Cafe....Chocolate....Wine via Austria

For our second day in Austria, we had a few hours to explore Vienna in the morning. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit Café Central, a place renowned for its historical significance and vibrant atmosphere. This café is an iconic symbol of Vienna, serving as a meeting point for intellectuals and artists since the 19th century.

The ambiance of Café Central is unmatched, with its stunning architecture and a rich variety of pastries and coffees. We decided to indulge in traditional Viennese coffee and a more hearty breakfast than just their famous pastries. We knew our next meal would not be until dinner, after some wine tasting. I would say when in Vienna, Cafe Central is worth a stop, even if just for a coffee. A visit here is like stepping back in time to sit in this beautiful building and ponder the great minds that spent hours and hours in this very place.

Being a lover of wine, I always try to sample local wines and learn about the winemaking process wherever we travel. Before Austria, I had not tasted Austrian wine, so I was very excited for our afternoon wine tour. The tour promised a journey through some of the region's most beautiful vineyards, complete with tastings and explanations of the different winemaking techniques.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Vienna/Half-day-Countryside-Wine-Tour-near-Vienna/d454-108393P1

We joined a small group of fellow wine enthusiasts and were greeted by our guide. I ended up sitting in the front seat of the van which I often try to do on such tours. The reason is two-fold. First I'm not a very good back seat passenger as I tend toward nausea on longer drives. Secondly, and more enjoyably, I get to ask extra questions of the driver as we see things along the way he or she doesn't speak of in the regular tour.

The tour led us through lush family owned vineyards where we learned about the unique grape varieties grown in the region, such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. It was fascinating to see the meticulous care that goes into nurturing the vines and producing high-quality wines. Of course, the highlight was the tasting sessions, where we sampled a variety of whites and reds, each with its own distinct character.

Going in, I was under the impression Austria would be more of a white wine producer. However, I was pleasantly pleased to discover some fabulous full bodied red wines as well. The thing about Austrian wine production is that it is primarily consumed within Austria and very little is exported. So this truly was a treat for me.

In summary, our second day in Austria was a beautiful blend of relaxation, learning, and culinary delight. From the historic Café Central in the morning to the enlightening wine tour and authentic Austrian dinner in the evening, every moment was unforgettable. We met some wonderful people with us on the tour from all parts of the world. This, to Edmi and I, is another so valuable part to the experience of travel. Learning more about the world from the people who you travel with, as well as those that live there day to day, is always interesting and often enlightening. If you ever find yourself in Austria, I highly recommend indulging in the local wine culture and making time for a visit to Café Central for an authentic Viennese experience.

Next up is Slovenia.

Sunshine Always!

After breakfast at Cafe Central, we still had time before the wine tour which was to begin at 3PM. With the heat wave having been broken, it was so much more pleasant to stroll around. We visited an area of the city we had not yet seen. It was more of a pedestrian mall area with tons of shops and beautiful cathedrals as well as older ornate architecture sprinkled in along the way.

At our final stop, and already after a sampling of 8 different wines, we had a traditional Austrian dinner. Along with more wine we were treated to schnitzel, roasted chicken and sausage along with potato salad. Definitely needed this after all of the wine drinking and only having had breakfast several hours earlier.

This wine making family has been around since the 1600's. One funny thing happened upon entering the tasting room in the wine cellar. We had to pass by a small bar on the first floor filled with locals. One guy was observing and finally asked me "where are you from?" I said the United States. He reacted to that by asking "what are you doing here?" with a smile on his face. I said, I'm running away from home!

We took a little detour to visit a home that Mozart lived and created some of his great works. Apparently Mozart had a little Elton John streak in him as he loved to wear elaborate clothing.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention sampling the must have sweet treat in Vienna, Mozart Chocolate balls.......well they are called Mozart Kugeln. It's a ball of pistachio marzipan covered in a layer of nougat and finished off with a coating of chocolate. Delicious. They were gone before we got out of Austria.