by Jan Mauer | Aug 9, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons
The Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg is a captivating – and delicious – occasion. Photo credit: Mozart-Dinner-Concert-Salzburg.com Ever since watching the Academy Award-winning movie, Amadeus, I have been fascinated by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The film shines with Mozart’s brilliant music, and tells the sometimes humorous, sometimes sordid, and, in the end, tragic tale of the composer’s too-brief life. So when my husband and I visited Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace and part-time residence of Mozart, I wanted to see all of the sites that could lay claim to a piece of Mozart’s history. First, we toured Mozart’s childhood home, where he was born in 1756. Next, we visited the residence on Makartplatz where the Mozart family lived after outgrowing their previous home. Here we saw the original pianoforte on which Mozart played during some of his concerts in Vienna. Dinner and Mozart Concert in Salzburg, Austria My absolute favorite experience in Salzburg, however, was the Mozart Dinner Concert that we attended. I had heard rave reviews about the concert, which features songs from some of Mozart’s most famous operas. In addition to music, the event includes a three-course meal based on 18th-century recipes, and it all takes place amidst candlelight in an authentic Baroque Hall. It sounded too good to miss! The Mozart Dinner Concert was scheduled to begin at 7:30pm, but we were told to arrive an hour early for the best seats. At 6:30 that evening, a formally-dressed maître d’ who spoke perfect English invited us into the Baroque Hall, and we were led to our front-row table. The Baroque Hall of St. Peter The Baroque Hall of... by Jan Mauer | Jul 25, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons
A view over Innsbruck, Austria from atop the Innsbruck City Tower On a recent vacation in Austria, my family had the unforgettable pleasure of staying in Innsbruck, host to two Olympic Winter Games. A winning combination of picturesque mountain views, quaint streets lined with popular cafes, and historical influence, Innsbruck is surrounded by dramatic, high mountains that are verdantly green in the mild summer months, and cloaked in rich coats of powdery, white snow during the winter. It is impossible not to be moved by the breathtaking sight of medieval and Baroque buildings rising against a clear blue sky, with the majestic Alps framing your view in nearly every direction. Based on our two full days exploring this gem of a city, below I’ve compiled my list of 5 must-see sights in Innsbruck, Austria. Things to Note: Before we dive into the details of Innsbruck sights, first a few notes. You will find that many people speak a bit of English in Innsbruck, which is very helpful in shops and restaurants. Begin a conversation with, “Guten tag. Sprechen Sie englisch?” (Pronunciation: GOO-ten talk. SHPRAY-hen zee AIN-glish?) to politely wish a person “good day,” and ask them if they speak English. Such niceties go a long way with many locals. Even during the summer, weather in Innsbruck can vary greatly. In warmer months, plan to dress in layers, and bring along a thin, waterproof jacket with a hood for surprise thunderstorms (I travel with this jacket made by Columbia: It’s stylish, works as an excellent windbreaker or raincoat, and packs quite small). While public transport in Innsbruck is well managed,... 
