Latest news with #vonTrapp
New York Post
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘The Sound of Music' child stars shares the secret to cast's 60-year friendship
The hills are alive – with the sound of a reunion. The former child stars of 'The Sound of Music,' who have remained friends for 60 years, recently reunited in Florence, Italy. Kym Karath, who played the youngest von Trapp sibling, Gretl, shared photos of the group catching up and enjoying bottles of wine on her Instagram. 'The Sound of Music in Florence – the five of us!' the 66-year-old captioned a group photo. In the snap, Karath appeared alongside Nicholas Hammond, 75, who played the eldest von Trapp son, Friedrich; Duane Chase, 74, who played Kurt; Angela Cartwright, 72, who played Brigitta; and Debbie Turner, 68, who played Marta. It was a bittersweet reunion for the pals. Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa, died in 2017 at the age of 68. Charmian Carr, who was the eldest sibling of Liesl, passed away in 2016 at age 73. Christopher Plummer, who played the family patriarch Captain von Trapp, died in 2021 at the age of 91. 'Celebrating together in Florence with all my film siblings was a complete delight,' Karath told Fox News Digital. 'Being together, the five of us, in one of the most beautiful cities, Florence, and appearing in the breathtaking historic theater Teatro Niccolini, built in 1648, was absolutely magical,' she gushed. 'The press was wonderful, and the fans were overwhelmingly warm and enthusiastic.' 7 The former child stars of 'The Sound of Music,' who have remained friends for 60 years, recently reunited in Florence, Italy. Instagram / @kym_karath Karath said it's a no-brainer that the cast mates have remained close over the years.' 'I think the secret behind our friendship is the secret of all enduring friendships, although ours started at a film studio; staying close, loyal, and being there for one another,' the actress explained. 'As for the film's enduring appeal, beyond the soaring melodies and beautiful locations, it is the story of a real family who loved one another and were truly courageous.' 7 Kym Karath (top left), who played the youngest von Trapp sibling, Gretl, shared photos of the group catching up and enjoying bottles of wine on her Instagram. Instagram / @kym_karath 'The Sound of Music' premiered on March 2, 1965. The Oscar-winning film was inspired by the real-life von Trapp family that fled Austria to escape the Nazi regime. It tells the tale of a 1930s governess who watches over the large family and their widowed father, with the help of music. Descendants of the von Trapp family now run the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Vermont. 7 'The Sound of Music' premiered on March 2, 1965. © 1965 Argyle Enterprises and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation 7 The Oscar-winning film was inspired by the real-life von Trapp family that fled Austria to escape the Nazi regime. It tells the tale of a 1930s governess who watches over the large family and their widowed father, with the help of music. Bettmann Archive 'Here is a little-known fact – the film family is friends with the real family,' said Karath. 'I just had a wonderful conversation with Elizabeth von Trapp, Werner's daughter. Werner was portrayed by Duane Chase… and they became friends. When Werner passed away, he left Duane his beautiful Austrian jacket.' There's also one good reason why the cast enjoyed an Italian getaway. 'We are currently working on a documentary and filmed [it] while we were in Florence together!' she teased. 7 'Being together, the five of us, in one of the most beautiful cities, Florence, and appearing in the breathtaking historic theater Teatro Niccolini, built in 1648, was absolutely magical,' Karath (right) said. 'The press was wonderful, and the fans were overwhelmingly warm and enthusiastic.' Instagram / @kym_karath The actress was just three years old when she was scouted while having a cheeseburger at her father's restaurant in California. However, Karath's claim to fame was the film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical 'The Sound of Music.' Karath previously told Fox News Digital that being on the set in Salzburg was 'spellbinding.' 'One of the best things about that movie for me was becoming a family,' Karath explained. 'And we did become one in real life. And being in Salzburg, Austria, I think, started my profound love of Europe and history. [But] it was not a fun thing, missing my father and brother. But my sister and mother were with me. And our group really became a family, which was wonderful.' 7 'I think the secret behind our friendship is the secret of all enduring friendships, although ours started at a film studio; staying close, loyal, and being there for one another,' Karath explained. Instagram / @kym_karath The film's leading lady, Julie Andrews, quickly developed a close-knit bond with the child actors. The star, now 86, went on to win a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Maria. Karath described the actress as 'a gift.' 'I loved her from the minute I met her,' she gushed. 'There is never a bad moment with Julie Andrews – never. She's just the sweetest, most unbelievable, talented, brilliant human… I think we all have the same favorite memory to some extent. That was when she took out her guitar, and she just sang to us. And she would have us sing with her in between the scenes to amuse us, to entertain us, to make the time pass. She was a pure delight.' Plummer did not offer the same warm and fuzzy feeling, she said. 7 'The Sound of Music starred' Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Heather Menzies-Urich, Kym Karath, and Charmian Carr. 'At the time, he was kind of standoffish,' Karath admitted. 'Very handsome, but I really wasn't noticing men being handsome at [age] five – actually let me correct myself. I noticed that George Chakiris was handsome when he was in 'West Side Story.'' But that all changed decades later.' 'There was an event for 9/11 at the Westport Country Playhouse… I went backstage to see him, and he was waiting for me. Paul Newman was the master of ceremonies. He and [his wife] Joanne Woodward grabbed me backstage and said, 'Your father's been pacing the floor, he's dying to see you!'… Such a lovely man. So courtly, charming, and funny. Truly delightful.'
