Back Road Journal

Taste Testing A Standing Prime Rib For Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Karen

Christmas is not the time to experiment with a new recipe to serve your dinner guests but that is what my husband and I will be doing…sort of. We are serving a standing prime rib, many families traditional meal for Christmas, but we are preparing it sous vide for the first time. The cut of meat is far too expensive for it to not to be perfectly cooked so we did a taste test ahead of time. Not only did we want to find a degree of doneness that everyone at the table would like, we also wanted to know that the topping baked on after the sous vide process would give a nice tasting crust to the outside of the meat.

We used a cut from a prime rib having one bone, it was a 1 and 3/4 pound rib eye steak (sometimes called a cowboy steak) and was 2 inches thick. That is about a third of the size we will be preparing for our holiday dinner but the cooking technique will be about the same and the results should be similar.

Perfectly Cooked Meat, The Taste Test Was A Success

For those of you that have a home sous vide circulator and have never cooked a prime rib with it, I thought that you might enjoy seeing how our experiment turned out. The inside of the meat was cooked to 129 degrees for medium rare in the sous vide, seared in a skillet, coated with a herb rub and put under the broiler for a nice crust. As you can see from the photo, we served the meat cut into quarter inch slices, alongside stuffed twice baked potatoes and green beans almondine. Everything was delicious and got our stamp of approval for our Christmas Eve dinner we will be sharing with our friends.

Sous Vide Rib Eye “Cowboy” Steak…That Big Hunk Of Meat Needed A Platter Not A Plate

My husband used a recipe for Herb Crusted Sous Vide Prime Rib from Chefsteps, and adapted the recipe to our 1 3/4 pound cut of meat. Since the meat was smaller and wouldn’t stand on its own in the oven, he only crusted one side and put it under the broiler for a few seconds. He will be following the recipe exactly on Christmas Eve.

You always worry when preparing an expensive cut of meat if it will turn out perfectly cooked and this one was. The flavor of the rosemary crust was delicious and the meat was tender, juicy and cooked to medium rare that our guests will enjoy. We can now buy and cook our large prime rib with confidence after having done our taste test.

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If you are wanting to serve a new recipe to your family and friends for the holidays, I do suggest trying it out ahead of time. It will let you have the peace of mind of knowing that what you cook will be a memorable meal (in a good way) to all that were at your table.

My husband bought his latest and greatest toy, a Joule Sous Vide Circulator*, and is now the “mad scientist” in our kitchen. I’m sure you will be seeing lots of new dishes prepared by him in the future if this test was any example of sous vide cooking.

*This is not a sponsored post, my husband did a lot of research before buying a sous vide circulator, and decided on this particular unit. We believe the recipe will work with any unit that you happen to own.

Posted in food, Home, lifestyle, recipes | Tagged Joule Sous Vide Circulator, prime rib roast, sous vide, sous vide "cowboy" steak, sous vide prime rib, taste testing a new recipe, taste testing a prime rib | 88 Comments

Braised Short Rib Stew

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Karen

Braised Short Rib Stew is a deeply flavored dish of succulent chunks of beef short ribs slow cooked in a red wine and mushroom broth until the meat is meltingly tender. Towards the end of cooking, potatoes, carrots and pearl onions are added to the beef and soak up some of the rich, flavorful sauce. The end result is mouth watering delicious.

Braised Short Rib Stew

While the stew cooks in about three hours, this is a recipe that benefits from preparing it a day ahead of time. The flavor of the dish develops over time and the cooking liquid can be defatted after being refrigerated which is a win, win situation as far as I’m concerned.

Braised Short Rib Stew

Recipe serves two, adjust accordingly Preheat oven to 325 degrees

boneless beef short ribs, 2 per person about 6 inches long by 1 inch thick, cut in half
1 c. red wine
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
6 sprigs fresh thyme

Place short ribs, wine, garlic, rosemary and thyme in a ziplock bag, seal and refrigerate. Let marinate for 3 hours or up to 24 hours. Remove the short ribs and dry thoroughly. Reserve the marinade and herbs.

2 – 3 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stick of celery, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 c. mushroom broth (made by soaking several pieces of dried porcini mushroom in boiling water, then strained through a coffee filter to remove any sediment)
4 c. beef broth
1 additional c. red wine
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. anchovy paste

Heat oil a heavy ovenproof pot or Dutch oven. Season the dried short ribs and brown well on all sides in batches (do not overcrowd), add a little more oil if necessary. When brown remove to a plate.

Add the chopped vegetables to the pot, stirring up all the brown bits, and sauté until tender and light brown. Add the reserved marinade and herbs, cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Return the meat to the pot.

