Hello From Austria - Going Back To My Roots (Part II)

My brother and sister-in-law had taken the nextscenic Styrian hill country opens up. The three of
day off and we were planning an excursionus climbed up the steepest portion of the
further afield: our destination was a mountain peakmountain, securely equipped with our Nordic
called Mangart in Slovenia, located about awalking poles. Several restaurants offer
three-hour drive from my home town. Therefreshments and hearty Austrian food at the
beauty of Central Europe is its diversity ofsummit area, and high-speed excitement is
landscapes and its small distances, and in just aprovided by the summer tobogganing track that
few hours of driving through the Austrianruns down the mountain, a nice adrenaline kick I
province of Carinthia we arrived in Val Canale, anjust had to experience.
area where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet.After our hike back down we stopped off at
Incidentally this is also the only area where theDoris' house, a beautiful property in the
Germanic, Romance and Slavic language familiescountryside, that features a brand new pond and
come together right next to one another. Welarge garden. Doris even equipped us with delicious
passed by the picturesque Predil Lake andfreshly picked peaches from her father's orchards.
continued our climb into the high mountains andKlaudia and I headed back to Weiz and an hour
crossed the Italian border into Slovenia.later we met up again for a backyard barbeque
But as it can be with the best laid plans of miceat my brother's place. Klaudia's entire family, her
and men, our hiking trip to the Mangart Mountainsister Andrea with daughters Nina and Katja as
was not to be: our car overheated and there waswell as the two grandparents joined us for a
no way we were going to make it any further.delicious dinner that showcased my brother's
We had to stop, let the car cool down and turnculinary skills in a multi-course feast.
around to go back down the mountain.My last full day in Austria had arrived and Ewald
Fortunately, our disappointment did not last longand Anneliese had planned a special outing: an
since we came up with an alternate plan: we tookexcursion to one of Austria's most famous
the cable car up to Monte Lussari whose summitfortresses - the Riegersburg. In existence for
area features a tiny mountain village with a smallmore than 850 years and located in the border
pilgrimage church. An absolutely stunning 360region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, this
degree mountain vista opens up from the top ofimpressive fortification has withstood many
this mountain and we enjoyed a hearty lunch onattacks from the east and was never conquered.
the balcony of a rustic restaurant, taking in theIt has often been referred to as the "strongest
phenomenal Alpine panorama.fortification of Christianity", having successfully
On our way home we stopped in the town ofdefended repeated attacks by Turks and
Tarvisio, a border town that has benefited for aMagyars.
long time from the traffic between Austria,With its numerous fortified gates, its unique
Slovenia and Italy. We stopped at the market,location on an extinct volcanic cone, its extensive
my brother picked up a few Italian delicatessendefensive walls, wooden drawbridges and moats,
and we enjoyed our stroll through town. Afterthe Riegersburg is an authentic medieval fortress
our return in the late afternoon I embarked on athat has seen architectural additions from the
little local excursion and drove to the Teichalm -Renaissance and Baroque eras. An exhibition in the
Sommeralm area close to my home town.fortress explains the historic era of the 16th and
This region is now marketed as the "Almenland',17th century and sheds light on feudalism as well
which literally means "Alpine meadow country".as two fascinating female characters who
The Tourism Region Sommeralm -Teichalminhabited this fortress more than four centuries
represents the largest contiguous high-altitudeago: Baroness von Galler and the "flower witch"
alpine meadow area in Europe. It features a lake,Katharina Paldauf.
many hiking trails, ski lifts and phenomenal viewsOur East Styrian tour continued through volcano
into the surrounding countryside. In addition, thecountry with a drive to Schloss Kapfenstein,
area is used as grazing pastures for hundreds ofanother medieval fortress that has been
Alpine oxen, animals whose tender and tastyexpanded into a castle and today holds an upscale
meat is prized highly by chefs and restaurantrestaurant and hotel. This castle is also located on
owners throughout the entire area.the extinct cone of a former volcano. We
Poor weather returned on Friday, so I spent aenjoyed a tasty lunch in the outdoor patio of the
quiet day making visits to acquaintances and doingcastle, against the gorgeous backdrop of the
errands. The highlight of the day was a classicaldistant Carinthian and Slovenian Mountains.
concert organized by the local Weiz Lions Club: aMy last evening in Austria was capped off with a
charity concert and fundraiser that featuredvisit to our friends Luis and Isabella, and all five of
musicians and an orchestra from AIMS, theus enjoyed the late evening sun in their beautiful
American Institute of Musical Studies, abackyard. Luis even took me on a little motor
Graz-based organization that offers intensescooter adventure around town. Back at Ewald's
summer vocal, piano and music programs toplace we spent a few more hours reminiscing until
international students, most of whom come fromI had to pack my bags for my departure to the
the United States.airport in Vienna Monday morning.
We listened to pieces by Mozart, Strauss andThese nine days have been one of the most
Verdi and were thoroughly impressed by thewonderful travel experiences in my life. They
young sopranos, tenors and musicians who put onwere greatly enhanced by my connections with
an outstanding performance. The event evenfamily and friends, but in addition, my eyes were
raised 15,000 Euros for the local charity. Itruly opened to travel opportunities in my birth
interviewed several of the young music studentsregion of Austria.
after the concert and they were thoroughlyStyria, with its medieval cities, imposing churches,
enjoying their international exchange program andmonasteries and fortresses offers a great variety
sure to return home with memories of a lifetime.of destinations to history and architecture lovers.
Finally, the sun had returned and my second lastMusic, visual and performing arts are ever
day in Austria was going to be gorgeous. Mypresent, even in small communities. Outdoor
second photo safari through my home townlovers will find a whole smorgasbord of activities,
resulted in several encounters with acquaintancesfrom hiking to mountain biking, skiing, horseback
whom I had not seen for more than 20 years.riding, mountaineering, hang-gliding, river rafting and
Old memories were stirred up even more when Imany other varied pastimes.
connected with my school friends Klaudia andThe diverse landscapes featuring fertile plains,
Doris. During our walk up to the local Weizbergrolling hills full of orchards and vineyards, high
we also had a celebrity connection: ArnoldAlpine peaks and meadows, pristine rivers and
Schwarzenegger's mother, father and brother arescenic lakes enchant at every corner. And food,
buried in the Weiz cemetery. His parents lived inwine and beer lovers will definitely enjoy the
this town for many years, and his father was adiverse culinary offerings. In addition, Styria offers
local police officer.affordable prices and great value to international
Of course we reminisced about our high schooltravelers. I realized my birth region is right up
adventures and after a scrumptious garden lunchthere at the top of any destinations I have visited
we went to go hiking on the nearbyin the last few years.
Schöckel mountain. The Schöckel is theThis trip truly opened my eyes to the astounding
largest mountain in the region around Weiz andbeauty and variety of the area where I was
provides a phenomenal 360 degree panoramaborn, and even though Styria might not be as well
over the entire region. Southerly views extendknown as other regions of Austria, my nine days
into the Slovenian and Hungarian plains, andback home were far too short and I already
northerly vistas feature the high Alpine peaks ofhave a whole list of things to do and see next
Northern Styria. To the east and to the west thetime I am over in the old country.