Leaving the ship at 9am the buses head to Salzburg arriving around 11am we headed into the city centre with our guide. Our first impression with the wide flowing river and the fort on the top of the hill is a good one. We have a tour of the streets noting the decorative signs above the shops. Even McDonald's has an impressive eagle and lion. Then we come into the main square and oh boy! It is St Rupert's Feast Day, he is the patron saint and everyone is out to celebrate. All the locals have worn their national costumes and are looking extremely elegant. There are thousands in people in the square with entertainers, food stalls, beer tent a, clowns, merrygo rounds, whip crackers artists and lots more. It is quite impossible for our large group to move around. We head off up to the fort by funicular rail and are able to enjoy a wonderful view of the city and surrounds without all the crowds. When we head down we try to get a photo of the fountain from the Sound of Music but the crowds are just too large.
The scenery out in the countryside is beautiful, green hills quaint houses with flower boxes and the lakes. Need to come back when the town is not so crowded to enjoy it.
We head for Mondsee in the lake district and have a much quieter visit to St Michael's Cathedral a very decorative style.