Having celebrated New Year’s Eve in various cities through out the world – there is one place that stands high above all others as my favorite place to ring in the New Year – SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. I could spend every New Year’s Eve in #Salzburg, for the rest of my life, and never tire of it.
Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria, yet it has an intimate quality to it. The Altstadt, or Old City, was listed as a UNESCO Heritage sight in 1997, and its baroque architecture only adds to its intimacy. The Altstadt and Neustadt (New City) are split in half by the lovely Salzach River, which flows for 140 miles until joining the Danube. Towering high above the city is the beautifully imposing Salzburg Fortress, Festung Hohensalzburg.
The Stay
For our holiday celebration I chose to stay at the Arthotel Blaue Gans. What a wonderful hotel! Located in the Altstadt (Old City), the arthotel Blaue Gans is a stone’s throw from Mozart’s birthplace, one of the most visited museums in Austria. It is perfectly located near sights, restaurants and shopping. Our New Year’s Eve party was also at the hotel.
We booked a Double room “large”, which included free wifi and breakfast buffet.
Tip: Make sure you verify the cancellation policy. Our cancellation policy was 21 days prior to arrival.
New Year’s Eve
When making your reservation for their New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, the arthotel Blaue Gans will ask if you prefer to sit in the Brasserie, the Formal Dining Room or the Wine Archive. We chose the the Brasserie because it looks out onto the street and we thought it would be more festive. It turned out to be the perfect location. We could see the people celebrating in the streets from the comfort of our dinner seats.
The gala began at 7:00 pm with champagne and hors d’oeuvres outside, followed by an indoor sit down dinner. The dinner began with choice of Ceviche of Danube Salmon with tangerine and crisp rye or Goose-Consomme with quince & goose tortellini. Main courses included Roasted Pike Perch with black salsifies & coffee brittle, Capon-Breast with fermented turnips and greaves or Saddle of Venison with dumplings and savoy cabbage. We finished our meal with lovely Fried Chocolates with mango & passion fruit and Lime Sorbet with mint & meringue.
At 11:00 pm, after a quick trip upstairs to our room to grab our coats and gloves, we were off to join the revelers. First stop: the ice skating rink at Salzburger Altstadt for shoe ice skating. As you can see – people were having a blast.
As midnight approached we headed down to the river to watch the fireworks display. Everyone was gathered along the banks of the river as well as every bridge in the city. There were lots of holiday booths selling wine and champagne. With champagne in hand we brought in the New Year Austrian style!
2:00 a.m. snack anyone?
The Eats
Restaurant Goldener Hirsch, in the Hotel Goldener Hirsch, is two doors down from arthotel Blaue Gans. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Salzburg. This is traditional Austrian food at its best. Make sure you save room for their famous dessert – Traditional Salzburger Nockerl for two – an Austro-Bavarian souffle. Yum….
Cafe Tomaselli is the place to go for coffee, hot chocolate and pastries. Founded in 1700 it is the oldest coffee house in Austria. You must try the apple strudel.
Augustiner Brau Brewery in the Mulln neighborhood of Salzburg has been brewing beer since 1621. Beer is drawn from wooden barrels and served in either stone mugs or steins. Pick up a sausage, pretzel and beer and grab a seat.
Sights
A visit to the UNESCO world heritage site DomQuartier Salzburg is a must see for visitors. This was the seat of power from which the city’s prince-archbishops ruled Closed to the public for 200+ years the Long Corridor, which reopened in 2014, displays religious paintings from the collection of the Archdiocese of St. Peter. You can also tour the 15 state rooms of the Residence. the Residence Gallery and the Cathedral Museum.
Shopping
There are great shops in Salzburg. You can find everything from designer fashion to local ceramics and Christmas ornaments. While out meandering one day, we came upon Gallery Leon Einberger, located at Mozartplatz 5. What a wonderful find. Here is the painting we purchased being held by the artist Leon Einberger himself.
If you are looking for gifts to bring back home look no further than Furst Salzburg. Confectioner Paul Furst created the Original Salzburger Mozartkugel in 1890 – a delicious confection made from marzipan and pistachio, surrounded by nougat and dark chocolate. Yes this treat is known world wide, but there is nothing like purchasing it from the source.
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