Frauline Maria's Bike Tour

12:23:00 AM Out And About Global 5 Comments

Frauline Maria's Bicycle Tour
Time: 3.5 hours incl. 20 min break in Hellbrunn
Distance: about 8 miles, completely flat
Costs € 26 per adult/€ 18, 13-18years/€12.- under 12 years  CASH ONLY
Tours Run: 1st of May and ends on 30th of September. 
Two thumbs up!
This building was built in 1634 and renovated in 1987.  As you can see it is built right next to a mountain.  As a matter of fact, the interiors are carved into the mountain side.
We took the Frauline Maria's bicycle tour of Salzburg and having already taken a driving tour, I can 100% say the bike tour was better. And that isn't to bad mouth the driving tour, I really liked that one as well, but biking allowed us to get a bit closer and we saw things we didn't see on the van tour. Even for people who aren't fans of the movie, the bike ride is a great way to see the town.
I've been to Salzburg many times, but it wasn't until this trip that I realized the finale performance by the Von Trapps was in this building (which I've walked by 3 times), carved into the side of the mountain.  It was originally a horse corral. This building features in several scenes of the movie.
It is at the top of this wall that Maria begins singing "I have confidence in me."

This is the exterior of the oldest restaurant in Salzburg--Supposedly, a dining facility has been here since 804 AD.  I ate here with my mother the last time we were in town.  The food wasn't worth the price tag, but the atmosphere was pretty good!  Once inside the front facade, the interior opens up into a courtyard that looks like something out of the 15 century...but wait, that's cuz it is!  While I wasn't a big fan of my entree our dessert was super good!

Another "I have confidence" song site.  Maria walks across this plaza and dips her hand into this fountain.
As Maria (Julie Andrews) walks through this plaza, three women dressed in traditional clothing walk behind her in the distance.  These women are the real Maria Von Trapp, her daughter and granddaughter.
This cemetery was the inspiration for the scene toward the end of the movie when the Von Trapps hide behind grave stones.  The set was a Hollywood mock up, but this is where they got the idea.



Catacombs are carved into the side of the mountain where that building is.




"We want our Frauline Maria back"  This is the real Nonburg abby and this is the gate the children came to pledding for Maria's return.



This is the lake scene house. It now belongs to Harvard so this is about as close as you can get to it.
This is the front of the house where Maria rings the door bell at the end of "I Have Confidence In Me" after whizzing down the tree lined lane (see photo below).  The trees off to the side have been cut down because they became too large.  I wish I knew how to photoshop out that parking sign.

And oh yes, we sang---Do, Re, Mi and all the rest.

Our tour group--from the left: Australian's on a two month holiday, an Indonesian family that hardly knew how to ride bicycles (I am not kidding) and the couple to our right was married just last Saturday.  They were so sweet--she said, "I had to wait 38 years, but he was worth it!
Not seen in the movie, but a rest stop during the tour is Hellbrunn Palace.  This is totally worth coming back for, the trick fountains catch unsuspecting tourists off guard and it's a riot to watch!
Trick fountains

Mirabell Gardens where "Do, Re, Mi" was shot.
The bikes are great, very comfortable and easy to use.  Each bike had a name, as you can see I rode Gretl.  I loved the sound of the bell on my bike and asked if I could buy it.  Now that I am back home every time I ring my bell I am reminded of the super fun day I enjoyed with my good friend visiting from the USA.






After the tour we stopped for a refreshment at Cafe Sacher.  I am partial to the chocolate milk shake.  We sat river side at this great cafe in perfectly good weather, it was enviable. Truly, one of those times when you count your blessings to be making childhood dreams come true with wonderful friends at your side.
Address: Schwarzstraße 5-7, 5020 Salzburg