Salzburg, Austria

I've blogged before about beautiful Salzburg in Austria, and we visited again a few months ago to help a dear friend celebrate his birthday.  We drove from home and picked up our friends from the airport on the way - easy peasy.

We stayed again at the Goldener Hirsch, which we had booked in advance to secure a great rate.  The traditional high-end style of the Goldener Hirsch is wonderful, and the staff are first class.  That said, I still get excited to find chocolates on my pillow each night - YUM!

The birthday dinner was at the amazing Ikarus, which we had booked months in advance.  Ikarus was guesting the amazing triple Michelin starred chef Eneko Atxa.  The food, as you might imagine, was seriously amazing and we were all thrilled to see that Ikarus was still using their brilliant "butter trolley" (similar to a cheese trolley, but with a selection of house made butters to try on their scrumptious house made bread).

As I've already reviewed lots of things about Salzburg, I don't want to bore you all again - so here's a random bunch of shots I took over the weekend ...

Yeah, I got arty with Instagram!

Moscow Mule anyone?

Part of the crypts ...

Gorgeous old door handle.

And another ...

Got to get my horse fix in!

1517!  That's 271 years before my country was discovered ...

"Oxen Washers"

View from the castle ...

Inside one of the small churches in the castle.

Outside the church.

I really want to know what's behind doors like this.  It didn't open ...

Drinks with the birthday boy on the ramparts of the castle.

View up the Getreidegasse ...

The traditional door bells of the building next to the hotel.

The Goldener Hirsch - we're home!

The lobby of the hotel - yes, it's OLD.