The Hills Are Alive

We had a great day with Michael. He was an excellent guide and took us to all the locations we wanted to see. We loved seeing the places they had filmed in the mountains as well as the church where the wedding scene was shot. We also went to all the places in Saltzburg which we were familiar with from the film. In addition he took us to a lovely place for lunch. We really enjoyed singing along to all the songs in the car while we travelled to the various places. Michael had a great knowledge of the history of the area which was very interesting to hear as well.

We had a wonderful experience visiting sites from The Sound of Music both in and out of town. We had a lovely lunch in the hills—no tourists. Took pictures spinning around in the fields from the movie. Highly recommend.

Carlos was a fantastic guide- we traveled with four kids - Carlos helped gear the trip to our group. Would recommend again. We booked a second tour with him Monday to a different location!

We had so much fun, our guide was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful

Wow is all we kept saying. Salzburg is beautiful and the tour is amazing an absolute must for the hills are alive fans. We opted for the private tour and had lots of fun & laughter with Carlos. He knew the film inside and out and also lots of information regarding the true story behind the family which was very interesting. Definitely recommend.

A fun and fully comprehensive immersion into all things Sound of Music from the city sights to the hills, lakes and so much more. Michael, our guide was very personable, knowledgeable, entertaining and spoke English excellently. 8 hours seemed a long time but the day was well-planned and balanced, seeing everything there was to see without being hurried, or it feeling too drawn-out. Cannot recommend it highly enough!

We hit every single outdoor spot of the Sound of Music on this tour. Carlos was amazing and you could tell he knew his stuff. Due to traffic we had to shift around stops, but at each stop Carlos went into depth on where in the movie it was. While driving between stops we also tested his Sound of Music knowledge and couldn't stump him. This was on my Mom's "bucket list" and she said she will never forget it. I want to thank Carlos for his friendliness and his knowledge which made this tour truly great. This was one of our family's favorites while visiting Europe.

Our driver Carlos picked 6 of us up from our hotel right on time. We were then taken on the most wonderful and informative tour in upmost comfort. We couldn’t recommend this tour more! Thank you again for making my mother’s birthday even more special! Xxx

Best experience. Our tour guide, Michael, was extremely knowledgeable about the movie and sights he took us to see. He curated our day to the areas we wanted to see. We traveled at length through out Salzburg viewing three meadows from the movie. We went to the picnic meadow where Maria teaches the children Do Re Mi. Then off to the meadow at the beginning of the movie where Maria twirls and sings the Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music. Next was the top of the mountain where the family escapes Austria. The views of the mountains were spectacular and breathtaking. We enjoyed an authentic Austrian homemade lunch at the family run restaurant, Golden Bear. In addition, we visited Schloss Leopoldskron, Hellbrunn Palace to see the gazebo, and the basilica St. Michael in Mondsee where Maria gets married. When we returned to Salzburg, Michael continued the tour by walking us through Mirabell Gardens. Michael also gave us insight on the Bavarian and Austrian history and culture.

Michael made Sound of Music come alive for us. A most nostalgic tour for us, reliving the best of the movie.

This tour is a must do if in Salzburg. Not only is it all about the Sound of Music, but you get the added bonus of a Salzburg region tour. Carlos our guide was amazing and made it such a fun day. His knowledge of the local area and of the Sound of Music was excellent. Thank you again Carlos for making this a highlight of our trip.

My wife and I did the private tour of The Hills Are Alive, Sound of Music tour with Micheal Toth. We did a walk of old town Salzburg, then the driving tour and lunch. At all times Micheal was a wealth of information, professional, respectful and helpful. We could not have asked for a better host. The day was perfect including the weather.

This tour was so wonderful and being able to experience this with a great guide was everything!! My guide from the get go was-AMAZING INSPIRED INCREDIBLE INTERESTING and INTERESTED in the places and the film. He was also FUN to be with. Take this tour if you can get CARLOS as your guide!! He is the OG and he will fully make sure you leave with lifetime memories.

Our guide Michael oversaw an action packed day, visiting all the main SOM location sites plus other more remote locations. We especially enjoyed the Do Re Me meadow and mountain trail as appears at the end of the film - an added extra which we were not expecting. Michael was very Knowledgeable, good humoured and patient. In addition to Sound Of Music he also gave valuable background information on Saltzburg, it's geology and culture. Highly recommended! Brian and Carole Jones.