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic '60s Film Cast Members Reunite 60 Years Later—See What They Look Like Now
Iconic '60s Film Cast Members Reunite 60 Years Later—See What They Look Like Now originally appeared on Parade. The Sound of Music cast members recently reunited 60 years after the iconic '60s film. On July 14, , 66—who portrayed Gretl, the youngest von Trapp child—took to Instagram with a snap of herself and four of her siblings from the movie. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "All together in the Tuscan sunset! #thesoundofmusicinflorence#florence," Karath captioned her update from Tuscany, Italy. In the featured image, the former child actress smiled while posing beside , 75 (Friedrich), , 74 (Kurt), , 72 (Brigitta), and , 68 (Marta). 'The Sound of Music' cast! — Reality TV 4Lyfe (@realitytv4lyfe) July 16, 2025 In the comments, Instagram users rejoiced over the unexpected Sound of Music reunion. One follower declared, "This makes me so happy 🥰." Someone else echoed, "So happy to see you all together." Meanwhile, a different Instagram user commented, "Lovely Kym ❤️." Of the seven siblings in the 1965 musical starring as Maria and the late as Baron Georg von Trapp, two were not pictured. , who played Liesl, died in 2016, while , who played Louisa, died in 2017. Meanwhile, Plummer died in 2021 at age 91. Next: Iconic '60s Film Cast Members Reunite 60 Years Later—See What They Look Like Now first appeared on Parade on Jul 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The curious crusade to explain The Sound of Music to baffled Austrian locals
To celebrate the 60 th anniversary of The Sound of Music movie earlier this year, Peter Husty, Chief Curator of the Salzburg Museum, decided to mark it – appropriately enough – with a tune. The carillon of bells on the top of the museum can play most anything, as Maria sings in the film. Husty decided to play 'Edelweiss', and outside passing Americans gazed up in wonder. The locals, though, were bemused. What on earth, they asked, is that? It seems a matter of equal bewilderment to the rest of us that the top-grossing musical film of all time is unknown in the city where it is so memorably set. There's the abbey where Maria is a postulant; the Mirabell Gardens with the Pegasus fountain (now commonly known as the Do-Re-Mi fountain); the beautiful Leopoldskron Schloss where Maria and the children fall in the lake; the Felsenreitschule theatre where the family gives a concert before their escape; the catacombs of St Peter's cemetery where they hide from the Nazis. Sound of Music fans want to see them all, so there are always packed bus and walking tours, and even one with von Trapp-style bikes with baskets on the handlebars. When you're in Salzburg, the film's fans are everywhere. It's just that they're not Austrian. For much of the rest of the world, though, the only thing they know about Salzburg is the film. When President Reagan greeted the Austrian head of state, he was disappointed to discover that 'Edelweiss' is not, in fact, the Austrian national anthem (but a song, of course, by Rodgers and Hammerstein). When a business delegation visited China, one Chinese fellow-delegate rose to his feet and sang the song. Five hundred of his countrymen joined in. The Austrians didn't know the words (or so I'm told by my tour guide on the Sound of Music bus). An Austrian competitor on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? was asked to name a song with a flower in its name from the film. She didn't know. She phoned a friend. She didn't know either. She lost, they say, quite a lot of money. Austrian indifference to the movie, especially in Salzburg, is legendary. Peter Husty and the Salzburg Museum are hoping to change all that in this anniversary year, and to persuade their fellow countrymen to embrace the film. To this end, Husty has opened a pop-up exhibition in Schloss Leopoldskron for the entire year and, next year, will open a