Theme Travel

The love of music is universal, filling our days with inspiration and beauty, providing a soundtrack to complement our emotions and daily life. Music often compels people to travel, too. The experience of a destination can be greatly enhanced by witnessing local music, whether in the form of live entertainment or exploring the musical history of a place through its museums and other attractions.

Music can be found all over the world, whether in cities like the music culture in Havana, Cuba, found in indigenous cultures like the traditional Andean music in Bolivia, or in Europe, where classical capitals are steeped in history but you can also find plenty of modern musical innovation.

Vienna

Vienna is one of the world’s top music destinations, as The Journeyers found out:

“For classic music buffs, Vienna is a must. It is the mother and mistress (a lot of the great artists weren’t actually from here but had their greatest work done while living in Vienna…maybe that should be wife but that doesn’t quite sound as romantic) to great composers like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. However, do not be fooled into going to a tourist aimed opera that 18th century dressed sales men try to push on you as you stroll around the old part of Vienna. Our Austrian friends warned us that the quality of those musicals are very poor indeed. They suggest to instead try and see something at ‘legit’ places like the Raimundtheater or the Wiener Konzerthaus.” (more…)

Realtraveler icehockeypunk11 wrote about her experience with Vienna’s music scene in her blog Mozart, Mozart, every where:

“The vast amount of creative work that came out of this city in the past cannot be ignored or forgotten. It spills into the current day. Classical music and opera still flourish here and the modern music scene lives vibrantly alongside these classical icons of artistic achievement. I was only there for a week and without any serious effort, managed to see an opera, ballet, and classical music concert– it was all so easily accessible and inadvertently drew me in. i looked back on every night and thought…wow I did a lot!

I also enjoyed going to one of Mozart’s former homes (he lived in about 14 different places while in Vienna…) which has been turned into a museum. So awesome. Packed with information and just the fact that I walked through the same place dear Wolfgang once sat and wrote his music was enough to put a permanent smile on my face.” (more…)

Other European Musical Destinations

— Salzburg, Austria is a classical music lover’s paradise, birthplace to Mozart and home of the world-famous Salzburg Festival which is held annually during the months of July and August. Travelers should stop by the Mozart House and Museum, as well.

— See the birthplace of another classical great, Beethoven, in Bonn, Germany.

—Each summer, Rome hosts the Rome Summer Festival, or the Estate Romana, a six-week, mostly outdoor extravaganza of shows at more than a dozen sites around the city. Music dominates the festival, though outdoor films are shown as well. Venues span from the Auditorium Music Park to historic ruins around the city, and the eclectic mix of music varies from opera and classical to reggae, rock, and jazz.

—Ireland is replete with music, especially of the traditional Irish genre. From small corner pubs to concert halls to street performers, travelers will find great music throughout this charming country. Galway in particular is known for its lively music scene.

—Visit the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod festival in Corwen, Wales for a unique treat! Read more about this festival, and a Realtraveler’s experience of it, here.

Europe Resources:

Ireland: A 10 Day Itinerary
Summer Arts in Rome (from the New York Times)
Live Music in Salzburg, AustriaEurope Travel Guide
Top Spots in Europe
Winter Festivals in Europe

United States

The United States is filled with music-filled destinations, from the vibrant country scene in Nashville, to the vast variety and quality of bands in New York City and Los Angeles, to blues and Graceland in Memphis, to the independent rock scene of Austin and more. There’s no shortage of places to go if you’re looking to experience amazing music.

One absolute must for music lovers is a visit to New Orleans, Louisiana, the “birthplace of jazz.” While Mardi Gras season is the most popular time to visit this musical mecca, a trip to the Big Easy during other times of the year is recommended, for the crowds and chaos are less and the music is just as plentiful.

I just returned back from a visit to New Orleans, one of my favorite cities, and what always strikes me about it, even post-Katrina, is the sheer amount of live music. Even without taking advantage of the many incredible music venues, you’ll hear great soulful music just walking down the street. In the French Quarter, music not only spills out from various bars but the street performers are worth a listen, from serious violinists to makeshift bluegrass bands. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, held each spring, is one of the most famous and remarkable music festivals in the world. Many people don’t know that it features many genres of music besides jazz. Plan a trip there– you won’t regret it!

