Seniors Enthralled With Salzburg

Salzburg, art lovers call it the Golden City of High Baroque; historians refer to it as the Florence of the North or the German Rome; of course, music lovers know it as the birthplace of one of the world’s most beloved composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91) and senior visitors know it as the “Small Paradise”. 

Salzburg is called the ”Stage of the World”, there are so many things happening and there is so much for senior visitors to see and do. The city is located near the German (Bavarian) border with a population of some 150,000 making it the fourth-largest city in Austria after Vienna, Graz and Linz.

Salzburg is one of the smaller Austrian lands but it is one of the most important for the tourism industry. Hundreds and thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the “Small Paradise” of Salzburg throughout the year. There’s history in this city; Salzburg can be regarded as the oldest and most important cultural and spiritual center in present-day Austria.

The name Salzburg literally means “Salt Fortress”, and derives its name from the barges carrying salt on the Salzach river, which were subject to a toll in the 8th century. Salzburg’s “Old Town”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has internationally renowned baroque architecture and one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps.

Traces of human settlements have been found in the area dating to the Neolithic Age. The first settlements at Salzburg were apparently begun by the Celts around the 5th century BC.

For Senior Cyclers and Hikers

Old Town is still the #1 attraction but there are 69 more for senior visitors to explore. ‘The Sound of Music’ was shot at a handful of places throughout Salzburg. The world-renowned Salzburg Festival, since it was founded in 1920, annually attracts thousands of art and culture lovers from all over the world. Music especially but also major theatrical events form the basis for the world reputation of the Festival.

In the summer the most popular leisure pursuits by far are mountain hiking and cycling. Hiking and trekking tours range from technically straightforward excursions in the Pinzgau and Pongau areas of the Grasberg Mountains to high alpine mountaineering in the Hohe Tauern region.

Cycling enthusiasts will find everything from easy family routes that seniors cyclers can enjoy to challenging tours over the Grossglockner. The Tauern cycle path is especially popular. Lonely Planet has done a lot to change its travel websites with portions of their website that read DO, SEE, TOUR, STAY, etc. Fodor’s is not far behind with a great Overview of Salzburg. Viator will fix you up with lot of tours and the Top 10 Insider’s Picks.

Enjoy your stay in Salzburg.  jeb