The Sound of Music Bicycle Tour in Salzburg

The Sound of Music is one of my all-time top movies and my favorite musicals. So when my sister, a fellow fan, told me she had a conference for work in Germany in July I asked if she’d considering adding on vacation days and do a Sound of Music tour of Salzburg with me. And I am so glad we did because Salzburg is easily my new favorite smaller city I’ve visited in Europe. Plus we had way too much fun recreating scenes from the movie around Salzburg on our Sound of Music Bicycle Tour!

Salzburg

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While there are big bus, mini bus and self-guided tour options for the Sound of Music, we opted to choose  Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour after reading wonderful reviews online. The three and a half hour tour starts and ends at Schloss Mirabell . I highly recommend the tour for several reasons  It’s easier to find the stops following a guide than on your own (though not impossible) It’s fun to hear stories and facts about the filming and stops. I loved the photo guide attached to the bicycle that showed what each location was used for in the film….and these are a few of my favorite stops from our Sound of Music bicycle tour!

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Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour

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One of the most iconic filming sites from the movie is the square Residenzplatz and the Residenzbrunnen where Maria sings “I Have Confidence” and splashes in the horse fountain.

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St. Peter’s Cemetery provided the inspiration for the abbey’s cemetery in the movie but most of that scene was actually filmed on a set in Hollywood.

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Nonnberg Abbey, where Maria was actually a nun in real life, was used in the movie to film for the exterior of the abbey. The abbey itself is beautiful and the views of Salzburg on the way up hill is stunning!

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After the stop at the abbey, we coasted downhill away from the city and into the outskirts where our fantastic guide Elise played songs from Sound of Musical for us! It was pretty magical to ride through Salzburg while listening to soundtrack. And as much as we wanted to sing a long, we were booking it on the bikes at this point so mostly hummed and sang along on the inside!

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Our first stop was Schloss Leopoldskron, which was the filming location for the exterior of the Von Trapp family home. The terraces from the movie are only accessible to guests of the now boutique hotel but this epic view is pretty spectacular to see!

 

The next stop is the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Something Good.” Our guide took a few group shots of us throughout the tour which were posted on their Facebook page and this one was one of the best. Wheeee!

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We actually did this stop independently the next day since we didn’t stop on the tour but rode on by to get back to our starting point! It’s the Mozart Bridge that Maria and the children cross on their big day out!

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The tour ends back at Mirabell where you’ll make a final stop at the famous Do Re Mi steps Maria and the children sing on with the beautiful gardens and fortress in the background.

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The tours happen rain or shine so do bring a rain jacket! Show Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour love on Instagram and Twitter and book with them if you find yourself in Salzburg in season!

[This is not a sponsored post. We had such a fun time on our Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour we wanted to share it for our readers who are planning a trip to Austria from April to October!]

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

Ten Tips for Vancouver and an Alaskan Cruise

Our friend Alli, who most recently wrote about her Midwest adventure for us, and her husband are on a quest to see and experience all 50 states! He’s now been to all 50 (!) and she has one more to go, Alli’s also previously shared her incredibly helpful 8 family travel tips with us. They both had some flexibility in their schedules and so decided to book an Alaskan cruise in May. They strategically picked a cruise leaving from Vancouver because it is where one of Alli’s best friends lives. So she packed up her toddler son and left a few days before her husband did to visit her friend and husband. Thus began an epic adventure! Check out Alli’s ten tips for Vancouver and an Alaskan cruise

Vancouver

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We loved every moment in this beautiful city. Here are a few memories that truly stand out.
1) Traveling with a toddler, I try to not burden my friends with the early morning noise that a toddler brings so we found a fantastic Airbnb.  It had stunning views, a great location, fireplace, reasonably priced and very kind host.
2) We loved walking around Granville Island; it’s a delightful area. From the food selection, coffee, little shops, farmer’s market, the kids area, the entertainment, we loved all of it.
3) My friend Erin is attending Regent University apart of the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. The views were breathtaking. It is such a beautiful campus!
4) The line out the door was quickly explained with one bite out of my sandwich from Meat and Bread. It was a packed place with rules to keep the flow of the line but the food was excellent and they really tried to accommodate my stroller and toddler.
5) When the buses are out of service they say sorry, very Canadian.

