To Munich

Views along the drive from Salzburg to Munich. Farms look like Tyrolian villages.

Churches dominate the landscape.

A street in downtown, not old town, Munich.

One of the first places we see in Germany has a French name.

An overhead train station assumes the character of a riverboat.

We have a large suite. It has a lot of room but isn't very functional.

A large bed and an unrequested one set. Are we having a guest we don't know about?

We could ballroom dance in this room! Lots of floor space, few electrical outlets, how bizarre.

Tomorrow is touring Munich day. Today is recovering from Salzburg day.

Beautiful Salzburg

We begin the day with a horse drawn carriage tour of the old town. We arrange a special pick up at the hotel.

The ride is enjoyable, the driver is personable, the horses are new and young and cantankerous. The ride gives us a great overview of old town Salzburg. What looks like a weird flying buttress is actually an elevator to the castle above.

With St. Peters in the background, this is the fountain Julie Andrews made famous in the Sound of Music.

Fortress Hohensalzburg majestically perched high above the city. By day's end we will not be as impressed. 

The circuit takes us along the Salzach River.

In the old city, roads often pass under buildings.

It is unseasonably hot. In Paris, players are dropping out of the French Open because of the heat. We decide to dine at the oldest restaurant in Europe. Along the way Carol shops.

Our new friend Charilie, the general manager of Augustiner Bräu Mülln, told us about this place. He also told us it is iconic and overpriced, yet a must do. It is a short walk for younger people.

Decor and sculptures are fascinating.

Charlie was correct. The atmosphere is to be expected from a place operating since 803AD.

This evening begins with a cruise on the river.

Up on the hill is the nunnery of the Sound of Music.

This is the boat's captain welcoming us.

The current in the river is significant. Our return trip will be quick.

Salzburg is NOT a mobility challenged city. The cruise was the first part of a Viator booking. Previously they have taken care of everything related to the booking. This event is a near-total Viator FAIL. There is no transportation to the next event. We cannot hail a taxi and we must walk. 

We eventually make it to the base of the fortress funicular. Arriving at the fortress, there are more steps down to the VIP dinner venue.

How many stairs have there been to get to the concert venue? One older lady, in better condition than us, gives up after making three quarters of the climb.

At this point we're less than half the climb to the concert venue.

The concert is good. The first set contains three pieces. The first is a string quartet.

The second adds a pianist. Second violinist is now a page turner for the pianist.

The third set is a somewhat comedic classical piece featuring first violin.

During intermission, we take final pictures from above Salzburg and get a head start on the crowds.

We cannot call a taxi. We are forced to walk back to the hotel. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR THE MOBILITY CHALLENGED! Beautiful yes, functional or fun NO!

To Salzburg

The drop from Leongang to Salzburg is 1194 feet or 364 meters. It seems we are driving downhill most of the taxi ride between the two cities. Why aren't we on the train? Our luggage, burdened with the wine of Bordeaux and Austria, is too heavy for the two of us to get on and off the train. Klaus felt a taxi a better plan.

The downhill transfer to Salzburg is made in a plush Mercedes.

The scenery on the drive is beautiful.

Salzburg is an amazing city. We enter a tunnel and on the other side emerge into Old Town Salzburg, our hotel being immediately across the street. It is a short tunnel but runs beneath a huge cliff of granite.

 

Churches and cathedrals feature prominently in the old town's landscape.

Salzburg lies in a river valley with cliffs and mountains rising quickly on both sides of the river. A huge granite rock face with its fortress perched on top protected Salzburg in ancient times.

The Goldener Hirsch hotel and our suite are amazing even if we get lost attempting our first exit.

After checking in, we have lunch outdoors next to the hotel. After, we stroll the nearby streets.

We dine at the largest beer garden in Austria, Augustiner Bräu Mülln. The only available beer, a Marzden, should not suit CJ but it is quite pleasant.

After dinner we stroll the streets near the hotel.