Salzburg, Austria: Taking a Tour Through a Controversial Past

 

   

   In the above photo, you are looking at what is called "The Eagle's Nest". It is also known as "Hitler's Mountain Retreat". As the Right-Wing extremist rose to power, he had his men build him this beautiful, and luxurious retreat. It is said that he fell in love with the scenery and location. It is also where he and his mistress spent most of their time. The Eagle's Nest lies 1834 meters above sea level (or 6017 feet). You can hike it, but I strongly recommend booking a tour and getting the bus. Through a long tunnel, and up a gold plated elevator you go, to reach the famous, yet infamous retreat. This building that Adolf Hitler was so fond of is situated right on the border of Salzburg, Austria and Bavaria, Germany. You can book a tour on Viator.com for about 25 Euros I believe. It is a very educational, yet entertaining adventure. The tour guides have a great sense of humour and are very knowledgeable about the areas they are taking you to. The photo that you see above was taken from the very top of the mountain. They give you about 45 minutes to an hour to explore the entire area and "nest" inside and out. Inside, you will see original photographs of meetings held in the conference rooms, articles about The Nest, and original newspapers updating the public on the ongoing conflict, we now know as World War 2. Take a step inside of this contentious structure, visit the restaurant that now resides there, and take a peek in the gift shop. When you make your way through Bavaria again, you will stop and have time to do some shopping before the tour concludes.

   

That long, dark tunnel I was telling you about

Well I guess I can let him conquer the mountains with me.

You will find this relic inside one of the shops in Bavaria when you stop

Me, conquering the Bavarian Alps. 

Next, I take you to experience the Theatre of Marionette. We ended up seeing this Marionette play by accident. Let me tell you, it was one hell of a happy accident. The play we saw was "The Sound of Music". Growing up, I enjoyed the movie for the music and the storyline. I understood that there was impending conflict but didn't really grasp the weight of the storyline, and the impact of it....until now. Now I realize just how heavy the storyline was, but still managed to keep it light hearted, with Frauline Maria being so musical, and even capturing the heart of Captain Von Trapp. 

   The Captain and Maria lived peacefully in Austria until he was called upon by the Germans to serve in the war as a German. However, Captain Von Trapp was very set in not sacrificing his identity as an Austrian. He and Maria escape to Switzerland with their seven children to avoid serving in the German Army. I believe I gained a much better understanding of the movie through this play, than through the movie itself.

   For obvious reasons, we were not permitted to take photos during the play, so at the end, Mark and I got some of the theatre room. 

   Mark and I also had the pleasure of visiting the Mirabell Gardens and Mirabell Palace. While this historical building now houses Government Officials, the location gardens were also used to shoot the scene in "Sound of Music" where the children sing "Do Re Mi". I mentioned to Mark how neat it would be to plan a wedding here, but he promptly changed the subject. I still can't figure out why ;) 

   

A building right across the street from Mirabell Gardens

 
   I truly hope that you get the chance to step into the history of Salzburg, Austria like we did. It was an eye-opening endeavour that is definitely on our "to do again" list. 

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Edinburgh, Scotland: Home to Arthur's Seat and The Crown Jewels

   This popular tourist destination is known for its appeal in the travel world. It is a spot that (more than anywhere else in Scotland), people flock to in hopes of experiencing the smells, tastes, sights, and sounds of life in Scotland. Instead of taking the train to Edinburgh, we rented a car with Budget. They are great if you want to spend 600 pounds (1000$ CAD) on insurance for just a few days. We opted out of that option at our own risk as that was far too steep. Driving through the highlands was a stunning venture, as the hilly greens are so lush because of all the rain Scotland endures. Beautiful rich colours, from the blue sky, the green grass, and the colours of the homes we passed stood out from all else. It was like nothing we had ever seen.

   When we arrived in Edinburgh, we stayed at a Bed 'n' Breakfast called the "Blink Bonnie Bed 'n' Breakfast" on Grimsby Road. A very quaint and peaceful spot with lots of character is what you will find here. The Blink Bonnie holds a communal dining room and bathroom, as well as a wonderful sense of community as you eat the delicious breakfast that is served. The best thing you can do while travelling is getting to know the locals, and different folks from all over the world that are visiting the same places as you. You will already have established a common interest. Mom and I met lots of Brits, Americans, someone from Czech Republic, and someone from Germany, as well as a Canadian who had been living in Scotland for 2 years! Anyway, I digress. The eggs served at the Blink Bonnie along with beans, bacon, and various hot beverages are delicious and exceed ones expectations.