Alaskan Cruise

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1) Splurge for a balcony! We made the decision to take the trip last minute and so we were able to get a decent price for a mini-suite. Having coffee in my pajamas with the Alaskan or Canadian mountainous shoreline to wake up my sleepy eyes was one of the best things I will ever experience! We saw glaciers, whales, bald eagles, and sea otters all from the comfort of our own room.
2) Whale watching was my favorite outing. My face hurt from smiling. It was so exciting when you first see the spray from the blowhole announcing its presence to the partial arch above the water. My son Jack would giggle when he spotted a whale.
3) The Alaskan Railroad train in Skagway was recommended and I am glad we heeded the advice. The scenery was majestic and this was a great activity. Because we had a stroller, we were placed in the handicapped car and we had the whole car to ourselves.
4) Go to the Twisted Fish Company in Juneau, AK! I do not remember what I ate but what I drank would make it worthwhile to take trip again just for that. My favorite drink is an old fashioned with Rye Whiskey. They serve what they call  a “Red Eye” Old Fashioned. It is made with Rye Whiskey, Cold Brew Coffee Syrup, vanilla, coffee, and toasted Pecan Bitters. This may have been the best drink I have ever had!
5) Bring stomach ailment supplies! Of course report anything serious to the medical staff but traveling usually messes up most people’s systems and it is so expensive to get the usual remedies. We did see the medical team as we all got sick but it would have saved some money to have some of the basic supplies.  I will say it was not ideal to get sick on a trip but laying on the bed looking out of our balcony window as we passed snow peaked mountains,  I did think to myself “this is not so the worse experience.”
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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

The Best Printable Europe Packing List – Two Weeks in a Carry-On

Heading to Europe? Here’s our printable two weeks in Europe packing list!

Europe Packing List - AFriendAfar.com

I always aim to pack in only a carry-on if at all possible no matter how long my trip is going to be. I find it much easier to tote around a carry-on suitcase rather than a checked-size bag. Plus, if you pack right, you can mix and match pieces to re-wear and make different outfits. And there’s always the option of doing laundry (Airbnb is amazing for that) or hand-washing in the hotel sink. Here’s a printable Europe packing list of what I brought on my latest two week trip to Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. My goal was to strike a balance between being  comfortable and stylish.

Some of the items I am so glad made it into my luggage include a pair of New Balance for J.Crew sneakers (I have these navy ones while Meagan has them in white and gold), laundry detergent packets, a rain jacket, sandals, Downey Wrinkle Releaser, and a scarf! I used my trusty Travelpro Rollaboard as my carry-on piece and my Lo & Sons OMG bag as my personal item on the plane. And of course I used an Everlane Tote as a day bag while exploring!

One last tip: if you’re packing for two weeks in a carry-on, you’re going to need packing cubes!

Is there anything you always pack for a summer trip to Europe? Let us know in the comments!

Printable Summer in Europe Packing List - A Friend Afar

 

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

Guest Post: Alli’s Midwest Story

Last year we introduced you to our lovely friend Alli with her guest post on family travel tips!  She’s the founder of Lazarus Ministries, a non-profit that works with the homeless communities in Atlanta and Washington DC, where Alli lives with her husband Joe and adorable son Jack. Read on to hear about their recent amazing road trip and quest to visit all 50 states in the US. You will love her Midwest story!

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

Game of Thrones Filming Locations

Devotees of HBO’s Game of Thrones know that the show is truly an international production. Portugal, Iceland, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Morocco, and Malta, to name a few, have all portrayed locations in Westeros and Essos. Stephanie, Meagan, and their friend Audrey have all added Game of Thrones filming locations to their recent vacations. Now we’re sharing our GOT stories from Morocco, Northern Ireland and Iceland! The locations we visited include Yunkai (Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco), the Kingsroad north of King’s Landing (Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland), Winterfell (Castle Ward, Northern Ireland),  Jon Snow and Ygritte’s  “cave” (Grjótagjá near Lake Myvatn, Iceland), and Beyond the Wall (Skaftafell National Park, Iceland).

Yunkai – Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco

Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco - Game of Thrones Filming Location

Despite this Berber village’s obvious resemblance to Yunkai, Meagan, excited to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, added it to her itinerary based purely on its history and beauty. Once she realized that it had been transformed into the Slaver’s Bay city of Yunkai, her excitement doubled! Continue reading

Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

The Ultimate Iceland Itinerary: Part 2

Since arriving home, many people have asked why Iceland? Since it’s been on my radar for a while this question surprised me at first but then I realized it’s not a very common vacation destination for Americans. To answer, I explained how my husband and I have been hankering to go to New Zealand but it can be difficult to take 2-3 weeks off work to travel so far. So we tried to think of a closer destination with equally stunning natural beauty. Iceland met this requirement with its waterfalls, geysir, wildlife viewing opportunities, hikes, geothermal baths, unique landscapes, mountains, beaches and more! May was a great time for us to visit since it’s already summer but before the crowds arrive. In our first four days in Iceland, we focused on Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Southwest Iceland and Southeast Iceland. The second half of our  ultimate Iceland itinerary took us on the Ring Road to the Eastfjords, Northern Iceland and then a detour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to complete our 8 day adventure!

