Today was our free day! We each got to choose how we wanted to spend the day and where we wanted to go (within reason, of course). I had originally planned to visit Nuremberg, but since our itinerary changed and we were able to visit it during the trip, I decided to join the rest of the group for a day in Salzburg, Austria.

We booked an early morning train ticket to Austria, and once we arrived in Munich, the ride to Salzburg was only about two hours. The train ride itself was incredibly scenic, taking us right through the mountains.

Once we arrived, the city was just as beautiful as the journey there. After a short ten-minute walk from the train station, we arrived at the Mirabell Gardens, where parts of The Sound of Music were filmed. We took fun photos throughout the gardens, and I stopped to smell the beautiful roses lining the walkways. This was one of the few moments during the trip where I was able to slow down and fully take in where I was and what I was experiencing. Since we were in no rush, we simply enjoyed the weather and appreciated our final full day abroad.

Afterward, we grabbed a quick snack and walked to the Makartsteg Bridge, also known as the Love Lock Bridge. There is a similar bridge in Pittsburgh, but it was fun to experience one in a completely different setting. They even sold locks nearby, so many of them shared the same bright red color. After crossing the bridge, we wandered through the street markets, where I picked up some fun souvenirs and tried local food.

Next, we made our way to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, a majestic medieval landmark known for its history, architecture, and panoramic views of the city. We got to experience all three as we took the incline to the top. Just when I thought the views on this trip could not get any better, I realized I was wrong. From the top, we could see the outskirts of Salzburg with the Alps stretching behind the city. No photo I took could truly capture how breathtaking it was. Out of everything I have seen and experienced on this trip, this moment stands out above all else.

We spent a long time taking in the view and even enjoyed desserts while overlooking the city. After some more shopping and exploring, we headed back to the train station to catch the last train to Munich. During the ride, we talked about everything we had done and how much fun we had throughout the day. Once we arrived back, we rested and started packing to head home.