2 years ago around this time, I was in Austria with my sisters and I can’t gush about it enough, especially if you go during the holidays. The Christmas markets are such a joy - with hot drinks, incredible
food, and a plethora of arts and crafts - and everything covered in twinkle lights gives the country an even more magical feeling than it already has. While all the cities we visited were incredible
(Innsbruck, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Vienna), I am going to focus on Hallstatt - an absolute fairytale land.
food, and a plethora of arts and crafts - and everything covered in twinkle lights gives the country an even more magical feeling than it already has. While all the cities we visited were incredible
(Innsbruck, Hallstatt, Salzburg, Vienna), I am going to focus on Hallstatt - an absolute fairytale land.
One key tip: if you want to enjoy this charming town, avoid going in the summer! The crowds will ruin the experience.
Top 5 Things to Do in Hallstatt
- Old Town: Whether you go for a day trip or stay for a few nights, there are plenty of things to see and do but what I recommend most is just to wander through the village taking in the views and charming architecture. The walk along the lake is stunning but don't miss out on the colorful gingerbread-like houses lining the squares and internal streets. If you have the time, I would walk from one end to the
other along the water and then take an alternate route back through the middle of the old town. - Welterbeblick Skywalk: This platform extends 40 feet from the mountainside and nearly 1200 feet above Hallstatt, offering incredible panoramic views. Take the funicular to the top (an experience in itself) and enjoy Gluhwein or hot chocolate from the cafe while savoring the stunning vistas.
- Central Square Marktplatz: This tiny market place is full of bright colors and charming buildings. If you are there during the holidays, visit the Seewirt Zauner hotel to check out their slightly terrifying but very cool Krampus display. You'll be glad that all we are teased with in the US is a bag of coal! The hotel's restaurant is also famous for its local fish dishes. If you're there on December 5th, don't miss the Krampus run!
- Aussichtspunkt Hallstatt: This viewpoint on the north side of town will give you the iconic Hallstatt photo op.
- Salzwelten: After you view Hallstatt from the skywalk, you can take a tour of the Salt Mine. The guided tour lasts 70 minutes traveling through about 1.25 miles of tunnels first dug by hand more than 3000 years ago. If you plan to do this, definitely buy your funicular and tour tickets together for a discount. We spent most of our time wandering the village so didn't do this but I have heard great things about the tour.
Travel Tip of the Month
Traveling Abroad Best Practices | Tip #1: Adapter vs Converter
Have you ever gotten to your destination, plugged in your blowdryer and blew a fuse? Yeah, we've all been there. For me, it was a speaker/subwoofer when I moved to Switzerland for my MBA and I took out the electricity on our entire floor! This is when it is important to know whether you should be packing a travel adapter or a voltage converter.
Voltage in the US is 100-120 volts, Europe/ Australia/ Asia are double at 200-240V. So imagine twice the electricity surging out of the wall into your electronic device. Computer/tablet/phone chargers among many other items are set up for both but small non-tech appliances like blow dryers/hair straighteners/curling irons require the use of a converter to adjust the amount of electricity coming from the outlet. So check out the plug on whatever you are packing - if it says 100-240 V then you're good to go. If not, you need to buy a 220V to 11 OV Step Down Voltage Converter. Do this before you fly out (Amazon has a ton of options) as it will be far more expensive at the airport and a pain to try to find abroad.
Wine of the Month
Pairing wine with food can be tricky even when a meal is simple. On a holiday like Thanksgiving, when plates are piled high with an abundance of mains and sides, selecting an appropriate wine can feel like a daunting task. Best bet -go for bottles that complement a wide variety of foods. Pinot Noir is a widely loved wine and a traditional favorite for Thanksgiving. Its subtle earthy undertones and fruity notes tend to show well with the traditional flavors of turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing.
"On Thanksgiving, I typically don't like to pull super-complicated wines," Aldo Sohm, who oversees the wine at Le Bernardin, tells The Post. "Pinot noir is a little bit lighter, a little bit fresher" than other reds.
Since you'll be sipping it over the course of a long meal (and perhaps before and after too) "you want to choose something you can drink all day and not get tired of it."
You can't go wrong with a Sonoma Coast or Willamette Valley Pinot, with tons of options to fit a variety of budgets. If you grab a French Burgundy from Cote d'Or, that will most likely be a Pinot vs
Beaujolais which tends to be Gamay. Or try the Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir from Argentina recommended by Sohm: $24 at Astor Wine & Spirits.
Beaujolais which tends to be Gamay. Or try the Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir from Argentina recommended by Sohm: $24 at Astor Wine & Spirits.
