Vienna City Marathon 2011, April 17

This year Vienna will host the City Marathon for the 28th time. And again, it will become another special marathon. The concept of ‘Marathon Sound of Vienna’ will be responsible for providing the right sound for runners and visitors along 12 kilometres of the course. You will be hearing anything from Mozart and Strauss to modern Pop and Rock.

The World Champion and Olympic Champion Haile Gebrselassie will be there as well to run the half-marathon distance.

Now, with less than five weeks to go, preparation is coming to its peak. This past Sunday, around 900 runners took the chance for another rehearsal. At pleasant 16°C, sun and little wind, the Vienna Prater was the perfect surrounding for the last run of the winter run series. The motivation for the coming training weeks up to the Vienna City Marathon kept an extra thrust, with run desire and spring feelings included.

More info on the Vienna City Marathon can be found here

Fasching is Karneval is Fastnacht is Carneval ... the finale!

Ok, now whatever wording you wanna take, it all means the same.

But FASCHING is the Viennese correct term. 

The word Fasching dated back to the 13th century when the words vaschanc and vaschang were used in German language. It seems to derive from „Fastenschank“, meaning the last (alcoholic) serving before the start of lent.

So here we are: tradition has it that today you may have seen some nice "Faschingsumzüge" (carneval processions) alongside the streets. You may also have noticed that in some shops people were costumed, eating "Faschingskrapfen" (see previous post) and drinking bubbly wine!

And whenever you are in Germany during that time, you'll notice that the Krauts are able to celebrate even more jolly and wild this last day of Karneval!

And when in the German centre of Carneval, in Mainz, people say "Helau" as the traditional greeting, in southern Austria, in Carinthia, you'll hear a "Lei, Lei" tonight!

Having said this:

Lei, lei and good bye!

The taste of Austria

When you think of Britain and taste, what is your first idea?
Fish'n'chips maybe?
Which drinks do you associate with a country?
Which sweets do you recall, when thinking about a specific destination?

Well, all those questions come into mind, when travelling around and being open to local traditions.

So, what about Austria and Vienna or Salzburg?

Here are my top 5 typical food experiences, which you should not miss out:


1. Manner Schnitten

since ages a constant sweet companion for all ages and all situations

2. Wiener Schnitzel

the most famous austrian main dish and definitely best eaten in Vienna - a Must

3. Sachertorte 

No birthday party, no coffehouse, no housewife without this cake - but trust me, the best one is the home made one! (send me an email, if you want to buy one from me!!)

4. Salzburger Mozartkugel 

A delicacy often copied, but only this original is the abolutely best! A unique taste, that melts in your mouth!

Buy it in the supermarket and not in the tourist shops, you save looooots!

5. G'spritzter

The traditional drink for all occasions, best drunken at a Heurigen, a bit outside of Vienna.

A good big dash of white wine with some soda comes as a refreshing surprise especially in summer!

Don't leave Austria without having tasted these flavours - you'll definitely will miss something!

The Debutant Girl of the Vienna Opera Ball 2011

This comes up as a big surprise:

Every year, L'oreal chooses one "Debutant"-girl to be the face of the Ball.

May I proudly present the this year's beauty:

Gloria, the daugther of our good old friends and neighbours!
Wow, we are so proud!!!!! Gloria, you look absolutely gorgeous and stunning!

And Gloria is not only a beauty, but an impressive, smart girl with wit, charme and character!

http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/opernball/opernball.wmv
View a video to get a glimpse of the Opera Ball

http://www.oe24.at/kultur/slideshow/Opernball-Die-Pressekonferenz/18434569
Yesterday's press conference

The first stork is here

Did you know that storks love Austria?

Normally they leave during winter to the warmer places of earth

and as soon as spring is in the air

the spread their wings

and return to the beauty of Austria's nature

This year I encountered the first stork last weekend!

In the beginning of February!

So, definitely it's time to book your flight too

and visit Vienna!

You'll find the storks in the dreamy village of Rust,

a gathering of houses on the beaches

of the Neusiedlersee

This lake is a phenomenon,

 the second largest steppe lake in Central Europe

has no natural feeder river -

the water level is totaly dependent

on rainfall and hydration

the depth of only approx up to 1.50m

makes it interesting for swimming due it's warm temperatures

surfers enjoy as well as boaters

but beware during storms!

Storks love the place

and as soon as summer is here

you can sit and watch birdlife like nowhere else around!

Only 50 mins from bluedanubeapartments -

rent a car and head for it -

you'll indulge in the pure nature

with the local produce in the idyllic restaurants and taverns

all around

and just don't miss the sunset!