Salzburg

Famous for its baroque architecture, Salzburg is one of the largest cities in Austria, and is located on the northern boundary of the Alps, by the banks of the Salzach River. It has mountains to the south, and rolling green plains to the north. It is also the birthplace of the musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Aldstadt, or Old Town, is where the best of the city can be observed, with narrow winding cobblestone lanes in between magnificent mansions and other baroque edifices. This is also the city where the famous movie, The Sound of Music, was shot. The Hohensalzburg Fortress looms over the city atop a mountain, and climbing its walls is a truly delightful experience, rewarding you with a view of the city with the river winding through and the Alps beyond. Other places to see include: Schloss Hellbrunn, an erstwhile summer palace with lots of fountains and pretty gardens; Steintheater (Stone Theatre), where the first opera in Middle Europe was conducted; Mozart's birth house, which is now a popular museum devoted to Mozart and his family; and Schloss Mirabell, a beautiful castle. Also visit the Salzburg Zoo, and one of the many museums, such as the Toy Museum, Museum of Natural History, and the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art.