Today, I am on my way to one of the “last gourmet trips” in Lower Austria this year … But wait. Has it really been more than 70 travel articles I have already written and published about Gourmet Travel this year? Wow. Apparently, it has. I am a real gourmet traveller, then, and can make my blog responsible for gaining those few extra kilos, hehe … 😉 Anyway, back to those gourmet travel delights. Lower Austria really has a lot to offer in that sense. From June till September, this is what my fellow travel bloggers & I did: Visiting “Gourmet Mile” & “Geniesserzimmer” in the Vienna Forest District. Travelling the Vienna Alps. Gourmet Travel Delights in the Wachau Valley. “Tafeln im Weinviertel” Lower Austria Wine Tourism District. Mountain Musik & Heavenly Hikes in Mostviertel, Lower Austria. And now: Exploring the “Geniesserzimmer” & more in the high north of Austria.
PURE PLEASURE! 😀
The Waldviertel … “High up is where we are”: Such is the motto of the Waldviertel destination close to the border with the Czech Republic. High up here, we find peace, serenity, regional specialities as well as exceptional travel moments for gourmets. Three days in a row, “my” travel bloggers Monika & Petar Fuchs (TravelWorldOnline: Sechs Tipps für eine Genießer Reise durchs Waldviertel), Gudrun Krinzinger aka Reisebloggerin.at and I are travelling the Waldviertel. Oh, how we love those “Mohnnoodles” sweet poppy meals. And the “Geniesserzimmer” have really drawn us in with their special charm: Local accommodation with attention to (regional) details in furniture, equipment and meals. Take for instance the rose flower decoration of the “Geniesserzimmer Rose” here (a word of Thankyou to the Bauer family, who have really taken great care to welcome us here!). Or the imperial atmosphere of the “Geniesserzimmer” Emperor of Austria at the Schlosshotel Rosenau historical palace hotel … Wow. I have never stayed in a room quite like this. Check it out!
A warm welcome: The Waldviertel welcomes us with open doors & hearts, such as the family Waidenauer inviting us for tasting their famous Waldviertel Whisky.
All the beautiful little deatils we find in the “Geniesserzimmer” here in Waldviertel is what I really like, as it sets this kind of accommodation apart from others in the area.
Our “rose room” at the holiday apartments of the Bauer family in Gutenbrunn: Modern comfort with an eye for details.
This is what a real “Geniesserzimmer” looks like … Exceptional, delightful, with lots of room for ideas and to relax. Here we are, travelling the Schlosshotel Rosenau former palace hotel.
Meals, too, are from local farms and sources, such as this venison gourmet dish we eat at Schlosshotel Rosenau. Simply delicious …
And for breakfast, they even serve us home-made plum cake. YUM! Thank God we have been out hiking, too … otherwise, we would really have to go on a diet by now 😉
Check out for these signs when travelling in Lower Austria: The “Geniesserzimmer” lead the way in terms of exceptional, rural accommodation standards.
The palace hotel Rosenau is worth travelling to for its historical importance alone, as the Freemasons had one of their major gatherings and lodges here. Today, you can visit the Freemasons’ museum in Rosenau.
Creative adventure travel, nature harmony travel or rather sweet’n’tasty food travel? The good thing is: Here in the Waldviertel, we do not have to choose. Pleasure comes in from all ends.
If you think that you could “never, ever” finish your own piece of ceramics in half an hour, then you haven’t met the enthusiastic, creative team at Kunstmuseum Schrems yet. This museum is a far cry from the original museum concept. Rather, it is a meeting place for creative and open-minded people who are encouraged to “touch, feel & become part of art” here. Professor Makis Warlamis, the originator of the “Kunstmuseum Waldviertel”, smiles politely in the view of all our questions about his creative space. Why are the walls colourful and uneven? What do the unusual sculptures in the sculpture park represent? And why are you always encouraged to touch everything here? We have come to find out and take part in a creative workshop offered by the museum on a regular basis – for “kids” of all ages, hence particularly suited for the inquisitive minds of us travel bloggers.
The Kunstmuseum Schrems is a special haven for creativity in Lower Austria.
Check out those really comfy “granite boulder cushions” that decorate the hallways and exhibition areas of the museum – a clear hint to the surrounding Waldviertel landscape.
Soon after our initial tour, we are led into the atelier creative workshop area …
… checking out what we can do in no time as a creative team at the Kunstmuseum!
Just as colourful and interesting is a visit to the organic herb & flower company Sonnentor, celebrating 25 years of history in the Waldviertel …
… the organic cookies we get to taste here are simply delightful, called “Alles Liebe” – Best Wishes!
And have you heard about the Lower Austrian Pub & Restaurant Association, the “Niederösterreichische Wirtshauskultur”? Just as the “Geniesserzimmer” point you in the right direction for finding extra charming, regional accommodation, this quality label goes a long way in terms of promoting local produce and food. Delicious!
At Wirtshaus Im Demutsgraben close to the city of Zwettl, we are welcomed with a treat of the house: Home-made meat spread with freshly baked bread rolls. Mmmh …
The night before, we are invited at Gasthaus Seewolf in Gutenbrunn, where among others we are served dark beer from Zwettl and Sturm wine from Lower Austria.
But please be careful cause… “Many cooks spoil the broth” – or the chef herself? 😉
“Mohnnoodles” at the Poppy Village Armschlag & Whisky in the Waldviertel: Don’t miss out on particular Waldviertel delights!
What on Earth are “Mohnnoodles“? Which parking site promotes the longest poppy painting in the world? And what does the Austrian Whisky Association stand for? Right at the start, we have been intrigued by these and other questions – even before heading further north and into the Waldviertel nature hiking district. Hosted by the “famous” Poppy Village Armschlag, we meet Rosemarie Neuwiesinger and her team who are infusing us with their enthusiasm, tasting “Mohnnoodles” which is a kind of Waldviertel national dish that is really, exceptionally good. A little later, we move on to enjoying pure Waldviertel Whisky distilled by the Waidenauer family … this district really has it going for regional gourmet travellers!
Whisky Waldviertel experience: We stop at the distillery run by the Waidenauer family for great insights into the regional Whisky production.
Everything I always wanted to know about whisky can be learned here: For instance that good whisky, just as wine, demands the best ingredients and perfect hygiene during the distilling process to yield optimum quality.
The Poppy Village Armschlag is truly worth visiting: Check out their famous “Mohnnoodles” recipe book …
… during a guided tour, we learn all there is to know about the history of this quirky little town that is entirely dedicated to the poppy flowers and the use of their seeds for jams, cheese, cakes, ice cream & lots more!
Thank you for your warm welcome, dear team at the Mohndorf Poppy Village in Armschlag!
Poppy seeds harvested after drying, as shown here, serve a multitude of usages for the sweet cuisine of the Waldviertel.
… such as their use in the most famous dish here: “Mohnnoodles” sweet pasta from Waldviertel! Enjoy your meal and your trip here. 😀
Fancy more regional travel moments in Waldviertel that will wet your appetite? Let me inspire you here … Meanwhile, I already look forward to my next trip into the high north of Austria!
Disclaimer: We have been invited by Waldviertel Tourismus & the “Genießerzimmer” in Lower Austria to travel into the Waldviertel district. All opinions are my own.