Eidelweiss

Hi everyone,
We arrived in Vienna Friday morning. After going to the embassy and doing our civic duty like good Australians (haha), we went for a stroll around the city, before going out for a lovely meal. (In Austria we have had some of the best food of our lives.) Yesterday we went to a museum telling the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and toured the apartments where she lived with the Emperor. We have now just returned from a concert at a lovely theatre where we saw the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra playing with the Vienna Boys Choir (!), the men´s choir and some classical singers. The tickets were only 6 euro each (standing room) and we had great views of the stage. The Vienna Boys Choir is awesome.
Tuesday we go on to Munich in Germany. Our itinery for the next 25 or so days is
Munich, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, and Berlin, after which we fly to Tallinn in Estonia to meet J and Bec!

How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria?

This is our third day in Salzburg. Yesterday we went on the long-awaited Sound of Music tour, which was great, and our tour guide was fantastic and very informative. Our hostel also has daily screenings of the movie, which we watched last night (yes even Dave). It is not snowing here and not as cold as Innsbruck, although there is still snow on the ground - not so much in the town though. We have had to give up on the ice caves, as they only open in summer, but are still able to see most things we want to despite the snow. We are thinking of hiring some bikes tomorrow and riding around the town, and then Friday we go on to Vienna.
Till next time...So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, Goodbye!

Climb Every Mountain

Well we have finally hit Austria. We´re in Innsbruck at the moment - a town nestled in the middle of the Alps where the beers are big, the alpine air is crisp and it is snowing!! (Well only lightly.) The train ride here through the Alps was great - everything was absolutely covered in snow. When we arrived here most things - trees, cars - had a light covering of snow.
Yesterday was our main sightseeing day. We visited the Bergisel ski jump first up. You get a lift right up the top for some great views of the town and the mountains. The ski jump is massive as well, and still occasionally used in competition. Next up we went to the Alpine Zoo, which has a large collection of Alpine animals, including eagles, fish, a bear and wolves. We got some great photos, particularly of the wolves, a tiger cub and some reindeer! Next up was the Hofburg palace, which was beautiful and had gorgeous chandeliers in the rooms. Photos were not allowed there.
This evening we are going to what will be the first of many Christmas markets! These are on all across Austria and Germany this time of year. The Innsbruck one, which starts tonight, is held in the streets of the Old Town with the Alps providing a dramatic backdrop.
Next up is Salzberg, we head there Monday.
Love to all. (Brodie, hope you had a great 1st birthday party!)