The hills are alive…..

This tune was ringing in my mind (and in the minivan headphones) during our first big road trip after moving to Europe! We decided to pack up and drive the six and a half hours south to beautiful Bavaria in early June for our own Sound of Music experience. We based our trip out of two fabulous locations — Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany and Salzburg, Austria. Our daughter, Emelia, has been on a classic movie kick for several years now. Her favorites include Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and of course, The Sound of Music. Both Emelia and Philip were thrilled to visit the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” castle and Maria’s actual house on this trip!

Today I’m sharing the itinerary for our trip through Bavaria and over to Salzburg. Not only were the kids thrilled about this, but it was a dream come true for me also. Todd and I were celebrating our 12th anniversary on this trip, and little did I know, he had something very special planned!

The Alps are magnificent, and our visit in early June was perfect timing. The mountains were still covered in snow, but the weather was perfect for exploring. We visited natural parks, historic sites, castles, gardens, and many sites previously only seen on the big screen! Here is a brief itinerary of our trip. More detail to come!

Garmisch and Salzburg Itinerary

Day 1

• Drive 6.5 hours to Edelweiss Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
• Evening playground time with a view of the snow-capped Alps

Day 2

• Garmisch Olympic Stadium
• Partnachklamm (Partnach Gorge) 
• Highline 179 Suspension Bridge near Reutte, Austria
• Ehrenberg Castle Ruins

Day 3

• Kolbensattel Oberammergau Alpine Coaster
• Oberammergau
• Linderhof Palace

Day 4

• Neuschwanstein Castle
• Hohenschwangau Castle

Day 5

• Lake Eibsee
• Cog Train and Tram to the Zugspitze

Day 6

• Drive 2 hours to Villa Trapp in Salzburg
• Dokumentation Obsersalzberg
• Tour Hitler’s Kehlsteinhaus – Eagle’s Nest
• Dinner at Steinlechner – Das Wirtshaus in Salzburg

Day 7

• Bike tour of Salzburg with Fraulein Maria’s Bike Tours
• Walk to Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s House, Salzburg Cathedral
• 12^th Anniversary Dinner and Mozart concert at Festung Hohensalzburg

Day 8

• Berchtesgaden Salt Mine Tour
• Boat tour of Lake Konigssee to St. Bartholoma Church
• Dinner at Augustiner Brau in Salzburg

Day 9

• 7-hour drive home

Look for all the details of our trip coming up in my next post!