UK and Europe 4 month sojourn!

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That afternoon we did a free walking tour around Salzburg which was informative and interesting. During the tour we were given a few suggestions to look so after the tour we did a bit more walking!

Mozart‘s residence.



The worlds oldest gnome garden!

 

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The shop signs in the alley ways date back hundred’s of years to a time when most people were illiterate so the signs represented what was being sold, ie umbrellas, hats, fish etc. When McDonalds came to town they wanted to install the big Golden Arches but the town wouldn’t let the so instead this is the sign above their restaurant.

 

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Day three dawned and a trip on the funicular to Fortress Hohensalzburg was next on the agenda. On the way we visited Mirabell Gardens where some of the Sound of Music was filmed (plus other general photos).

 

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And a bit more Salzburg overload!

 

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Playing a bit of catch up as we‘re now in Prague. After Salzburg we headed to Munich. When we booked this trip we didn’t realise that Oktoberfest actually starts in September so the place was pumping. This is our first time here and as we only had two nights we only spent a hour or so at the Oktoberfest. It was like the Brisbane Ekka on steroi_s plus all the beer halls. Will try and get back another year to really enjoy it.

 

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We only had a day and a half in Munich so we did a free walking tour and we only really touched the highlights.

Marienplatz and City Hall. We did get to see the Glockenspiel!



A fancy skeleton in a crypt in St Peter’s.



Plus inside the church.

 

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After the walking tour we hopped on a train to Dachau .

 

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On out last day in Belfast we visited the Titanic Museum which is well worth it. The building itself is spectacular and the story of the Titanic and the ship builders is so interesting. The manual labour that was involved is mind blowing and the engineering incredible. The tragedy itself is so typical of how a number of little things can lead to a much a much bigger problem. As often happens this was a combination of human error and judgements, and possibly lack of knowledge.

The Titanic museum.
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Great TR @Scash
This brings back great memories of Ireland trip 5 years ago
I rate Titanic Museum in top 10 recommendations I make when I am asked best places I have been.
As you say every detail is brilliant

 

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The portrait gallery in Edinburgh is also worth a visit with multiple levels of portraits, paintings and photos of contemporary and historical figures. Well worth a visit and the entry itself is worth it alone.
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Love that place
Has that fab portrait of Alan coughming but one of first winners of Portrait Artist of the Year

 

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Our next stop is Prague and our transport from Munich was with DB Trains. The trip was supposed to be about 5 1/2 hours and direct but we were stopped at Regensberg station for about 90 minutes due to some track issues. We finally left Regensberg but then had to stop at the next station to swap trains. There was no clear instructions but luckily there were some school kids on the train and one spoke English so let us know what was happening. There was a mad dash from one train to the next and it was a free for all so we just jumped in whatever seats we could find.

We finally departed with a sigh of relief and settled in for the rest of the trip. However we got to within a couple of stations of Prague and again had to swap trains! This was on to a local train and again a cough fight to get seats. As this was a more local train we had a circuitous route and lots more stops. We eventually got in to Prague 3 hours after our scheduled arrival time!

 

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We hadn’t eaten since we left Munich so we were quite famished. There was an Argentinean restaurant below the hotel we were staying at so we ventured there. We had the meat platter for two which was amazing and reasonably priced (about $70 aud) plus a beer or two.

 

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Our first full day in Prague with a bit of a sleep in in the first comfy bed we’ve had for a while. After a shower and a cuppa we headed off on a free walking tour. It went for just under three hours and was really good.

The room was spacious but decor was not exactly my style!



The walk started at the Powder Tower which was the old gate to the city (and part of the wall that surrounded the city) and was used to store gunpowder. It’s right beside the Smetana Hall which is the Municipal Building.

 

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For those that have been to Prague you will know what a pretty city it is and the photo opportunities are endless. I took way too many photos and will try not to overload!


The town clock. This is an amazing piece of ingenuity particularly in view of when it was built. The clock gives the time, day, month, season, sunrise, sunset zodiac etc!

 

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A statue of Frans Kafka the German author who lived in Prague.



And the John Lennon wall. This wall was originally used by students to write messages, and then as a symbol of defiance against communism. When John Lennon was shot people started writing messages to him and it’s since became a place to express views. The wall is constantly painted over and ever changing.

 

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Our next stop is Prague and our transport from Munich was with DB Trains. The trip was supposed to be about 5 1/2 hours and direct but we were stopped at Regensberg station for about 90 minutes due to some track issues. We finally left Regensberg but then had to stop at the next station to swap trains. There was no clear instructions but luckily there were some school kids on the train and one spoke English so let us know what was happening. There was a mad dash from one train to the next and it was a free for all so we just jumped in whatever seats we could find.

We finally departed with a sigh of relief and settled in for the rest of the trip. However we got to within a couple of stations of Prague and again had to swap trains! This was on to a local train and again a cough fight to get seats. As this was a more local train we had a circuitous route and lots more stops. We eventually got in to Prague 3 hours after our scheduled arrival time!

This changeover seems like it may be common. On our train from Prague to Regensburg we had to swap trains one station before Regensburg. Like you I had someone who spoke English who explained what was going on. I understood enough German to know that the train we were on was terminating at that station but not what the next step was to be.

Prague is definitely an insanely photographical city.

 

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Prague Castle and the view





On he way down from the castle plus found Prague’s oldest pub.

 

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Had to try the local food so pork knuckle for lunch it was. They’re not big on salads here

 

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There are so many people here it’s hard to get a photo so got up early to beat the crowds. These places were jam packed with people yesterday.

Charles Bridge yesterday.



And this morning.

 

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We weren’t the only ones up early with newlyweds doing their photo shoot before it got too busy.



And some general photos from the bridge.

 

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Plus a few other early morning photos.