Originally everyone said they didn’t want to go on a Sound
of Music Tour. But Greg was so goofy at
home, breaking out into song, that I knew the tour was just what we needed –
good, clean fun! It turns out it was
even better than that!
We met the
Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle tour at Mirabellplace (right across from Mirabell
parking garage). It was a good thing I
reserved it in advance because it was full and had a waiting list.
We were issued our beach cruisers and I got “Fraulein
Maria”! After being divided into two
groups of ~14, we were off!
On our first stop our guide explained the logistics. She said we would ride on the right side of
the road – since Hitler changed it in 1930 from the left side of the road.
The second stop was on the bridge with one of the best views
of the city and fortress. There would be
pop quizzes with prizes on the tour, and she popped her first question: What does Salzburg mean? Chris used his German skills to guess, and
won the sticker prize. I won the next sticker,
identifying the red dome of the abbey from the movie.
Next we went onto the road, in a group acting like one big
bus – the only time on the tour we mix in with traffic. We waited for the traffic signal in front of
one of the horse baths from the movie.
The Pferdeschwemme is a very large horse bath. In the movie the kids danced around singing "These are a Few of my Favorite Things"
I recognized from my research where we were on our next stop:
next to the concert hall where the Von Trapps escaped. My knowledge surprised the guide because people don’t normally guess that answer - I earned me a magnet! Obviously it was time for me to let someone
else answer the questions.
The Salzburger Dom has a Virgin Mary statue in front that interacts with the facade - if I move a little forward it looks like the angels are placing the crown on Mary's head.
In the Residenzplatz, seeing Bernini's large horse fountain, is when I realized that all the pictures I had seen, even the scenes from the movie, do not do not do the city justice – in person it is gorgeous!
Greg splashes at the fountain like Maria when she sings "I Have Confidence in Me"
At the Kapitelplatz, it was time for our first
break. Under the orb is a life-sized chess set, and a very serious game underway.
This lady's dad had invented the first sweet pretzel
We bought three - plain, pizza, and chocolate-covered
The oldest bakery in Salzburg (closed Wednesdays). The water wheel and clever canal system is part of the reason Salzburg never suffered from the plague.
The peaceful, beautiful St. Peter's Cemetery is where the Von Trapp's hid from the Nazis (actual scene filmed in Hollywood)
Plots are rented so if your relatives don't pay your bill, your body is tossed out. That explains the new headstones!
Next we rode (or walked) up the steep hill to the abbey. The first person up won a sticker...I didn't claim my prize.
Riding along the road to the abbey
Kate earned a sticker here at the abbey. The guide was surprised Kate knew the answer to the three scenes that were filmed here!
On our way out of the city
The house where they filmed the backyard scenes.
Our furthest point is the public park next to Hellbrunn Palace - to see the gazebo
The gazebo is normally locked, but a private tour had access. Their guide growled at us to stay away and not take pictures.
Kate spotted the awesome playground with a zipline!
Somewhere up there, on private property, is where they filmed the opening scene. The hills are alive!
Riding down Hellbrunner Allee
The house where they filmed scenes of the front of the Von Trapp's house
Riding back into the city
It was a beautiful day!
Last stop - Mirabell Gardens. Kate saw it and instantly stated: "I am not doing it". I had told them we were going to re-create Do Re Mi
The tour was awesome and I highly recommend it. I enjoyed every minute and kept realizing how fun and relaxing it
was! I had researched our own city
self-tour but was thrilled to be following someone else around instead! It took away all the stress for me. On the bikes we got to all the locations so
quickly and easily – rather than trudging around trying to figure out where we
were and where the sights are. Kate also liked it a lot and wants to know when we get to go on another one!
The Getreidegasse is the main shopping street - where everything is twice the price as everywhere else
Window shopping
Adorable, traditional outfits
For lunch we got Currywurst from Balkan Grill just off Getreidegasse. It was good but not worth the 24-hour after-taste!
Dessert at Eisgrotte hit the spot - and was quite reasonably priced at one euro a scoop!
After resting we headed to the monk-run brewery: Augustiner Braustubl
First you pay the lady, then you grab your mug
Next you rinse out the mug
Then you hand the mug to Mr. Keg, who throws it back to you, sloshing full of beer
You can buy food from the hallway kiosks or bring your own picnic
The huge beer garden seats 1,000 people. We quickly realized that a half-liter is not enough, and went back for more!
Next we continued up the hill for dinner and the view from Stadtalm Cafe
The Cordon Bleu was delicious. Chris got wiener schnitzel - which he has been looking forward to since he started German 2 years ago!
We had a fantastic day!
