🇦🇹 Budget Travel in Europe: Innsbruck Adventure

Day 54 (April 13): Took a 3.5-hour scenic train from Zurich to Innsbruck—Alpine views all the way! 🚞🏔️ 🌍 First Impressions Maria-Theresien-Strasse: Walked from the station to my hostel via this vibrant historic street (named after Empress Maria Theresa). Old Town Charm: Innsbruck sits in an Alpine valley by the Inn River, with 800 years of history (even an imperial residence from 1420-1665!). 🏠 Accommodation Woes & Wins Mixed Dorm Drama: First night in a no-privacy mixed dorm (awkward with a male roommate 😅). Luck Strikes! Next day—staff off = whole apartment to myself! 🎉 (Most luxurious stay in 3 months of budget travel.) Old-School Check-In: Paper registration forms—felt like the 1980s! 📝 🚧 Construction Blues The old town was under renovation—scaffolding and dug-up roads everywhere. Not the prettiest sight! 🚧 📸 Day 2 Highlights 1️⃣ Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) ✨ Built in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I’s engagement. €2.9 Entry: Tiny museum with woodcarvings/texts… but no actual gold roof? 🤔 2️⃣ Alpine Zoo 🦉🐻 Europe’s highest zoo (727m altitude)! Saw vultures, bears, wolves, and deer in open habitats. €11 Ticket: Worth it for families! Took the bus back—kind driver accepted my Eurail pass despite confusion. 🚌💙 3️⃣ Hofburg Palace 👑 €10 Entry: A Rococo masterpiece rebuilt by Maria Theresa. (Honest review: Just snap pics outside!) 🚆 Next Stop: Germany! Innsbruck’s near Bavaria, so off to Munich & Neuschwanstein Castle next, then Salzburg! Innsbruck = Alpine beauty + budget surprises! ❤️ #SoloTravel #EuropeOnABudget #TravelDiaries #BackpackingEurope #Innsbruck✈️🌍