During breakfast this morning we docked in Passau Germany.
We were all four healthy today so we set out as a full group for the hour+ bus ride to Salzburg.
Arriving at Salzburg we were met by our guide who led us, first, to a handy facility for a bio break
Thus refreshed we set out on a walking tour.
Beginning with the Mirabell palace:
This “pleasure palace” was constructed in the early 17th century for Salome Alt, the mistress of the Prince/Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau.
The palace was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century and purchased by the city in 1866.
It’s lavish marble ballroom serves as a venue for many concerts each year.
The rest of the facility houses several city offices, including the registry office (Where couples come to register their marriage).
The registry office is a popular place, particularly on weekends during the summer, hosting a constant stream of weddings.
The more popular part of the palace are the gardens (where several scenes from Sound of Music were filmed).
Leaving the palace grounds we passed the place where Mozart grew up (in a second floor apartment)…
…and crossed the Salzach River via the Lock Bridge
We continued our walk into the old town
All that was cool, but they went ‘over-the-top’ with their interpretation of medieval store signs.
The walking tour ended up in front of the cathedral.
There our guide turned us loose to do a bit of wandering/shopping before lunch.
We gathered for lunch in front of the cathedral and walked around the corner to the restaurant at St. Peter’s Abby – reported to be the oldest restaurant in Europe.
We were a bit early so our guide pointed to the Abby cemetery – used in the film as the scene where the family hid from Ralf.
We actually ate in the formal dining room –
– joined by passengers from another Viking cruise. During dinner we were entertained by a vocal quartet performing selections from The Sound of Music.
After lunch it was a walk back thru town to the bus, and back to the ship.
We retired to the terrace for a refreshing libation and a last look at Passau.
Dinner this evening was a German extravaganza so after the port talk we headed for the Restaurant where we were greeted by Way too much food.
After dinner it was a game of Liar’s Club. Four crew members were given a word. They each gave a definition of the word, but only one was correct. Our task was to identify the correct definition. Of the four rounds the only one we got right was ‘taradiddle’. Cheryl knew that it meant ‘nonsense’. The rest we were all clueless and the crew members did a great job of throwing us off.
So that’s the day.
Tonight we rest.
Tomorrow we get to see the Melk Abby.
Till then…
R