The Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria — home to crumbling Cold War-era mosaics and impressive reverb. Photo / 123RF
The Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria — home to crumbling Cold War-era mosaics and impressive reverb. Photo / 123RF
It's not just the hills that are alive with music on this continent, writes Eveline Harvey
The Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy
Italy's famous Blue Grotto has fabulous acoustics. Photo / 123RF
This hidden spot on the island of Capri, with its ethereal refracted light and crystal-clear water, is a tourist destination in its own right, but there's anadded attraction for travellers interested in the sonic world.
Once your boat's been safely guided through the narrow cavern entrace, try a few bars of your favourite song and marvel at the incredible acoustics.
The Buzludzha Monument in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains looks like a UFO. Photo / 123RF
This place ticks so many boxes for the adventurous tourist: Isolated location? Check. Cold War connection? Check. Resembles a UFO? Check.
Welcome to the Buzludzha Monument, a structure opened in 1981 to commemorate events of almost a century earlier, when members of the country's fledgling socialist movement met on this remote peak in the Balkan Mountains.
It's fallen into disrepair since the collapse of the Soviet Union but hundreds of people make their way there each year regardless to stand among the crumbling mosaics and listen to their voices reverberate around the unique space.
The Postojna Caves, Slovenia
Slovenia's Postojna Caves are the perfect natural concert venue. Photo / 123RF
Underground caverns are always a good spot for a bit of a warble, but this huge cave system in southwestern Slovenia is one of the most enchanting.
Visitors board a train to take them into the bowels of the cave, where they can see all the usual limestone structures one would expect ... as well as a thoroughly unusual creature — the olm — an aquatic salamander which resembles a miniature dragon.
Find a quiet spot to test your vocal chords once you're deep underground — you won't be disappointed.
Teufelsberg, Berlin, Germany
Street art at Teufelsberg - a former American listening station in Berlin. Photo / 123RF
Another relic of a bygone age, the acoustics inside the gradually decaying radomes of this former American listening station in Berlin make them the perfect place for a singalong.
Built atop a man-made hill known as Teufelsberg (Devil's Mountain), the site was used by US forces to intercept and block messages emanating from communist East Germany.
Now in private ownership, the site has become popular with street artists and tourists who don't mind picking their way through debris to scale the listening post's towers.
The Alps
When you really want to throw your voice around, head for the hills. Photo / 123RF
If you're looking for somewhere scenic to throw your voice around, there's really nowhere better than Europe's high mountain passes.
Animal herders discovered the fantastic way these steep-sided valleys amplified their calls thousands of years ago, giving rise to the art of yodelling, so whether you're atop a snowy peak or wandering through fields of wildflowers in spring, give in to the temptation and check out the echoes for yourself.
Fancy honing your skills further? Make a beeline for Austria's one-of-a-kind Yodel Hiking Trail.
Thanks to members of New Zealand's choral fraternity for their suggestions.
