This Vila Vita Pannonia. If you ever land yourself right there, in the so-called Seewinkel of the eastern stretch of Lake Neusiedl, some one and a half hours southeast of Vienna, believe me: You will not want to leave. Ever. Hardly before have I seen such a comfortable, ecologically sustainable and surprisingly different holiday resort! Wine cosmetics, wild herbs vinegar, white donkeys .. yes indeed, white donkeys! The Burgenland not only has them “near Hell” (there really and truly is such a place called “Hölle” here), but also right inside the 180 hectares of the Vila Vita Pannonia resort. In former times, the albino donkeys have been bred for the children of the nobility, having lost none of their former glory.
Happy posing by my dear friend Jürgen, of Lifetravellerz.com: Check them out, my white donkeys!
Today, I would like to share five special gourmet travel tips for you, hinting at a relaxing & creative holiday experience in the Burgenland.
Here at Vila Vita Pannonia, it all starts with a visit to the wellness area of the resort, welcomed by dear Christa Tschida who holds, as tradition befits, a glass of local Riesling in her hand. She not only drinks the wine, but likes to use its healthy essences in her (organic) cosmetics and so-called vinotherapy, recommending us baths, massages and facial treatments. Delightful. My facial cleansing and massage has been so relaxing, I actually fell asleep during the 20 minutes of rest … a good sign on my way to total relaxation here.
Skin check with Jürgen …
… and beaming after my treatment from Christa’s team and her magic hands !!
Local healing masseur Karl-Heinz Probst, has some interesting views to share, too: Here he talks to Christina about the benefits of the so-called iris diagnosis, whereby a close-up of the eyes reveals almost all illnesses the body currently suffers!
Relaxing is what staying at Vila Vita is all about, offered by these luxurious bungalows!
Next up, try the local food. To die for, really.
We eat like royals here at Vila Vita Pannonia – surprised by a stunning cellar vault which doubles as a restaurant table, a traditional barn restaurant with music, wonderful local wines (#winelover peeps, get ready!) as well as a tremendous breakfast buffet selection in the morning. Now I don’t know you, but if already the breakfast table is well presented, the day can only start off well. Whether we had to choose à la carte or could help ourselves from the buffet: A large & tasty menu selection was always at hand, emphasised by the fact that the team also looked after my friend Christina and her vegan meal choices very well.
Whether early in the morning at the Vila Vita breakfast table …
… or late at night at this magnificently laid out table in the historic cellar vaults …
… the Vila Vita Pannonia specialises in tasty local food for travellers …
… matched by superb wines, such as this typical ice wine from the Burgenland wine growing district.
Animals, by the way, are virtually everywhere to be seen here at Vila Vita Pannonia.
To all the animal fans out there: If you love that little pony, enjoy watching a flock of sheep and birds, and generally like to be a part of the awakening of spring out in nature, you will have found yourself a little heaven right here. Just nearby, one out of eight Austrian national parks can be found, the national park Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel. It has been created to protect the annual migration of thousands of birds and hundreds of different species (international ornithologists know more on this matter!), providing for a close up contact with nature. Each particular house of the many cute little bungalows also offers a “Vogel Vila“, a protective haven for feathered friends.
Vogel Vila – “Bird Vila” in the Burgenland.
Besides, more feathered friends are only to be found in the “hen’s bath”. 😀
Horses like to show their tongue, as much as their will to be put in front of romantic carriages …
Gotta love those cute little sheep here too …
… as well as the mighty white donkeys of the Vila Vita Pannonia.
And if you manage to be very quiet, you can even spot another one of the big birds in the distance, a heron watching carefully from the other side of the small lake …
… love the white donkeys really !!!
Sustainability is not just a fashion statement here. Vila Vita Pannonia really walks the talk.
“We have no secrets”, Marion Hutter likes to emphasise leading us out to the local heating facility using sustainable wood chips as a source of energy. She opens up every room, leads us in, explains and has already made sure we try the solar-powered holidays resort car next: According to Jürgen, it goes just a little faster than the electric golf cart! Besides, every guest is allowed to choose one among 600 bikes for the duration of their entire stay at the Vila Vita Pannonia and beyond.
Checking out the many solar panels of this facility …
… Marion Hutter demonstrating that although the amount of wood chips might still seem large, a facility of their size uses them up in just a matter of weeks.
A ride with the cool, solar-powered resort car …
… as much as the silent, electric golf cart is fun and available for guests to try, too.
Last but not least, I can only share my happiness at having been able to CREATE here, too. We had a picnic in the orchard and made wild herbs vinegar …
… as idyllic a story and setting that I can hardly start describing it in words. I have thus aimed at creating the following video plus imagery for you.
Off we go right after breakfast on our cool Vila Vita bikes …
… looking around with local herb expert Resi Kroiss …
… finding lots and lots of local herbs hidden among the grass.
What a delight, strolling around the flourishing apple orchard …
… glancing at the so-called “bee hotel”!
… as well as any opportunity to taste our fresh harvest …
… or turn it into a wild herbs vinegar!
The creative excursion ends with a lovely picnic in the orchard …
… no wonder we immediately appear as longtime friends, although some of us only met for the first time that very day! Love what creative travel is able to achieve across people and places.
See you soon in Burgenland! Do not miss what my friends have to say on their blogs either:
- Christina at CitySeaCountry.com: “Hotel and Holiday Village Vila Vita Pannonia in Austria“
- Melanie & Jürgen at Lifetravellerz.com: “Vila Vita Pannonia – Urlaub am Neusiedler See“
Disclaimer: We have been invited by Vila Vita Pannonia on this trip to Burgenland, supported by the Austrian Eco-Label. All opinions are my own.