Wanderlust: 26th December

We have left our large suitcases at the hotel as we head down to Hallstatt for the night. It's a two hour plus train journey, with one change of train, but we finally make it to Hallstatt. We board a ferry (they run in conjunction with the train arrivals) and sail across the lake to the township of Hallstatt. Our hotel, Seehotel Gruner Baum, is right next door to where the ferry docks. We leave our bag, and as it's too early to book in, we head to the Salt Mine, which is about a 500 meter walk from where we are. A funicular takes us up to where the Salt Mine Tour begins - there is a bit of walking involved - we are then joined by our tour leader and there is a two kilometre walk through the mountain to commence. This salt mine is 7000 years old and today there are still 70 workers onsite. The tour is quite in-depth and varied, and includes a 64 metre slide down to a further level where we find ourselves 420 metres below ground level. There are light shows and interactive demonstrations and at the conclusion, we board a funny little train that takes us back out to the real world. I would definitely recommend doing this tour. And the scenery is breathtaking! Back in the village we explore some of the quaint little shops, their specialty sale item of course is salt! Checking into our room we have a spectacular view across the lake and the room is very comfy. There's a little bar outside the hotel (the building is 350 years old) where we have an aperitif now it's back to the room to prepare for dinner.