   The above photo was taken off the internet as I apparently didn't take one myself. I just wanted to show you the place we stayed, as well as what you're looking for if you decide to book a night or two here. The top floor window that you see is where Mom and I stayed during our adventure in Edinburgh. The way the housing is constructed is very antique and makes a person feel welcome. When you make your way down to the dining room, you will notice artefacts and souvenirs from all over the world. Sam, who was our host was so friendly and warm. Guests have given him many gifts and memorabilia over the years to thank him for being such a wonderful host. Mom gave him something from Nova Scotia to add to his abundant collection. 

   After a night of rest, we were up at the crack of dawn to make the most of our time in Edinburgh, Scotland. We made a plan to walk down to the city centre so we could catch all the sights, and take our time to soak it all up. It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm day to boot! So we packed a small bag with water, an extra sweater, some snacks, and hit the road. Our first stop we made was at a modern art gallery called "Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art". 

   

We arrived about 10 minutes before opening, but there were 2 lovely people waiting outside that advised of the beautiful park hidden behind the building. So we went exploring the other side of this grand museum and were not disappointed. Statues and carvings being just a glimpse of what we were to see are what we would find on this mini excursion. Beyond the statues lies a path leading to a wooden stairway, that would take us to a river, waterfall, and more green forestry and landscape. The first photo in this article was taken in this very location. 

                                             

                                             

As well, there are lots of beautiful exhibits and displays inside that demonstrate modern art.

   After we got our fill of breathtaking and unique art exhibits, we continued on down the road, following closely to the GPS to ensure we would end up at the city centre of Edinburgh, and not somewhere like...say, Beijing, China because I suck with directions. The stop we made next holds part of the reason we came to Scotland; to see thousand year old stone structured cathedrals that would blow your mind to think about how they were built, and maintained for all these years. Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral. And she is beyond question, magnificent. This structure is by donation only, so leave a couple of pounds in the donation box, as donations keep the cathedral maintained. 

Original Order of Execution of King Charles

Finally entering the City Centre of Edinburgh, we made a few small stops to take some photos and appreciate the scenery, but made a beeline for The Royal Mile where you will definitely not be the only adoring and awe-struck tourist, I can assure you. However, this is an excellent place to pick up souvenirs from the gift shop, grab a bite to eat at one of the many pubs and restaurants, and even take a tour of none other than Edinburgh Castle. The Holy Rood is also an option but it was sold out by the time we got there. The Holy Rood is where the Queen stays when she is in Edinburgh. 

                                         I don't know who this guy is, but he's famous now :)

To get around the entire castle is easily a day trip. We were in the royal mile until dusk. Inside Edinburgh Castle, we got to see The Crown Jewels, though we weren't allowed to take pictures inside that room for a multitude of reasons. While exploring the castle, be sure to visit the cafe restaurant they have integrated called "Red Coat Cafe". Being the original Crown Jewels, they consist of the original sceptre, The Crown, and the original sword the king would have carried with him. Personally, my favourite part of the castle was getting to sit in the original seats of the king and queen in the mess hall. "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" Is probably my favourite thing to say since then. 
   After you have had ample time exploring the ins and outs of Edinburgh Castle, I encourage you to walk The Royal Mile. There is a souvenir shop where it looks small but there's an entire tartan factory down below. This is the perfect time for you to pick up something with Scottish origin that you can wear back home.

The attire I bought below this souvenir shop

It reminds me of Santa's toy shop. You can see the stuff being made and sometimes you can even cut a deal with the clerk. 

So continuing down The Royal Mile, we had the amazing experience of seeing street performers. There were wizards and witches, people with food drives, and a guy with a pet owl. He said he has had "Sophia" since she was 6 weeks old. Sophia had imprinted on him. For 4 pounds, I could hold her. He had one of those special gloves because her talons are like razors. 

I was crying. This was such a dream come true, as I have always been fascinated by birds (Especially owls and birds of prey) since I was a little girl. I even got to kiss her on the cheek. I asked the gentlemen if Sophia gets overwhelmed with the crowds, and he explained that when she gets overwhelmed, she lets him know. There are so many of my dreams that have come true in Scotland. This was easily one of them. 

