Central Europe [Part 6]: Hello Salzburg Again!

<< Previous Post: My Second Visit To Hallstatt, Austria <<

After spending 3 days and 2 nights in Hallstatt, my husband and I moved forward to the next city of Austria which is Salzburg. This is my second visit to the birthplace of the world's greatest classical composer, Mozart but it's first time for my husband. You can read my previous post of my first visit to Salzburg back in 2017 here.

GETTING FROM HALLSTATT TO SALZBURG

#1: Scenery train view from Hallstatt to Salzburg 

Because we bought Eurail Global Pass from Klook, therefore we're heavily relied on taking trains from one point to another point. And we used Rail Planner apps to plan the entire of our trip. 

There are no direct train servicess from Hallstatt to Salzburg and some require at least one or two transfers.

The following are the route we took:
1) Hallstatt → Attnang-Puchheim 
2) Attnang-Puchheim → Salzburg Hbf 
(All these train rides are covered under Eurail Global Pass)

#2:

OUR STAY IN SALZBURG

Previously during my maiden visit to Salzburg, I booked and stayed in International Youth Hostel Salzburg but I would love to experience staying in different hostels. Hence for this round, I picked The Key Eco Rooms - sits in between Salzburg Train Station and city centre. 

#3

#4

The Key Eco Rooms  

Date Stayed: 28 October - 30 October 2022 (2 nights) 

Total Room Rate: RM576 for Private Twin Room with Shared Bathroom (Booked from Booking.com) 

Things I Like About This Accommodation:

• Within 10 minutes of walking from Salzburg Central Station, Mirabell Palace and Gardens, etc   
• Communal kitchen where guests are allowed to cook their own meals  
• Even it's shared bathroom and toilet, but it's pretty clean. 

Things I Dislike About This Accommodation:

• Very few toilets to be shared among many rooms and there are few floors without any toilet, especially the floor we're staying. So it's quite inconvenient where we need to purposely walk down the stair just to get to the bathroom and toilet.

THINGS WE DID & SAW IN SAZLBURG

The ideal way to get around Salzburg is on foot because the city is a compact city with most of the main attractions are just within walking distance.

The first place we visited when we arrived in Salzburg is Mirabell Palace & Gardens as the distance from our accommodation to here is less than 10 minutes walk. Mirabell Palace is open to visitors for free of charge. 

#5: Mirabell Palace and Pegasus Fountain 

#6: Top photo took back in 2017 and bottom photo took in 2022

#7: One of the shooting location for "The Sound of Music" where the song Do-Re-Mi was filmed here

#8: Beautifully manicured Mirabell Gardens 

From Mirabell Palace & Gardens, we walked to Altstadt (Old Town). 

#9: Makartsteg Bridge (Love Lock Bridge)

#10: What a great day to spend at Salzach River

#11: Everything is about Mozart in Salzburg; Cafe Mozart, Mozart's Birthplace and even on Swatch

#12: Altstadt (Old Town)

#13: Walk up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for the best view of Salzburg 

#14: Kapitelplatz, a huge square in the center of old town 

#15: First gelato we had throughout our trip

#16: One of the best views on our way back to our accommodation 

That's pretty sum up our day in Salzburg. As our age are catching up, we try to avoid our itinerary being too packed with visiting too many places and attractions. What matters the most is spending quality time with your loved one.  

Share:

Central Europe [Part 5]: My Second Visit to Hallstatt, Austria

 << Previous Post: Half Day Trip to Ingolstadt from Munich << 

I can't believe that I will return to this little magical town of Hallstatt again after my first trip there back in 2017.  

GETTING TO HALLSTATT FROM MUNICH
During my maiden visit to Hallstatt, I departed from Salzburg. You can read my blog here.
As for this round, we're departing from Munich after staying in the city for three nights. 

#1: Munich Hbf (Munich Central Station)

Apparently there are no direct trains from Munich to Hallstatt and some require at least one or two transfers. The train rides from Munich to Hallstatt take at least 4 hours to 6 hours and you can check out timetable on Rail Planner apps. 

