DAX

Anyone knows if the airport in Vienna still has lockers to store suitcases?

molker

Vienna Airport at Schwechat VIE


has a luggage storage center for storing all manner of luggage including some safe boxes for valuables.

Located on the same level as the Baggage Claim- Arrivals Hall-

Simply exit the claim area into Arrivals Hall turn left and walk toward the auto rental desks -
baggage storage is on left side across from the various rental companies just before going up the stairs to departure level.

for more information on storage and the airport.


www.flughafenwien.at

DAX

Thanks molker, I can always count on your Vienna in depth knowledge.
I don't know whether you currently live in Vienna or not, but perhaps you can enlight me about any train/bus service to Bratislava from the airport or downtown (Schwedenplatz). I'm not sure if the hydrofoil is worth it or not. In fact I'm not sure whether Bratislava is worth a day trip. We've been to Vienna several times so we're looking for good daytrips. Any other suggestion? We had a great daytrip to Gols last year for their harvest/wine release open house. Thanks

bettyk

DAX, I was going to propose a day trip to Rust. We really enjoyed our visit there years ago.

I found this website which may be of some help to you. Of course, I'm sure Molker can also offer some great input.

http://www.eurocheapo.com/vienna/fea...day-trips.html

DAX

Thanks Betty, Rust & Deutschkreuz are actually in our radar because certain wine producers that we like are located there. Can you tell me any fun part of your visit to Rust? We've also never been to Baden so would love to hear any good tips, highlights, etc.

bettyk

Dax, I just remember the storks -- they were nesting at the time. And I remember there was some lovely architecture. And, well, the wine! Maybe I had too much wine -- lol!

Take a look at their website. There's a virtual tour link that's quite interesting.

http://www.rust.at/en/c_tourismus/a_...senswertes.jsp

Unfortunately, I never made it to Baden. Don't know why, but we just never did. DH's boss loved to go there though. I think DH was working too many weekends while his boss was in Baden!!

molker

Hello DAX-
Yes, I still live in Vienna and along the danube in summer.

Baden is a good choice for a side trip.

I was there last week for an operetaa-

They have a good summer program of operettas etc. music in a special small ( 500- 600 seat) theater .
This is an older place in the park next to the Casino - the roof can be retracted in good weather to provide a nice atmosphere.
The city just a short ride by train or BadenerBahn streetcar from Vienna.

Casino complex with good restaurant - nearby rose gardens and worth seeing city center. Reminds you of the former Kaiser times.


www.baden.at


A great day trip to the Wachau- Melk Abbey - Danube.


www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

under sightseeing wachau or something similar.

a combination ticket available at the train station- Westbahnhof includes train ticket to Melk - a tour of the Abbey- a nice scenic boat trip down the Danube to Krems- various offers in Krems- or get off the boat in Dürnstein and have a look at this village - excelent white wines

Krems , a nice old town historic buildings, wine museum, wineries- train back to Vienna- a full day but varied sights make it go too quickly.


also available on same website a combi trip with bike rental through the vineyards and a picnic.

Dedicated bike paths along the Danube- many stops at places to sample the wine too.

bettyk

DAX, I agree with Molker about the Wachau area. I guess I assumed you had already been there. But if not, do go. It's lovely.

In Durnstein, there is a nice little hotel called Richard the Lionhearted where you can have lunch overlooking the Danube. And if you are hearty enough, you can climb up to the ruins where Richard was held during the Crusades.

DAX

Thanks molker & betty, I've been to the Melk abbey but not the Wachau wine country itself. Can you tell me any highlight/special town in Wachau?

I like the idea that we can take the Badener street car from Vienna. I can research where it departs from. Now I'm still wondering how good Bratislava is as a daytrip. Tempted to do it just to add another notch in my country list.

bettyk

Krems and Durnstein are the two towns to visit in the Wachau.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...768010029.html

http://www.krems.at/system/web/zusat...lonr=186158735

The last time I visited Bratislava, it was still part of the Eastern Bloc, so we didn't really enjoy it very much. I'm sure it's entirely different now.

molker

Krems , actually not part of the Wachau officially - just a gateway town.

