We left Prien and headed for Prague. Our good intentions of getting to Prague before the end of the day were thwarted though, when we found we’d missed the only close connection for the day. Oh well. We caught the train to Salzburg and spent a few hours there, waiting for the connecting train to Prague.

Salzburg is a great place to while away a lazy afternoon. After dumping our backpacks in lockers at the train station, we made our way through the Mirabell Gardens, then across the river (making a detour past the Hotel Sacher shop in Salzburg, just to pick up a piece of the wonderful Sacher Torte, brought in from Vienna especially).

The area around the cathedral was full of markets – mainly stalls of various trades and craftsmen – blacksmiths, silversmiths, musical instrument makers, timber-workers, and the list went on. And of course lots of people wandering around enjoying the late September sunshine. When I lived in Germany I had spent a lot of time in Salzburg (at Christmas time it’s just beautiful), so I wanted to visit a couple of my old haunts.

One of these was St Peter Stiftskeller – a fantastic restaurant, part of which is carved into the cliff-face. As much as I would have loved to stop for some of the delicious Goulaschsuppe, we only had time for a cappuccino (and photos of course). This restaurant would have to top my list of best restuarants in Europe – the atmosphere, the food, the service. It certainly must have something going for it – it’s the oldest restaurant in Central Europe, open since 803AD.

Alas, after our coffee it was time to make our way back to the train station. We did however stop to listen to, and buy a CD from a street artist – spanish guitar (and very good spanish guitar). Even if you are only ever passing through Salzburg, I would highly recommend taking a few hours to wander around – there is a lot to see, even if you’re short on time.