PRAGUE > SALZBURG: Taxi to Train Station--waited almost 45-min for the track location to come up on the board, which left us only about half an hour to find it. First-class cars have usually been in the front so that's where we went. When the train arrived, could not find the car name and # on our ticket. Had to hurry and get on the nearest car. This car was an "zoo"--bikes, people jammed in so that you couldn't even walk from car to car. Grabbed an empty seat and hoped no one was assigned to it. Ticket person finally came by and said 1st-class was in the last car. Next station, walked back to the 1st-class car. What a difference! Had a six-seat cubicle to ourselves. Before Lintz, the train track was being repaired; unloaded everyone to a bus for a 20-min ride to Lintz. So many red lights through the big town, plus stops for regular people riding the bus, made us late. Hustled and made it to the train platform with minutes to spare.

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA  Picturesque city with the River Salzach dividing the historic district into Old Town (Altstadt, left side) and New Town (Neustadt, right side). The river was a vital transportation of saltz (German for salt); thus the name Salzburg. A perfect place to begin roaming around Austria's western Alps. 

Easy getting a taxi from the train station to the hotel. Star Inn Premium Hotel--Great location on the right side (New Town) of the historic district about a block from the river; right next to lots of restaurants and shopping. Wonderful young people at reception; recommended what to see and how to get to our dinner destination. Room very nice, clean, good bathroom; our floor even had a little patio area on the roof deck.

Walked along river on Giselakai street. Fabulous view of the Fortress on top of the mountain, which dominates the view wherever you go in Salzburg.
Dinner at Andreas Hofer Weinstube, which is over 100 years old. They were just opening and we were the only customers. Sat at a table along the street and ordered two meals typical in western Austria: kaspressknödel (cheesebreaded dumplings) and käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle). Delicious, but very heavy. 

Headed back along Steingasse street, one of the oldest streets in the city with buildings from 1700's. The houses on this street are literally stuck to the rock of Kapuzinerberg Mountain.

Inner Stone Gate (Inners Steintorbuilt in 1280) is a small medieval alley. 

Enjoyed the window displays along the streets lined with shops near the hotel, especially the bread store with all the unique bread shapes. Lovely walk with captivating medieval charm! Nice to be in a city that is not jammed-packed with people, plus the weather is perfect.