Monday, January 27, 2025

Hallstatt, Austria

 

Hallstatt is a small town in the district of Gmunden, in the Austrian State of Upper Austria.  Situated between the Southwestern shore of Hallstatter sea and the steep slopes of Dachstein massif, the town lies in the Salzkammergut region, on the national road leading linking Salzburg and Graz. 

Halltatt is known for its production of salt, dating back to prehistoric times, and gave its name to the Hallstatt culture, the archaelogicical culture linked to Proto Celtic and Celtic people of the early age of Iron in Europe.  Hallstatt is at the core of the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape declared as one of the World Heritage Sites in Austria by UNESCO in 1997.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallstatt


Hallstatt has been declared as the most beautiful village in the world and an inspiration of a Disney movie, Frozen. The Kingdom of Arendalle has a great resemblance to the picturesque village .                                                  
Hallstatt has view of an alpine mountain, lake and vibrant, rich houses.  And just by walking at the Old Town, you can see the colorful houses  that are so pleasing with the eyes.


  
Before Hallstatt became a touristy attraction.  The locals of Hallstatt were primarily salt-miners, living a traditional alpine village life focused on farming and mining salts.                    
Due to its mountainous location, Hallstatt was relatively isolated and is only accessible by boat during the pre-tourism times.   



This small village has 700 inhabitants with an average of 10,000 visitors per day during peak season.  It covers 60 square kilometers



Things to do in Hallstatt: 
1. Hallstatt Skywalk
2. Central Square Marktplaz
3. Hallstatt Osuary                                                                                                                  
4. Parish of the Assumption                                                                                                          
5. Badestrand Hallstatt                                                                                                               
6. Hallstatt Museum                                                                                                                      
7. Waldbachstrub Waterfalls                                                                                                                                  

Monday, January 20, 2025

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

 

Are you willing to walk in a fairytale? Rothenberg ob der Tauber is considered as one of the best medieval town in Germany.  It is a popular destination and one of Germany's well-preserved historic walled town.  However, if you are planning to get here, make sure to make your way to Rothernburg ob der Tauber because there are a lot of Rothenburg or Rottenburg places in Germany.

On May 15, 1274, King Rudolf of Habsburg confirmed imperial city privilege.  2024 marks its 750 years and the city is celebrating its anniversary with a program.


Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a German town in Northern Bavaria.  A pictureistic old town in the middle of Romantische Strasse.  An old town preserved in time! It's touristy but it's stuck in time!


Rothenburg ob der Tauber is also the inspiration of Pinnochio's Disney movie in 1940.  It has also been featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films.




We were also fortunate to have a chat with the son of the host family whom Pope Francis used to reside.  Pope Francis used to live in this house when he was still the simple Father Jorge Mario Bergolio.  He attended a German course at the Goethe Institute in Rothenburg from August to October of 1986.  












How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
The most convenient way is to travel by train from nearby cities like Wurzburg or Ansbach requiring a change at Steinach station.  And by car is to use A7 motorway and exiting at Rothenburg ob der Tauber.


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