(ARA) - During high tourism season, tons of coaches and buses crowd into Salzburg, Austria chasing down the lore of the Von Trapps. And while the tours that follow in the footsteps of the famous movie are a decent way to get around the city, there's much more to this compact and charming place than backdrops for a troupe of family singers.

While Salzburg does have a modestly-sized airport, a better bet is to find cheap flights that arrive in Vienna. You can drive from the airport into the city, but perhaps an easier option is to hop a train. The rail systems in the area are sleek and efficient, and you'll dart through some spectacular scenery as you sit back and relax. Taking the train has the added bonus of cutting out the bother of trying to find a scarce parking place in Salzburg. If you don't have luck with flying into Vienna, another option is to look for cheap flights arriving in Munich, which is only about an hour and a half away from Salzburg.

The city's old town, or "Altstadt" is the place to start your explorations. But instead of following the crowds, try taking a different approach. Walking the length of Getreidegasse is a scenic amble, but take the opportunity to detour on some of the tiny side lanes that will lead you further into the city. The cathedral, Salzburger Dom, is a towering baroque affair, and a wonderful place to hear free choral music - just show up for mass. Follow that uplifting experience with a ride up the funicular (or a vigorous walk) to the Festung Hohensalzburg - the white fortress that dominates the town. Touring it provides some great insight into medieval Salzburg.

Near the cathedral, the St. Peter abbey church was founded in 696 and is considered to be the oldest Benedictine abbey north of the Alps. The church and its cemetery are a worthwhile destination, but the best idea is to come back for dinner at the adjoining restaurant, Stiftskeller St. Peter, for some truly old-school Austrian cooking - Charlemagne himself is said to have dined here. And for more monk-style gastronomy, visit the Augustiner church on the outskirts of the old town. The monks there brew a popular beer that you can enjoy either in the atmospheric interior halls or outdoors in the beer garden. There is food available there, but you can also bring your own, if you stop by a local bakery or grocery store.

Another essential experience in Salzburg is getting a taste of its cafe culture. You can pick and choose according to your personal preferences, as there's something to suit everyone. Just keep in mind that it's a little bit more of an event than stopping into an American coffee shop, so dress with a little panache. Café Tomaselli is a haunt for traditionalists - nattily dressed customers linger over coffees and tortes at marble-topped tables. Café Furst is also a very traditional sort of place, but it's the place for chocolate fiends to go. The service can be brusque, but when you're nibbling on your cake and sipping a sludgy hot chocolate, you'll forget all your cares.

Across the Salzach river is the "new" side of town. On that side, walk up the pedestrian-friendly Linzergasse, where there are shops, restaurants and other points of interest, like the St. Sebastian church. One of Salzburg's most famous sights, the Mirabell Gardens and Palace is also on the new side of town. The gardens are well-loved by locals who stroll them throughout the day, and jockey for benches on sunny days. Just across the street from Mirabell is St. Andrakirche, and on Thursdays, a lively farmer's market is held in its shadow. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs and snacks in a not-too-touristy atmosphere.

Whether you find cheap flights to Vienna, Munich or Salzburg itself, don't miss the opportunity to visit one of the most charming towns in Europe. There are even more ideas about what to see and do in the city at www.salzburg.info, and you can start your flight search on sites like Travelocity.com that allow you to compare different rates to get the best deal.

Courtesy of ARAcontent