Add the bay leaves, both broths, additional wine, and the tomato and anchovy pastes. Bring the ingredients to a simmer, cover the pot and place in the oven. Braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender. (The stew can also be cooked on the stove top at a low simmer, if you wish). Remove from the oven to cool, then refrigerate covered overnight.

Remove any congealed fat, then gently rewarm stew on the stove top. Remove the meat to a bowl, strain sauce, discarding the vegetables and herbs. Put the sauce back into the pot along with the meat. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.

2 c. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, and cubed
4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 c. frozen pearl onions

Now add the potatoes and carrots to the pot and cook uncovered on medium high for ten minutes. Add the pearl onions and cook until the vegetables are tender. If the sauce is too thin, make a slurry with 1 Tbsp. flour and a little red wine and add to the sauce. Cook, stirring gently, for a few minutes more, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Serve the stew in warm bowls.

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The braised short rib stew is perfect for a chilly night when you are looking for a heartier, comforting meal. Since I like to make this dish a day ahead of time so that the flavors can meld to produce a rich, flavorful sauce, I find that it’s a perfect meal to share with friends. I suggest making extra as I believe your guests will be asking for a second helping.

Posted in food, Home, lifestyle, recipes | Tagged beef short rib recipe, beef short ribs, beef stew, braised short rib stew, make ahead meal, wine braised beef stew | 104 Comments

Restaurant Bareiss, Deserving Of Its Three Michelin Stars

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Karen

The best of the best…it wasn’t a hard choice when trying to decide which meal my husband and I enjoyed the most while in Germany this year. Restaurant Bareiss, in the well known resort Bareiss, located in the small village of Baiersbronn-Mitteltal was the hands down winner. While we had many delicious meals in other restaurants in Germany, nothing could compete with the lunch prepared by Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp, who has earned three Michelin stars for the restaurant year after year since 2007.

We had made a reservation months in advance for one of the eight tables in the elegant dining room of Restaurant Bareiss. We wanted to make sure that we would be able to experience one of the chef’s multi course tasting menus during our three day stay at this Black Forest resort. Our lunch was everything we hoped it would be.

Champagne And Flowers At The Bareiss Restaurant

A Champagne Toast To Start The Meal

An Apéritif Etagère Was The First To Arrive

Apéritif Étagère, Tiny Canapés That Were Works Of Art

The Bareiss Tasting Menu We Selected For Lunch

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We were graciously welcomed into the beautiful dining room by Thomas Brandt, the restaurant manager. After being seated, we ordered a glass of rosé Champagne to enjoy while we decided on our meal. There was a choice of four different complete menus as well as an à la carte menu from which to order. We chose the tasting menu and soon the delicacies started to arrive. The first to come to the table was an Apéritif Étagère, a little tower of canapés, each one a tiny work of art.

Over the course of the next several hours, we were served small, artistically composed dishes. The lunch started with both a cold and warm amuse bouche of mushrooms. I loved the presentation, it reminds you that wonderful mushrooms can be found growing in dense forests of this region.

Cold And Warm Amuse Bouches Of Mushrooms

The Amuse Bouche Reminds You Of The Many Mushrooms Growing In The Black Forest

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After the delicious small gifts from the kitchen, it was on to the creative main courses which were classic French in style but with a modern regional German twist. The first course served was a variation of assorted goose foie gras with fragolino grapes and salted caramel along with a thick slice of brioche.

Assorted Goose Foie Gras With Fragolino Grapes And Salted Caramel

Next were two seafood courses. The first was a flamed scallop with smoked sweet corn cream and sour cream. This was a lovely dish with variations on corn including popped and even an ice cream. A white halibut with nut risotto, lemon and butter sauce followed.

Flamed Scallop With Smoked Sweet Corn Cream And Sour Cream

Sweet Corn Ice Cream With Popped Corn Crumble

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White Halibut With Nut Risotto and Lemon Butter Sauce

The fourth and fifth courses were meat based. The fourth was sautéed veal sweetbreads with celeriac, lamb’s lettuce and black truffle vinegar. When I mentioned to Mr. Brandt that I wasn’t sure about this dish because of the sweetbreads, he told me that Chef Lumpp would happily prepare the dish with filet of veal which made me very happy. My husband went with the dish the way the chef intended it to be and we decided both versions were delicious.

The fifth course was variations on deer. There was a saddle of roe deer that came from the Bareiss hunting grounds served with rose hip and romanesco as well as a small dish of braised shoulder of deer.

Sautéed Veal Sweetbreads With Celeriac, Lamb’s Lettuce And Black Truffle Vinegar

Saddle Of Roe Deer With Rose Hip And Romanesco

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Next a cheese trolley was pushed over to the table to be served with a selection of grapes, honey, jams and mustard. By now we were getting full, so we didn’t take any fruit and only chose three cheeses from a choice of about fifty perfectly ripe cheeses to share between us. To finish this wonderful meal there was not one but several delicious sweet courses prepared by pastry chef Stefan Leitner. Again, we shared the dessert courses. After all, this was only the second day of our trip and my wardrobe had to fit for the remainder of our holiday.

