One of the most charming ways to take it all in is through the free SmartGuide app, where the voice guiding you isn’t just any narrator – it’s Nicholas Hammond, the actor who played Friedrich in the original film. His stories from the set add a personal touch to self-guided journeys through nine iconic filming locations, each one more Instagram-worthy than the last.

But perhaps the most moving part of the anniversary is the presence of Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of the real Georg and Maria who inspired the film. Over the summer, she’s offering intimate walking tours, cosy culinary strolls and even private concert dinners –inviting guests to discover Salzburg not just as a backdrop to a beloved movie, but as the place where her family’s extraordinary story unfolded.

Of course, no pilgrimage is complete without a few mementos. The Salzburg Heimatwerk has created a special anniversary dirndl – a stylish nod to the film’s alpine fashion – and for those who prefer to celebrate through their stomachs, the Gaumenfreund restaurant at Hotel Hyperion is serving up a playful ‘Sound of Salzburg’ menu. Expect schnitzel with noodles (yes, really), apple strudel as crisp as you remember, and a glass of Uncle Max’s very pink lemonade.

Whether you’re humming “Do-Re-Mi” on the steps of Mirabell Gardens or savouring every bite of nostalgia, this anniversary is more than a tribute to a film – it’s a love letter to a story that continues to enchant, inspire and bring people together.

In Vienna, music isn’t just background noise – it’s part of the city’s soul. And in 2025, the rhythm gets even more spirited as the Austrian capital spins into a grand, yearlong celebration of its most iconic composer: Johann Strauss II. It’s been 200 years since the ‘Waltz King’ was born, and Vienna is marking the occasion with the kind of cultural fanfare only it can pull off.

The festivities began in suitably dramatic fashion – at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, the famous ‘Blue Danube Waltz’ soared through the frosty air over Town Hall Square, ushering in a cascade of events that will continue until the year’s final hours. Imagine waltzing through exhibitions, operettas, open-air concerts, interactive art installations and even an escape room – all inspired by Strauss’ life and music.

The scale is as ambitious as a Strauss overture. Every week brings a new highlight, and the events aren’t just confined to Vienna’s grand concert halls. From themed Danube cruises and circus operettas to traditional Viennese balls and impromptu singalongs in Stadtpark (home to that gleaming golden statue of Strauss himself), the entire city becomes a stage. Better yet, many of the performances are free – an open invitation to locals and visitors alike to join the dance.

Step inside and you’re in the Chambers of Wonder, a labyrinth of dreamlike rooms brought to life by a mix of international artists, designers and architects. The result is a sensory journey through sound, light and – of course – crystal. Outside, 7.5 hectares of gardens invite you to slow down, wander and perhaps even chase the sunlight bouncing off sculptures and installations.

In 2025, Crystal Worlds is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and they’re doing it in characteristically dramatic style. This May, a brand-new Chamber of Wonder – crafted by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota and inspired by an ancient legend – will join the line-up. Come June, the Giant throws its own birthday bash, with family-friendly festivities and plenty of sparkle. Through July and August, the gardens take on a new persona as the ring for Circus-Theater Roncalli, whose performances combine whimsy and theatrical artistry. And as the days grow shorter, October brings a hint of the eerie with their annual ‘Happy Halloween’ experience.