My Mom and I did the Hills Are Alive Tour on 9/30 with our guide, Michael. It was a gift for her upcoming birthday. We thoroughly enjoyed our time! The weather wasn’t the best but we made the most of it, with the help of our guide. He was funny, welcoming, kind and had great background stories he shared with us, and also was our photographer! Thank you Michael for a memorable tour!

Carlos was such a great tour guide! He showed us so many filming sites and was very knowledgeable about everything about the movie! He spent so much time with us!

If you are like me and have always dreamed of the Sound of music experience in Salzburg, I can assure you that you will never choose a better experience than this private Hills are alive tour. The icing on top of the cake was Carlos as our guide! The extra steps he took all day to make sure we were both educated and able to check off every box on our wish list was so appreciated. His knowledge not only with the movie itself, the movie locations, but all of Austria’s history made our tour the best of our 15 day trip to Europe! Thank you Carlos for making my dreams come true! Never stop taking that extra step to make your tourist feel so special it is truly appreciated!

Amazing tour with Michael. We went to so many sites from the movie that can't be done with a big bus tour. He was very knowledgeable about details of the movie and played perfectly timed songs as we approached the sites. I highly recommend this tour - it was expensive but worth it!

Our trip was utterly fantastic. We saw so many of the special sights of the sound of music both in Salzburg and in the hills. Carlos was interesting, knowledgeable and did everything he could to give us a magical experience!

Worth every penny - Michael was a fantastic guide… Extremely personable and knowledgeable; top notch experience!

When you wait years to make a trip to Austria, you hold your breathe til it becomes a reality…. This experience did NOT disappoint. Michael asked what we needed & had additional plans! A family of teens and adults brought challenges, but he was ready for it! The landscape itself is beautiful enough. But the information & fun tips were an added bonus. I can’t rate any higher.

My wife and I did the private “The Hills Are Alive” tour with Carlos, and it was unforgettable. Carlos was EXCEPTIONAL—his knowledge of the film, the real filming locations, and behind-the-scenes trivia was absolutely PHENOMENAL. We visited all the famous spots, but what made this tour truly unique were the off-the-beaten-path locations big buses can’t access—like seeing the actual mountaintop where Julie Andrews sang “The Hills Are Alive.” Standing there was magical. Carlos made every stop meaningful, blending history, scenery, and film lore seamlessly. His passion and enthusiasm were infectious, and the entire experience exceeded expectations. If you love the movie—or just want a once-in-a-lifetime Salzburg tour—this is it.

Prompt collection and very prompt drop off. Beautiful scenery, not enough information given throughout the day. Driver nice bit of a grumpy driver. Felt we didnt see everything was our choice 2 areas we pick as he couldnt do both. Pricey trip experience of a lifetime. Not value for money. Feel we paid far too much. We had to pay xtra ourselves to see other areas. And lunch should be included in the price.

It was the experience of a lifetime our guide Michael showed us everything we need to know about the Sound of Music. He was fantastic ❤️

What an amazing day! We are touring Austria with a large group but decided to take a private tour on a free day. Michael was amazing! He was patient when we had a mixup with the pickup location due to our tour changing our hotel after initial booking. The van was very comfortable and Michael drove safely. We got to see so many locations relevant to the movie while Michael shared stories. We even went back to a couple spots we visited with our large group, but Michael shared even more information about those sites and made the whole day memorable and enjoyable. We would absolutely recommend this tour.

Our tour guide Carlos was amazing. He knew everything about the movie and all the sites used to film it. He took his time and explained everything while showing us parts of the movie related to where we were at the time. This way we were able to understand how the movie was filmed and also many details no one would ever recognize unless someone was explaining them to you. Over all, this was the best tour my wife and I have ever had.

My mom and sisters and I have been dreaming of doing the Sound of Music tour for decades. We finally made it happen this year and it did not disappoint. Michael was a wonderful tour guide. His knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor made the day special. He was patient and knew all the pictures we wanted to take. He even played the relevant songs as we approached our next location. He knows so much about the movie and understood our desire to sing along with the soundtrack (he knows all the words, too.) The meal we ate at the Golden Bear was delicious. The car we rode in was clean and comfortable. Michael made everything easy and enjoyable for us. We did this tour on our first day in Salzburg and I’m glad we did. Michael gave us great insights and recommendations for getting around the city. This tour exceeded our highest expectations and I definitely recommend it.

