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Published: September 16th 2007
Austria's scenery was even more breathtaking in person than it was in the opening scene of The Sound of Music. The Austrian-German countryside has a rugged beauty with its castles and churches speckled along the highway between mountains on either side of the Rhine river. The Rhine Valley which houses the river has been an important trade trade route into central Europe and a string of small settlements has grown along its banks.
The Swarovski Kristallwelten or Crystal World Museum was a really fun pit stop to make along the way. The museum tour ended in the crystal shop where all the women were like kids in a candy store as we ooh’d and aah’d over a giant sized selection of crystal jewellery and gifts.
On the way to Munich was a small town in the German Rhine valley called St. Goar and is known for its production of beer steins and cuckoo clocks. I attended a wine tasting here in a medieval wine-vault that dates back to the 12th century. Although it wasn't the traditional wine tasting with swirling, spitting and the perfectly selected cheeses, I enjoyed it more than I thought! We started with a Riesling (which
is considered a sweet grape in most circles) and progressively tried sweeter and sweeter grape varieties. Being the desert wine enthusiast that I am, I was in heaven! Although, they did not serve us my favorite (Moscato - it's made in Italy) I tried the desert wines of the Rhine Region (the most preferred and selected icewine) and am now a true fan!
Wish you were here! ; )
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Daniel
non-member comment
wow!
I've always wanted to see the castles and villages of the german/austrian countryside. sooo jealous :(