I almost believe I had died and gone to some sort of heaven on Sunday as I arrived in Berchtesgaden – its pretty obvious from my happy face in the pictures. The bus leaves from Salzburg, takes you back over the border to the Bavarian Alps and drops you off in the middle of the hills in a small village. From there a bus can bring you to Konigssee, one of the deepest lakes in Europe. A boat journey to the far side costs around €13 and is well worth it. The boat slows halfway through for the captain to pick up a trumpet and play a tune or two for the tourists to hear the clear echo in return. You can get dropped off on the other side of the lake for the opportunity to enjoy some food in the sole Gasthaus or walk around following the lakeshore. I took so many pictures trying to capture the way the lake changed colour depending where you were standing or how the light was shining on it or how the trees were reflected onto its mirrored surface, I mean if I could bottle the colours of autumn someone I would be one happy person!

I found around twenty different spots where I could have sat and enjoyed the view for a few hours, but since time was short I sped around. Its the perfect place to go with some decent hiking boots and stroll around for a day.

Once back in Berchtesgaden I walked back ten minutes to the Salt mines which give tours of the old mine every twenty minutes or so. For €16 it was worth it to sit on a little train which brings you into the mine, the wooden slides bringing you deeper, the various old tools and machines they used displayed around the place, the information on how they produce the salt and best of all the short trip on a raft over the underground lake. It was really really cool and since there was lots of fresh air it didn’t feel too claustrophobic. I’m sad I don’t have any pictures but you can imagine my surprise to find all the strict Germans breaking the rules and sneaking their cameras in with them! The tour guide didn’t seem to care much so if you go for a visit just stick your cameraphone in the pocket of your overalls!

Back in Salzburg I climbed to another spot to watch the sunset again before heading out with some of the others from the hostel for some traditional Austrian fare in a decent restaurant called Gasthaus Zwettlers. It’s pretty hearty wholesome food and along with the home-brewed beer made for a great evening. Salzburg is beyond beautiful and is a great little city to visit for a weekend with lots to do and see. The one thing I certainly don’t regret doing is trying some of the chocolate Mozart sweets which are sold all over the city. As marzipan is one of those foods I really don’t like I left it for the other to enjoy!