A tour of the hometown of the musical genius Mozart.

Fairytale Hallstatt

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit Austria. My journey began in our "neighbor" Switzerland, so my first stop in Austria was the village of Hallstatt. This village is undoubtedly one of the dream destinations for photographers, including myself. Hallstatt, with its 7,000-year history and mythical beauty, is considered one of the 10 most beautiful villages in the world.

Around 5000 BC, a group of prehistoric people began to inhabit an ice cave formed at the foot of Mount Dachstein, marking the arrival of humans in the area. From the 8th to the 5th centuries BC (Iron Age), the Celts brought Celtic culture to Hallstatt, settling and establishing a tribe by Lake Hallstatter, beneath the majestic snow-capped Alps. It was also the Celts who discovered a massive salt mine here – the world's first salt mine – and began exploiting it for use and trade. Over the centuries, this beautiful land experienced many upheavals, including natural disasters, epidemics, and wars, eventually becoming a desolate region. It wasn't until 1311, when Queen Elisabeth granted autonomy to the area, that Hallstatt began a strong resurgence and flourished. In 1875, the road connecting the outside world to Hallstatt was completed, and the world officially came to know that this legendary land was real. In 1997, UNESCO recognized the village of Hallstatt as a World Heritage Site.

I arrived in Hallstatt at dawn, dew still glistening on the leaves along the roadside. Birds chirped all along the road leading into the village, and occasionally I could feel the breeze carrying a distinctive fragrance from Lake Hallstätter See… All of this created an incredibly poetic and peaceful atmosphere. The transition from spring to summer adorned the village with a beautiful cloak, surrounded by the majestic snow-capped Alps, with clouds drifting lazily above, and the clear blue Lake Hallstätter See below, sparkling and reflecting the pastel-colored houses. In summer, the place is quite warm, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world. I only had about an hour to explore Hallstatt.

Following the centuries-old stone path to the center of the village, take your time and leisurely stroll to fully appreciate its inherent beauty. Along the way, the houses are meticulously and charmingly arranged, surrounded by many small, beautifully displayed items, making me feel that the people here take great care of their lives and are unaffected by the modernity of the outside world. The shops and souvenir stalls are arranged very logically and do not detract from the village's natural charm. And I think you should spend some time sipping a cappuccino by the lake; you will find this place even more romantic.

The Hallstatt Lutheran Church is also one of the symbols of the village of Hallstatt, attracting a large number of tourists. Passing by the church and looking back, you will get a classic photograph of the dreamy beauty of Hallstatt as white clouds blend with the romantic Alps, highlighting the simple yet sophisticated architecture of the clock tower of the Hallstatt Lutheran Church.

Vienna, the city of architectural art.

Leaving the idyllic village, I headed towards the Austrian capital – the beautiful city of Vienna. Touring the city's magnificent architecture with the guidance of my tour guide, I was quite surprised to learn that many of the structures here are connected by tunnels. This tunnel system is a legacy of the ancient Romans, who built them to create secret links and defend against external forces.

Known as Strata Carinthianorum, Karntner pedestrian street is the main thoroughfare connecting the city center to the city walls. Today, the shops lining the street still retain the architectural style of the 19th century. Only a few buildings from that period remain untouched by the destruction of World War II. This area remains a favorite shopping and strolling spot for Viennese residents and tourists alike.

The Belvedere Palace is one of Vienna's most visited historical sites. This magnificent tourist attraction comprises two Baroque-style palaces built for Prince Eugene of Savoy: the Lower Belvedere and the Upper Belvedere.

The Upper Palace houses the vast art collections of the Belvedere Palaces, and the magnificent building itself is considered a work of art. Highlights of the palace include the ground-floor Hall (Sala Terrena) with its exquisite sculptures supporting the magnificent vaulted ceiling, and the adjacent Ceremonial Staircase with its frescoes and accompanying murals depicting the triumphs of Alexander the Great.

