and fortress.  The views from up there, and especially from the castle tower, are pretty unbeatable.  The hill also houses a large and beautiful area with walking paths, a museum, a restaurant, and some houses that must belong to some pretty wealthy folks.  The old town is just under the castle, and is ridiculously charming to wander through (though, truth be told, unbearably packed with tourists).  Tole and I also took a cool, wandering hike up and around the "other" little mountain in Salzburg, which afforded tranquility, lots of trees, and more gorgeous views.

Tole and Alla near the Mozart statue.
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Additionally, our visit coincided with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart, so the town was on fire about that since he spent many of his formative years in Salzburg.  Unfortunately, however, this fervor must be blamed for our decision to visit the Mozart Museum (Lonely Planet bears some blame for this, too).  The Mozart Museum is, and I mean no respect to the great man himself, the most boring museum on the planet.  Probably even a museum about a ball of twine in Kansas would be more interesting due to the potential kitsch value.  The Mozart Museum has no more to recommend itself than a few MODELS of instruments that Mozart had in his apartments when living in Salzburg.  Okay, the real instruments would be nominally interesting, but models of them?  I´m sorry, but it was terribly boring.  Beautiful city, though.  And Stiegel beer, made in Salzburg, is one of the yummiest lagers ever!

the most boring museum on the planet