permanent and much larger version at Schloss Hellbrunn. This Schloss is already a mainstay of the Sound of Music tour as it's one of the two palaces used to represent the von Trapp home (the front) and is also where the gazebo was relocated. Originally, that was at Leopoldskron (the back of the von Trapp home in the film) but people were forever climbing over the wall to sing, dance and wake up the owners. Sadly, it is no longer possible to go inside the gazebo for reasons of health and safety. One 82-year-old American lady was so overcome at being in the Sixteen, Going on Seventeen location she decided to recreate the scene, including the leaps from bench to bench. Sadly, she broke an ankle… I started my own straw poll in the taxi from Salzburg Airport. Had she ever seen the film, I asked my driver? No, she said, she didn't know anyone in Salzburg who had. I did eventually find two locals who admitted to having watched it. One, Elisabeth, who took me on a walking tour, had watched it, 'but only since I became a guide'. The other, Cornelia, had seen it some years ago because her music teacher at school had been Julie Andrews' voice coach. So how do the locals explain their reluctance? The main reason appears to be that, as far as Austrians are concerned, this was just a remake. The von Trapp story had been told ten years before the Sound of Music in a German film – they even made a follow-up, tracing the continuing von Trapp saga in America. These films had proper Austrian folk songs (as sung by the von Trapps) and real dirndls. Why would anyone want to see the American version that got all of this – and much of the real von Trapp story – wrong? Not forgetting that the Austrians might have had quite enough of the Americans who had occupied Salzburg for 10 years after the Second World War, adapting a story that wasn't theirs to take, and showing some rather distasteful scenes featuring swastikas in the process. There can be little doubt, though, that the film has served the city well, bringing millions of tourists to visit. The locals are bemused but tolerant – all the sing-a-longs and frolics round the Mirabell Gardens are regarded as harmless eccentricity. Peter Husty and others have, though, launched something of a crusade to persuade the Salzburgers to take a look for themselves. As well as the exhibition, there are numerous showings of the film, a Sound of Music gala in October, and performances of the musical at both the Landestheater and Marionette Theatres, not to mention guided hikes and picnics in the mountains (you don't have to go all the way to Switzerland). At the delightful Hyperion Hotel next door to the Mirabell Gardens, even a Salzburg Sound Menu that features a deconstructed apfelstrudel and a delicious veal dish (though not, as Christian Rothbauer, the hotel manager, pointed out, quite like the one in the song. 'Austrians would never have schnitzel with noodles.'). This is, after all, a rather conservative town and they do things properly here. Even if the locals get to see the film, they aren't really the sing-a-long type. And you certainly won't find anyone to hire you out a dirndl for your Julie Andrews impersonation. Nevertheless, Salzburg cannot escape the von Trapp story and, in an age of film tourism, this beautiful Austrian city is still surely the grandaddy of all movie destinations. And although Salzburg's greatest and proudest draw remains the Salzburg classical music festival, and Wolfgang Mozart its most famous son – you might nevertheless posit Julie Andrews as its most famous daughter. I just wouldn't do it out loud, if I were you. Essentials The HYPERION Hotel Salzburg has rooms from £219 per night, including breakfast. Ryanair flies from London to Salzburg from £43 return. For more information, visit and
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The real-life von Trapp family from 'The Sound of Music' built a hotel in Vermont after fleeing the Nazis. Here's what it's like to visit.
