Salzburg and Vienna (Days 10-14)

On to Austria! But first...Neuschwanstein Castle

When I picture Cinderella's castle....this is it. Nestled in the Bavarian countryside, every angle is breathtakingly beautiful.

Salzburg, Reflection, and the Weight of History

Salzburg brought beauty—and contrast. Sound of Music gardens, ancient cemeteries, Mozart dinner theater inside a building from the year 800… and then, a concentration camp memorial that stopped us cold. We cried. You see, travel isn’t just joy; it’s remembrance, reckoning, and learning to hold discomfort alongside gratitude as you bear witness to history.

By the time we reached Vienna—after abbeys, boat rides on the Danube, local beers, museums, and long but incredible walking tours—our hearts felt full and we were ready to head home. 

Why Rick Steves Got It Right

This wasn’t just a trip. It was an education in patience, humility, history, and connection. Rick Steves’ philosophy—travel as a respectful guest, not a consumer—came alive in every train station mishap, shared meal, and local guide’s story.

We came home exhausted, jet‑lagged, and sore… but also more open, more curious, and deeply grateful for this incredible adventure. Turns out the best souvenirs aren’t things at all—they’re the moments that change how you see the world.

And once you’ve watched the Alps glow in morning light from a tiny Swiss balcony, it’s hard to ever see home quite the same way again.

Wine tasting as a group toward the end of the tour.

Farewell group dinner with our new friends.

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