Tubbs' Thoughts

In late May, I decided to travel from Amsterdam to Salzburg for a weekend getaway. Initially, I planned to catch the Iowa State Wind Ensemble’s performance during their European tour and reconnect with some old classmates. However, this trip turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had, and I quickly fell in love with Austria. With that in mind, here’s a guide for planning your weekend trip to Salzburg. 

Transportation 

I began by taking a 6:30 am train from Amsterdam to Munich, with one layover in Frankfurt. I highly recommend taking the early trains (I know, they suck), as it takes about 8-9 hours to travel by train, then you still have the afternoon and evening for activities. Be aware that Germany’s train lines are often inconsistent, meaning there could be random delays and cancellations. Therefore, I recommend routes that have a 45-minute minimum break between trains to allow for wiggle room in case of random train problems. 

Once in Salzburg, many hotels and hostels offer a free tram/bus and public transit card to explore the city. This card came in handy multiple times for me, especially after hiking a long route and being too tired to walk back to my hostel.  

Friday: Hiking 

I arrived in the afternoon on Friday and checked into my hostel, YoHo International Youth Hostel. This hostel was very friendly and clean, and it had a bar, restaurant, and movie room (where they show The Sound of Music daily). After relaxing and doing some homework, I decided to go on a hike during sunset. 

Whenever I travel to an area where I can hike, I use AllTrails to research the best routes, and often, there are honest reviews and photos of the views. I found a route that would offer a fantastic view of the Old Town and the river that runs through Salzburg’s historic districts. The route was easy to access (the entrance was part of a park), and the views of the city were hard to beat. 

Important note: Ticks are prevalent in Austria during the summer. Although I was not on a dense forestry route, I highly recommend wearing long sleeves and pants, as well as bringing bug spray. And, if you can, get a TBE vaccination if you plan to camp or hike in dense forest and mountain regions, as some ticks carry diseases. Although not required for travel, most countries recommend this vaccine if your travel plan includes the forests. 

Once I reached the top of the climb, Salzburg greeted me with a stunning view of the Old Town, where the tops of the various cathedrals and monasteries tower over the city’s landscape. It was a peaceful moment, where the sounds of nature mixed with the accompanying cityscape in the distance, surrounded by the mountains. 

Saturday: The Sounds of Music  

Saturday was a day filled with music in many forms, as Salzburg brought together all the sounds of music, truly living up to its famous film reputation. I began my day with another hike on the opposite side of the Old Town and stumbled upon the Abbey from the Sound of Music film, specifically where Maria spends her time throughout the plot. The opposite side of the Abbey gives a glimpse of the Alps in the distance, topped with snow, and a silent, respectful space inside.  

I went inside and found that the organ player was rehearsing for an upcoming concert and was able to sit and listen to their rehearsal for a while. After that, I hiked back down to the center of the Old Town, where I found a large crowd dressed in 18th-century militia dress and a small brass ensemble performing traditional Austrian tunes. I didn’t catch what the celebration was about, but I was given a free pint of Austrian beer and got to watch them fire cannons, all while having a great time. Altogether, it was a wonderful morning. 

In the afternoon, I traveled to meet with the Iowa State Wind ensemble and reunite with some old friends. We chatted, and they invited me to attend the rehearsal before their concert in the Salzburg Cathedral. I got to ride the bus and talk with my former director and dear friends whom I had not seen in almost a year. Upon arrival, I assisted in setting up and took some photos of the ensemble’s rehearsal for members to keep. 

Then the concert began. I was sitting in the front row, and with each song, I found myself overwhelmed by the beauty of the music and the sight of all my friends and colleagues from my Bachelor’s music program performing in front of me once again. I admit I cried during every piece, the emotions of being parted from people I love becoming all too real, and the ensemble played some of my most beloved works, including: 

• Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral  by Richard Wagner 
• Ave Maria by Schubert 
• Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 ‘From the New World’ by Antonín Dvořák

It isn’t easy to describe how stunning the concert was in the Salzburg Cathedral, one of the prime concert venues in the world. The towering ceilings and large opening hall provide ample space for the sounds to carry, leaving almost 20 seconds of reverb sound concluding each piece. The audience was stunned and waited patiently after each song for the sound to fully reverb in the space before applauding. This aspect added to the emotions that the ensemble felt, as many voiced that this was their favorite and best concert they had played. This concert was truly a blessing, and I am ever grateful that I had the opportunity to join the tour and experience this moment with my friends and community. 