Absolutely AMAZING! Fantastic views. Carlos was fantastic very knowledgeable and made the day one we will remember forever. What a way to celebrate turning half a century 😍

Carlos was a fantastic tour guide! He’s extremely knowledgeable and is clearly a fan of The Sound of Music and loves Salzburg. We had an intimate tour for the three of us and I would highly recommend it. Not only did we enjoy the main highlights, but Carlos was able to drive us up to the hills to explore extra hidden gems, like the Sound of Music picnic spot up in the hills. It was obviously different scenery at times covered in snow, but Carlos had clips from the movie to show how each place was exactly the same place, as well as explaining some filming trickery. Carlos is entertaining, knowledgeable, friendly and provided an incredible experience.

My aunt and I had the most wonderful private tour visiting The Sound of Music filming sites and Hallstatt! Despite the less-than-perfect weather, our guide Michael ensured the day was nothing short of magical. Michael’s knowledge about the filming locations was incredible, and his enthusiasm brought the movie scenes to life. He shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and even pointed out little-known details we would have otherwise missed. He made us feel like family, which added such a personal touch to the experience. A highlight was our food stop, where Michael went above and beyond to accommodate my vegan diet—a small detail that made a big difference! Hallstatt was breathtaking, even in the rain, and we loved how Michael tailored the tour to our interests, giving us plenty of time to soak in the sights. This was one of the best tours I’ve ever taken, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Thank you, Michael, for making our day so special!

My aunt and I had the most wonderful private tour visiting The Sound of Music filming sites and Hallstatt! Despite the less-than-perfect weather, our guide Michael ensured the day was nothing short of magical. Michael’s knowledge about the filming locations was incredible, and his enthusiasm brought the movie scenes to life. He shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and even pointed out little-known details we would have otherwise missed. He made us feel like family, which added such a personal touch to the experience. A highlight was our food stop, where Michael went above and beyond to accommodate my vegan diet—a small detail that made a big difference! Hallstatt was breathtaking, even in the rain, and we loved how Michael tailored the tour to our interests, giving us plenty of time to soak in the sights. This was one of the best tours I’ve ever taken, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Thank you, Michael, for making our day so special!

I was quite pleased with the courtesy and flexibility Carlos granted me throughout this epic "Sound of Music" tour in Salzburg and environs. Carlos picked me up at my hotel on time and expertly guided me from Nonnberg Abbey until the finale at the Mirabell Gardens. The highlights were taking me to Marketshellenberg, Mehlweg; Rossfeld, Werfen; a stop by Mondsee where Maria and children rode bikes as featured in Do-Re-Mi; Mondsee Cathedral, etc. A full 8 hour tour made me The Happiest Man In All the World! You will not be disappointed in this tour!

We had a marvelous time! Michael, in his authentic Austrian attire, kept the Sound of Music story going throughout the trip. His insights into the history of the Von Trapp family and his stories behind the scenes of the movie made for an interesting and entertaining day! Definitely recommend the private tour!

This is a wonderful experience for anyone who loves the movie, The Sound of Music. Our guide, Luciano, was extremely kind and took us to all the movie location sites and told us all the background information we needed to know! We had a wonderful lunch and a great time overall!

Our guide Carlos who was so knowledgeable and friendly. The weather was awful but it didn’t spoil our day. Just a great day.

The best part of our tour was our guide Michael. We did not hit the jackpot weather wise but we did with the guide! He was the absolute best! Very knowledgeable on both the movie and historical information on areas in and around the city.

This tour was a beautiful blend of natural wonders in Salzburg & legacy of the Sound of Music. Michael, our guide, was a very friendly & insightful person & we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

A true highlight of our trip! We are big Sound of Music fans and this tour was amazing. We can’t believe all that we saw and learnt. Michael was our guide and we loved all of his knowledge and his sense of humor. You must do this tour if you love the movie.

