SALZBURG

Mozart and "The Sound of Music" are forever associated with Salzburg along with its Baroque architecture and scenic Alpine backdrop. Salzburg is the birthplace of the 18th century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is home to three concert halls located in the Festival District. Locals and tourists can enjoy the Salzburg Festival of Music and Drama which lasts for five weeks starting in late July.

Hohensalzburg Fortress sits atop the Festungsberg hill and is accessible by the Festungsbahn funicular railway which opened in 1892. The festival hall Felsenreitschule, which translates to mean "Rock Riding School", was the location of the scene in "The Sound of Music" movie, where the Von Trappe Family sing "So Long, Farewell" and "Idleweiss" before escaping the Nazis and fleeing Salzburg.

Sphaera was created by German artist Stephan Balkenhol and is located in Kapitelplatz. No one knows exactly what the figure represent. Mozart was baptized in this 17th century Baroque style cathedral dedicated to Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius.

Salzburg Festival Halls: Haus für Mozart opera house (Kleines Festspielhaus - built in 1925) and Großes Festspielhaus (Great Festival Hall - built between 1956 and 1960).

Makartsteg foot bridge is named after the 19th century Historicist painter Hans Makart. The bridge is popular with lovers affixing a lock to the bridge with their initials on it and tossing the key into the Salzach river symbolizing their eternal love for each other.

Mozart's Geburthaus (birthplace) is where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born at No. 9 Geitreidegasse in Salzburg, Austria. Mozart's Monument is a memorial to Mozart located in Mozart Square. The monument was designed by Ludwig Schwanthaler and cast in bronze by Johann B. Stiglmayer in 1842.

Mozart Square is popular with tourists consisting of souvenir shops and cafés and is a great meeting spot and starting point for tours. The Mozart Residence, now turned museum features Mozart’s fortepiano, original documents, portraits and historical facts about the life of the Mozart family.

St. Peter's Cemetery is the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627 and is the place where the Von Trapp family hid out in "The Sound of Music". The entrance to St. Peter's Catacombs is located at the graves of Mozart’s sister Nannerl and Joseph Haydn's younger brother, Michael Haydn. The catacombs are built arcade style into the foot of the Mönchsberg mountain located in the St. Peter's Cemetery and some of the catacombs are carved out of the conglomerate rocks of the Festungsberg.

Stiftkeller, possibly the world’s oldest restaurant was established in 803 and is home to the Mozart Dinner Concert located in the Baroque Hall. The 3 course menu is based on old historic recipes and dishes are served between the musical interludes.

The Getreidegasse is a busy pedestrian narrow street lined with all sorts of commercial shops located in the Old Town of Salzburg. Each shop has an ornamental wrought iron guild sign advertising the name of the business protruding from the building facades