   After this, we were quite hungry so we made our way into a pub restaurant called the "Tolbooth". This is when I came to find out how much of a bad ass my mom is. We both got a whiskey and sat down. Our phones were nearly dead. The kitchen didn't open for another half hour or so. The waitress kindly explained that we were not permitted to just sit to wait for our phones. So we went to leave, and without a second thought, Mom shot back her whiskey without so much as a wince. WAY TO GO MOM! 

   Anyway, I love telling that story. We made our way down to the other end of The Royal Mile, and were hoping to get a chance to explore The Holy Rood but it was all sold out. We took a couple of photos of the outside of the Palace and trekked on towards Arthur's Seat. Arthur's Seat is a giant hill you can climb all the way up to the peak of the mountains in Edinburgh. It's one heck of a climb though! 

The view from near the top of Arthur's Seat

   After we climbed the steep, and gruelling Arthur's Seat, we had reservations for a ghost tour that takes place in and around The Royal Mile. If I had to choose just one thing to do in Edinburgh, Scotland, it would be to go on a Ghost Tour with a guide from France. His accent alone made it 100 times more dramatic. Towards the end of the ghost tour, we were offered a glass of whiskey or orange juice that was included in the ticket price. Beheadings, botched executions, hauntings, voices, dimly lit rooms, fading natural light, and dark stone underground tunnels is what you're in for on these tours. 

 

   By the end of this exciting and eventful day, we were absolutely exhausted. We decided to get transit back to Blink Bonny. What a wonderful day it was. Upon return to our Bed and Breakfast, we were hungry and tired, so we ordered some pizza and cracked open a bottle of wine. Being such an insanely busy city, Edinburgh will make you want that drink at the end of the day. With endless things to do, and see, Edinburgh is an exhilarating place to visit. Scotland overall is a very welcoming and warm place. In conclusion to this post, Edinburgh, Scotland will leave you mesmerised and in disbelief that culture, architecture, and food that good actually still exists. I can't wait to return! :)

AnneMarie - Global Travel Writer

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Zurich, Switzerland: The Money Capital of the World

                   

As you likely gathered from the title, this post is going to be very much about cost efficiency, prices, and how to visit Zurich without going broke. Zurich, Switzerland is an expensive place to visit, but there are ways around that to ensure you have a great time, but also make your cash go far. If you look beyond the 40 Franc burgers, the 1300 Franc designer jackets, and the 50+ Franc souvenirs, you will undoubtedly find the best sales, and excellent low cost accommodations and food. 
   First off, when you book your hotel/hostel/room, make sure it has at least a mini-fridge or kitchenette. Even if you have just a mini-fridge, you're set. The city of Zurich is full of Co-ops and Migro stores, where the locals buy their groceries. My suggestion to you, would be to buy "staples" that are easy to throw together. The "staples" may include bread, sandwich meats, mayo (curry mayo for lots of flavour), plastic utensils, fresh fruit, peanuts, yogurts, and juice packs or bottled water. Those things are excellent for a quick sit-down meal and packed lunches for day trips. Of course, I do recommend visiting a restaurant and cafe because there's no need to be totally stingy for the entire time. You want to enjoy yourself. Just a note, that the hotel rooms can get very warm, quickly. Because of this, make sure you stay hydrated.
 

The largest grocery chain in Switzerland.
This photo was taken from Google.

The hotel we stayed at in Zurich is called the "Swiss Starr Marc", about a 25 minute walk from downtown. (Oh and I took the above photo from Google because I had a super crappy phone at the time and it kept dying so I left most of the picture taking to my Significant other, Mark). The Swiss Starr was 250 Swiss Francs for 3 nights which isn't too bad. Accommodations in Zurich weren't very expensive. It's the food and shopping that will drive up your credit card bill (if you're using credit). Right outside of the hotel, was the bus/tram station, a chocolate shop, and more restaurants and grocery chains than we could count. When Mark and I went to Migros to fill our mini-fridge, we spent about 27 Francs for a whole basket full of fridge staples. Deli meats, pears, cucumber, bread, plastic utensils, yogurts, bottled water, peanuts, curry mayo, napkins, and a few other things like granola bars and cheese slices. 

