Of course now that we are leaving it is starting to snow! Soon on the local train we change to the regional train and are on our final leg to Salzburg. The train system works perfectly - easy, effortless, comfortable. Once checked back in we head out again to do some exploring. Our hotel is not right in the 'old' town but it is well positioned and it's just a short stroll across one of the many bridges spanning the Salzach river to a myriad of little laneways and cobblestoned roads teeming with pedestrians. The weather is not great today but there are still people everywhere! We head up to Hohensalzburg which we reach via a funicular that takes you to the castle. Perched high above Salzburg it has a commanding position and in its history was never taken by any opposing forces however was handed over in the early 1800s to Napolean without a fight. The very nature of this structure defies belief as to how it was even possible to build on the peak where is sits. We then head over to Salzburg Cathedral .... photographs can't possibly capture the majesty of this church. First built in 774 it has obviously undergone many 'upgrades' to be the amazing example of Baroque style it is today. The last work was completed in 1959 after a bomb damaged the central dome during WWII.
There are still markets operating in Salzburg so we spend the rest of the day just wandering the many little streets that make up the 'Old Town'. Dinner is at the restaurant right next to the hotel .... an Italian restaurant that sells good basic food and is jumping the whole night! It's only 9.00pm when we finish so down another little alley into an Irish bar that specialises in whiskey tasting and stout. Finally leave at 11.00pm after spending the evening chatting to a couple from Alabama and, when we pass the restaurant, it's still busy!
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| Streets of Salzburg |
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| Walkway through to museum |
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| A view of our hotel as we sail away :( |
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| One of the many laneways |
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| Outside the museum |
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| Stalls in Salzburg |
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| Chapel in the castle |
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| Leaving Hallstatt - finally some snow! |
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| One of several naves in the cathedral |
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| Unbelievable |
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| View sailing away from Hallstatt |
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| Sculpture in square where you go to funicular |
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| Add caption |
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| On the train to Salzburg |
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| The detail is unbelievable |
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| Display in the fortress |
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| Part of the archway into museum |
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| In Germany and Salzburg their heaters were beautiful porcelain structures. This is a particularly beautiful one in the castle. |
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| Looking down the cathedral |
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| Such detail |
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| This was where all the Christmas stalks were |
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| Part of a wall hidden beneath further layers |
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