The 97th Academy Awards (aka The Oscars) took place on March 2, marking a key date in the calendar for movie lovers, whether they make many cinema trips per year or just indulge in a single trip to the ‘flix’ now and again. To celebrate, Europesure Travel Insurance has taken a look back at three past Oscar Best Film winners and the cities in which they were set.
'Amadeus' and Prague – a popular single-trip insurance policyholder destination
Did you know the movie ‘Amadeus’ was not set in Vienna? Instead, Prague was used, for its cheaper locations, amongst other reasons. This was not complete madness, as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart did frequent Prague and marked memorable moments in the city.
In fact, the premiere of Don Giovanni took place in the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, at the Estates Theatre that you can visit today and where guided tours are on offer. Mozart first visited Prague in 1787 and fell in love with it, enjoying more freedom than in Vienna.
Mozart tours in Prague
The movie has allowed a tour culture to emerge around the composer and visitors can meet up with a guide and be taken around the various places associated with Mozart. This includes St Nicolas’s Church, where a requiem was held, following his sudden death. But you can also tour on a self-guided basis, spotting buildings and areas that appeared in the movie, if you are a keen fan.
For instance there’s the house depicted as Mozart’s home, found opposite the Castle gate in Hradčanské náměstí – a square. You might recall an arched passageway enroute to Mozart’s house and delight in finding this, at Maltézské náměstí. The Danish Embassy in Prague may look a little familiar, as that was the wig shop. Nearby, at Lázeňská 2 is where Salieri is shown attempting suicide and the early Baroque Wallenstein Garden is where the film showed a concert for the Pope taking place. Meanwhile, the wedding scene was shot at St Giles’ Church. There is much more.
Charles Bridge and Prague Castle – two landmarks that would have highlighted this was not actually Vienna – did not appear in the movie. Charles Bridge, spanning the Vitava River, is a must-see, however, if you are using either your single trip insurance, or your annual policy, to cover a trip to the city. It’s one of the world’s most photographed bridges, guarded by 30 statues and sculptures of saints, created from 1683 to 1928.
Prague Castle is also a gem, being the largest castle complex in the world. Then there is the charm of the Old Town and Golden Lane, full of delightfully coloured houses and lots of nooks and crannies. Here, at number 22, you will find the former home of artist Kafka. Then, there is the striking memorial to John Lennon, the John Lennon Wall.
Prague has much to offer and, if you have never seen ‘Amadeus’, fear not. Other movies, such as Spider Man II, Casino Royale, Mission:Impossible, A Knight’s Tale, The Illusionist, Edith Piaf, The Best Offer, Van Helsing and the film Anthropoid were also shot here, so you might just recognise a scene from one of those.
The Sound of Music and Salzburg – a single trip policyholder’s mountain paradise
Whether you book your single trip travel insurance for a quick spring trip to Salzburg when the magnolias are in bloom, or head there for a Christmas market, you will not be able to escape memories of the Sound of Music. The real ‘Maria’ – Maria Kutschera – was a nun at Nonnberg Abbey and you can hear Gregorian chorals sung there, every morning at 6.45am.
At the best of times, the city evokes impressions of scenes from the big screen. Currently, however, as a forerunner to a new museum opening at Hellbrunn in 2026, there will be a Sound of Music preview exhibition at Salzburg Museum, from March 22, 2025. This offers unique insight into the Von Trapp family and their life.
Hellbrunn Castle is one location not to miss if you adore this movie. This is where the Von Trapp Pavilion is normally found (although it’s moving to the exhibition above this year). During filming it was at Leopoldskron. The latter is not accessible to visitors, but tours may allow you to glimpse the lake-facing façade that became one view of the Von Trapp mansion. Another building façade used as the Villa was that of Frohnburg Castle.
If you head to Hellbrunn, don’t miss the Trick Fountains – mischievous water jets that can catch the unwary out but which are great fun!
Mirabell Palace and Gardens, together a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasting a glorious parterre and famed Pegasus Fountain, are easily recognisable as the location in which the song Do-Re-Mi was sung.
Central Salzburg delights
In the centre of Salzburg, the Residenzplatz Square was crossed by Maria when she first left the convent singing, ‘I have confidence in me’ and featured when Maria and the children were in a carriage. It is home to the most beautiful fountain in Salzburg, featuring four water-snorting horses, giants and dolphins. The square is the venue for the Salzburg Christmas market and also the September-time St Rupert’s Fair.
Another venue to note is Karajan Square, named after the composer and home to the Horse Pond, where the prince-archbishop’s horses were once washed. Maria and the Von Trapp children marvel at this. There’s also Mozart’s Birthplace, which didn’t feature!
The movie did, however take in some of the surrounding area, so to relive more moments with the protection afforded by your Europesure single trip or annual travel insurance policy, head to Schloss Anif Castle, the Burg Hohenwerfen Fortress, Lake Mondsee, Lake Fuschi, St Gilgen and St Wolfgang.
Philadelphia – home to Rocky!
Although Rocky Balbao was a fictional character living in Philadelphia, iconic scenes shot within the city have made it Rocky’s official home. In fact, the larger-than-life Rocky statue, which is a magnet for selfie-seekers, was gifted to the city by Sylvester Stallone himself. This bronze can be found by the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art – the renowned ‘Rocky steps’.
There are private tours to be booked on a ‘Rocky’ theme if you head to Philly. Book and you can take in Adrian’s pet shop and restaurant, the Italian market, Rocky’s homes and Mighty Mick’s boxing gym.
But there is so much more to Philadelphia than Rocky and most of it is tied up with the history of America itself. Head to Independence Hall to see where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Take a photo by the iconic Liberty Bell. See a statue of Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn in the City Hall, and enjoy great views from the building, and head to Declaration House to see rooms that Jefferson rented and where he is said to have drafted the Declaration of Independence. At Betsy Ross House, you can also tour the home of the woman who perhaps made the first US flag.
Explore the city by atmospheric trolley bus and maybe head to the hip waterfront and see historic Boathouse Row. The One Liberty Observation Deck will also provide a bird’s eye view of the City of Brotherly Love and love is not far away in John F Kennedy Plaza, where the letters LOVE stand tall and have given the venue the alternative name of Love Park.
It’s almost obligatory to indulge in a cheesesteak here but don’t overdo the calories if you have a heart condition! Medical expenses are astronomical in the USA, so don’t leave home without Europesure’s single trip or annual travel insurance protection, whatever your current state of health.
If you do want to walk some calories off, however, Longwood Gardens is a great place to tour, with 20 outdoor and 20 indoor gardens and some fabulous topiary!
To buy your single trip insurance policy, or an annual multi-trip insurance policy to cover more than one trip in a year, head to https://www.europesuretravelinsurance.com
