A Rainy Day, a Bus Full of Strangers, & Singing Along to the Sound of Music
Sometimes travel hands you the perfect plan without you even trying. Would you believe me if I told you that the photo above was taken in mid-July? My one day in Salzburg this July was wet, gray, and practically begging for something cozy. So instead of running around town in the rain, I spent the day on The Sound of Music tour, weaving through Salzburg and the absolutely stunning lakeside village of Mondsee with the soundtrack on full volume.
One Night in Salzburg
I was on my way from Vienna to Paris via train. I decided to take the scenic route and actually saved well over $500 by booking the 5 day Eurail travel pass instead of booking multiple flights. More on that later. I decided to spend the night in Salzburg because it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go. The Sound of Music tour was on my radar, but quite frankly, wasn’t my top priority… until I saw the weather forecast.
I dealt with lots of rain during my time in Austria and did not pack for that, so I had nothing to wear for another chilly and rainy day in Austria. I figured spending the day on a bus with scenic views would be the best way to see the most of Salzburg in a comfortable way. And, of course, it helps that I absolutely love the Sound of Music!
Where to Stay
I booked a one night stay at the Hotel Andrä which was located right across the street from the Sound of Music pick up spot and the iconic Mirabell palace and gardens. The hotel didn’t have much in terms of amenities outside of the room, but the room itself was very nice and I really enjoyed my stay and the location.
The Sound of Music Tour
The moment we climbed aboard, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a quiet sightseeing day! Our guide, who knew every behind-the-scenes story and every note of the score, made sure of that. He had even met Julie Andrews and much of the cast over the years. We drove past familiar movie backdrops including the Von Trapp home, Maria’s convent, the gardens where the Von Trapp children danced in their curtain clothes, the lakes and mountains that framed so many iconic scenes, and the wedding chapel in Mondsee.
Each stop came with a fresh round of singing along with the TV that would play certain scenes at the front of the bus. Some passengers were shy at first, but by the time we reached the gazebo from “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” the whole bus had joined in. There was an adorable girl behind me who was singing her little heart out.
The tour itself was about 4 hours, and we did take off about 10 minutes early, which I found surprising. I arrived maybe 20-25 minutes before the departure time and the bus was pretty filled up. We all had spots due to our ticket reservation, but the front of the bus was filled up by the time I got there. Something to keep in mind! Go early for prime seating. Since I was a solo traveler, there were some single seats at the front so I did end up moving up.
Mondsee
Rain streaked the windows and turned the landscapes into watercolor paintings. I felt so lucky to be there as I looked out of the window on our drive. The pastel houses of Mondsee glowed against the moody sky, and we stepped into the church where Maria and the Captain married on in the movie. Even in the rain, the village felt straight out of a fairy tale.
If you ever find yourself with just one day in Salzburg, especially if it’s raining, take the tour. It’s warm, it’s joyful, and it’s a reminder that travel isn’t always about blue skies, it’s about leaning into whatever the day gives you. And sometimes, that’s a sing-along on the most touristy bus in town full of strangers.
Until Next Time!
Laura
