Day 17: Berchtesgaden (Eric)

Day 17: June 13th, 2019. On our final day in Salzburg, we decided that we enjoyed our mountain and lake excursion so much that we were going to do another. This time we ventured to Berchtesgaden National Park, which is actually in Germany not Austria. 

We were able to catch a morning bus for 10.40 Euro each, and it’s about a 50 minute bus ride from Salzburg. Even though the bus was crowded and the park itself was busy, I cannot stress the beauty of this place. It reminds me of a cross between Yosemite and the Rockies. 

On to describing our adventure, which will pale in comparison to the actual experience. We arrived by bus at Königssee which is an amazingly gorgeous and clear alpine lake. We hopped on an electric boat, which besides row boats, are the only boats allowed on the lake as part of the rules protecting the park. The only activities allowed in the lakes are swimming and row boats. There is only one man allowed to fish, and he is a local who runs the restaurant at one of the stops (more on that later).

After a breathtaking boat ride, complete with the first mate bouncing trumpet music off the surrounding cliff side, we arrived at Salet on the far side of Königssee. The boat is the only way to get there. 

From the dock, we hiked about 20-25 minutes to another smaller alpine lake, Obersee. From the moment you arrive, you are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs and mountains as well as the tallest waterfall in all of Germany that feeds into the lake. 

Then, we began the more arduous part of our journey, the hike around the lake. This involved some stairs, our old nemesis, and a 50 minute hike. At the end of this trek, we treated ourselves to bread, butter, and cheese sold by a farmer whose farm has been in the park for generations, so they are allowed to operate a little snack bar. This whole experience was surreal. 

The hike and the stairs

A baby cow on the farm with a spiked nose ring


View from our lunch spot


The farm house


Farmer’s son trimming the field with a scythe (this builds character)

Cow poop with butterflies (don’t ask)

After leaving the farm, we hiked an additional 30 minutes up the hill to the foot of the waterfall. This was fairly brutal as the shade that we had enjoyed on the lake hike had vanished, but I still recommend the whole experience as you are treated to amazing views of the surrounding scenery complete with the farmer’s free range cows. 

After quitting the waterfall, we made our way back to the boat dock for our last stop on the lake, St. Bartholomä Church. This cute, little church dates back to the 12th century. Alongside the church is the fisherman’s restaurant I mentioned earlier where he sells smoked trout and other fish he has caught in the lake. We had to try some. Jenny got a char, and I got a trout. Jenny wasn’t too thrilled with either choice, but I had fun finishing both fish. 

Then we had one final boat ride back to our starting point and a hot, crowded bus ride back to Salzburg. But the crowds and the heat were worth battling to see this amazing park. I definitely would not pass this place up if you happen to be in the area. 

One final recommendation for food options, there’s a pizza place down the street from our hotel called Organic Pizza Salzburg that serves delicious pizza. We actually ate there twice while staying at The Mozart Hotel. Oh, and I have to share the bust of Mozart as a child that was in our room. Next, we’re off to Vienna. 

Day 16: Mountains and Lakes (Eric)

Day 16: June 12th, 2019. This was a day of awe. We purchased hop-on hop-off bus tickets to explore the mountain and lake region east of Salzburg. This area is absolutely beautiful with one amazing view after another. The region has four large lakes of which we explored parts of three for a short period as we were limited by the bus schedule. 

We started with a short exploration of Fuschlsee. There was a charming, little town alongside a fabulous alpine lake. 

The next stop was St. Wolfgang and views of the lake of the same name. 

The highlight of the excursion was the cog train that takes you to the top of the Schafberg Mountain for a panoramic view of the whole region. The train ride itself is a little bumpy, but the views are nothing short of spectacular. 

There were a few unexpected surprises at the top as well. 

A hotel and restaurant...

Snow...

Girls taking graduation photos in their robes...

After returning to the bottom, we stopped one more time at Mondsee to explore the town and lake. This is another stop for The Sound of Music fans as the wedding scene was apparently filmed inside the local church. The exterior shots are apparently of a different church as this one was undergoing renovations at the time of shooting. Even if you’re not a fan, the town, the lake, and the church are all worth a visit if you’re in the area. The town has some charming cafes, and we stopped at one for a delicious iced latte and a snack. 

After an awesome day, we returned to Salzburg for a late dinner. I have to mention this particular meal because it was amazing. Carpe Diem is a Michelin Star rated restaurant, but don’t let that intimidate you. It has a fairly casual bar area that serves what the restaurant calls “finest finger foods,”and Jenny and I both agreed that this was one of the best meals we’ve had in Europe. The finger foods are all small, creative dishes that were all delicious. We tried six different items and shared two desserts. Everything was amazing. 

After dinner, we had a nighttime stroll through the city and took a few pictures on the way back to the hotel. The city is amazing at night too and actually less crowded. The first picture is of a church right next to the restaurant. We sat in the outdoor area, and it was a beautiful backdrop for our meal. 

That’s all for now. I hope everyone is doing well!