Dolomites to the Danube

After adventuring through the Dolomites for five days, we truly began the second leg of our Euro summer tour. The Dolomites brought a nice change of pace that included secluded wilderness, adventure, and hiking. Leaving was tough because it had left such an impact on both Thalia’s and my heart. But we knew we had many more cities to visit, each with its own incredible history. Just north of Italy was Austria, and the first city on the train route was none other than the birthplace of Mozart, the lovely city of Salzburg. Even though we only spent three days in Salzburg, it certainly left a lasting impression on me. It seems like the city was the inspiration for childhood fairytales, with castles, baroque Gothic churches, and Christmas-inspired cobblestone streets, each business adorned with whimsical signage. Cuckoo clock carpentry shops were common here, each showcasing precise craftsmanship that seemed to be the norm for the area. Moreover, we were close to Munich, so the Bavarian culture was certainly felt. Salzburg is known for its sausages, pretzels, and beer—naturally, I was in heaven. In Salzburg, we visited one of the largest beer gardens in Europe, The Augustiner. This place was incredible, as it could accommodate what seemed like thousands of people. Moreover, this place was authentic. Starting from the beginning, you grab a ceramic beer mug off a shelf, rinse it with water, and give it to the bartender, who is pouring fresh lager straight from the barrel. Two one-liter beers later, and I figured it was one of the best days I’ve ever had. Was I in heaven? No, this was Salzburg! Although our time in Salzburg was short, it certainly left a lasting impression that we will remember forever.

A few hours’ train ride from Salzburg was the famed capital of Austria, Vienna. This city had been at the top of my list of cities to visit in Europe. It is worth mentioning that the trains and stations in Austria were pure class. They included Wi-Fi on every train, including regional ones, and the stations had plenty of food options and lounging areas. The coaches were air-conditioned and comfortable. Vienna is an incredible city, with astonishing monuments, gardens, and palaces. Public transportation in Vienna is convenient and easy, with the city itself being very walkable. The architecture was vastly different from any other cities we had seen. We spent four nights in Vienna doing as many of the tourist attractions as we could. This included visiting the Schönbrunn Gardens, walking the Ringstrasse where historical sights line the edges, seeing the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and visiting the Prater amusement park. We enjoyed leisurely strolls through the narrow streets of the downtown area, stumbling upon farmers’ markets and taking rests at the many shaded benches across the city. We drank coffee at the famed Café Central, where Sigmund Freud and many other popular Austrian novelists would eat in the early 1900s. This city had incredible monuments depicting its storied history, some of the largest I had seen in Europe. It was fascinating to learn about the history that came from each one.

We ventured further east to a city I had been to before: Budapest, Hungary, the motherland of water polo. I had visited Budapest ten years ago but had largely forgotten what the city looked like. It gave me perspective on how quickly ten years go by and how little you remember from that time. Spanning across the Danube River, this city has ancient bridges, grand castles, and parliament buildings that line its iconic skyline. Spending four days here was a pure nostalgic treat as we walked around famous monuments, visited thermal baths, and strolled along the river. The thermal baths were something I hadn’t done before and were extremely relaxing given how much we had been walking. Budapest has one of the best nightlife scenes in all of Europe, with many notable clubs and bars worth visiting. We visited the famous “ruin bar” with many levels featuring all kinds of dance music, themed rooms, and bars, all in an old building ruin, giving it a great dive bar feel. We enjoyed our dinners on outdoor terraces, most of which were in the middle of lively areas of town. Riding the above-ground trams seemed like a blast from the past as they had a true trolley feel to them. Budapest’s history, particularly its role in World War II and under Soviet occupation, is remembered with many monuments dedicated to it. Despite its war-torn history, the city has done a magnificent job preserving important monuments, bridges, and buildings. Some of Europe’s best architecture resides in Budapest, and it is one of the most beautiful cities we visited on our trip.

TrekBytes

Dolomites to the Danube