July 22

We left early for Innsbruck. The train station at Salzburg was under construction. We had to carry the luggage for a long distance to the platform. James figured out where was the best position to wait in order to have the least distance to lift the luggage onto the train.

We sat in the first class cabin next to the premium class. For some unknown reason, we were the only two in the whole car. James looked at the next car. It was packed with passengers and luggage. It was strange that no one even noticed this nearly empty car. We had no complaints that we could have the whole car for ourselves for the two hour ride.

We arrived at Innsbruck at noon. It was HOT! The hotel was not in a convenient location. We were told at the tourist info that it was not a long walk to the hotel, so we decided to do that. Big mistake! We found it was a good 20 minutes walk with the luggage. A taxi would have been a much better idea, especially in the heat. After we checked in, we discovered our room had no air conditioning on the top floor. It was unbearable for a 35C day with sun blazing down the roof and into the windows. Either the Frommers travel book was wrong (it said the hotel had air conditioning), or the hotel was just too cheap and removed the air conditioning, the room was like an oven. We opened up all the windows to let some fresh air in, if which there was very little. We then washed some laundry and hung it by the window and took a walk outside.

Innsbruck is not a big city. We went for the funicular ride to the mountain. It is the closest ride we can find without taking a bus ride. The sun was so hot that it took the fun away from the ride. We went up half way to the top of the mountain. James went further up by cable car. The scene was just gorgeous. It was cooler at the top. James saw some tourists packed with hiking gear and walking down from the top of the hill. They probably would not get down until dusk.

The heat took the joy out of the sightseeing in Innsbruck. We walked back to the hotel and had dinner and rested.

Buildings in Innsbruck

 

View of Innsbruck from the top

 

Innsbruck Town Centre