Dürnstein is Ok - but can be overfull of tourists at times when several Danube cruise ships and tour bus groups arrive at similar times. for good visits less tourists
Weissenkirchen

www.weissenkirchen.at

Spitz
www.spitz-wachau.at

more info also at
www.wineroute.at


For Baden-

www.wlb.at

bahn and/or bus just across the Ringstrasse from the State Opera.

also frequent regional trains - usually a little faster from the Sudbahnhof

www.oebb.at


other good possible visits

Schlosshof - a fuly restored country summer palace with excelent gardens , farm exhibits and restaurants- shuttle bus service several days during the week

www.schlosshof.at

also the former roman frontier garrison town- Carnuntum- now with a rebuilt example of a roman villa

www.carnuntum.co.at

I have never enjoyed Bratislava- but an easy train ride perhaps 1/2 day of sightseeing.
If you collect notches - consider going

an alternative way there is the newer catamaran boat trip on the Danube - about 1 hour 15 minutes - city center to city center.
called the twin city liner -
check google I know they have a good website - forget exact titls.

perhaps
www.twincityliner.at

Enjoy your visit much to do.

DAX

I'm leaning toward Krems, it looks like somethig that we would enjoy plus there are quite a few intriguing Gruener veltliner from the Kremstal that we appreciate, so we can't go wrong. Wondering if we can combine Krems with Spitz to visit the newish Kalmuck winery.

molker

I think Kalmuck is from the son of the Gritsch winery of Spitz.

The son markets his wine under " Kalmuck "

Krems is about a hour train ride from Vienna ( Franz Josef Bahnhof - an easy transfer from city center via Streetcar " D" direction Nüssdorf)

check schedule and make certain to get a train without a transfer.

These are double deck trains , air conditioned and relatively new.
Scenery on the way not great but you pass farm fields, vineyards making the journey go quickly .

www.oebb.at

The Train sation Krems is just a short walk from the city center - nice old buildings - pedestrian shopping zone - a wine museum.

Krems is descibed from the year 995 AD
many 15th and 16th century buildings.

The area of Stein- once its own village now over the centuries forming part of the greater Krems is also filled with good architecture , museums and just adjacent to the ship station - also has its only little train station on the regional line direction to Spitz.

To Spitz - you have choices - the regional train check schedule above
or boat trip up the Danube

www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

www.brandner.at

Boats leave from the Ship Station in Krems - Stein- about 3 kilometers from the town center - walk 25 minutes - taxi , bus service.

Perhaps you could look to train 1 way and the boat the other.

The boat trip very intersting views from the river to the vineyards and small towns.

Spitz a nice small town - check to see if the Church door is open - usually is a very nice interior - nice town square with a few cafes- Spitz - a town of wineries and heurigers-

very easy to walk everywhere

Some of the best whites- in the Wachau as you probably know.

Also a vinothek on the walking path along the danube not far from boat landing - a good selection.

Makes a great day.

DAX

Thanks very much for all the great tips and the links as well, you're correct about Kalmuck. Since you seem to know wineries, maybe you've heard of a successful winery who makes sauvignon blanc in oak barrels. The winery has an ultra modern wine house that's built semi underground. I can't even remember where it is, perhaps even in Styria.

Knowing that we have wine interest, would you say that Krems is a better daytrip than Baden? Maybe we'll use the cruise boat to get to Bratislava.

DAX

Just reread my previous post which was written in a hurry. Just to give it more sense, I should explain that I'm developing a list of daytrips according to preference and ease of travel.

My wife likes sauvignon blanc and oaky chardonnay, so she'll be interested to visit the winery in question. I am betting on the Styrian location since sauvignon blanc is mostly produced in Styria.

I want to put Krems over Baden just because I am not aware of any good winery in Baden and it seems to be more of a small city suburb rather than a village town.

molker

I just saw this post again- Baden- yes a larger town rather than a wine village - in summer excelent music - theater - casino- spa- rose gardens but not a wine center - Wachau much better for you if this is a priority -

easy access via train - boat also connections using the regional train that runs along the Danube - krems, Dürnstein / Loiben- Weissenkirchen, Spitz etc.

Wachua is best known for Whites- Guner Veltliner , Riesling ,
but some good Chardonnay too


Carefully check winery names - many families of same name are vintners- The Mosers - Sepp, Hermann, Lenz

Pichler - the best F. X. Pichler in Oberloben

in Spitz - perhaps best wine -

Hirtzberger

www.hirtzberger.com


also good
Jamek -- good Chardonnay - no barrel taste dry, fruity

they have excelent food in a nice restaurant - chance to test wine by the glass too while you dine

between Spitz and Weissenkirchen.

www.wiengut-jamek.at

In Weissenkirchen Prager

www.weingutprager.at


Weissenkirchen has a vinotek on the main road next to the ferry boat crossing the Danube- best to test there during the day as often no one available at the winery.