The real-life von Trapp family made famous by "The Sound of Music" founded a hotel in Vermont. It's still operational (and growing) 75 years later. During a visit in December, I enjoyed delicious food and learned more about the family's fascinating history. "The Sound of Music" ends with the von Trapp family, led by Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and governess turned stepmother Maria (Julie Andrews), successfully escaping the Nazis. But in real life, the family's story didn't end after leaving Austria. The von Trapps wound up settling in Vermont when they reached the US. After careers as traveling singers, they pivoted to join the hospitality industry when they opened up their family home to guests. Seventy-five years later, the Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is still a thriving property in the ski town of Stowe, Vermont. I visited the lodge in December. Here's what it was like. The von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is located in Stowe, Vermont. Nestled between Burlington and Montpelier, the northern Vermont ski town has seen rising popularity in recent years, with occupancy rates for accommodations including hotels, motels, and resorts reaching record highs, per Stowe Area Association data reported by The Stowe Reporter. Located at the foot of Mount Mansfield, the state's highest peak, Stowe is a prime location for skiing, hiking, and other recreation. The four-star hotel first opened to guests in 1950. While "The Sound of Music" took plenty of creative liberties with the von Trapp family's story (no, they didn't cross the Alps on foot), it was accurate that they left their homeland of Austria to escape the Nazi regime. The 1965 film (and the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical on which it was based) didn't follow the von Trapps to America. In real life, the family earned a living by performing as the Trapp Family Singers, which included all 10 of the von Trapp children (the seven kids in the movie, plus the additional three Maria and Captain von Trapp went on to have together after they married). They toured the US and Canada performing and eventually set up a home base in Stowe, where they ran a music camp while they weren't performing. They called it Cor Unum, or "one heart" in Latin. According to Sam von Trapp, the son of Maria and the Captain's youngest child Johannes and executive vice president of the lodge, Maria was drawn to settle in Stowe because it reminded her of Austria. In 1950, three years after her husband's death, Maria and her children opened their 27-room home to guests. It also wasn't the first time Maria had opened up the family home to make some cash: Sam told visitors during the lodge's Family History Talk — which I attended — that back in Austria, Maria had laid off servants, moved the family up to the servants' quarters, and rented out rooms in their villa to guests after they lost their fortune in the 1930s. The lodge has undergone several transformations over the decades. The hotel marked its 75th anniversary in February 2025 with a name change. It rebranded from the Trapp Family Lodge to the von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort as part of a move to reclaim the family legacy ("von" had been dropped when the family came to America and began touring). The property is markedly different now from the first incarnation that welcomed guests in 1950. In 1980, a devastating fire that killed one guest burned down the hotel; three years later, an expanded 73-room Austrian-style lodge replaced it. It's continued to grow, and now the 2,600-acre property houses a 96-room lodge in addition to more upscale villas and chalets. The Superior King Room was a great fit for our party of three. I visited the lodge for two nights in December 2024 with my husband and our 2-year-old daughter. The spacious room fit us (and the ridiculous amount of stuff traveling with a toddler requires) easily, and we had access to a shared balcony — perfect for taking in the snowy views. We were in a renovated room — the lodge has been undergoing renovations continuously over the last several years. A representative for the lodge told BI the work is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. Rates start at $280 for this room type, but Business Insider received a media rate for our two-night stay. There was even a special treat waiting for us when we arrived. The hotel's signature "Cow Cake" — a nod to the herd of Scottish Highland cows on the hotel's property — was so cute I could hardly bring myself to cut into it. (The toddler had no such qualms.) A private tour of the lodge showed how important family legacy is to the current owners — and how much they cater to fans of the von Trapps. Photos of the original von Trapps plastered the walls of the lodge, as did original Hans Wilhelm paintings of the family. There were also rugs hanging on the walls, a reference to the Captain's refusal to raise Hitler's flag and putting out the family's Oriental rugs instead. There was even a signed photo of Mary Martin, who played Maria in the Broadway musical, with a note addressed to the von Trapp matriarch. It was displayed outside a set of rooms that Maria herself once used as her apartment. The two had become good friends when Mary studied Maria to play her in the musical. Even the subtler details paid tribute to the von Trapps' roots — new carpets installed in April 2024 mimicked Austrian woodcraft details. The gift shop was