We will stay two nights here in Salzburg in order to spend more time in this beautiful place, and enjoy a day without driving.
Are you a Sound of Music Fan? I certainly am, and am not ashamed to admit that I have seen it quite a few times. This morning we will enjoy the “Sound of Music“ tour!
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| The mansion that Uncle Maxx sat out on the patio drinking coffee when the Baroness-girlfriend came out. I can visualize all this, can you? |
After being picked up in a very comfortable motor coach, we were introduced to our local guide who then took us to the various locations of where they filmed the movie. Boy, this guy really knew his stuff! He would describe the scene so well that you imagine Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber standing there singing to one another (which I sadly learned Christopher Plumber was not singing his own songs. He wanted to, but he was unable to become good enough so they hired a “ghost” singer). I would always get so teary-eyed when he sang, looking adoringly at Maria!
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| The Gazebo where Leisl sang " I am 16 going on 17" and danced on the benches |
We saw the monastery, the church where they got married, the lane where the kids rode their bicycles wearing curtains, etc., while enjoying a perfectly beautiful day with deep blue skies!
We asked the guide how many times he had seen that movie to know so much. His answer? “Well, my father was actually the Director of the movie when I was a child!” How lucky were we to have such a guide with unlimited “inside” information, plus a great sense of humor?
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| Norm and I with the Tour Guide - son of the Director of the Sound of Music |
The tour included a lunch with breathtaking views over a lake (parts of the movie were filmed there as well) and the most incredible apple strudel I had even stolen a bite of! (I am gluten sensitive). Norm really loved what was left!
As we headed back into the town of Strazburg we marveled at the mountain range, and were informed of more movie and area facts, listened to Julie Andrews on CD and sang “doe-a-deer” and a few other songs. Did you know Julie Andrews was a famous singer at the age of 12?
We were played a recording of her singing at that age and she was already an unbelievably talented vocalist. She was able to pay off her parent’s mortgage by the time she turned 17.
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| Marabel Park and Gardens in Salzburg, Germany |
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| The shops below the Hohensalzburg Fortress |
We then moseyed around town on our own and we all took a taxi back.
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| Sweethearts afix these "Love Locks" on fences or bridges to symbolize their ever-lasting love. They put their initials on them then throw away the key. Some municipalities consider them vandalism, but others embrace it. The Fortress is up on the hill in the background |
Again, this day was so well organized. We were given the needed tickets quickly and efficiently – whether it was for parking, admissions, audio tours or pre-paid taxis.
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| The view of the town of Salzburg from the turrets of the Fortress |
Many of you have probably done many organized tours, but being “Tour Virgins” we are loving it! We especially love not having to pack and unpack each day. When we got back we had our mandatory Happy Hour, were told what would happen the next day, while I managed to finish a previous blog post.
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| It's nice to see they are welcome somewhere! |
