Austria. Media News. Romance is in the air

Dear friends of Austria,

Chocolates and flowers for the beginning of Lent? What is going on, 2024? 

Happy Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday! – Where romance meets repentance, and love has its own divine sense of humor!

We may as well take this opportunity to talk about a few of our favorite romantic things to do and see in Austria.

We also have great news from Austrian Airlines: Our national carrier will begin nonstop service between Boston and Vienna in July 2024. The year-round service will be offered up to six times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and every other Tuesday, and will make it even easier for our guests from New England to come to Vienna and Austria. 

2024 is a leap year and we are claiming the day! Under the motto "One Extra Day For Austria: February 29, 2024", our team will be hosting simultaneous media and travel industry lunches in the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Chicago, IL; Tampa, FL; Seattle, WA; San Jose, CA. If you would like to join us, please send an email to sigrid.pichler@austria.info specifying the city you want to receive an invitation for!

Sigrid Pichler & Helen Bitschnau

Managers of Public Relations
Austrian Tourist Office New York City
sigrid.pichler@austria.info; NEW PHONE NUMBER (646) 418 0701
helen.bitschnau@austria.info; NEW ​PHONE NUMBER (646) 418 0699
www.austria.info 

      

In the vast gallery of kisses, in real life or art, one masterpiece stands out – "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt. It's not just a kiss, it is a symphony of love, an ode to intimacy that transcends time and canvas. And you can admire and be inspired by it in Vienna's Austrian Gallery in the Upper Belvedere Palace. When Gustav Klimt presented the painting to the public for the first time, in 1908, it was acquired - still unfinished - directly from the exhibition by the Austrian Gallery. This painting represents the centerpiece of the world's largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt.

   

For the more adventurous at heart, we recommend embarking on a romantic journey amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Austrian Alps, where gondola rides become a poetic dance with nature both in the winter and the summer. Check out the following eight scenic gondola rides with top-of-the-world views in Tyrol. You could also book a Gourmet Gondola Cabin in the Ötztal for a spectacular dining experience. Talking about spectacular dining, alas on solid ground: You'll find not just great food and drink, but also a stylish ambiance in many of Austria's mountaintop restaurants, lodges, and hotels, some of them are true showpieces of Alpine architecture. 

Austria also boasts some of the most scenic and romantic train routes in Europe, including the Semmering Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage designee, which takes you through breathtaking mountain scenery on its journey south from Vienna to Graz. Train travel is also a way to show the environment some love making it the most sustainable option to travel within the country and beyond.

   

While only a simple internet search on the origin of this saying did reveal that - and I invite you all to fact-check and get back to us - the fact remains: "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The saying is often attributed to the American playwright and novelist Fanny Fern. It reflects the idea that one can win someone's affection or love by preparing delicious meals for them. This sentiment has been expressed in various forms throughout history, across different cultures, and is not limited to men. It highlights the role of food and cooking in nurturing relationships and creating a sense of comfort and care." And by that definition, Austria is certainly a very loving country. A culinary discovery trip through the country will reveal that every step of the way, from savory Käsespätzle to sweet Kaiserschmarrn, from coffee to wine, from casual to fine dining, our culinary scene makes you swoon! May we add that our coffeehouses and wine taverns are truly romantic!

  

And of course you will need a cozy place to rest and recharge your batteries - we got you covered! From charming family-run hotels, luxury spa resorts, to sweet private apartments, here is our Austria Hotel Collection, a curated list featuring great hotels in Austria's cities and in the countryside. Our team's favorite romantic hotel in the collection is the Mountain Resort Feuerberg in Austria's southern province Carinthia (pictured above).