filled with cute von Trapp-inspired items, like a singing goat. Apparently, Johannes, the sole surviving von Trapp child, was not a huge fan of the goat. But his son Sam told me that his father has come around on it, especially since ceding control of the lodge to his kids (Sam and his sister, Kristina von Trapp Frame) and retiring to New Mexico. Visitors could also buy Maria von Trapp's book. "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers," published in 1949, formed the basis of the 1959 musical and the later 1965 movie. On our first night, we dined at the main restaurant located inside the lodge. We arrived at 5:30 p.m. to a fairly empty dining room, but it quickly filled up with guests by 6 p.m. This included a huge group from a bus tour that had a buffet-style dinner set up for them separately. Our server told us they get lots of bus tours coming through. The ambiance was perfect for our December trip, with a local pianist playing Christmas tunes as we dined. Our dinner was incredible. As parents of toddlers know, convenience is key when it comes to dining out while traveling. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only was the dining room super convenient (it was in the same building as our room) and cozy, but the food was also outstanding. To start our meal, we had a complimentary bread basket with rolls and warm, melt-in-your-mouth banana bread. My husband ordered a salad appetizer and the spinach fettuccine, while I got the corn chowder soup and filet mignon. Our server told us the most traditional dish on the menu was the schnitzel, and the most popular was the beef duet. But I had no regrets about my order; the filet was cooked to perfection. My daughter had two and a half bites of her chicken fingers and all of her french fries, which honestly was a win in my book. For dessert, we split the linzer torte, which was flaky, delicious, and not too heavy. The next morning, we had breakfast and lunch in the main dining room and lounge. Breakfast was buffet-style, with standards like Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit. But the real star of the meal was the warm maple syrup. It tasted like pure Vermont heaven. We also chatted a bit with the host while we dined, who raved about the atmosphere in Stowe: "I feel like I'm living in a Hallmark Christmas town." For lunch, we split that day's soup special, an Austrian potato soup, which surpassed the previous evening's corn chowder, and my daughter enjoyed mac and cheese and a mixed fruit bowl. We (the adults) also finally indulged in the von Trapp family's other big venture: beer from the von Trapp Brewery located down the road. My husband had the Dunkel, a Munich-style dark lager that was very smooth, while I had the crisp and light Kölsch ale. After our lunch beers impressed us, we visited the bierhall itself for our second evening's dinner. Down the road from the lodge is the bierhall, a restaurant attached to the on-site brewery that Johannes started in 2010. This time, I drank the Zwickelbier, a pale lager made in partnership with the Austria-based Hofstetten Brewery. My dark beer-loving husband enjoyed the Trösten, a rich and smoky lager. I ate the bratwurst sampler, while my husband got the Johannesburger, the bierhall's signature burger made from the lodge's Highland cows. Incidentally, we'd met some of those cows (or their brethren) earlier the same day. Yep, that's right: The lodge raises its own cows. The lodge has a number of additional offerings for entertainment, including a "Meet the Cows" excursion. My husband, toddler, and I decided to partake in that one, because who doesn't want to see adorable fluffy cows? The cows were indeed adorable and fluffy, and we were able to get surprisingly close to them with our tour guide. The tour was informative, giving the history of the cows being brought to Vermont by the family and how they've become part of the resort's ongoing operations (and menu). In retrospect, this excursion is probably best reserved for adults or those with older kids: My toddler was not super interested in remaining quiet while our tour guide told us everything we could possibly want to know about these cows. Von Trapp Lodge offers year-round activities, but I can't imagine how spring or summer visits would top our Christmastime trip. The lodge went all out on its Christmas decor. There were multiple elaborately decorated Christmas trees scattered throughout the property, each with a different theme, and a pamphlet at the front desk challenged visitors to find each of them during their stay. There were also seasonal classes and activities on the docket during our visit, including wreath-making and ornament-making classes. We opted for the latter, and while our little snowman is slightly wonky (it was made with toddler hands, after all), we'll treasure it forever. Overall, I'd recommend the Von Trapp Family Lodge, whether you're a fan of "The Sound of Music" or not. The von Trapp family's fame from "The Sound of Music" is certainly a major draw for the lodge. When I attended the Family History Talk (led by Sam von Trapp) they regularly host, there was a huge group who weren't even guests — they were just stopping by for the talk while on a larger bus tour. But even if you're not a huge fan of musicals, the Von Trapp Family Lodge offers an excellent escape for families. With its delicious food offerings, cozy accommodations, and fun array of activities — plus its proximity to Stowe's skiing — it was a great choice for a winter retreat with a European vibe without having to leave the East Coast. Read the original article on Business Insider