The following are the route we took:
1) Munich Hbf → Attnang-Puchheim
2) Attnang-Puchheim → Hallstatt Hbf 
(All these train rides are covered under Eurail Global Pass)

Once arriving at Hallstaff Hbf, we took ferry to across Hallstätter See. One way ferry ride costs €3.50 whereas round-trip costs €7.00.

#2: Hallstatt train station & ferry to across Hallstätter See

#3: Hello Hallstatt once again !  

OUR STAY IN HALLSTATT

While we're trying to keep within our budget for our stay in Munich, but not for Hallstatt. We're not just staying for a night, but two nights in Hallstatt and it's definitely worth it. 

#4: Our stay in Hallstatt - 1 bedroom apartment with functional kitchen 

#5: Our apartment with a window view facing the lake and mountains 

Apartment am Hallstätter See 

Date Stayed: 26 October - 28 October 2022 (2 nights) 

Total Room Rate: RM1,308 for 1 Room Apartment (Booked from Booking.com) 

Things I Like About This Accommodation:

• A short walking distance from Hallstatt ferry port. 
• The view of our room overlooking the lake and mountains which make it so magical, especially waking up in the morning.
• Functional kitchen where we're able to cook our breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

Things I Dislike About This Accommodation:

• No proper place for us to store our luggage before the check-in time.
• No toiletries provided.

THINGS WE DID & SAW IN HALLSTATT

We're in Hallstatt for three days two nights and the following are the things we did and saw here: 

1) Strolling along Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt) 

Although it's my second trip in this tiny Alpine village of Hallstatt, but I'm still amazed with the beauty of the turquoise lake. 

#6

#7

#8

2) Wandering around the Marktplatz Hallstaff (Hallstatt Market Square) and Old Town

Hallstatt is inarguably looks like something straight out from the Disney movie. 

 

#9

#10

3) Taking funicular up to Top of Hallstaff for Salt Mine & Skywalk 

I didn't manage to take funicular up to the Top of Hallstatt during my first trip to Hallstatt due to time constraint and the adverse weather. So for this second visit, it's one of the things I shouldn't miss out when return to Hallstatt again. Besides taking the funicular, we even included a visit to the Salt Mine in our ticket which costs €36 per adult. 

 

Fun fact: Do you know that Hallstatt's Salt Mine is the oldest salt mine in the world?

#11: Going up Top of Hallstatt by taking funicular 

#12: Salt Mine of Hallstatt

#13: Hallstatt Skywalk platform (Entrance is free but downside is overcrowded during the noon time)

#14

#15

4) Phototaking at the Point of Silence 

This is the iconic postcard viewpoint which situated on the northern edge of town. Best place to avoid the crowd will be early in the morning. Therefore, it's highly recommended to stay an overnight in Hallstatt.

#16

#17: The magical hours in the evening 

Apart from the souvenir shops, the thing that I always looking forward for when travelling in overseas is to visit the local supermarkets or groceries. Unfortunately, on the first day when we arrived in Hallstatt, we didn't realise it's Austria's National Day and the one and only supermarket in Hallstatt was closed. Just imagine that how excited I was when I saw the kitchen in our stay and I was about ready to cook turned to sadness and disappointment. Ended up, we just cooked whatever we brought from Malaysia such as Maggi instant noodle (Asam laksa is our fav), instant mushroom soup and Japanese curry paste. Luckily also, we managed to buy a box of rice in Munich before travelling to Hallstatt. 

#18: Our lunch and dinner on the first day in Hallstatt 

Thank goodness on the second day in Hallstatt, the supermarket was opened. Immediately we grabbed few groceries after our visit from Top of Hallstatt. Don't put any high expectations on this supermarket s the choices were pretty limited and pricey too. 

#19: One and only supermarket in Hallstatt

#20: Breakfast and dinner on day 2. And breakfast on third day before leaving Hallstatt.

