By Hayley Mills

IF YOU'RE looking for a touch of luxury in 2016, then why not escape to Salzburg where you can walk in the footsteps of the von Trapp family, see impressive architecture and take in breathtaking scenery.

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria, is known for its baroque architecture and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

It has a music background being the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is popular with tourists for those wanting to see the setting for the musical film The Sound of Music.

I enjoyed trying to spot the film locations and for those who want to go a step further, there are guided bus tours on offer to make sure you don't miss a single detail.

There is no better way of discovering the city than a stay at the four star, the Crowne Plaza Salzburg – The Pitter.

After extensive renovation and extension in 2014, the Pitter Event Center was opened as well as new rooms and suites, with many offering breath-taking views across the old town of Salzburg.

One of the highlights is the wonderful view of the new panorama location in Salzburg: IMLAUER Sky-Bar & Restaurant on the top floor.

Here you can indulge yourself by enjoying drinks and a meal in a spectacular location above the city roof tops.

The hotel is opposite the Salzburg Congress and the Mirabell Palace and Garden, while the old town is only 10 minutes walk away.

It also boasts the oldest beer cellar of Salzburg with a selection of over 30 beers in the Restaurant PitterKeller.

The Pitter Event Center includes 13 function rooms for up to 1,000 guests, there is an inner courtyard, PitterGarden, for coffee breaks and a fitness area with mountain view and private terrace.

The furnished rooms are of a generous size and include a flat screen TV, telephone, air conditioning, safe and minibar, plus free WIFI in all rooms and public areas.

The bathrooms offer hair dryer, vanity mirror, bathrobe and toiletries.

To top off a great night sleep, you can top it off with a buffet breakfast in the restaurant, offering a vast range of hot and cold foods to get your day off to a positive start.

My stay was truly relaxing and I didn't want to leave the room, but I knew there was a lot to discover.

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps.

The closest alpine peak is less than 10 miles from the city centre, making skiing possible in winter months.

The old town is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg (Hohensalzburg Castle)- one of the largest castles in Europe.

The main sights include a stroll through the gardens in Mirabell Palace with flower garden, seeing the famous fountain from the film The Sound of Music where the children sing Do-Re-Mi, and visit Mozart's birthplace.

With the Old Town, the historic centre, churches, a cathedral, castle, and museums, there is plenty to explore.

Annually, there is the Salzburg Festival of music and drama that attracts visitors during July and August.

On a stroll one evening during my holiday in August last year, we discovered a huge screen set up with a stream of an opera, Don Carlos, being broadcast in a public square. People were welcomed to take a seat to watch for free. With the backdrop of the castle, it was an emotive piece to watch, and a large crowd of more than 100 people gathered to see it.

Later I also discovered an orchestra playing for a crowd in a public garden.