National Geographic
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
The best ‘The Sound Of Music' experiences in Salzburg, Austria
From the hills of the opening scene to the mountain over which they escape, here's how to follow in the footsteps of the von Trapp family in real life. Fans of 'The Sound of Music' can follow in the footsteps of the famous von Trapp family The classic movie The Sound of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, but beyond its milestone celebrations this year, there are several experiences inspired by the famous flick that fans should not miss out on when visiting Salzburg, Austria. The classic movie The Sound of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, but beyond its milestone celebrations this year, there are several experiences inspired by the famous flick that fans should not miss out on when visiting Salzburg, Austria. The classic movie The Sound of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, but beyond its milestone celebrations this year, there are several experiences inspired by the famous flick that fans should not miss out on when visiting Salzburg, Austria. The classic movie The Sound of Music celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, but beyond its milestone celebrations this year, there are several experiences inspired by the famous flick that fans should not miss out on when visiting Salzburg, Austria. The hills are still alive with The Sound of Music. Sixty years after this family feel-good classic movie premiered, fans still travel to Salzburg to see where the story of the singing Trapp family began. Whether filmed on location or on elaborate Hollywood sets, the original, real-life locations haven't changed. Travelers can relive the nostalgia of the famous movie and the places featured in its unforgettable scenes—such as the gazebo where Liesl von Trapp sings '16 going on 17' or Nonnberg Abbey where the nuns discuss "how to solve a problem like Maria." Here's how fans can celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music this year and beyond. How to find The Sound of Music film locations Of the 16 most famous locations, 12 are in Salzburg city, two (the village in the opening scenes and the church where the real Trapp couple gets married) are in Salzkammergut, while two (Untersberg mountain from 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' and the famous picnic scene in Werfen) are in Salzburg State. Fans can arrange the Original Sound of Music Tour, where people are escorted to all the major film locations on a bus. The owner of Panorama Tours, Stefan Herzel, explains his unique connection to the movie. 'Back in 1964, we transported everyone—actors, crew, equipment … everything. So, it was natural to start doing tours. We transported Julie Andrews when she came back in 1987, and the actors playing the children for the BBC's How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria [which documented the search for the right Maria for the musical adaptation] in 2006.' Fans of The Sound of Music can visit Nonnberg Abbey where the nuns in the movie were contemplating, 'How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria.' Photograph by Image Professionals GmbH, Alamy Stock Photo On this trip down memory lane, some travelers may find it hard to stifle spontaneous singing on the group excursions. So, fans who prefer a quieter excursion can use the free Smartguide 'On the trail of the Sound of Music' or compromise with a hop-on-hop-off tour. Visitors can also find a licensed guide who can offer a personalized tour and local perspective, along with in-depth information about the real Trapp family. Best Sound of Music experiences A taste of The Sound of Music Guests staying at the Hotel Hyperion can have a three-course meal inspired by The Sound of Music—thanks to Michael Daus, the executive chef of Gaumenfreund, the hotel's on-site restaurant. Part art, part sculpture, and part deconstruction, each component of the meal is a nod to the movie, Alpine culture, or the original Trapp family. The chef creates a paillard of veal with onions and sausage inspired by 'My Favorite Things,' which mentions schnitzel, veal in breadcrumbs, and noodles, a traditional Austrian pasta dish known as Käsknöpfle. Goat cheese crumbled over beef broth references mountain goats in the Alps, and for dessert, apple strudel with a tuile (thin wafer cookie) made in the shape of Mount Untersberg (where the family escapes) is served in a cinnamon cloud. Shop for dirndls Salzburger Heimatwerk is a beloved shop in Salzburg's old city center where visitors can browse and buy local crafts and pret-a-porter or made-to-measure dirndls—traditional Bavarian clothing for women which includes a bodice, blouse, high-waisted skirt, and matching apron. The shop has created a new collection of limited-edition dirndls for the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music. The new styles are based on a combination of traditional designs, modern cutting techniques, and fabric inspired by the Trapp family's artwork. And even if fans miss out on purchasing one of the limited-edition dirndls, at least one of each will remain on display. (Related: Welcome to Werfen, The Sound of Music location where nature steals the show.) Sound of Music activities for families Take a singing bicycle tour Ideal for