Living-laughing-loving London!: So much more than 'The Sound of Music!'

Salzburg is so much more than ‘The Sound of Music’ (yet having said that, it was an absolutely beautiful place to film the movie!!)

Mirabell Gardens (Day 2)

The 'great' *sarcasm* weather followed us all the way to Salzburg – the white Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Fortress) sat up on the green hills but blended in to the grey skyline. We were so incredibly thankful when it passed by the morning of our second day!

Day 1 - Salzburg snapshot

After dropping the bags to our hotel, we walked straight in to the city centre - it's so small there is not a great need for public transport (though their system is wonderful.)

The Dom

…the centre square proved a little freaky with a ghostly return of Mozart…

Mozart mime ghost

And Mirabell Gardens was definitely among my choice of favourite places to visit!! Even with the dark sky, the gardens lit up with all different varieties of flowers.

Across the gardens

Bordering flowers

After a late night chat with Dan and Jess via Skype, we went out again for a late evening walk.

Mozart

We found the Salzburg Festival. In behind the Dom we found replays of previous years’ festivals and we sat and watched part of an opera.

Behind the Dom at the Salzburg Festival replays on the big screen

However our walk was short-lived, as the rain came down and we heard from a local that this was indeed ‘typical’ Salzburg weather – and we would later learn that that is the reason that it took 12 weeks to film “On Location” for The Sound of Music (rather than the planned seven weeks!!)

Day 2 – All dressed up and a castle to go to!

The sunshine came out and so out we went in to Salzburg. We returned to Mirabell Gardens to marvel at the flowers in the sunlight (I loved these gardens so much that I returned there again the next day, too!)

Mirabell Palace

Unicorns (featured in Sound of Music)

Mirabell Gardens (with Hohensalzburg on the hill)

We then journeyed out of the city centre to the outskirts of Salzburg. From the pictures you can gather that the atmosphere quickly changes (Salzburg is much smaller than I first realised.)

Outskirts of Salzburg city

Back into the city and we visited the Salzburg Dom (which I had already seen back in winter)... but before we got there - we saw this guy...

Didgeridoo from Australia in Austria

WHAT A WAY TO CONFUSE EVERYONE!!! I could hardly believe the old saying "You won't find kangaroos in Austria" was on the verge of being a lie!!!

Anyway, the Dom was just as grand and beautiful as I had remembered it.

It wasn't until the evening descended upon us (and the parentals had explained it properly...) that I realised that tonight we were going to a dinner and concert up in the castle!!

I did visit the castle/fortress earlier in the year (February) at the end of my ski trip in Hopfgarten, Tyrol. In the winter winds we had walked up the steep incline to the top and I remember admiring it so much. In particular the view that we got from the Archbishop's chamber was something to behold. This time we caught the Funicular up to the top...!

It was super special to spend the evening being treated somewhat like royalty in the fortress to a three-course dinner and the best view of Salzburg one has to offer!

And of course, the concert featuring Mozart's music was fab. It was held in the 500 year-old hall and included a solo performance of an Alpine Horn. This instrument can be played with up to only 15 notes (maybe more depending on the 'lip-skill' of the player.) And this musician turned it on for us all.

Alpine Horn

Archbishop's Hall with studded ceiling and coat of arms

Day 3 – These are a few of my favourite things...

The day kicked off with much anticipation for our "Sound of Music" tour. If you're not a fan of the movie maybe you should skip down the next part and the next few photos.

First stop...
Mirabell Gardens, where the children sang and rode bicycles with Maria after she had made them their 'play clothes' from the old drapes.

And then...

The lake and back of the mansion where the children were wearing their 'play clothes'... and the balcony from which Maria and Captain Georg von Trapp danced.

The 'Love' lake

The trees from which the children hang

With...

A 'drive-by' of the front of the mansion (yeah - they used two different houses) where Maria sings I Have Confidence. The photo is too small, so maybe check the bigger one on Facebook when I put them up!

Next...

The Abbey where the real Maria attempted to be a nun.

And...

The gazebo where Liesel and Rolf sang and danced Sixteen going on Seventeen.

Gazebo of "Sixteen Going On Seventeen"

Finally...

The church where Maria and Captain von Trapp are married.

Outside the church

Down the aisle

Right side of the altar

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Welcome back to all those who do not care for one of the greatest musical movies of all time!

...in our travels we also saw the home of 'Red Bull'!

Home of Red Bull

We finished off the day with a little picnic by the Salzach river...

...and then an epic walk to find the Augustiner Bräustübl (biergarten.) It proved more difficult than it first seemed however, we did manage to find it. Once an old monastery, it has now been transformed into a large and popular beer garden.

Out the front (you can see the beer garden to the right)

Stein, beer and SLIDE!!!

After you buy the stein mug and pay for the beer, good ol' Pops here will fill up your stein adn slide it right back to you and then... PRESTO!!! Into the garden for a good relaxing time.

Beer garden - PROST!
Mum, Dad and me

And I thought I might be safe with my parents around but apparently that doesn't stop anyone... I managed to be chatted up (amongst other things) by a table full of 60+ year old men!!! (And that was with my dad at the next table - classic!)

And it probably goes without saying, but Salzburg is GORGEOUS by night!