The Ultimate Iceland Itinerary- www.afriendafar.com #iceland #itinerary #ringRoad

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

The Ultimate Iceland Itinerary: Part 1

Iceland completely stole my heart while we were there last month. It really is one of the most naturally stunning places I’ve had the privilege of visiting. Here’s where we went during the first half of our 8-day Iceland itinerary! It’s also a great starting point for a 4-day itinerary if that’s what time you have. If you’re road tripping, don’t forget to download Iceland’s maps on Google maps ahead of time!

The Ultimate 8-Day Iceland Itinerary- www.afriendafar.com #iceland #itinerary #ringroad

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

Why You Should Visit the Eastfjords in Iceland

While not the least visited region of Iceland since that distinction belongs to the West Fjords, East Iceland is also a less visited region of the country. Iceland is easily one of the most naturally stunning places I’ve been to and adding a stop in the Eastfjords to our Ring Road itinerary enhanced that beauty. Imagine snow-capped mountains, glistening fjords, colorful towns, the chance to see reindeer and puffins, and hiking opportunities a plenty. Not to mention one of my favorite places we stayed our entire trip: relaxing, peaceful and dreamy Skálanes! Read on to see why Eastjords is a must visit place in Iceland.

Skalanes

Seyðisfjörður in the eastfjords

East fjords town

Seyðisfjörður (say-this-fjur-ther) is such a picturesque town! It is set right on a fjord with snow-capped mountains in the background. It’s architecture is unique in Iceland since it contains colorful 19th-century Norwegian kit timber buildings. The adorable blue church was one of my favorites and I kept picking out which house I wanted to live in. The town is full of artists, musicians and the crafty so there’s plenty to see while walking around! The cozy bistro Skaftfell is perfect for taking a break and getting a feel for the vibe of the town. You can take a ferry here that goes to Denmark via the Faroe Islands. Now that’s on my list of things to do…

Skálanes

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O Skálanes! This “mountain lodge” is set on a private wildlife refuge 19km east of Seyðisfjörður and accommodation is in the former farmhouse set perfectly beside the fjord with stunning views of it and the mountains from your window if you’re lucky. The road to the guesthouse is gravel and accessible for 2WD vehicles until the last bit. Then there’s a place to park cars and then you can hike in the last 4km which is an adventurous and view filled experience. 4WD pickup is also available and can be arranged through the lodge.

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The farmhouse is a cozy, charming place to stay with delicious food served, excellent hosts, two dogs to cuddle and lounge with, and an opportunity for community with fellow travelers in cozy shared sitting areas. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating for enjoying a book, conversation, the birds or just the view. The bedroom was simple but the bed was comfortable and the shared bathroom, common throughout Iceland, was tidy. There’s even a turf-roofed sauna! Talk about relaxation.

Wildlife

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The highlight of our stay at Skálanes was walking up to the birding cliff and seeing puffins! While it’s not a nesting colony, puffins come here to fish so we saw about 7 of them and got to observe them fishing. Also while we were driving the Ring Road through the Eastfjords, there were reindeer signs every so often! We saw two separate herds on the side of the road while driving. You can’t beat seeing two new kinds of wildlife in one region. Thanks, Eastfjords!

Have you been to the Eastfjords in Iceland? Does this post inspire you to add it to your list? We love hearing from you in the comments below?

Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

If you find yourself in the United Arab Emirates, I highly recommend a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Even if you’re staying in Dubai, the capital Abu Dhabi can easily be visited as a day trip since it’s only an hour and a half away from the skyscraper-filled city.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesThis stunning view that greets you after going through security. Your eyes try to take in the purity of the white marble while at the same time noticing all the architectural details.

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Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.

Guest Post: The Stunning Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland

Our good friend Audrey and her new husband spent a wonderful, two-week honeymoon in Ireland and Northern Ireland last June.  Neither had ever been before, and they quickly fell in love with the lush scenery, the friendly people, and the surprisingly tasty food.  Their goal was to get to see the sights, but also to enjoy down time embracing Irish culture.  They spent their fair share of time off the main roads in tea shops and pubs enjoying one type of brew or another. Enjoy Audrey’s guest post on her visit to the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland!

Audrey and Josh

 

Belfast

We kicked off the honeymoon in Belfast in Northern Ireland.  We had round trip Dublin flights, but caught a bus up to Belfast for about $30 a person when we arrived.  We then took a taxi out to our amazing hotel, The Culloden, which was situated about 10 minutes north of the city.
The Culloden

Seriously, I got sleep here! Normally I would get a place closer to the sights, but who on earth would pass up staying in this beauty?!?  They even had a train station just off property so you could get into Belfast with ease. Continue reading

Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.