European Adventure 2013

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Packed up by 7.30 am for the last day of our Cosmos tour. Breakfast at the Ramada Salzburg was a rather cramped affair as they were renovating their restaurant. It was the first time we've ever had muesli with choc chips in it!

We decided to forego the optional "Sound of Music" Tour and visit some attractions in the Old Centre of Salzburg. After wandering down the cute main "shopping street" we headed for the magnificent Dom (Cathedral) dedicated to Sts Rupert & Virgil. All the churches we've seen in Austria have been very ornate and this was no exception. It was different however, in that it contained an abundance of intricately carved white marble, especially in the archways and on the pillars. Four domes and no less than five organs also contributed to the Salzburg Dom's individuality.

We were hoping to take the funicular up the very steep hill to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, an imposing structure that we'd seen illuminated the previous evening on our walk, but unfortunately we picked one of the days when it was not operating. Construction of this fortress began in the 11th Century and we were keen to see it, so we climbed to the top ourselves - probably our last steep hill of the trip! This exertion was rewarded with a magnificent view over Salzburg, a fascinating museum, a small-scale look at the Salzburg Marionnette Theatre, archaeological finds, the Castle's State Rooms and more. A delicious bratwurst hot dog, home-made apple struedel & coffee for lunch completed a terrific morning.

This afternoon we headed for the last destination of our tour & of our 3 month trip...Munich. Unfortunately one of our touring colleagues had a stomach upset that resulted in a couple of unscheduled stops. The drive to Munich was through beautiful alpine countryside and was relatively short by the standards of this trip. A farewell dinner in a restaurant on the other side of Munich from our hotel (goodness knows why so far away...in peak hour traffic too!) had been organised for our last evening. Everyone had been allocated a LITRE of beer (I was able to swap mine for a glass of white wine thankfully) and a 3 course fairly ordinary meal but we were able to say goodbye to our guide from Bosnia, driver from Italy & travelling companions from the US, Philippines, Wales, England, Canada, Honduras & Australia.

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Photos

Salzburg
Fancy shingles above shops in the main shopping street

Salzburg
Mozart's birthplace (with a Spar supermarket underneath!)

Salzburg Cathedral
Main altar & dome of the Cathedral & two of the five organs either side

Salzburg Cathedral
Intricate carving in the ceiling & an archway of the Cathedral

Salzburg
Contemporary sculpture in the Square below the Fortress

Salzburg
A "selfie" halfway up the walk to the fortress

Salzburg
Hohensalzburg Fortress

Salzburg Fortress
Courtyard & Chapel

Salzburg Fortress
Ceramic heating "oven" in the Fortress

Salzburg Fortress
State Room