The Belvedere Lower is no less impressive than the Upper Palace. Here, the Marble Hall is designed as a welcoming space for visitors. The highlight of this grand room is the oval plaster medallions depicting the life of Apollo. And there are many, many other exquisite works of art that visitors can admire in the Hall of Grotesques, the Marble Gallery, or the Gold Cabinet.

While strolling through Vienna, you'll encounter many well-preserved masterpieces of ancient architecture. These include the Stephansdom Cathedral (Europe's tallest cathedral), the Schönbrunn complex, the Votivkirche church, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Fine Arts… Each structure is capable of captivating visitors.

The birthplace of the genius Mozart

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Salzburg's unique charm lies in its churches, monasteries, castles, and fortresses... in the ancient Baroque architectural style harmoniously set within a dreamy green landscape. However, it was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who made Salzburg even more famous, as this city was the birthplace and childhood home of the genius composer. Mozart's music possesses a perfect beauty, often described as "the light of the eternal sun," yet during his lifetime, many of his works were rejected by the public in his homeland.

Today, Mozart's yellow house remains perfectly preserved, his room located on the fifth floor. I took some commemorative photos with the house and in remembrance of the world-renowned musician. To better understand this talented but ill-fated composer, I continued my tour of the neighborhood, cafes, and restaurants where Mozart once lived. I tried sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee slowly to gain a deeper understanding of him. I also didn't forget to visit the smallest house in Austria, in the city of Salzburg, measuring only about 1.4 meters wide. The house was built to block off a narrow alley. Today, it is the residence of a jeweler, but due to its extremely small size, it can only accommodate a maximum of three guests at a time.

As the city lights came on, I began to stroll slowly down the old streets. It was a fascinating experience, thinking that the very places I had just walked through might have once been bloody battlefields. Lost in thought for a few minutes, I felt as if those images were replaying in my mind. And so it continued to unfold in my thoughts throughout that evening.

My time in Austria wasn't long, but it was enough for me to experience the nature and people of this land. I still remember the feelings I had back then when I studied the legendary music of Mozart and Beethoven, or the classic photographs of Austria. Now, I've had truly wonderful experiences, and the images of the Roman capital will forever be etched in my memory.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa: Austria is part of the Schengen Area, so with an Austrian visa, you can also enter other Schengen member countries. If you choose the Austrian Embassy to apply for a Schengen visa, Austria must be your first destination, main destination, or place of longest stay on your trip.

Travel: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Austria. Most flights depart from Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia to Vienna. You can fly with airlines such as Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

Best time to visit Austria: Tourists can visit at any time of year. If you want to enjoy warm weather, you should visit between April and October. July and August are peak tourist season, so costs are high, but the scenery is stunning. June and September are the best times to visit Austria, with mild weather, clear skies, and gentle sunshine. The peak of winter falls between mid-December and the end of March, suitable for tourists who can tolerate cold well to admire the surreal beauty of Austria's natural landscape.

Cuisine: Goulash stew, Nockerl sweet dumplings, Tafelspitz beef and vegetable, Knödel potato dumplings, and Wiener Schnitzel (crispy fried veal in egg batter) are traditional dishes not to be missed when traveling in Austria.

Accommodation: Hotels in Austria are beautiful, with many types and reasonable prices, starting from just 80-100 USD per double room in the city center.

Language: German is the primary language.

Means of transportation:

- The public transport system in Austria is very modern and convenient. There are regular and punctual bus and train services. Visitors can find detailed information on the website www.oebb.at.

- Currency: Austria uses the European common currency, but you can also pay in USD. You should exchange money in Vietnam beforehand for a better exchange rate and prepare small denomination bills for easier payment. Additionally, using a Visa card for payments in Austria is very convenient.

- Some activities you shouldn't miss:

Cycling is a very enjoyable experience in Austria, especially the journey through the countryside.

Cruising on the Danube: there are many different routes, the most attractive of which is a boat trip from Vienna to the Lower and Upper regions of Austria.

Ngo Tran Hai An