Salzburgerland is a magnificent state which borders Germany and hosts some of the world’s most beautiful baroque structures, breathtaking mountain views and is famously linked to many festivals and historically linked to famous films such as ‘The Sound of Music’ and composers needless say it’s Mozart himself!

There are many sights to visit within Salzburg and Salzburgerland during winter and summer months. You will notice whilst walking through the streets that everything around you is pretty much an exhibition thanks to it’s distinct beauty.

For those of you visiting Salzburgerland during the winter months, you will find that the snow provides a perfect canvas for some exciting winter sports and also provides the perfect back drop for the picture perfect sceneries. From the snow covered trees and mountains you will surely feel the magical feeling of a winter wonderland. You will find some of the best skiing locations up in the mountains and whilst standing on the mountain peek just about to ski down, have a look around you and appreciate the powerful feeling of endless freedom which I felt when looking around the snow covered mountain peeks around me. For a better view of these mountains, you can also go on a hot air balloon trip which I strongly recommend. If you have had enough of skiing or snowboarding why not try a Siberian and Alaskan tradition of dog sled racing.

Thanks to the alpine type province, this provides a healthy surrounding, so why not fully indulge in some pure alpine wellness such as spa treatments and regeneration and visit the alpine wellness. Some great cultural sights include:

The Salzburg Cathedral which is astoundingly beautiful modern baroque building, with its Cathedral dating back to 774.

St. Peter’s Abbey, which was originally built in Romanesque architecture but redesigned in Baroque style. This abbey was originally designed by St. Rupert and is definatley worth a visit.

Salzburg is a very eventful city with many cultural and diverse festivals and activities happening all year round. Some of the famous festivals and activities include:

The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt which occurs during the Christmas months and is very enchanting and fun and the perfect place to visit for some Christmas shopping and souvenirs. Many other Christmas markets include the Advent Markets in Salzburg, The Christmas Markets in Mirabell Square and the Adventzauber in Hellbrunn.

Salzburg is a very musical province and music it sure is with musical festivals all year round such as Mozart week which occurs in the last week of January and beginning of February and hosts operas and concerts.

The Jazz festival is also a very fun event to attend. In 2006 it will be celebrating it’s 10th Year anniversary, although still very young it has established itself as one of Europe’s most stylish Jazz Festival.

On a different and more personal note, when I visited Salzburg a couple of years ago, I had one thing in mind, I wanted to visit the location where the famous ‘Sound of Music’ was filmed such as the famous Gazebo and the beautiful mansion and gardens. It was surprising to me however, that the ‘Sound of Music’ wasn’t as famous with the locals as it was with us tourists. To my satisfaction, I managed to visit many of the famous shooting locations, which are all in walking distance from each other. Starting from the Benedictine Convent on Nonnberg, to the Mirabell Gardens where Maria and the kids sang Do Re Mi. Mozart is by far a very famous Austrian and 2006 is going to be dedicated to him as it will be the 250th anniversary of one of the best and most magnificent composers of all times. Here in Salzburg you can visit Mozart’s birthplace in Getreidegasse no. 9.