Wanderlust: Salzburg - Christmas Day

Off and running to catch the 8.56am train to Salzburg. I always check the trains before using them - I have 1st Class Eurail vouchers, however some on trains you need to make a reservation, which will cost extra but it reserves you a particular seat... today, I don't need the reservation so board in the 1st class carriage - and yes, the conductor will make you leave if you are not in the correct class - and sit back to enjoy the ride, arriving at 10.46am - yes .... they are that accurate with the scheduled times.

A taxi to the StarInn Premium Motel ... don't know why I booked this particular hotel but while it lacks the elegance of other hotels, it is clean, well positioned and we are only staying tonight - then going to Hallstatt for the night, then back here for one night so I can leave my large bags.

We walk through the Maribell Gardens and a number of quaint streets. The Christmas Market in Salzburg is beautiful - (albeit it's raining) - a different feel to Munich but very beautiful. No more Bratwurst, but huge pans of pancake pieces, all sorts of strudel, some gluwein but now you can also buy other drinks such as a hot White Russian! More Christmas decorations, people everywhere but I'm sure it will be a different story when we return as tomorrow is the last day. We were going to go to the Tomaselli Cafe but there were sooo many people inside I just couldn't do it, so a few steps away down another side street we discover an Italian restaurant upstairs which is also busy far more civilised. Italian food seems to be the order of the day here - for good reason - and we dine at the Italian restaurant on the corner of our hotel for dinner.