When Jess and I finally decided to book a trip to Salzburg, I was ecstatic. Salzburg is synonymous with the Sound of Music world-wide – except in Austria. Go figure.

I grew up with the Sound of Music and couldn’t wait to do a tour. Jess agreed to go even though she had never seen the movie (WHOA, how are we friends?) and we booked a tour I hoped would meet my high SOM-fanatic expectations.

Was it hokey? Yes. (How can a bus full of Americans singing show tunes NOT be). But also awesome? You betcha! We spent a little more than 5 hours hitting memorable spots from the movie and driving through the Salzkammergut/Lake District. When the tour ended my love for Maria and the rest of the Von Trapps was renewed full force.

If you are heading to Salzburg, the tour is a can’t miss (even if you aren’t a fan of the movie). It gave us the opportunity to travel in and around Salzburg and see some gorgeous vistas and architecture – and enjoy delicious local treats! Tours range from €35-40; multiple tour companies offer the Sound of Music experience.

So where did our sound of music tour take us? Here are some highlights:

Palace of Leopoldskron

Leopolskron was one of the two mansions used for the Von Trapp home. In the movie, all scenes shot from the back of the home – and in front of the lake – were filmed here. It was a little cold and overcast when we arrived, but our discomfort was worth it when we finally marched around the rear and saw this:

The Gazebo

As an fan of the movie, this was the thing I looked forward to seeing most. I dreamed of being Liesl – and singing “I am 16 going on 17” to my very own teenage crush. While originally on the grounds of Leopoldskron during filming, the gazebo has been since been moved to Hellbrunn Palace. Hellbrunn is worth a visit itself, if just to see the unique Wasserspiele (trick fountains).

The Church in Mondsee

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived in Mondsee – the wedding scene all takes place indoors – but the brickwork and exterior façade of the church are just stunning. The town of Mondsee was really cute, and there were ample opportunities to purchase traditional Austrian dessert and souvenirs.

Mirabell Gardens

This was my favorite stop on the tour. It’s also where we ended, so Jess and I were able to spend a lot of time taking pics of the flora and fauna. SOM movie fans will recognize it as the spot where Maria and the children sing “Do-Re-Mi”.