SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Our hotel in Salzburg was delightful - very European. We had rooms across the hall from each other & enjoyed a restful sleep after an afternoon of touring and dining! In the morning, we feasted on homemade rolls & jellies, various sliced meats, yogurt, and fresh hot coffee & hot chocolate. We packed, loaded the car, & started out for a day of shopping, gardens, castles, and beautiful scenery! Our first stop was Miramar Castle in central Salzburg. This fabulous building boasts wonderful statuary, fountains, and gardens on its grounds.

One of the upper gardens was devoted entirely to these whimsical statues. I loved them all. Don't you think the last one looks a lot like Jay Leno???

My son, Jedd, and his wife, Heidi, were my tour guides in Salzburg. It is one of their favorite cities in Europe!

THE FORTRESS

From the time you approach the city, the skyline is dominated by this Salzburg structure, a looming white stone fortress high up on a mountain overlooking the area. It was built in many stages for the protection of the whole area surrounding it & inhabited by archbishops who governed the people. It was never forcibly taken by invaders. The first shot shows the well-lit castle at night at the very top of the picture above the city. The rest are from various spots in Salzburg.

To reach this monstrous fortified village, you must take a inclne rail car to the top. There are two cars that are precisely timed to pass each other in the split in the middle of the tracks.

In the castle are many mounted canons. It's no wonder the fortress was never overtaken!

A stack of canonballs dominated one of the courtyards.




It is amazing how many passages, rooms, doors, & windows there are in this structure! Frequently, there are concerts & other performances within the castle walls. A marionette museum and performance hall are housed here, also.






Directly below is St. Peters Cathedral. Here you can see catacombs chiseled out of the mountain above the church.




Many graves line the inner courtyard of the Cathedral. The plots are tiny, & I learned that the inhabitants were buried standing up to save space!


Tomorrow, we travel to Venice & Murano. Wednesday is my flight back to Pennsylvania. I will make the last installment of pictures & journaling when I return.

TRIESTE, ITALY

Trieste is the most northerly harbour of Italy. Today the port is still the basis for the town's economy and it’s one of the largest in Italy.

The famous Miramare Castle of Trieste originated in the 14th century.

The view from the castle walls to the sea was

was thrilling!

For those interested in archeology the Roman theatre is the most impressive site.

My grandson, Colton, was equally impressed with the sights!

Some Things You Don't See Everyday!

The automobile enthusiasts out there might appreciate seeing some European-style cars. These are not the most common vehicles around here, but there are quite a few like them. I saw a mini-pickup truck the other day with two wheels in the back & just one in the front!





People often put curtains on the outsides of their doors & windows. These, however, were more unusual than most ~ they look like ropes of fur. I saw the same type in several windows and doorways in San Quirino.



In the entrances to many of the homes are paintings or other types of art. Notice the addition of the wine bottles in the first one & the bicycle parts in the second arranged to form a face :-)



Tomorrow night we go out for dinner; then, on Saturday, we plan to go to Venice & Mirano. I saw Venice two years ago & can't wait to go back. The Bridge of Sighs has a wonderful story, and the Gondoliers are very friendly (if you know what I mean). The chance of getting pinched is much greater in Venice!

Market Day

Jedd & Baby Jack

The Dolomite Mountains

Market Day in Aviano

Tuesday Day was Market Day in Aviano & San Quirino - and what a wonderful day it was! Jackets were hardly needed on this balmy 50+ degree sun-shiny day. I actually got a sunburn!

The smell of fresh fish, meats & cheeses filled the air as we walked through the busy outdoor marketplaces in each town. Vince,Trudy,& I walked from Heidi & Jedd's apartment to downtown San Quirino where villagers loaded their bags & bicycle baskets with fresh flowers, fruits & vegetables & plants, baked goods, fresh meats & cheeses,and spices. Leather Italian-made bags, clothing, toys, various pets & supplies, shoes & boots, were also available.

After we met Jedd, Heidi, Colton & Baby Jack, we all stopped for an espresso or cappiccino on the deck of a local restaurant.

While we were there, Colton, Vince, & I enjoyed some "playtime" around a small fountain outside the restaurant!

We then headed for Aviano to another, bigger outdoor market, then enjoyed some (real, honest-to-goodness) Sicilian pizza. Incredibly delicious!

Some of my favorite scenes are the quaint narrow streets in the small villages that seem to be unchanged for centuries except for the occasional road sign or traffic light. On the road, there is hardly enough space for two cars to pass, and the sidewalks only are wide enough for one person to walk at a time. I hope to design a quilt showing one of these avenues :-)

Many older homes have a wall right along the street with a gated driveway. Inside, they have a yard and often flower & vegetable gardens within. These homes are traditionally passed on from one generation to another. It is rare to see a real estate sign!

As soon as it is warm enough, most residents traditionally line their windowsills with blooming plants which adds to the romance and captivating atmosphere here.

You definitely get caught up in the "flavor" of Italy!

Most villages have a well-kept shrine located in a central area. Fresh flowers and incense are put there daily. Lovely! There are some older properties that have not been renovated in a long time. Notice the glass-enclosed shrine attached to the upper wall of this older residence.

We hope to visit Mirano, near Venice, in the next couple of days. Mirano is known for its beautiful glass. Also, Salzberg is on our list for next week! Join me in a day or two for more highlights :-)