Posts Tagged ‘Austria’
A European Christmas market round-up
‘Tis the season … And for me, that means it’s a good time to reflect on some of my favorite Christmas markets around Europe. Because I live in Rome, people often think the city is decked out for the holidays. Sadly, especially in recent years, this couldn’t be further from the truth. To enjoy the…
Read MoreNot quite ready to say Auf Wiedersehen – Demel at Vienna airport
There are so many things to like about Austria’s capital city of Vienna. Many years ago, I lived here for a short time, and now I enjoy getting back for visits. Perhaps it’s better that I don’t live here, because when I do return I simply can’t resist all the wonderful sweets on offer. I’ve…
Read MoreImperial charm in Salzburg, Austria
I adore the postcard-perfect city of Salzburg, in Austria, where I have been numerous times. But as we were driving back from a summer vacation in Austria and the Czech Republic two summers ago, my husband and I decided to play tour guide to our sons, who had never been to Salzburg before. We only…
Read MoreArt deco (Jugendstil) architecture in Bad Gastein, Austria
I used to live in Vienna and neighboring Prague, and this is an architectural style I adore. Jugenstil, art deco, art nouveau, Secessionsstil — it goes by many names. The Alpine spa town and watering hole of Bad Gastein, in Austria’s Salzburg province has some fine examples. I’ve already written about the historic Hotel de…
Read MoreThe historic Hotel De l’Europe Gastein, Bad Gastein, Austria
The art nouveau architecture of the former Grand Hotel de l’Europe in Bad Gastein, an Alpine town in Salzburg province of Austria, hints at its former glory. The grand hotel was built between 1906 and 1909 and once hosted kings, kaisers, heads of state and celebrities who came to this Alpine town for its gorgeous…
Read MoreSwimming in the Badesee in Bad Gastein, Austria
I’ve already spoken about how much I love it in the Gasteiner Valley of Austria’s Salzburg region. I stayed her many years ago as a child and then visited recently with my own family and fell in love with it all over again. It’s a great place to go for outdoor activities in the fresh,…
Read MoreViews from the top of the Stubnerkogel, Bad Gastein, Austria
I’ve already written about hiking up the Graukogel – another of the panoramic peaks of beautiful Bad Gastein, Austria – an idyllic Alpine town in Austria’s Salzburg province. Stubnerkogel (1943 meters above sea level) is the other peak easily reached from Bad Gastein’s center. There are great views from the top – and views out to…
Read MorePicture-perfect, lakeside Hallstatt, Austria
If you visit this idyllic, little village in the Salzammergut region of Upper Austria, you’ll be forgiven for wanting to chase all the tourists out and have this beautiful spot all to yourself. That must be how the fewer than 950 locals feel each summer as the hordes invade this pretty Austrian town on the…
Read MoreA sleepy Austrian spa town where WWI began: Bad Ischl
On a trip last summer through Austria, while driving through Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) when we passed near Bad Ischl and decided to stop and stretch our legs. Bad Ischl was well-known among court society in the past centuries. the saltwater springs located here were discovered back in the 16th century, but it only became a…
Read MoreMedieval architecture and beer in Freistadt, Austria
Freistadt is located in the Austrian Region of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), the is the largest town of the Mühlviertel region. This used to be one of the last border fortresses on the route leading to Bohemia. Today, it’s just a few kilometers from the border of the Czech Republic. Freistadt has impressive medieval architecture, including…
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