Austria quickly became one of my favorite countries in Europe. There's just something about the mountains that simultaneously calms and invigorates my soul. I'm going to be honest and say that ever since this trip, if I need a little pick me up, I play The Sound of Music soundtrack. Immediately I am taken back into a land of enchantment, where the hills are alive, the pastries are heavenly, and colorful beauty abounds even on the gloomiest of days.

Day 1: Salzburg

So Day 1 started in Nuremberg. We drove about an hour to the Munich airport to pick up my mom first. (Yay! Grandma got to join on another family adventure!) Then we drove into Austria, making our way toward Salzburg. This leg of the journey took much longer than anticipated. Traffic was at a total standstill for miles and miles. So we didn't make it into Salzburg until much later than planned, which was stressful because we had planned on doing lunch there. If we waited until we found a place to park, hauled all of our luggage across the streets and up three flights of stairs, and then tried to find a place to eat that would accommodate a toddler, it would have been 3 pm by the time we all got some food in our bellies. Not okay. So Thomas came up with a brilliant idea that ended up working out beautifully. First stop: Red Bull Hangar-7!

When envisioning Salzburg, Red Bull airplanes certainly were not the first thing that crossed my mind, but if you know who I am married to, you understand this was a necessary stop. It was actually pretty neat. The restaurant here far exceeded my past experiences with museum food, and TJ enjoyed looking at all the "Flying Bulls" aircraft and Formula 1 cars. (And, as a bonus, both entrance and parking were free!)

Then we made our way into the city center to check in to our new home for the next three days, and got out to explore Salzburg for a little bit before dinner.

Day 2: Salzburg

Waking up to blue skies at this time of the year is a joy in itself, but to also have this view from our living room window? I was in heaven.

Unfortunately, by the time we had breakfast and got ready for the day, some lovely dark clouds, wind, and rain had rolled in. We had just bundled up, strapped TJ in the carrier, and stepped outside when the first drops began to fall. Ugh. I was just not feeling it, and TJ was already cranky and ready for a morning nap at this point. He could have slept in the carrier, but why put him through that when even I didn't really want to walk around in the rain? So, per my request, we went back inside and put him down in the crib. I was all to happy to snuggle up on the couch with another coffee to watch The Sound of Music, because last night's research about the movie filming sights in Salzburg had revealed to me that I didn't really remember the movie well, at all. I didn't really enjoy musicals all that much as a kid, but I love them now. So I'm glad I got reacquainted with the von Trapps, and was more than ready to get out and explore once TJ woke up.

And, lo and behold, the sun came back out!

You know I couldn't resist a little frolicking in Mirabell Gardens, where much of "Do-Re-Mi" was filmed. (TJ says, "Mom, you're ridiculous.") Get used to it, buddy.

And now that TJ is walking, city adventures have to involve finding a park at some point for him to run around and burn off some energy. He had his first seesaw and swing experience here in Salzburg!

And one more walk-by to admire Mirabell Gardens.

We grabbed lunch and walked around a bit more.

This translates to "Mozart's Birth House". So, as you can probably guess, this is where Mozart was born.

So by now it was late afternoon, and we were ready to rest up back at the apartment while TJ napped. But first, a diaper run. A few years ago, I would have suggested a beer at a cafe in the square. But now I've traded libations for diapers, and am stoked to sit on a couch and finish The Sound of Music.

TJ insisted on carrying the diapers the entire way back from the store. Here we are at the door of our super cute apartment! Thomas and I did manage to sneak out while TJ was napping to get some snacks and drinks to take back. Then Mom and I found a cute little boutique by our apartment and I actually got some fun new things for myself! It seems like everything I buy these days is for TJ, so this was truly a treat!

Day 3: Hallstatt

Speaking of treats, any day that starts like this is bound to be a good one. Am I right?? I know, it's shocking I actually thought to take a picture before I devoured that chocolate almond croissant. (Though, if you look closely, you will see there is a little nibble taken out of the top. No idea how that happened. Must have been TJ.)

Unless you've researched famous small towns in Europe, you've probably never heard about Hallstatt. In planning this trip, I debated on whether it would be worth it to drive an hour and a half to see it, wondering if I would feel like we were cheating Salzburg with just one day. But I actually think only one day in Salzburg was plenty for us. And Hallstatt? SO worth it. The drive was beautiful and the town completely and utterly swept me away with its charm.

Absolutely stunning. (And that guy in the hat isn't too shabby looking either!)

Salzhaus means "salt house". The town of Hallstatt was an important salt mining town, established sometime around the 8th century B.C. In fact, the oldest discovered salt mine in the world lies within the mountain just above town.

We didn't have any luck finding a restaurant in town for lunch, which was surprising because the town was just brimming with tourists. Thomas suggested we have lunch on the mountain. Genius. To the funicular we go!

"Lunch with a view" is an understatement here! It was simply breathtaking.

So after lunch we let TJ walk around for a bit. He was getting very angsty and tired of being confined at this point in the day. I'm pretty sure this picture was just before the infamous "cigarette incident". I was busy taking pictures of him, so he unfortunately noticed the wet cigarette on the ground before I did. I snatched it out of his hands before he could put it in his mouth, but was still absolutely appalled to see that the nasty black insides had been smeared all over his arm and hand. What unfolded next was like a scene from Grey's Anatomy. "WIPES! I NEED WIPES! NOW!!!" Even after I had thoroughly removed all of the offending substance from his body, I could still smell the lingering nicotine on his skin. "I NEED TO GO WASH HIS HANDS RIGHT NOW!" I announced to Thomas, my mom, and a few gawking bystanders. I picked him up and walked (okay, ran) back to the bathroom and washed his hands and arms about five times before I was satisfied that I had done all I could do to rectify these horrific circumstances. (You may think I am being melodramatic, but this is exactly how it played out. It was traumatic.) Then, after all the drama, TJ decided he did not want to be carried anymore. So I carried him like a surfboard as he flailed and screeched the whole way back to the funicular. I think my face says it all.

So when we got back down we let him walk around a bit more before getting back in the car.

All smiles with Dad, of course. Partners in crime!

Day 4: Innsbruck

Auf Wiedersehen, Salzburg! I sure do miss that sunny apartment and those gorgeous views.

We went a little out of the way to see Innsbruck, and I'm really glad we did! It was a lively mountain city, with both a rich historical past and a trendy modern vibe. We enjoyed some delicious gourmet burgers, and then roamed the city for a bit. Fun fact: Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, as well as the Winter Paralympics in 1984 and 1988.

I don't know what's going on here with this statue, but I like it and couldn't not include it.

So after we had lunch and walked around a bit, it was time to find a park so we could wear out TJ before getting back in the car. We found a pretty good one!

And this concludes our time in Austria. But don't worry, more mountains to come! We head back into Germany to enjoy some peaceful respite in the Bavarian Alps.