#21: Hallstatt, still one of my favourite places in Europe

#22: And that's concludes our 3 days 2 nights trip in Hallstatt before leaving to another city of Austria.

Goodbye Hallstatt! 

TOTAL EXPENSES PER PAX FOR 3D2N IN HALLSTATT

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	€	RM
Accommodation Apartment am Hallstätter See (2 nights)   Transportations & Attractions Ferry across Hallstätter See  (Round-trip) Funicular & Salt Mine   Food and drinks Restaurant Rudolfsturm, Skywalk Groceries	7.00 36.00     12.50 12.25	654     33 167     58 57
	TOTAL	969

Note: €1.00 = RM4.65 as at October 2022 

Share:

Central Europe [Part 4]: Half Day Trip to Ingolstadt from Munich

 << Previous Post: Neuschwanstein Castle, Real-Life Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle <<

Since my husband accompanied me to the place I wanna go in Munich which is Neuschwanstein Castle (due to my love towards Disneyland) on our second day in Munich, therefore on our third day, we went to the place that my husband is interested with. My husband is fond of automotive industry and electric mobility and Germany is one of the best places to discover and explore all these. 

And because we have done our visit to BMW Museum & BMW Welt on our first day, therefore on the third day we proceed to Ingolstadt, a city in Bavaria which is well-known for Audi Forum and its museum classic cars.   

#1: One of our favourite shops to grab breakfast before kicking off our day 

JOURNEY FROM MUNICH TO INGOLSTADT 

The journey from Munich to Ingolstadt takes less than an hour by train. And because we have Eurail Pass, hence this particular train rice is covered under this pass. As usual, we like to depart our journey earlier. 

Once we arrived in Ingolstadt Hbf, we boarded bus 11 heading to Audi Forum. A single bus trip costs €2.90 whereas a-day ticket costs €5.80 for Zone 1. The bus ride from Ingolstadt Hbf to Audi Forum takes less than 25 minutes and you will spot Audi Forum on your right side of the bus. 

#2: Travelling all the way to Ingolstadt from Munich just for Audi Forum 

It seems like both of us were too early for the visit as Audi Forum hasn't opened yet for operation. So we took few photos outside while waiting for them to open. And because I wasn't keen to enter, I just wait for my husband at the cafe and ordered a cup of latte. Surprisingly the latte was pretty cheap - a cup for €2.80 only. 

#3

The entrance fee for Audi Forum is €5 for adult. Because I didn't enter and visit the Audi museum mobile, so I just shared couple of photos took by my husband. He spent roughly two hours or less inside this fascinating museum which showcases over 100 cars, motorcycles and multimedia exhibitions.  

#4

#5

#6

Before making our way back to Munich, we decided to make a short visit wandering this small little city of Bavaria. Probably due to Ingolstadt is less popular compare to the rest, we hardly spot any foreign tourists apart from us. Or perhaps, we're too early. 

#7: Some random but unique buildings in Ingolstadt 

#8: Yes, I found you - Primark, one of my fav shopping places in UK & Europe 

#9

#10

#11: We dropby at Vietnamese-Thai fusion restaurant for our lunch 

Our trip to Ingolstadt was indeed pretty short and brief as our main intention is to visit Audi Forum. After that, we headed back to Munich in order to continue with our final and last day of exploring the city before bidding goodbye on the following day. 

>> Next Post: My Second Visit to Hallstatt, Austria >>

Share:

Central Europe [Part 3]: Neuschwanstein Castle, Real-Life Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle

 << Previous Post: 3 Days in Munich, Bavaria's Capital <<

On our second day in Munich, we decided to go for a day trip to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. This had always been on my travel wishlist for years where this fairytale castle was believed to inspire Walt Disney to build Sleeping Beauty Castle. 

HOW TO GET TO NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE FROM MUNICH 

As usual, both my husband and I always woke up early to kick off our day. We prefer to start our day earlier and end our day earlier too. At least to avoid the crowd, if possible. For your information, there is no direct connection by train departing from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. 

