An inclusive non-escorted tour organised by Thomas Cook Ltd lasting 10 days departing London Victoria on Friday 2nd July 1971 returning on Sunday 11th July 1971. Travel was via the Dover-Ostend ferry service (Prinses Paola) operated by RMT Belgian Marine.
On arrival at Ostend we boarded the overnight Tauern Express and arrived in Salzburg in time for lunch at Hotel Pitter in Rainerstrasse where we stayed for 7 nights, full board. Tour price £40. In fact the meals included in the price were somewhat over-generous, consisting of breakfast plus a 4-course lunch and a 4-course dinner. Certainly by the second or third day we were turning away the soup course.

Salzburg, the capital of the Province of the same name, is on the northern slopes of the Alps, almost at the centre of Austria. Its situation at the intersection of traditional European trade-routes means that it is well served and easily accessible by air, road, and rail. It boasts 145,000 inhabitants and is the headquarters of many ecclesiastical and secular authorities. Its world-wide reputation is due primarily to its incomparable environment, its superb architecture, and the dispensation of providence by which W. A. Mozart was born here in 1756. And Salzburg's stature as a centre of learning is enhanced by its "Mozarteum" having been designated a "College of Music" in 1970, and by the reconstitution in 1962 of the University that was founded in 1622.

Moreover, Salzburg offers first-class "cure" and Congress amenities, quite apart from the world-famous Festival. There is a wide choice of first-class hotels in traditional Austrian style and with every modern amenity, converted castles, comfortable middle-class houses, and unpretentious spotlessly clean inns: in all some 220 establishments and a total of 9500 beds. There are also plenty of rooms in private houses, especially in the high season, as well as 4 youth hostels, 8 camping sites, and any number of restaurants and hostelries with cooking ranging from international to typically Austrian or Salzburg; not to mention the wealth of inviting coffee-houses, all sorts of entertainments, dancing, bars, wine-stubl, beer-kellers. The Salzburg Casino at the Cafe Winkler on the Monchsberg offers roulette, baccarat and black-jack from 4 pm daily.

This was the first of several visits to Salzburg and the many delights of the city are described on other pages of this scrapbook. Here I have limited coverage to an excursion to nearby Bavaria and a picture of what became our favourite watering-hole on this trip, the Stieglkeller terrace on the northern slopes of the Monschberg with its superb views over the rooftops of the old city:

Welcome to the gemutlich Stiegl-Keller, the traditional restaurant at the foot of the fortress. Hot and cold food is served all day. From Salzburg's most delightful restaurant garden you can enjoy drinks or delicious meals and the unique view of the fascinating old town. Whether you come with 2 or 1000 guests, we are specialists in catering for your gastronomic needs and we look forward to serving you during your visit in Salzburg!

This takes us to neighbouring Bavaria with its beautiful alpine scenery. Leaving Salzburg by the Alpenstrasse, passing Hellbrunn and Anif we arrive at the frontier for a document check. Following the valley of the Konigssee-Ache, passing Schellenberg, we come to Unterau, from where we have a splendid view of the Hoher Goll and the Watzmann, 8150'. We branch off and ascend the road to the Obersalzberg. Passing the pilgrimage-church of Oberau, we soon arrive at the Hintereck 3000', where we alight from the bus and stary for 50 minutes. The guide will point out and explain everything of interest, for example the remains of Hitler's former mountain residence.

Following this we drive down towards the Konigssee, giving us a good view of the old village of Berchtesgaden. On the shore of the Konigssee we stay for a while to enjoy a short cruise on this romantic lake and afterwards there is an opportunity for refreshment.
On our return journey we pass the salt mines of Berchtesgaden. The road leads us across the border back into Austria and soon we are again in Salzburg.