With so much to do - perhaps an overnightr in this area would be good.

Yes, I enjoy wine too.


Directly in Vienna-

in the area of Stammersdorf
Wieninger


www.wieninger.at


their grand Slect Chardonnay one of the highest rated - good Riesling and GV too.

easy to get there via streetcar#31 and then a walk of 10 minutes -

good food

DAX

Thanks for your great suggestions. I've been hearing about Hirtzberger(mainly their Honivogl) but I haven't been able get any here in the San Francisco bay area, so that may be the ideal winery to visit. It seems that people have been able to drop by and do tastings without reservation. I'll keep Jamek restaurant in mind (can you add what's good to eat there?), I was originally thinking of Schloss Duernstein terrace or the Loewenherz. Don't know what's the best/most practical to get to.

What about Schloss Goebelsburg? The other thing that came up in my mind is Langenlois but I need to figure out where Kamptal is on the map. I'll take more winery suggestions if you have any. I'm glad to find someone who enjoys wine as much as you do. I've only discovered Gruener Velt in the last 2 years so I still don't understand the old thick ones yet, we've been drinking mostly the super bright racy young wines, there's just too many winegrapes to enjoy. I've had a few Smaragd & Federspiel but haven't had time to discern the finer palate yet (no one to discuss with overhere, since gruve is not that popular yet). I'd be happy with great riesling winery recommendation as well. Haven't had any spectacular Weissburgunder from Austria yet either, my favorites are still alsatian pinot blanc.

molker

Hello DAX:

I try to answer some questions - but my opinion only and everyone likes something different i a wine or food

Jamek- they have a small wine bar to the right side as you enter and can sample without eating-
but their food and atmpsphere is very good- in summer the garden- the one to the right side especially makes a nice atmosphere.
Their chef there for many years- the Frau Jamek is regularly through the restaurant and sees that things are correct.

The menu changes regularly, with the season and fresh ingredients available with a few things always on each one.
The soup always good.
The trout fresh from nearby is well prepared - the beef excelent -



The terrace at Schloss Dürnstein is very , very nice. fantastic views of the danube- food usually good - located at the north end of town - easy walk from boat landing or anywhere in town as Dürnstein not really big.

Better than the Lion but more expensive too.
Schloss Gobelsburg - the kellermeister and owner is Michael Moosbrugger, the son of the family that owns the famous Hotel Post in the ski town Lech- a premier hotel in Austria.
He has some form of co-operation with the famous Brunlmayer.
Gobelsburg very near to Langenlois .
Both just north of Krems 8-10 kilometers perhaps


www.gobelsburg.at

best wine - the Riesling Heiligenstein ( a vineyard area nearby ) or the Alte Rebeb ( old and very mature vines)

Langenlois - for wine lovers a must visit - this town lives for wine- it is their passion and the town itself with a long centuries of quality wine.

The town square itself worth a visit - buildings form the 1500s

many , many kellers ( wine cellars under and around the town.

You may know the Brundlmayer name as their wine is marketed in the USA.

www.bruendlmayer.at


they have a very nice restaurnat with excelent food moderate prices and of course the wine.

Also in Langenlois-
Jurtschitsch

www.jurtschitsch.com

long history in the family - now 3 brothers each taking a portion of the duties and some how make this work.
I like their Rieslings ( Zobinger especially)( Zöbing - a small village nearby where the grapes come from )

I should explain that most wineries do not have just 1 area of grapes.

But rather many relatively small plots with different soils , direction of the sun , altitude - age of vines producing various and distinct wines within a variety.

Heidler
www.hiedler.at Chardonnay with 15% alcohol very dry

Many others -

a nice modern spa hotel in town too - an easy stagger but uphill from Brundlmayer
called
The Loisium a nice wine tour in cellars next to it also-

Hope this helps a little - but causes you to make choices with limited time.

grrr

>>maybe you've heard of a successful winery who makes sauvignon blanc in oak barrels<<

Maybe this one?
http://www.loisium.at/

grrr

>>winery has an ultra modern wine house that's built semi underground>>

Or this one?
http://www.neumeister.cc/home/front_...t=1&lang=1