So what is the story to … travel bloggers exploring the wine autumn season in Austria? Last year, I wrote about the magic of the “Gourmet Wine Mile” close to Vienna where we visited as part of the wine autumn festival. Or lovely South Styria, home to many excellent Austrian wine estates … One thing though is for sure. If you ever get to travel with Terry & Sarah Lee, of LiveShareTravel, then please “beware”: There is magic everywhere!
“WE LOVE AUSTRIA!”, is what they exclaim at pretty much every turn of the road trip we take together. From Wellness to Wine Tastings to wild Segway adventures, I have really had my share moving around Austria with this lovely English couple! On this trip, we managed to package all of the above into one trip together, starting with the nature paradise of the White Lake in Carinthia, to Erika’s Buschenschank wine tavern in South Styria all the way to Graz & Bad Aussee, forever tracing what is so special about Austria.
Typical, original, Austrian charm that we like to call “Schmäh”. Lakes & mountains to die for. The #Winelover community in South Styria! And of course …
… our beautiful, Austrian food that makes each part of this country so unique. The individual charm of each and every person, their warmth and hospitality. “Austria’s Hidden Treasures” – Terry, Sarah and I really follow in the footsteps of the motto of Austrian National Tourist Board here.
Like here at the White Lake (Weissensee) in Carinthia: Reunited with dear Sarah & Terry in front of this magical Austrian mountain landscape. 😀
The White Lake (Weissensee) in Carinthia is a true natural paradise …
… where peace and magic reign over anything else.
Besides the peace and quiet, there are also modern Segway tours for the more adventurously inclined!
So really, where would Austria be with the unique charm of its inhabitants?! I for instance honour the fact that I simply love “Travelling with the Locals” through a proper travel section on my blog here. It often happens to me that I fall in love with their stories, their passion and enthusiasm. Amazing! No matter whether it is in Porto, Luxembourg or Spain: People are what make the world go round. And right here, in the very South East of Austria, there is one lady who particularly knows how to rock the show …
Her name is Erika. At 73, her energy is what drives Erika’s Buschenschank Wine Tavern, Wine Estate & Accommodation in Gamlitz, South Styria. The energy of a 33-year-old, and as mischievous as a 23-year-old. Here is to our wonderful Erika!
“Erika is a true force of nature”, is what Terry has been saying ever since we first met Erika all those years ago. The story of Erika & her Buschenschank, a typical wine estate with a small restaurant & guest rooms located at the South Styrian Wine Trail, is a pretty simple one: Erika is one of those people that make you feel happy. She is so much fun to be with. Full of jokes and charisma. Clever. Observing. Laughing. Living life to the full. Whether this may be, in part, due to the excellent wine she grows and serves (“Wine, oh we have lots of that here!”), the good connections to the local mayor and friends at Schloss Gamlitz, is hard to say. Easy for you though to come and stay, relax in her cute guest house and take in the stunning surroundings with a good glass of wine: You will not want to say goodbye again soon!
Arriving at Erika’s Buschenschank …
… makes travel dreams come true …
… here, we are able to arrive and relax – even Terry, who after falling off the Segway gets spoiled and pampered (in style, of course!) by “Mother Erika”!
Food is typical, delicious and simply YUMMY out here, serving you plates full of local delicacies as is custom here at the Buschenschank wine taverns in South Styria …
… all around us, nothing but peace and quiet …
… the magic of a landscape that glows with the light of the setting autumn sun …
… as it is time to celebrate: Erika Breinder & Terry Lee having a glass (or two!) at Erika’s Buschenschank!
Straight after our first wine tasting at Erika’s, she takes us to meet some of her friends at Schloss Gamlitz Estate, whose famous Vulcano pig ham is a must for gourmets visiting the area (let me tell you some more about visiting the actual Vulcano Ham Factory here!).
Thank you so much, dear Erika, for your warmth and hospitality! We already look forward to seeing you next time at your beautiful Buschenschank in South Styria! 😀
Last but not least, I would like to share with you two more of my favourite foodie travel tips from around Graz and Styria.
The restaurant “Der Steirer” serves real Styrian Tapas right in the city centre of Graz! And Bad Aussee is what I call home to one of the most beautiful Wellness & Spa Hotels of Austria: Hotel Erzherzog Johann!
Be sure not to miss those tips on your next journey to Austria. The team at the restaurant “Der Steirer” has really managed to turn classical Styrian dishes into a modern feast for the eyes, serving them on handy little “Tapas” plates! Thank you, dear Lisa-Marie, for welcoming us here: My friend in town clearly knows where to go in the gourmet capital city of Austria that is Graz!
Don’t miss: Real Styrian Tapas at the restaurant “Der Steirer” in the inner city of Graz.
Beautiful dinner at the Hotel Erzherzog Johann in Bad Aussee in the central Styrian mountain district!
Its wellness area plus the unique SKY SPA make this hotel some of the top places to go when visiting Austria. I always enjoy travelling here, especially thanks to the atmosphere of the place!
Thank you to all partners who have offered to support us on this winelover trip through Austria! All opinions are my own.