history: The baroque Frohnburg Castle was built in the 17th century as a country house for the prince archbishops. Today, the castle houses music students from the Mozarteum Music Academy. the film: Its façade, courtyard and front gate were used for the Trapp Villa in the film. Maria arrived here, after dancing along the Hellbrunn Alley to meet the von Trapps for the first time. The baron tore the flag down from over the palace doorway when they returned from their honeymoon and heard about the German occupation of Austria. They pushed their car noiselessly out of the castle´s gate when they tried to escape.

The Sound of Music Tour is campy but a must not only for lovers of the film, but also those who want a tour of the Austrian countryside. The bus tour will take you to Mirabell Palace and other locales within the city where parts of the movie were filmed. The tour also takes you outside Salzburg into Mondsee and other parts of the countryside. You are provided with multiple opportunities to disembark and look around such as at the lakeside and gazebo. Our tour guide had a great sense of humor.

This is a must see for every Sound of Music fan. The tour takes you to some of the places the movie was shot in... including the Gazebo in 'I'm Sixteen...' and the gorgeous lake in front of the Von Trapp mansion. Not to mention, the interesting anecdotes the guide relates, both about the Von Trapp family in the film, and the original one!

Even though it might sound corny, it's a great way to see everything and to enjoy yourself. Also, if you're a student (with an ID), you can generally get a discount on the tour. Many of the tour companies also have other great tours you can go on (the salt mines, the ice caves, etc.).

I, actually, did not go on the official tour. However, my mother and I quite enjoyed navigating around (with the help of kind locals) and finding a few spots that were involved in the movie, ourselves.