a family, Maria's Bicycles offers a 3.5-hour singing bicycle tour through all the major movie locations. Photo stops include the Mozart Bridge (where Maria and the children point at their favorite sights), Mirabell Gardens (from the famous 'Do-Re-Mi' song), and the Felsenreitschule—the theater where the family sings "So Long" after winning the 1938 Salzburg Summer Festival. Maria, played by Julie Andrews, and the seven children dance around the Pegasus Fountain while singing 'Do-Re-Mi' at Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The UNESCO World Heritage site, once home to two Prince-Archbishops, now houses the administration and mayor of Salzburg's offices. Photograph by Gulliver Theis, Laif/Redux Stay at Schloss Leopoldskron Fans can check into Schloss Leopoldskron where scenes were filmed, including when viewers see Baron von Trapp and Baroness Schraeder drink pink lemonade, Maria and the children fall out of their boat, and Maria return from the abbey. However, the Venetian ballroom, staircase, and main foyer were reproduced in Hollywood. The Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian (1679-1744), built the palace in 1736, which was eventually transformed into a boutique hotel. If you're not a hotel guest or have not arranged a pre-booked tour, you won't be able to access the indoor spaces where some of the movie's iconic scenes were filmed. Guests staying at Schloss Leopoldskron—once a palace now transformed into a boutique hotel—have access to the indoor spaces where some scenes of The Sound of Music were filmed. A stay here also grants guests access to beautiful views like the one above. Photograph by Melanie Dreysse, Laif/Redux The hotel also features the famous gazebo and a photography exhibition that showcases photos of the real Trapp family, the movie's cast and crew, and original movie posters in different languages. It's a teaser to the forthcoming Sound of Music Museum, scheduled to open in Hellbrunn Palace in 2026. Puppet performance and film highlights Salzburg Marionette Theatre—a state-of-the-art institution founded in 1913—has a permanent exhibition and a 90-minute 'Big Broadway Musical in Miniature' performance in which puppeteers bring more than 100 puppets to life in a dance performance set to the original movie score. Parents with impatient or younger children may prefer the 35-minute highlights show that contains excerpts from The Sound of Music and Mozart's Magic Flute. Recreate a famous scene Visitors to Salzburg can also take the Mönchsberg elevator or walk three miles to the Winkler Terrace, located by the Modern Museum of Salzburg. Fans can recreate the 'Do-Re-Mi' scene. The view of the Salzach River and the old city center make a perfect backdrop for an Instagram-worthy snapshot. Check into the hotels where the actors stayed Stop by the Sketch Bar at the Bristol Hotel for a drink. It received high marks from actor Christopher Plummer (Baron von Trapp), who stayed at the hotel and thought the bar had a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. Fans can also visit Hotel Sacher, where actress Julie Andrews (Maria von Trapp) stayed, or the Hotel am Mirabellplatz where the children actors (other than Charmian Carr who was over 21) stayed. While in Salzburg, visitors can experience more of the city by experiencing the healing nature of the Salzburg Mountains. Getting around More than 350,000 fans visit Salzburg each year; more than double the city's population of 160,000. Visitors can get around Salzburg via its S-Bahn rail system, public trolleybuses, local bus lines, or on foot. Renting a car or car service is your best option for exploring all points outside of the city. Visitors can reach Salzburg via a two-hour direct flight from the U.K. with British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Easyjet, WizzAir, or Ryanair. Fans can also plan a 14-hour journey by train via Eurostar, with connections to NS, Deutchebahn, WESTbahn, Meridian, or Transdev. Airport transfers to the city center are cheapest by a 20-minute bus ride or an 8-to-12-minute taxi ride—the fastest option. Where to stay In central Salzburg, the Hotel Hyperion is just a few minutes walk from Mirabell Gardens, the Salzburger Marionetten Theater (Salzberg Marionette Theater), the starting point for The Sound of Music Tour, and within easy reach of other city sites and attractions. Check into the Arabella Jagdhof Resort at Lake Fuschls, especially for its proximity to film locations in Fuschlsee, St. Wolfgang, and Mondsee Church. (Related: 10 of the best hotels in Salzburg, the Austrian home of The Sound of Music.) What you should know Travel with cash if you want to delve into Salzburg's café culture. Most coffeehouses only take cash. Visitors to Salzburg should be aware that outdoor tours stop during the winter, so you may want to consider arranging a licensed guide to see The Sound of Music sights. Bus tours and other indoor experiences are available year-round. It's recommended to book in advance, especially when visiting during peak season because tours and other experiences fill up fast. Wheelchair accessibility can be challenging because of the protected historical nature of Salzburg's buildings. However, most hotels have at least one wheelchair-accessible room, and most city experiences are accessible with a motorized wheelchair. Carole Edrich is a freelance writer, photographer, and podcaster based in London and Brussels, follow her at CaroleInnit for travel humor and comment.