To plan your excursions to popular musical destinations in the United States, visit:

New Orleans Travel Guide
New Orleans Attractions
New Orleans Hotels
Nashville Travel Guide
Memphis Travel Guide
Austin Travel Guide
New York City Travel Guide

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What is it about cemeteries, tombs, and mausoleums that compels us so? Despite their gloomy associations burial grounds often creep their way into an adventurous traveler’s agenda. In ancient Rome, citizens used to bury their dead along roads for people to see as they traveled from one place to another. In fact, it was common for the epitaphs to begin with an entreaty to passersby, which read “Siste, viator.” Or, “Pause, traveler.” What makes travelers want to pause along their journeys and visit the dead?

Seeing the Ancient Pyramids of Giza, or King Tut’s Tomb in the Valley of Kings, or Oscar Wilde’s grave in France’s Cimetière du Père Lachaise invites us to revisit the past and learn about important events and eras. And, there’s something about a grave site, particularly an epitaph, that stirs the imagination. Whenever I visit a cemetery and read the inscriptions on the tombstones, I wonder about the person’s life, who they were and what kinds of experiences they had, and in what ways they’ve affected the future. Military cemeteries invite us to remember the costs of war, putting names to the lost. Whatever your reason for adding the resting places of the dead to your travel itinerary, these ideas may inspire your next trip!

Fascinating Cemeteries in Europe

Many like to visit cemeteries where the famous and the infamous are interred, such as the Cimetière du Père Lachaise in Paris, France where writers like Honore de Balzac, Marcel Proust, and Oscar Wilde are interred. This rather strikingly beautiful cemetery is also the final resting place of legendary composer Frederic Francois Chopin, rock -n- roll legend Jim Morrison, and famous French singer, Edith Giovanna Piaf. In fact, 133 persons of French and world-wide fame – writers, philosophers, composers, opera singers, scientists – were laid to rest here.

RealTraveler Sauvie, who toured Paris this Fall, made sure to stop by Paris’ largest cemetery. She writes:

“Yesterday we wandered through Pere Lachaise, the famous cemetery. This might sound morbid and weird, but it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And I snapped about a hundred pictures that instantly became my absolute favorite photos that I’ve ever taken.” (more…)

On the slightly creepier side, RealTraveler Adrienne in Paris discovered the catacombs, miles and miles of abandoned limestone quarries used to house million of bones once belonging to French citizens. A portion of the catacombs is open to the public, so for a few Euros, you can get as close to skeletons as you’d ever want to! Here’s what Adrienne in Paris had to say about her experience:

“Apparently, during the 18th century, several cemeteries were dumped into the catacombs and there are millions of skeletons there. So what should a city do with a creepy underground tomb with millions of bodies in it? Make it a tourist attraction and offer guided tours, of course! Entrance is in the 14th arrondissement and costs about 8 euros. went to a place in Rome with a similar idea - a bunch of skeletons of monks in an ancient monastery. VERY creepy. Security is tight so don’t try to steal any of the bones!” (more…)

La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires is famous for its inhabitants; some of Argentina’s most influential people are buried there, including once First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón. Once inside the neo-classical gates, visitors will find elegant marble mausoleums, often adorned with intricate statues. The cemetery spans several city blocks and is truly a sight to behold. Juan Perón, Eva Perón’s husband, is buried in La Chacarita Cemetery, final resting place for German and British expatriates, as well as many Argentine artists, writers, musicians, and political figures.

Travelers to Denmark should not miss Roskilde Cathedral, an elaborate Gothic cathedral that is home to the remains of Danish monarchs. The Cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical significance. Visitors may tour almost two dozen royal tombs, and will be astounded by the architectural beauty of the cathedral itself. Roskilde Cathedral is also home to the famous Roskilde Cathedral Boys’ Choir.

Certainly this list of cemeteries and cathedrals isn’t even remotely exhaustive — Europe is home to thousands of interesting mausoleums, tombs, cemeteries, and cathedrals. Next time you plan to visit Europe, think about applying a dash of the Gothic to your itinerary; it might provide, among other things, a little extra thrill!

More Useful Links

RealTravel Cemetery Tales
Weird Science by Ciccia
Afternoon in Paris by Frau
I see dead people! by Adrienne in Paris
R.I.P. Jim Morrison by Lou & Simon

More…
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Find a Grave
New Orleans Cemetery Tours

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