To Salzburg

The drop from Leongang to Salzburg is 1194 feet or 364 meters. It seems we are driving downhill most of the taxi ride between the two cities. Why aren't we on the train? Our luggage, burdened with the wine of Bordeaux and Austria, is too heavy for the two of us to get on and off the train. Klaus felt a taxi a better plan.

The downhill transfer to Salzburg is made in a plush Mercedes.

The scenery on the drive is beautiful.

Salzburg is an amazing city. We enter a tunnel and on the other side emerge into Old Town Salzburg, our hotel being immediately across the street. It is a short tunnel but runs beneath a huge cliff of granite.

 

Churches and cathedrals feature prominently in the old town's landscape.

Salzburg lies in a river valley with cliffs and mountains rising quickly on both sides of the river. A huge granite rock face with its fortress perched on top protected Salzburg in ancient times.

The Goldener Hirsch hotel and our suite are amazing even if we get lost attempting our first exit.

After checking in, we have lunch outdoors next to the hotel. After, we stroll the nearby streets.

We dine at the largest beer garden in Austria, Augustiner Bräu Mülln. The only available beer, a Marzden, should not suit CJ but it is quite pleasant.

After dinner we stroll the streets near the hotel.

Sunday in Leongang

A gondola delivers us to the top of Asitz mountain in Leongang. This is Klaus' home ski area. At this time of year, it is hiker and biker heaven.

We're almost delivered to the top of the mountain.

There are two restaurants up here. Only one is open.

The men's toilets are unique.

Four of us take the gondola back down. 

Klaus takes the other four on another gondola to the midstation for a hike. They get some amazing scenery.

The hotel's owner Rupert retrieves us and returns the group to the village of Leongang.

As we tumble from the van, Rupert rejoins his posse on the patio. It appears they've been carousing most of this holiday day. These must be the owners of Leongang. There is a Ferrari and two different high-end Jaguars.

We repeat the drill of wine selection this evening. The only rule is there can be no duplicates from last evening.

The menu begs for white wines, our taste buds beg for red.

The cocktail class was originally scheduled in the afternoon. Klaus moved it to after dinner. The five people catching the 0600 train for next week's wine tour will regret the move.

This is our cocktail teacher.

To Leongang

The train is a regional train, not the high speed we normally take. We forgot how noisy, bumpy, and rocking a normal train can be.

The three-hour ride to Salzburg is unremarkable. After Salzburg, the scenery becomes increasingly beautiful as we climb into the Alps following a river through a valley. Just as CJ is remarking this would be a beautiful river for whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking, he spies two rafts.

We are climbing into the Alps.

We pass Zell am See and its picturesque lake.

Our suite is gorgeous. It has a large sitting area, two balconies both with mountain views and in different directions. It has a king comfortable bed, shower, double vanity and a walk-in wardrobe not that we need it.

Our small group of nine assemble for welcome cocktails. Klaus arrives with a double magnum (3L) of a Austrian sparkling rose.

After drinks we have a cooking class with Elizabeth. She is one of the owner's daughters.

Dinner is part of the package and is a set menu. Each couple must purchase a bottle of wine to be shared with dinner.

The restaurant decants with the most unusual decanters. These decanters are designed to serve single pours when used by someone trained in their use.