Montserrat, Spain 
Located in the province of Barcelona, the mountain called Montserrat is the setting for the pilgrimage shrine (the basilica housing the image of St. Mary), a monastery, and service area for visitors
The Montserrat Virgin was found in a cave on top of the mountain in the 800's. It was a site of pilgrimage and a monastery was founded there several hundred years later. If you make it up the mountain by 10 AM, there is a service in the cathedral featuring the best boys choir in all of europe. The monastery is so high up that you can see planes flying far below. The beauty of the cathedral, the mountains, and the music is overwhelming. The first sound is the choir. The second is the church bells calling to service. The third is the choir and the fourth sound is the choir and congregation
Friday, January 21, 2005
scene of "I'm sixteen" song
The Sound of Music Pavillon: can be found at Hellbrunn Palace today, in the movie it was still located at Leopoldskron Palace. One of the most famous and romantic scenes was filmed here: 'I am 16 going on 17'.
I saw some young people posing inside the pavillion singing the famous song :) I actually have some other photos standing on the bench inside just like the Liezel in the movie :)
Do, Re, Mi.....
scene of "Do Re Mi"
Mirabell Gardens : Location scene where Maria and the children sing 'Do-Re-Mi'
Von Trapp Palace
Leopoldstron, Salzburg
Above photo shows the Leopoldskron Palace: the façade facing the lake represented the von Trapp residence from the famous Sound of Music movie shot in Salzburg.
It is the movie which made this lovely city famous all over the world.
Mt. Titlis
Mt. Titlis
Mt. Titlis is the highest peak in Central Switzerland.
It is famous for being reached by the world's first revolving cable car, which was completed in 1992 and is still one of the few on the planet. The Titlis station (3028m) has restaurants tourist attractions and amazing views. On a good day you want to head straigth oudside. To the 3239 m summit, it's about a 45-minute hike. It doesn't look far but at this altitude you need to take it slowly.
To get to Mt. Titlis, coming from Lucerne with the Lucerne-Stans-Engelberg-Train within one hour to Engelberg. At Engelberg you take the cable car that brings you to the top of Mt Titlis.
The very first step into the technical exploitation of Mount Titlis took place with the opening of the funicular railway from Engelberg to Gerschnialp in 1913. By 1927, Trübsee station had been made accessible and winter sports had become very important for Engelberg. Finally, in 1967, the opening of the aerial cable car Stand - Titlis Glacier Station took place. Its exploitation made Engelberg a tourist resort with great snow certainty.
Today, Engelberg is one of Switzerland's ten leading tourist resorts. Thanks to the world innovation Rotair, the revolving aerial cable cars up to Titlis Glacier Station, its unique hiking and skiing domain, its beautiful new golf course, its excellent infrastructure for sports in general and its great accessibility, Engelberg has become a byword for European holiday destinations.
Our Lady of Macarena, Sevilla
The Church in Sevilla, Spain, is home to the most adored religious image in all of Andalucía, the 17th-century Virgen de la Esperanza (Hope) sculpture. Commonly known simply as La Macarena, she is the patron saint of bullfighters and the city's supreme representation of the grieving, yet hoping, mother of Christ. The church's museum displays the holy lady's rich vestments and other lavish Semana Santa accoutrements.
The face of the Virgin with a tear is one of the most beautiful scuplture I have seen of the Blessed Mother.
Yes its where the famous song "Macarena" emanated from. Well the song referred to the city not the church in the city:)
Aegena, Greece
Aegina is one of the islands in the Saronic Gulf, just outside Athens. Many Athenians have summerhouses on this pretty island, and it is a perfect destination for whose who want a nice holiday by the sea and also do a bit of sightseeing.
The people of this island have always been involved with the sea: either as fishermen, sailors or shipbuilders. Some are also farmers, and they grow olives, pistachio nuts and fruit.
According to mythology, Aegina was a beautiful princess with whom Zeus fell in love with. In order to be alone with her, he took her to this unin-habited island, and they had a son, Aeacus, who became the first king.
The villages and surroundings on Aegina are lovely, so it is well worth it to explore the island.Because of its important position in antiquity there are still many ancient sites to see, the most famous being the temple of Athena Aphaia from the 6th century BC.
Sacher hotel, Vienna
The world famous Sacher Torte originated in this hotel in Vienna named Hotel Sacher.
It is situated opposite the Viennese State Opera in the heart of the century old cultural and historical city. A few minutes walk from museums, The Hofburg, The Spanish Riding School and across the famous Ringstrasse.
The Hotel Sacher is a favorite meeting place for the city's high society, artists, and politicians. The hotel Sacher in Vienna - opened in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, son of the creator of the Original Sacher-Torte - is an Austrian institution. Histories and anecdotes about the legendary personalities of the Hotel Sacher abound.
The Sacher Torte is a scrumptious dessert made of two chocolate cake layers separated by apricot jam with a chocolate glaze over the top and sides of the cake. You can find it in many european restos in metro manila esp Schwarzwalder.
We tried it the first time we visited Vienna a few years before this trip but I think it was too sweet for me so this time, we preferred to just have a photo :)
The famous Leaning Tower
PISA
The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral. Its construction began in the august of 1173 and continued (with two long interruptions) for about two hundred years, in full fidelity to the original project, whose architect is still uncertain.
In the past it was widely believed that the inclination of the Tower was part of the project ever since its beginning, but now we know that it is not so. The Tower was designed to be "vertical" and started to incline during its construction.
A year prior to this visit, the tower was under construction since they were trying to lessen the incline lest it falls all over the place.
The main piazza where the leaning tower can be found is a pedestrian place. All vehicles are asked to park outside. Actually this is only the main attraction of the city.
By the way, no one knows who architect of the tower is up to now.
La Cité: The Walled City of Carcassone
carcassone
The Walled City of Carcassonne is known first and foremost as a fortified medieval town; but this rocky outcrop has been occupied by man since the 6th century B.C., first as a gaul settlement, then as a Roman town fitted with ramparts as early as the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D.On the western face of this primitive fortification rests the castle, built in the 12th century.
There is a town centre in Carcasson which is a modern city. If one wants to visit the walled city, one has to watch out for the sign "La Cite". We had been here a couple of times and in the past some of our bus drivers get lost missing the turn. During the time that dad didnt accompany me, I made sure I watched out for the important sign lest the driver leads us to the centre town.