1) First, take train from Munich Hauptbahnhof (München Hbf) to Füssen which takes roughly two hours. Because we have Eurail Global Pass, so this train ride is covered under this pass. 

2) After arriving in Füssen, take Bus 73 or 78 to the village Hohenschwangauof. The bus stop of this bus ride is just right opposite of the train station. It's a short ride where it takes under 10 minutes and it costs €5.20 for a round trip. You pay directly to the driver during boarding. 

#1: Take train from Munich Hauptbahnhof (München Hbf) to Füssen

#2: Hop on Bus 73 or 78 to the village Hohenschwangauof 

#3: Once arrive in Information Point of Hohenschwangauof (this is where the bus will stop), walk for at least 3 minutes towards the Ticket Centre. 

Initially we did try our luck to buy the tickets online in advance from their official website here but somehow, it was sold out. Luckily both of us didn't give up and try our luck by walk-in at the Ticket Centre. Guess what! We're so happy when they told us there were few available tickets left. That's the advantage of waking up and reach the place earlier. Definitely worth it! The admission fee of Neuschwanstein Castle for an adult is €15 and do take note it's guided tour. Make sure to reach the castle at least 10-15 minutes earlier before your time slot. 

In case you are wondering, Neuschwanstein Castle is actually sits above the village of Hohenschwangauof. There are three ways to get up to the castle:

1) Walking for at least 1.5km uphill to the castle (probably takes 45-50 minutes)

2) Riding on horse drawn carriage 

3) Taking the bus (Round trip for €3.50) - We opted for this in order to save time and our energy. 

If you are driving with car, there are 4 parking lots in Hohenschwangau but P4 is the closest to the bus stop for the shuttle up the hill to the castle. For more info regarding parking map and fees, you can check it out here.

#4: You can opt to walk 1.5km uphill to the castle or ride the horse drawn carriage 

#5: Or you can do like what we did - take the bus ride for only €3.50 round trip. Save time and energy!

The bus stop to catch the bus up to Neuschwanstein Castle is located next to the Ticket Centre. 

Unfortunately the bus doesn't stop right in front of the castle. It's about 600m walking distance downhill to the castle itself. The bus stop somewhere in between the castle and Marienbrücke. Because we still had spare of time before our time slot for entering the castle, we decided to walk to Marienbrücke. It's a pedestrian bridge built over a cliff where you can get the magnificent panoramic views of Neuschwanstein Castle. 

#6: This is where the shuttle bus drop off the passengers when reaching the hill - somewhere between the castle and Marienbrücke

#7: Breathtaking panoramic views of Neuschwanstein Castle from Marienbrücke. Crossing this pedestrian bridge is free but because of that, it'll be overcrowded with visitors. 

#8: Info about Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) 

#9: From Marienbrücke, we walked towards to the castle and look at the view we came across. 

Entering Neuschwanstein Castle is only possible with guided tour. Therefore, make sure to pick up or buy the ticket at the Ticket Centre at the downhill before going up to the castle as there's no ticket centre outside the castle. And also make sure to arrive at least 10-15 minutes earlier before your time slot, or else you are not allowed to enter to the castle. 

#10: There's no ticket centre outside the castle. Therefore, make sure to pick up or buy the ticket at the downhill before going up to the castle. 

Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside the castle. However, each visitor will be given a handheld audio guide device and this guided tour takes at least 35-40 minutes to witness some of the spectacular and amazing castle's interior. Once the guided tour ends, visitors are allowed to hang out at the cafe or getting memento at the souvenir shops that are located inside the castle. 

#11: Overview of Neuschwanstein Castle

#12: Make me wanna play Disney's song - "When dreams come true"

2022 Central Europe Travelogues:

• Central Europe for 22 Days (Sneak Peek)
• Singapore Airlines to Munich, Germany
• 3 Days in Munich, Bavaria's Capital 

Share: