Spring Break, pt 3 – Salzburg, Austria

After starting my spring break off in Munich, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, my grandmother, aunt, and I boarded the train once again to head to Salzburg, Austria. This was the city I was most excited to see. A friend of mine headed Salzburg as part of a school trip when we were juniors in high school and raved about her time there. I was also hoping to see the filming locations of The Sound of Music, a movie I have seen a countless number of times. I’m still Julie Andrews’ biggest fan and even have piano sheet music for the popular “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” song.

One of the many snapchats I sent to friends and family during my months abroad. It was fitting that I was eating Mozart chocolates while on the way to the place of his birth.

When we arrived in Salzburg, we hailed a taxi to Altstadthotel Kasererbraeu which was only a short 15-min distance away from the train station. Our hotel was within walking distance of many Salzburg attractions, including Mozart’s birthplace now turned museum, Mozartplatz (Mozart Square) also dedicated to the musician, and the famous shopping street Getreidegasse. Needless to say, it was the perfect location.

Our first day in the city was spent venturing to the sites within close proximity to our hotel. Although we faced rainy weather, it didn’t detract from the overall beauty of Salzburg. Below are a few pictures of sites I think are worth checking out if you one day find yourself in Austria.

This house now turned museum is where the famous musician Mozart was born.

Salzburg’s famous shopping street Getreidegasse has shops ranging from Zara and other clothing stores to cafes and souvenir shops.

View of the Alps from the Mönchsberg, one of Salzburg’s five mountains.

Salzburg Cathedral in Residentzplatz, a popular square in the city.

Enjoying a giant pretzel in Residentzplatz.

Enjoying drinks at Hotel Stein‘s rooftop bar, a filming location used in the 2010 movie “Knight and Day.”

View of the Alps from the Fortress Hohensalzburg.

Statue of a man on a golden ball in the main square Residentzplatz.

The second day fulfilled my childhood dreams of seeing the filming locations used in The Sound of Music when we embarked on the Original Sound of Music Tour with Panama Tours. This was by far the best part of the trip. Our tour guide was a hilarious middle-aged man who had the voice of Jon Lovitz and the personality of a seasoned comedian, and I had the opportunity to stand in the same places as the two actors I grew up watching: Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

As much as I love the written word, the photos below are the only things that can do the tour justice.

Standing on the steps of the Mirabell Gardens where Maria Von Trapp and the children sang “Do Re Mi” in The Sound of Music.

The famous Sound of Music gazebo where Liesl and Rolfe sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”

Touching the head of one of the gnomes in Zwerglgarten (Dwarf Gnome Park) like one of the Von Trapp girls did in the movie.

Mondsee Cathedral in Mondsee, Austria was The Sound of Music filming location for Maria & the captain’s wedding.

Despite rainy weather, my trip to Salzburg was one of my favorites while abroad. The city provided some of the most beautiful views of the Alps, and I was able to channel my inner film buff with The Sound of Music sites. If you’re looking to add a place to your bucket list, the Austrian city is one of my top recommendations.

-Morgan