Salzburg and Travel

 Salzburg was a quick stop. We spent only 2 nights which meant 2 days to sightsee   One of them being Salt Mine and Sound of Music (tours).  So today we are off on a walking tour of the city.  We are focused on the old town city center.  Salzburg’s old town is compact between the river and the mountains.  The Hohensalzburg Fortress sits on the hill overlooking the city. 

So we wander around following my audio guide tour of course we find a way to get lost.  Finally back on track.  The tour was fairly quick and we go to the top by way of the funicular.  Not hiking up hill. The Fortress  is huge whim in 1077 and Salzburg was never attacked. When Napoleon showed up the Salzburg residents just gave him the castle.  The views were terrific and the Armory was most impressive not your usual room full of artifacts but more an interactive experience that you were able to assimilate what was actually needed for armor through the ages

As we stop for lunch at 3pm.  Seemingly like the normal time we decide to take the 5pm train to Munich if possible the first issue is we need a seat reservation. This has been a challenge and only the second time we needed one.  The first time there were no reservations available so we opted for a local train. This time I was able to get the seat and pay for it on line. This is a good sign.   As we were getting to the hotel the concierge is opening the luggage storage and as we go outside to get a taxi (yes the world travelers are getting spoiled and lazy) there is one for hire.  This all bodes well to make the 5pm train as it is 4:30 at this point.  

As we settle in for the 90 minute ride on the express train the option was the 2 hour multiple stops route we breathe a sigh of relief.  There is an announcement that as we cross into Germany there will be a passport check. 

Do we just find these things.  There end up a 75 minute delay while 4-8 officers looked at each passenger and their documents.  There was a group of about 20 or 30 the were escorted off the train from other cars but we don’t know why.  No one in our car seemed to have any issues. The train originally began in Budapest so perhaps it was some one from further east they were interested in.  Apparently in Germany the citizens want a tighter control of the border. Since within the EU borders seemed to disappear as there is no checking especially if traveling by train.