In Salzburg, you are forever surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and cloud-topped peaks. The green fields and crops give way to these magnificent monsters that cover the horizon. They simply take your breath away, as the storms roll over them and the sun shines on the peaks in cloud-shadowy patterns. From your grounded viewpoint, you feel like an ant.
But what about going to the top of one of these gorgeous peaks?
I didn't realize it was possible until I headed out from downtown Salzburg to Untersberg on a regional bus (included in my Salzburg Card), watching the small city fall away behind me and heading out into the fields and towards the peaks. A gondola ride was waiting, and watching the metal box hang from a cable and travel up alongside the mountain was enough to make me catch my breath. Even though I am not a huge fan of heights, I decided to succumb to positive peer-pressure from my family and make the steep journey up the mountain (although the gondola ride was a lot easier than a hike, which many people do). The gondola swung slightly and at times looked as though it was going to run straight into the rocky-face of the mountain, but then it would life up up and away and we would continue climbing higher and higher through the clouds. Salzburg spread off in the distance, this great city full of history now laid out like a map at our feet. And then we reached it: the summit.
Man, was it worth it! We stood up at the top and looked out over the city and the river that we had been exploring for the past few days. The wind whipped past us, and I was glad that I had brought a jacket, although a hat and gloves would have been welcome. My nose and ears chilled, but I just bundled up tighter. To be able to go up into the mountains was such a relief after sight-seeing and spending time in museums and palaces for several days. The air was breath-taking, in more ways than one, and it was a memory I will cherish forever.
The gondola ride was included in the Salzburg Card (great deal!) and ran every 30 minutes.
This was one of the highlights of my family trip to Salzburg, and when people ask us about traveling through Austria, this is one of the moments we often recount. Even though it might seem scary at first, you will not regret it! It is really amazing to be able to take in the natural beauty all around you from such a wonderful vantage point as this one at Untersberg.
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