America, Countries, Europe, Music

Our five fab films for Mother’s Day

And you can put money on Jessie Buckley gushing about being a mum in her Oscars acceptance speech, and while Hamnet is a tour de force, here are our five fab films for Mother’s Day.

With a nod, of course, to the mumdoms where they ruled the roost.

Let’s start at the very beginning

The parent Von Trapp: In Austria

The Sound of Music: And if a mother’s love is unconditional then all the more credit for women who take on another man’s children.

And seven of them at that.

But when you’re an Austrian singing Julie Andrews nun turned governess then you have all the tools for motherhood.

Maria and Captain Georg took the train from Salzburg down to Italy.

Not over the mountains because they’d have ended up in Hitler’s Lair, and then onto America.

Where Georg and Maria added to their Von Trapp brood with three more Kinder.

The mothers of all mothers

Bella: Nonnas

Nonnas: And let’s hear it today for the grandmothers because every Nana is a mamma.

Or in Italian culture a Nonna.

Cue this charming real-life movie, starring Vince Vaughn, about a grieving son who honours his mum by opening an Italian restaurant.

With nonnas on Staten Island, using the recipes of Mamma which has become something of a tourist stop-off in the New York borough.

Some mothers do ‘ave ’em

It’ll choke you up: Throw Momma

Throw Momma from a Train: And because sometimes our mums can be overbearing, this Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal classic has to make the list.

A homage to Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, DeVito has his usual dark fun with the original.

With Griffiths Park, Los Angeles and Hawaii adding to the enjoyment and the plot.

Magic Mum

Magic wand: Mollie Weasley

Harry Potter: And when you are a poor orphan child with the weight of being a boy wizard you need an adopted mum.

And where Aunt Petunia was ghastly Molly Weasley was magical.

Taking in Harry as one of her own along with her ragbag children, while also facing down Bellatrix Lestrange.

And for the best place to discover how she did it all and what magic tricks she invoked.

Then you’ll need to immerse yourself in the Wonderful World of Harry Potter at Universal Resort Orlando.

A mother in life and death

A mother’s love: A real heartbreaker

Who will love my children? And have the box of tissues at hand for this ultimate of Mother’s Day tearjerkers, again based on a true story.

Lucille Fray faced the worst fate any mother could endure, knowing she would die and would have to leave her ten children.

Because her husband would not be able to cope… and no snide remarks here because there’s a man in the room.

Add to that the homespun, earthy setting of Iowa and that the real-life children appeared on the TV show That’s Incredible.

On the night of the film transmission back in 1983.

 

 

 

 

Countries, Deals, Europe

The very beginning The Sound of Music at 60

Let’s start at the very beginning The Sound of Music at 60. And Salzburg’s place in the story.

Now if you’re looking for a ray, a speck of golden sun, then the Austrian music city is the place to go.

And particularly this year as Soundies or Trappies will be gathering in even greater numbers for the Diamond Anniversary of the iconic film.

Now if you’re a solo traveller and the line ‘me the name I call myself’ has most resonance then Solos Holidays have you covered.

Melodies & Majesty in Salzburg

And ours too: Maria and the kids

They are offering a Melodies & Majesty – A Salzburg Symphony tour departing on 1 June and costing £1,649pp.

And what is more majestic than a dinner and concert at Mirabell Palace where Maria and the children dance around the fountain singing Do-Re-Mi,

The Solos tour blends group experiences with free time, offering a relaxed way to explore the charm of Salzburg.

And having the security of the group behind you might stop you getting lost, miscalculating your time and having to tear back like a blue-arsed fly before your booze bus returns to the Oktoberfest in Munich

My fraulein: In Salzburg

Your Melodies & Majesty package includes return flights and transfers, airport taxes, double-room for solo use, daily breakfast and welcome drink.

And then there’s the excursions, the boat trip from St. Gilgen to St. Wolfgang.

Ya dancer: The Von Trapps

Entrance to Fortress Hohensalzburg and a return funicular ride, guided tour of Salzburg and Salzkammergut.

That dinner and a concert at Mirabell Palace and an experienced Solos Tour Leader.

Mozart’s balls

Favourite son: With Mozart in Salzburg

And for an encore there’s entrance to Mozart’s birthplace.

Ein kleine local knowledge here and don’t leave Salzburg before checking out Mozart’s balls.

Aim high: With the funicular

Now if you’ve dipped your toe into Salzburg on a day away from the slopes on your winter break then it just whets your appetite for a return.

And when better than going back. To the very beginning The Sound of Music at 60. 

Solos can be contacted on 020 8951 2900.