Sound of Music

Salzburg is also famous for the filming of The Sound of Music.......although many locals don't know much about the "Hollywood Story" as it differs from the story of the Von Trapp Family.
Hellbrunn Castle was filmed as the Von Trapp family home and the garden now houses the famous"Gazibo".
Maria danced around the fountain with the children in the Mirabell Garden. This was the setting for Do Ra Me !
" The Hill" towards Mondsee (which was used for the Wedding scene) are spectacular.

Baron and Maria arrive at the Abbey in Mondsee.

Salzburg - Austria

Supper at "Zum Gulenspiegel" was so romantic !!! The building is from 1414 and sits at the corner of a "platze" where Mozart was born. this is at our table overlooking the Salzach River which runs through the city.
St. Peter's Cathedral where we were entertained by the music of Mozart.
Mirabell Gardens run through the middle of "new town" and was one of the areas where a lot of the Sound of Music was shot. From Schloss Mirabell is a great view of the fortress.
The old town in the evening as we walked the riverside back to our hotel.

Old Town Salzburg

Touring through the Canals

A day is not complete without a cappuccino. This is one of the most expensive cappuccinos we have had at the Piazza San Marco; a 18th century coffee house called Florian. 29euro $47Cdn but it was my birthday and I am worth it!! It also included live entertainment.
The architecture on the canal is stunning. There are over 400 gondolas in Venice.
Over 400 bridges and I would have to say this is the most popular and nicest we saw. Rialto bridge is next to the fish & produce market.
Vehicles awaiting our arrival in Lido, one of the islands in Venice it is popular for it's beaches & bicycles.

The view from Lido to Venice is amazing!!

Venice - The City of Water

Murano Glass is every where. Bins are full of rings & things. A girl's best friend.
MASKS! So beautiful ! I tried to figure out how to bring a few home. NO LUCK.
The Vivaldi Store is at the end of the Rialto bridge, a very busy tourist area. We were surprised that there wasn't more of his music heard around here.
An International Art Exhibition is being held all over the city. How's this for "Musical Chairs?"


Visiting the Famous Peggy Guggenheim Collection of Modern Art was fabulous! She was a very successful American woman who left her collection in her home and is now one of the most visited areas in Venice.

Venice Italy

Venice is an Island with a port for cruise ships and a bridge linking it to the main land.
A trip to Venice is not complete with a gondola ride through the streets and it is quite romantic. None of the Gondoliers sing as that is only in the movies.
Taking a gondola ride in front of St. George's Island.


St. Marco's Square is the most popular spot in Venice & is breathtaking with the Basilica's art work.

Alberobello and Locorotondo

You'd almost expect a Gnome to pop out of one of these houses. Alberobello is another Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a MUST to see if you are in Southern Italy.
The " Zona dei Trulli" is situated on the western hill of Alberobe and is a dense mass of beehive shaped houses made of local limestone. It is enchanting!
The Duoma always sits at the top of the hill and overlooks the valley. Unfortunately we did not see any locals wearing pointed hats. They just sell all of the "Tourist Junk" from most of the little dwellings. It is one huge tourist trap, but cute.
Locorotondo is suppose to be one of Italy's most beautiful villages. There are gorgeous, winding, narrow streets full of flower pots.
The streets are paved with smooth ivory-colored stone and all of the buildings painted white.


Nice courtyard, Hey? Never do you see lawn or yards full of gardens in "il centro". That is outside of the village in the country side. Bellissimo !

Grotta Castellana

From this opening the Grotto(limestone cave) extends into the depths of the earth.
The total length of the cave is not know but the public is allowed 3kms into the cave system taking you 74 meters underground. It was a great walk and took us about 2 hours.
Amazing stalactites and stalagmites line the caves and closer to the surface you see more colorful ones.
Down in the depths they are mostly white limestone.
Throughout the caves you see many interesting formations. This is the Cyclopes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY FAHER"S DAY!!

BELLA! BELLA ! June 21,1950 and here he is in Italy celebrating 2 very important dates (together). What could be better than a plate of seafood pasta? Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and fabulous travel partner. Celebrations in Venice.

Gallipoli and Lecce

What, another cathedral? Yup! Every city, town and village is full of them and so incredibly ornate, inside and out. Gallipoli is a gorgeous sea port and in the middle is the "old town".
Lunch in the square is always full of entertainment. Music is all around you !!!
Lecce's "Basilica di Santa Croce", has the most unusual facade of animals, cherubs, beasts and sculptures of people.The famous sculpture, Guiseppe Zimbalo has many works in the city. The interior is conventually "Renaissance".
Lecce is also known for the art of "paper mache".
More Roman ruins in the middle of the square which was just recently discovered by a construction company. This is a beautiful "Baroque Styled" city with some gorgeous upscale shops. One could do some serious damage to the credit card!

What do the Italians do on a Sat morning ?

Why, they do the same as we would do! They head to the beach.
Every little bit of beach gets used. The empty area is private beach and expensive to rent the umbrella, lounge and table.We're were just thinking how thankful we are to live in Penticton where you don't pay for your space on the sand!
Some will head to the Sea to travel along the extensive coast of the Mediterranean. I can see that the Mediterranean Sea would be one of the best to boat as it is fairly calm compared to the Oceans.

Gallipoli National Park

3:00 and it is typical for the "boys" to sit outside the coffee shop or "Bar" and play cards.
Gallipoli Park has a huge river running through the centre......just no water! The white is river rock.
"Fly Like an Angel" , is the name of this zip line which connects the villages of Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano. We were a few days before opening and one of us would have loved to cross the 400 mitres above ground.Guess who? ( Il Vito Dell'Angelo )
The two villages are connected also by a very winding road.
Missanella sits at the top of the hill with the castle centre of the village. Most places are built this way with only courts yards inside the walls. No lawns to cut!!!
Metaponte also shows the Roman Ruins as they are working to restore the area of the theatre and Temples .