Last week Chris said, Hey! We have to go to Oktoberfest! So we looked around and found an apartment to rent the day before we wanted to leave, rented a car, and off we went! We were actually staying near Salzburg, so the first day we went to the Mirabell Gardens (famously seen in The Sound of Music).
The kids absolutely loved the gardens. There were beautiful flowers (Elora says, “I didn’t pick any flowers, I just got some off the ground!”) and fountains, which Oliver loved to point at (and try to swim in).
Ah, a lovely photo of our daughter. She was quite silly while playing in the garden, and had trouble keeping a straight face in any photos.
Elora with her beautiful flowers (that she found on the ground). She was so proud of them, and sweetly offered some for me to put in my hair as well.
Goober face. But the fountain is nice.
There is a long section of these archways with climbing plants. In the spring they have flowers, but the kids still thought it was pretty neat to “go into the dark tunnel!”
I love all the statues along the perimeter of the gardens! And there is Chris attempting to capture Elora’s cute antics.
Oliver spent most of the time trying to climb over, under, or go around all the fences and chains designed to keep people out of the flower beds. He’s quick! He got mad when he figured out he couldn’t go over or through this particular fence.
After leaving the gardens we started heading toward St. Paul’s cathedral, and stumbled across this cute notions shop. I love these stores, I have only seen them in Innsbruck and Salzburg. They only sell buttons, ribbon, and lace. Amazing stuff! And the sweetest ladies work there. Unfortunately I could not find a reason to shop there today, but Elora liked looking at all the “fancy things”. Notice what it says on the window. This little store has been selling buttons in this location for 250 years!!!!
On the way to the cathedral we came across this little festival. So fun. There were a lot of little shops selling traditional Austrian goodies and toys and clothes, and a little carneval set up. Oliver and Elora were so excited to see all the rides! And we were mean parents who took them to the cathedral instead…
Elora making friends with the living statue. This one was super nice and gave little toys to all the children who came up to see him.
There was a little fighting demonstration set up, where some kids showed off their wrestling talents. Elora thought this was fascinating.
We had the best pastries in Salzburg! That was pretty much all we ate the whole day… mmmm….
Brezel! Also good. We got one with apple pie filling. (Or apple strudel filling I guess?)
Here is Chris inside St. Paul’s taking pics. I tried to get one with Elora in it, but she just kept moving, and moving, and moving…
Here is one of Chris’ pics. The ceilings along the sides of the cathedral have these carvings covering them. Absolutely incredible. 
If you look closely you can see Oliver and me. This cathedral has beautiful dome shaped ceilings.
Me and the kids walking out, under the organ. Elora was excited to note that there are actually organ pipes in five different locations in the cathedral.
I had been to Salzburg once before, but never walked along the river or crossed any of the bridges before. It was so neat. There are paths that follow the river all the way through the city and many pedestrian bridges crossing the river. The views along the river are so beautiful, and Oliver loved looking down into the river and seeing the boats.
Oliver showing off his new talent – he likes to walk on these low walls that were everywhere along the riverbank.
Dinner time! It’s all about the Grillteller (grill plate). A bunch of meat and french fries. All that meat and only broccoli on Chris’ fork? Don’t worry, he’s just feeding it to Elora.
I got the Käsespätzle and pork chops in a mushroom sauce. Really good.