Once you have done your grocery shopping, it is time to have some fun! Pack a lunch, and get ready for a day trip that will consist of shopping and sight-seeing. You can also go to Zoo Zurich but we will go over that later, as that is at least a half-day trip.

   If you're not in a hurry, and you're not any more than a 45 minute walk from downtown, I suggest walking to the city centre. This way, you can stop into all the boutiques, consignment shops, and thrift stores that line the sidewalks along the way. There are plenty of cafes around all parts of town so you can stop in to get a latte or your morning coffee. If you are taking the tram, there are ticket machines to pay at and get your stub. Make sure you select the correct destination so it can charge you accordingly. The public transit charges you based on what zone you are travelling to. Public transit in Zurich is incredibly accessible and easy to get the hang of. However, if you have any questions, it would be a good idea to stop in at a tram station and ask the clerk. She can print you your tickets, provide you with maps, and answer any inquiries you may have. At first though, the "zoning" can be a little confusing. 

   Okay, so you've figured out transit and are now safely downtown. You look around and you're surrounded with over-the-top expensive designer stores, and fancy restaurants. You're ready to shop and have your Swiss Francs burning a hole in your pocket. From my experience, lots of boutiques and clothing stores will have huge sales, and will usually move some of their selection outside. This is a good sign that you will see at least 30%-50% off. Don't be afraid to wander inside to see what else you can find as well. 

   Just a tip, if you're looking for inexpensive or knock-off designer, you won't find it in Zurich, Switzerland. The designer here is all authentic, and is priced as such. I found a beautiful pullover sweater for 20 Francs from the sale in the above photo. Regularly, it was about 50 Francs. The store in the photo is called "Krause Outlet". I highly recommend this place for its awesome sales and neat finds. 
   When going sightseeing, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some places in Zurich, such as churches and temples don't like you take photos inside. An example of this is this church that Mark and I went to visit:

  The only reason we have a picture of the inside, is because we didn't notice the signage and were promptly advised to cease photography. 
   My favourite sights to see were the little villages in the heart of downtown with the cobblestone roads and walkways. I recommend stopping to really appreciate the authenticity of city and structures that have been there for hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years. The city of Zurich has so much character, history, and culture in the spots that haven't been completely industrialised. 

   Zoo Zurich is an incredible venture as well. With a variety of well cared-for animals, a cafe, and a restaurant that serves delicious sausages among other things, this half-day trip will surely be a family favourite. The zoo is absolutely ginormous. You will be lucky to get through the entire place. Take your time though, and truly enjoy it. The best time of year to go is during the autumn months. The animals are more active, and you also won't risk heat stroke from becoming dehydrated too quickly. Get out your camera! Mark got some beautiful photos that you too will have the opportunity to catch. From elephants, to tigers, to fierce lionesses, and red pandas, there are so many beautiful creatures to snap photos of. 

This is a personal favorite
Photo: Mark Livingston

Getting to Zoo Zurich is quite easy. Go to the Tram station and tell the clerk that's where you want to go. It's much cheaper to buy your ticket with transit included, than to buy transit and zoo admission separately. From the station right outside our hotel, to Zoo Zurich and back, it was about 26 Francs each. It's about that much for solely zoo admission. They will give you your tickets, plus a transit schedule for the stops you will be waiting at. 

   So it's your last day in Zurich and you have some Swiss Francs left that you want to spend before moving on to your next extraordinary destination. You're running out of time to buy your favourite people some cool souvenirs from your adventure. FEAR NOT! Instead of looking around for neat shops for hours, just refer to this post so you can make a beeline for the best shops that don't only sell novelty tourist crap. (Though I am a big fan of the key chains and stickers that have the country on them to stick onto my suitcase hehe). PegAsus gift shop is wonderful. It has a capital 'A' because that is how you will see it when you approach. Right in that area, you will find an abundance of gift shops that sell authentic, handmade, locally made items. Beautiful and unique items that will win the hearts of people back home :). Zurich Main train Station has a mall on the basement floor. I recommend checking it out, and grabbing a coffee while you're there!

They love their cows.
Photo found on google as I couldn't find one that I took.

   

I hear that Switzerland is gorgeous in the Winter and near Christmas. The next time I go, I will be sure to go around that time. When you visit, come back to my Facebook page and leave some photos of your visit!

AnneMarie - Global Travel writer

Main Station
It's huge with a shopping mall inside.

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