How to tour ‘The Sound of Music,’ 50 years later

The film was, of course, “The Sound of Music,” the biggest grossing musical of all time, if receipts are adjusted for inflation.

Its core family values, hummable tunes and stunning scenery turned it into a worldwide success.

It also ensured that Salzburg, with two dozen locations featured in the film, would never be the same again.

The first tourists asking about the film settings started arriving in 1966 and were faced by bemused locals.

Most Austrians still haven’t seen “The Sound of Music” and don’t understand what the fuss is about.

The film ran only for a very short period in the country and was subsequently dropped.

Although many reasons are put forward for its disappearance, the instances of Nazi complicity depicted in the film were certainly too much to bear for the Austria of the 1960s, which was forging a new, democratic future for itself.

One company, however, knew all about the locations and was happy to oblige.

Kleinbusse am Mirabellplatz had provided six Volkswagen vans for director Bob Wise to transport his 250 stars and staff around for three months during the shooting.

Visiting Salzburg

Salzburg is 2 hours and 22 minutes by train from Vienna ($50 per person one way, oebb.at).

Salzburg Tourism has an office inside the main train station and also at Mozartplatz 5.They can suggest guides for a city walking tour.

Julie Andrews stayed at Hotel Osterrechischer Hof, now Hotel Sacher (Schwarzstrasse 5-7; +43 662 889 770), which has doubles from $485. The hotel won’t divulge which room she stayed in, but if they get a specific request, will try to accommodate you there.

Hotel Bristol Salzburg (Makartplatz 4; +43 662 873 557) has doubles from $820. This is where Christopher Plummer stayed and played the piano that can still be seen in the bar today.

The Trapp Villa (Traunstrasse 34, Aigen; +43 662 630 860) is a 15-minute, $15 taxi ride from the center of Salzburg, or four stops on the local tram. A family suite for four starts from $200 in low season. Private tours are possible via prior reservation.

The Sound of Music Panorama Tour (+43 662 883 211-0) starts from $40 per person in low season.

Marionettentheater (Schwarzstrasse 24; +43 662 872 406) sells tickets for performances ranging between $16-40 per person.

CNN