My wife and I feel very fortunate to have had Michael as our tour guide. He provided valuable insight into the making of the movie as we visited key locations where the movie was made. He was able to answer all of our questions! Fantastic guide who was as passionate of the movie as we were. Highlights of our tour were the opening scene location, the mountains, the escape location, the abbey supplemented with Michael’s behind the scenes information. Spectacular tour overall. We have taken many tours around the world, with Viator, and we would highly recommend this tour.

Today we did the Hills Are Alive private tour with Michael. When I booked, I wondered about the price but OMG it was worth every penny and I highly recommend. There were four of us; ages ranging from 19-80 and we all loved the experience which was only as great as it was because of Michael. He was entertaining, knowledgeable, and while I may never see him again, I feel like I made a new friend! Simply amazing. Thanks Michael - we had a fabulous time.

We had the most wonderful day with Michael, our knowledgeable and fun guide. Very definitely worth the cost. Thank you!perfect

My wife and I have done a lot of tours over the years, with a lot of different tour guides. I can honestly say that Carlos with Salzburg Private Tours was one of the best guides we have ever had. He was FANTASTIC! …. knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and fun! We did his full day "Sound of Music Tour," and it was an awesome day. Carlos went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience, and we did. If anyone is looking for a tour guide in Salzburg, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Carlos.

Michael was a wonderful guide. His knowledge was very deep about the production of The Sound of Music 1965, equally matched with his knowledge of the history of the whole area. He was also a lot of fun and took us to a delicious lunch at The Golden Bear restaurant with a classic Austrian menu. The day was full and not rushed with a good balance of stops for views and pictures, and punctuated with occasional songs from the movie. We highly recommend this tour.

Carlos was amazing. 3 couples in a luxury van. Carlos was very communicative prior, even sending a photo of his van and picking us up right at our dock. He was very attentive to what we wanted to see, had great recommendations, and we got to see 2-3 times more than a comparable bus could do in the same time period. Could not recommend Carlos more. Perfect day.

This tour was absolutely fantastic!! If you are a lover of The Sound of Music, you MUST take this private tour. Carlos was our guide, he is so knowledgeable! We definitely felt like we made a new friend in Austria. We went so many places that the big tours do not go. The best being the mountain where the film opened with Maria singing The Hills Are Alive! The big tour groups only get to wish they could see it! If I toured Salzburg again, I would book all my tours with Salzburg Private Tours. You pay a bit more money, but the quality of the tour is well worth the investment.

One of the best experiences of my life! My husband & I were traveling to Italy for a wedding and decided to extent the trip to include Salzburg for my birthday. Best birthday gift ever!! Michael was our driver/guide for the day. He showed us many locations where scenes were shot for the movie including the opening scene with the mountains and lake, the villa, the fountains and so much more!! Michael was not only informative and kind but very excited to share all he could, especially after telling him how excited I was. This tour is not to be missed for anyone loving the Sound of Music! I will never forget this tour and we HIGHLY recommend Michael!

I know this tour is a little expensive for just two people but being it was our 45th wedding anniversary trip, I crossed my fingers and signed up. When Michael arrived at our hotel, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a smiling face, dressed in lederhosen and a top of the line Mercedes Van. I told Michael the sites that I really wanted to see (I was on the tour with the "Sound of Music Big Bus" several year ago and we missed a lot of spots). Michael pulled out his little map and showed me the route we would take. We learned so much history about Austria as well as the making of the Sound of Music movie. We saw and visited the most breathtaking sites that were used in the movie and then some. He knew all the backroads, which not only gave us extra time but also avoided the "Big Tour Bus crowds". Michael was so patient and had a great sense of humor, taking and retaking pictures of my husband and me, making this day so very special. He dropped us off in Old Salzburg so that we could enjoy dinner and insisted on bringing our purchases and other items back to our hotel so that we didn't have to carry them around. Our day was perfect and worth every penny, thanks to Michael. My only complaint is that the 8 1/2 hours went by too quickly.

The day was amazing, and that eight-hour adventure was worth every second of it. Hills were really alive, and the sound of music was everywhere. Tour guide Carlos told us really great stories about The Sound Of Music, Salzburg and everything what's around. So if you plan to spend a day in Salzburg, it's definitely one of the best ways to spend it.

Carlos exceeded our expectations in every part of the trip! The van is brand new and very comfortable.