On our drive south to Fabriano the weather had been cold and rainy with low clouds that blocked any views that we might have had of the Alps.
On our return drive the day was sunny and clear and we were gifted with the most magnificent views. Much as I suspected they looked much like the mountains in Alaska with the soaring heights and vegetation except for the Dolomites which were bare grey rock.

“The Sound of Music” was filmed in Saltzburg and one highlight I had really looked forward to was the tour that takes you to the sites of where the filming occurred. I was terribly disappointed to find, when we arrived, that the second and final tour of the day was already underway. So under sunny skies Tom and I set out to explore the “old town” which we had been through on our way south in the rain and cold temps.
We came across young men and woman that were giving one hour rides in a rickshaw sort of thing that held a seat for two in front of a bike that they peddled. What a way to see the city!!
Our guide was from Bosnia originally but because of the war had lived in the US and studied brain science. He is now living and studying in Austria to be closer to his aging mother. He was extremely intelligent and knew the history of Saltzburg in depth.
When he found out that I love the movie “The Sound of Music” and had not been able to go on the tour he custom tailored our tour to take us to those sites that were filmed in the old town.

When Maria is first leaving the convent with her suitcase in hand she stands on the road alongside a concrete wall and skipping down that road is singing “I Have Confidence”. All of Salzburg can be seen behind the wall. This is looking up at the wall (and road) from down below.

When the children are skipping around the fountain singing Do-ri-mi it is being done at the Mirabell Palace and Gardens which was built in the 17th century.

They continue the song as they skip across this bridge that crosses the Salzach River ( which is in the same location as the original bridge built by the Romans around 500AD)

The family is on the stage of the world famous opera house singing “Edelweiss” and “So Long, Farewell” before the Nazi’s are going to take them.

They slip out these stage doors and head to the convent.
They were filmed as hiding behind the rod iron before heading to the Alps and freedom.

This scene was actually filmed in a historic cemetery, which is still in use for citizens of Salzburg. There the family hid behind the rod iron gates of the family plots.

We ended our tour, which instead of the promised 1 hour was actually 1-1/2 hours. Our guide delivered us to Triangle, a restaurant which he told us came with high praises . No sooner were we under the cover of their outside seating canopy and the skies opened. The rain, lightening and thunder were something like I had never experienced before.
In the Sound of Music, Liesl is caught out in the storm and the children all climb into Maria’s bed as the thunder and lightening rage outside. I had always thought that was Hollywood dramatics until I too experienced the full power of the clouds as they hit the Alps. It was every bit as real and as intense as portrayed in the movie.

I didn’t get the “Sound of Music Tour” along with a bus full of people. I had my own private tour and it was wonderful!