Leopoldskron Palace

If the fabulous lake lapping the Leopoldskron Palace seems familiar, that's because it is. With its stunning view onto the Alps, it provided the perfect backdrop for some of the best-known scenes from The Sound of Music, the worldwide smash film. The Palace itself also served as inspiration for other scenes, filmed later at the studio. That's not its only claim to 'von Trapp' fame. The original Salzburg Festival was held here too, a music festival the von Trapp family later performed at, on their path to musical success.

The Leopoldskron Palace, however, has little to do with the real von Trapp family, outside of the Hollywood take on their lives. They did actually live in Salzburg, just somewhere a little more modest. That hasn't stopped thousands of tourists coming here to get closer to a film that has achieved near-mythical status. Here is where Maria had her famous tiff with Baron von Trapp. And here is where she swam out into the lake, to rescue the younger von Trapp children from their capsized boat.

But Leopoldskron Palace has a lot more to offer than just those precious snapshots of its now-iconic terrace, fronting that beautiful ornamental lake. The Palace was built in 1736 by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Count von Firmian, who adored the place. The Palace fell into disrepair during the turmoil of the 19th century, but was bought back to its present splendour after the World War I.

Although privately owned, and used mainly for events and seminars these days, you can book exclusive tours of the magnificent interior of this rococo masterpiece. The library is as thickly adorned with polished wood carvings, and beautiful ceiling frescoes, as its shelves are groaning with books. All the rooms and corridors are highlighted with fine golden stucco work, with the Venetian Room a particularly grand example.

But probably the most striking room is the Spiegelsaal, or Mirror Room. Its walls are an endless reflection of finely-wrought golden filigree, captured by the rooms many mirrors. It may not have been a room where the von Trapp children played. But if they had, it would have surely been one of their favourite things.