Innsbruck, The Capital of the Alps :)

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We started out this morning with a quick train ride to Innsbruck, about 2 hours. We couldn't keep our camera down the whole ride because of the beautiful mountains, then the train stopped right in the middle and we realized we were in Innsbruck, Austria! Within the small city, is the old city which consists of a cobble stone street with shops and cafes on both sides. While walking down the city I couldn't help but sing "The hills are alive, with the sound of music...."

Goldenes Dach, The Golden Roof built in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I
as a balcony for hit to sit in and view events happening in the city square

While walking and exploring the city, we were walking in some back alleys behind the main square and started hearing beautiful music. We followed the music and found ourselves in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace where a concert band was holding a free concert. We found out that it is a tradition that during almost every day in July, of every year, bands and ensembles continue the longtime tradition of open air concerts that has occurred throughout history in Austria. The palace doesn't look so pretty because they are doing some renovations...

Ryan here...
        For those of you curios, like me, if Austrian's drink beer like the German's I have noticed a slight difference. I feel that Austrian's do not drink as much beer for the simple fact that I have not noticed as much beer drinking. In Germany everyone was seen with either a beer bottle in their hands or a stein full of foamy greatness. Also, here they have a drinking age of 18 and Germany is 16. I have only seen one beer that is brewed here in Austria called Kaiser bier. Germany had umpteen beers made in both Berlin and Munich. This is a sad discovery for me because my days of enjoying varieties of inexpensive German beers has come to an end. Alas I will shed no tears because I have found a new alcoholic drink in Austria. Schnapps! While walking around Innsbruck we found a place offering free samples of schnapps. This place makes its own unique flavors with around 50 to choose from. I tried a butter scotch flavor and liked it so much I bought some. Germany had its beer but Austria has a new drink to offer: schnapps.