Hello, I am a big fan of the sound of music.
As I know the "Do-Re-Mi" Meadow was filmed in werfen.
I'm planning to go to Salzburg around 20th January
But is winter a good season to visit here? Is the meadow as green as the movie?
I plan to stay a day in Salzburg city, now i'm wondering if i should give one more day to warfen
Thanks!
The meadow won’t be green in the winter, I wouldn’t think. :-)
But winter will be glorious in a wintery way. And aren’t there famous ice caves in Werfen? Others here will know.
It's Winter . . . in the ALPS. There will be no green grass, just green evergreens.
Also know that those in that area, and all of Austria really - they are NOT fans of Sound Of Music movie- most have never even watched it. We've taken many tours in that area since 2013 and every guide we have and everyone we meet in the area says the same in regards to the Sound Of Music. There are many false things in it and it offends them. We went on a tour of Salzburg a few years ago and saw many of the famous Sound Of Music places and were told of all the untrue things about the story.
I love the movie too and the music in the movie - but after hearing the truth and seeing the sites and learning much more about the movie, etc - I must say - it is now different for me.
We also went to the church that they got married in = so we saw most of the famous sites while we were there for a week. While I still love the movie and music, after going to that area so often now and hearing different stories of the people and the war, etc - I look at that era differently. It's Hollywood - most of it isn't real - I just had to learn to appreciate it differently after visiting Eagle's Nest, etc.
We did a SOM tour with Bob's Special Tours in December 2022 and it was wonderful! They told us what was real and what was not, and the guide was just overall excellent. It was still beautiful even though it was not summer.
I went to Salzburg in the winter in 2016, and it just wasn't right for appreciating the SOM sights, though the Christmas market was lovely. I was just in Salzburg again this past September and we had a wonderful day with the SOM bike tour. Yes, they tell you all the "false" things about the movie, but so what? Are we only allowed to have documentaries? SOM is an iconic movie with gorgeous settings and music and songs and it is no surprise that generation after generation of Americans fall in love with it. If the Salzburgers are too jaded to appreciate what they have, well, I won't apologize for it.
We were in Salzburg in the winter, and in a blizzard. It was quite pretty. That said, I'd like to see it in the summer as well.
We took the Panaramic tour which included stops in Werfen and Mondsee(wedding church). We enjoyed the tour very much, including my daughter who is not really a fan of the movie.
I know much about the Von Trapps having taken piano lessons from a man that knew them. They, themselves, used their notoriety to market their Vermont lodge. As far as the locals in Salzburg not appreciating the story/movie, I didn't run into anything like that. There are many movies and books that do not follow the "actual" story, to a T. Would people have enjoyed the movie if it had shown the VonTrapps leaving Salzburg via a train without the drama? Maybe. Who knows? I think if a tourist shows interest in Salzburg's and Austria's many other attributes, doing some research into the history and beauty of the country, there would should be no hard feelings.
Travelers should be aware that Austrians, like Germans, are quite reserved. Maybe some travelers confuse their reserved nature for dislike of SOM fans.
A movie that is set during the Austrian annexation into Nazi Germany, and participation in WWII? Of course they wouldn't want to be reminded of this time let alone celebrate it with cheerful music and fictional dramatization. We in the US of a certain age grew up with the music, but it was never true. OK to like and enjoy it, but dont be perplexed that its not a universally loved piece of Hollywood.
Eh. I'm not sure there is any dislike of SOM fans by Austrians. I also doubt there is much actual dislike of the SOM. What there probably is, in good measure, is disinterest. Not the same thing at all. And dont confuse Teutonic reserve towards strangers with dislike (unless you are rude or doing something you shouldn't.
Of course the meadow won't be green in winter. It's up a mountain! And will likely be under several feet of snow. But the hiking trail from Werfen is apparently groomed in winter, so weather permitting, one could visit. Dress warm and wear warm boots. Check to see what SOM tours are running out of Salzburg during your dates.
Thank you guys! I'm getting know more about SOM and Salzburg.
If the meadow is not green and even full of deep snow, maybe I won't go this time, my holiday is really short so I try to make everyday full. I only go there for SOM, singing do-re-mi on the meadow like Maria in the movie scene.
I will visit the locations inside of Salzburg city only.
We used the RS guidebook walking tour, found it very helpful. No matter what, do not skip the stunning cathedral were Mozart was baptized.
OP, just out of curiosity - where are you from? Wondering, because you apparently are unaware of what winter in Austria is like. Do not feel obligated to answer if you find my question intrusive. But you need to know what to expect in order to dress for the cold.
