Pleasure hiking in the thermal spa region
A personal insight from Ines Pietsch
Hello dear guests and friends of the Austria Classic Hotel Wien,
My name is Ines Pietsch and I am the managing partner of our beautiful hotel. But today I don't want to write about the hotel, but about one of my passions: hiking in the vineyards of the Thermenregion, more precisely in Gumpoldskirchen, Mödling and the surrounding area.
A sense of home and a love of nature
I originally come from the district of Mödling and grew up there. The rolling hills, the picturesque vineyards and the rustic wine taverns are not just a destination for me, but a piece of home. When I was a child, I spent many hours with my family in the vineyards. Now, many years later, these memories are still vivid and I am happy to be able to share these experiences with my own family.
As autumn approaches and the leaves begin to turn a warm golden colour, we are drawn to the vineyards. With my husband and our children, we enjoy long vwalks through the picturesque countryside. It's a time for peace, conversation and simple enjoyment - far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I find the diversity that this region has to offer particularly appealing. Lower Austria is known for its excellent white wines, and I am an enthusiastic lover of these wines. Whether it's a sparkling Grüner Veltliner or a fruity Riesling, the wines here have a special flavour that reflects the character of this region.
Culinary delights at the wine taverns
After a long walk, we like to stop off at one of the many wine taverns. Heurigen culture is deeply rooted in the region and I love savouring the traditional dishes: fresh spreads, crusty bread, baked delicacies and crispy salads - all of which make a visit to a Heurigen an unforgettable experience.
A particular favourite of ours is Weingut Thallern, a place full of history and first-class wines. But other wine taverns such as Heuriger Reisenhofer or the Fassbinderhof also have their very own charm and offer regional specialities that never fail to delight us.
The Genussmeile - a feast for all the senses
An evening full of enjoyment and music
This annual event „GENUSSMEILE“ in Lower Austria, which stretches along the famous wine route between Mödling and Bad Vöslau, is a fixed date in September for us every year. It is known as the ‘longest wine tavern buffet in the world’ and attracts thousands of visitors.
Here are the most important facts about the Genussmeile:
Location and route: The Genussmeile stretches for around 10 kilometres along the Vienna Woods, especially on the section of the 1st Vienna Water Pipeline Trail. It leads through picturesque wine villages such as Gumpoldskirchen, Pfaffstätten and Traiskirchen.
Timing: The event takes place on the first two weekends in September. It is one of the highlights of the wine festival season in the region.
Offer: Along the route, over 80 winegrowers and restaurateurs offer their regional specialities. These include not only exquisite wines, but also typical Heurigen specialities such as spreads, ham, cheese and other local delicacies.
Atmosphere: The event is particularly popular because of its cosy and traditional atmosphere. Visitors enjoy wine and culinary delights directly in the vineyards, often accompanied by live music and surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Significance: The Genussmeile has become an important event for the region, attracting both local and international tourists. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the wine and gourmet culture of the Vienna Woods thermal region.
The Genussmeile in Gumpoldskirchen is therefore not only a culinary highlight, but also a cultural and social event that celebrates the region's rich winemaking tradition.
A special experience - friendship, wedding and memories
The Genussmeile also has a very personal meaning for me, as we often take part in the Genussmeile together on the occasion of the wedding day of my best friend from Mödling, for whom I had the honour of being maid of honour in 2013.
An excursion for the whole family
What I particularly like about the Thermenregion is that it offers something for everyone. My children love roaming through the vineyards, exploring nature and enjoying the fresh air. My husband and I appreciate the peace and quiet and the opportunity to simply switch off and spend time with the family.
The best thing about it? All of this is just a short train journey away from the Austria Classic Hotel Wien. The train from Praterstern takes us to Mödling in no time and from there we continue on to Gumpoldskirchen. It's an excursion that I can highly recommend to all our guests - a perfect mix of nature, enjoyment and relaxation.
I hope that my brief insight has whetted your appetite for a visit to Gumpoldskirchen and the surrounding area.
Perhaps we'll see you soon on a walk through the vineyards or over a good glass of wine in one of the wine taverns or in our Max Steiner Bar. Until then, I wish you all the best and look forward to welcoming you back to our hotel soon!
Best regards,
