Jungfrau, Switzerland

One of my last days was spent in Switzerland. I took a tour bus from Zurich into the mountains to Jungfrau: Top of Europe.
It's over 3000 meters above sea level and that makes it the highest train station in the world. It's a beautiful sight to be held, just make sure that you be prepared for altitude sickness!

My shirt reads "The Mountains are calling and I must go"

I found the Scrat from Ice Age! 

Oktoberfest and Neuschwanstein Castle

I didn't get into Munich until 1 pm on day 21 of my trip. I got to my hotel and walked the 2 blocks to Oktoberfest! I had a horrible head cold and only stayed out for a few hours before going back to bed. But I did get to take part in some of the festivities!

The entire reason I went to Munich was not for Oktoberfest, but for my castle! The Neuschwanstein castle, which I have renamed Grace's castle since I took it over.
The tour I took first stopped at the Linderhof Castle, which was the main castle the "crazy" king Ludwig lived in. It's designed to pay its respects to the King of France's palace Versailles (aka my first palace until I took over this castle).

Linderhof

Linderhof

Linderhof

Now for my main love. Neuschwanstein. I hiked up a hill to get to the main part of the castle. Then I was told if I went up above the castle I could get amazing photos, and boy were they right!

This is a photo from the above bridge called Marienbruke

We then waited for our tour inside of the castle. We weren't allowed to take photos inside, but I made a lot of decisions about what I will change in the place. First things being an elevator.

I did absolutely love this place and would give just about anything to be able to spend the night here for a night. 

Salzburg aka Sound Of Music Tour

The entire reason I wanted to go to Salzburg was for the Sound of Music Tour. I got into Salzburg at like 3 am and was exhausted. I was so tired that the place I was staying let me crash on their couch in the lobby until I could get into my room.
It was raining again, but I had songs to sings!!
One of the first things I found was this photo below, and I had to google what in the world was the meaning behind it.

Golden Square in the Streets of Salzburg

I googled "golden squares in the streets of salzburg" and after scrolling down a little I found an article about a man that is putting these plaques up all over Europe in honor of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. This man lived in the building that was right to the side of me. I was extremely moved once I read this, and started trying to keep an eye out for anymore. 

The first part of my day was a city tour. We started out in a plaza in front of Mirabella Palace and headed to the Palace into the gardens! This is where the "do re me" song in the Sound of Music was done! (I did warn you that this post is purely about the Sound of Music). 

The Fountain they dance on

The steps of the "do re me" song

Mirabella Gardens 

Mirabella Palace

Next for the Walk through the city, to see some of the sights! I saw Mozart's house and birthplace. The Fort/Castle up on the hill as well as the monastery and several other sites.  

Mozart's House

Mozart's Birthplace

The Fort/Castle

Where the bishop's horses were washed! 

Then we got on the bus to see the rest of the sites from the Sound of Music! 

First stop was the lake and back of the house from the movie! There was actually 3 houses used in the making of the movie. This was only the back porch scenes of the movie. 

Next was the road that Maria walked down during her "I have Confidence" song!

Then we found the gazebo used in the "I am 16 going on 17" song! 

To end of this trip we went to Mondsee to the Basilika St. Michael where they used the inside of the cathedral for the wedding scene in the movie! 

I absolutely loved this tour. I would do it again and again. 

Especially since the entire ride, the tour guide played songs from the movie and gave us little tidbits from it. 

Venice

Venice is a beautiful city, however it is super expensive!
Be ready to either walk, water taxi or the water shuttle. The water shuttle was the most congested thing and after the Vatican City, I couldn't deal with anymore people so I chose the water taxi.
I made it to Piazza San Marco after having issues getting my luggage to the holding area, the line was huge.

The line to get into the Doge's Palace was even longer than the line for the luggage. I decided to take a few photos outside of it then sit in one of the cafe's outside and enjoy myself. It had just rained so the Piazza was flooded.

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco

The Water in Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco

Eating Apple Pie in San Marco Square

Next I took the hop on/hop off water bus to the island of Murano. This is where some of the most beautiful glass-blowing is. It was amazing and its beautiful the work that they do. It only cost 2 euro to watch the master do his work and I highly reccomend it. 

The master at work

I took the water bus back to next stop on the route and then took a gondola ride. I mean did you even go to Venice if you didn't do a gondola ride? It cost me 80 euros for literally 10 minutes. But it was totally worth it. 

Gondola ride

Godola ride

Some views from the gondola ride

some views of the gondola ride

Finally after the Gondola ride, I walked to find the Rialto Bridge. One side was under construction but I still got to see it, walk across it and take some photos of it. 

Rialto Bridge

Vatican City

I did not really like the Vatican City. There were way way too many people there. The Sistene Chapel was so crowded, I could barely breathe. It was absolutely beautiful inside, and I wish that I could have spent some time there without so many people. There are so many statues and photos that you could spend days in there just looking at everything.

The entrance 

Pictures inside the Vatican

One of the ceilings 

One of the ceilings

The hall of maps 

The hall of maps 

Inside the cathedral

Inside of the Cathedral

Outside of the Vatican

Outside of the Vatican