After the concert, we all went to a famous Austrian beer hall to celebrate. Little did we know that the local Salzburg football team had a match the same night, so their fans were crowding the extravagant wooden halls, giving life to the fantasy-esque spaces. Occasionally, as we ate and drank, fans and locals alike would erupt into chants and songs, some even beginning to dance and encouraging our group to join in (which we did). 

Throughout this glorious Saturday, Salzburg proved to be a city of music; from concerts to beer halls, monasteries, and town squares, music is a core aspect of Salzburg’s culture and history. I am blessed and ever grateful to have experienced that day full of music, and it is a day I will cherish for life. 

Sunday: Tours, Hiking, and Mozart 

Sunday began with me attending Mass with my friends. Now, I need to preface that I am not catholic. However, the Salzburg Cathedral is such a stunning space with a vibrant history, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experience it again. Mass was beautiful, and my fellow musicians and I had a fun challenge sight-reading and singing the Psalms entirely in German. After Mass, local church members invited our group to breakfast, where we conversed and received advice on places to visit in the Old Town and outside the city. 

After breakfast, we met with the remaining ensemble for a guided walking tour through the Old Town of Salzburg. This tour included many sights from the film The Sound of Music, mainly the Mirabell Gardens and Palace, which served as the house in the movie and the set during the song ‘Do Re Mi.’ 

We then walked around the city, ending at the birthplace and home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s most acclaimed composers. Mozart’s house was fascinating, boasting a rich collection of artifacts and objects that belonged to the composer and his family. The museum included a tour of the composer’s music throughout his short life, including his successes, failures, and the famous works the world recognizes and performs today. 

After the guided tour and Mozart’s house, our small group decided to follow me on a ‘self-guided’ Sound of Music tour. There are official tours for the film sites; however, for a group of students, the prices and time frame are not practical. These tours are excellent for those who have the time and mobility to bike and bus around Salzburg; for our group, the self-guided option proved to be the best. 

We walked again to the famous Abbey and visited the Cathedral and cemetery where the family hides at the end of the film. In between these, we saw the famous fort on the top of the central hill, which served as a salt mine reserve and military center for centuries. In between our hikes, we dined on traditional Austrian cuisine and more amazing beers. Living now in the Netherlands, there are excellent beers here (especially imports from our neighbors in Belgium), but the beers in Austria are phenomenal. They are truly otherworldly, and Austrian wines proved to be equally divine. 

I ended my day by spending the evening at the local hotel in the main outdoor square, where I spent valuable and memorable time playing card games and chatting with friends and community members from back home. This evening was the best way to end my day filled with hiking, beer, and Mozart. 

Monday: Travelling Home

I woke up in the dead of morning (5 am) to catch an early train back to Amsterdam. Although I wanted to stay longer with my friends, my obligations required me to return to the Netherlands. I am so glad I caught the early train to Munich, as I ended up needing to spend a few hours there due to a train cancellation. Luckily, I had planned this layover just in case this occurred. I ate some Bavarian pretzels and caught up on some homework once more (the academic grind never stops). 

Once I caught my train in Munich, it was an easy ride back to the Netherlands. However, there was a 30-minute period when I needed to stand, as I had not reserved a seat for the train ride. I recommend spending the extra $ 8 to reserve a seat if you’re not comfortable standing for long periods (I work in retail, so this is normal for me). Besides the occasional moving seats and standing, I had a good train ride and arrived back in Amsterdam by late afternoon. 

This weekend trip was truly a remarkable experience, filled with love, music, and unforgettable moments that I will treasure forever. I want to express my gratitude to the Iowa State Wind Ensemble and my former director for letting me join in on the adventure. The memories and music I enjoyed during this trip will stay with me for a lifetime, and I will cherish this perfect journey always.