Austria – snowy peaks and imperial splendour

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Our own Snow Queen, Aileen Eglington (AE Consulting), brought eager Austrian delegates together to apprise us of the splendour of this stunning and spectacular country. Jacinta from Travelbiz was delighted to join Aileen in Dublin’s Iveagh Garden Hotel. Austria is not all snow and skiing (although there is that in abundance), but it’s also host to the most captivating landscapes of towering peaks, dense forests, lush grasslands (with cows tinkling their iconic Alpine bells – I expect Heidi to dance down the hillside!) and quaint villages.

The Austrian Consul to Ireland, the charming Josef Treml, opened proceedings and advised that his children learned to ski here in Kilternan! He also told us that Austria took only 3 years for tourism to bounce back after Covid. We heard interesting presentations from Sabine Walser representing Paznaun-Ischgl (pronounce Irish Uisce!) with its glistening snowy groomed ski slopes and opportunities for tobogganing, ice skating, sky fly zip line, fat bike tours, sundowners and Top of the Mountain Concerts. Sabine Reitsma from Kitzbuheler Alpen St Johann in Tirol told us that the Tyrolean heart is accessible year-round and has hiking, biking, climbing, horse riding and mountain adventures. It also boasts the longest dumpling table in the world!

In Zell am See Kaprun, the utterly captivating scenery should be adequate to attract visitors to this quality Alpine destination, but the perfect triangle of glacier, mountain and crystal lake is truly stunning. Ride the cable car up Kirsteinhorn and view the winter wonderland. Aside from the pistes, there are super restaurants and Star Advent and Christmas markets. Marie from St Anton Arleberg offered snow clad hills, warm hospitality and winter adventure sports.

The grandeur of the capital, Vienna, was highlighted in the video of Schloss Schoenbrunn, the residence of Franz Josef and Maria Theresa of the Hapsburg Dynasty and the imperial summer palace demonstrates culture at its finest. Elizabeth Taucher waxed lyrical about the charismatic Sans Souci Hotel in Vienna which houses the longest hotel pool in the city, but not before she exclaimed her love of Ireland and her education in Drogheda! Sans Souci is an Art Hotel which engages all the senses.

Access to all these magical spots is via Innsbruck, Zurich, Munich and Vienna, so no excuse not to visit Austria!