Three Perfectly Ripe Cheeses With Honey And Jam

Friandises, A Variety Of Small Sweets

A Selection Of Truffles

The Dessert Course Of Dark Chocolate With Passion Fruit Ice Cream And Tahiti Vanilla Panna Cotta

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Jürgen Fendt, the talented sommelier at Bareiss, selected several different glasses of wine from their 20,000 bottle cellar to accompany our lunch, each was a perfect pairing. From beginning to end, everything about this meal was perfection. My husband and I were so pleased when Chef Lumpp came out of the kitchen to ask how we enjoyed the meal and, of course, we gave our very enthusiastic approval.

It Was A Pleasure Meeting Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp

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This extraordinary meal came at the start of our almost month long holiday through Germany and Austria. There is a saying in Germany “nach dem essen sollst du ruhn, oder tausend schritte tun” which translates to after eating, you should rest or do a thousand steps. In Baiersbronn, it is certainly easy to do both as the region has great food and hundreds miles of well marked hiking trails and wonderful wellness resorts. After this meal, I made sure that plenty of steps were taken during the remainder of our holiday.

Posted in food, lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged chef Claus-Peter Lumpp, Germany, restaurant Bareiss, tasting menu, the Black Forest, three star Michelin chef, three star Michelin restaurants in Germany | 79 Comments

The Wald And Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Karen

As you approach the Wald and Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe, you feel like you’ve been invited to stay at a stately country home of an aristocratic German family. The hotel is located on lovely landscaped grounds and consists of several buildings, the most notable being “The Hunting Lodge”. The lodge was built in 1712 by Count Friedrich II and was the former summer residence of the Hohenlohe royal family.

The Wald And Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe Hunting Lodge

You know you have arrived at the entrance to the property when you see a large bright red stag statue standing next to the village road.

You Know You Have Arrived At The Hotel’s Property When You Spot The Red Stag

The Hunting Lodge

The Garden House

The Gate House

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The hotel is spread out among different buildings on the property. The rooms and suites are located in the main house or the contemporary spa attached to it, the hunting lodge, the gatehouse, or the garden house. All of the rooms are designed and decorated differently. Usually, I would choose to stay in a historical building like the lodge but the two times we have stayed here, I’ve requested a room in the modern spa annex. It is connected to the main house which makes it convenient for using all the hotel’s facilities. It is also nice not to have to go outside to another building if the weather is bad.

Our Bedroom Sitting Room

Bathroom With Large Soaking Tub And Separate Walk In Shower

View From The Bedroom Window

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When you book a room at this hotel, the price only includes breakfast which is served in a lovely glass walled conservatory. In the afternoon you can have tea and cakes in the comfortable fireside lounge.

The Breakfast Room

Afternoon Cake

The Fireside Lounge

Comfortable Sitting Area In The Fireside Lounge

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There are several choices when it comes to where you can dine. The Jägerstube is an informal and comfortable restaurant that serves regional cuisine. There is also a bistro at the spa that serves light and organic dishes. Besides these two restaurants, there is also the Forest Tavern on the grounds but it has never been open when we stayed at the hotel.

Jägerstube Restaurant

Regional Cuisine Is Served In The Jägerstube

The Spa Restaurant

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We’ve eaten twice in the beautiful Gourmet restaurant which is formally decorated. They have a new chef since our last visit and we thought the food was very good. It is rated sixteen points by Gault Millau German restaurant guide.

Gourmet Restaurant

Duck Breast With Onion Rings

Seafood Course

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For a before or after dinner drink, there a small cozy bar and a separate cigar lounge.

The Cosy Hotel Bar

Cigar Lounge

The large spa is on three levels with separate men’s and women’s sides with thirteen treatment rooms. The spa uses Vin Sano products which are made from local grapes, using the seeds, cold-pressed grape seed oil and extracts from red wine. There are seven saunas and both an outdoor pool and an indoor pool with a fireplace as its focal point.

The Spa’s Indoor Pool

The Spa’s Outdoor Pool

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There is also a high-tech fitness room, a tennis court and a twenty-seven hole golf course next door to the hotel. There are also walking trails throughout the area.

The peaceful countryside location of the hotel is in the area of Germany called the Hohenlohe, lying between Stuttgart and Nuremberg, in the German state of Baden Württemberg. It is an ideal base for exploring this area of southwest Germany, including Heidelberg and the well known Romantic and the Castle roads.

Waldenburg Castle

Night Watchtower Waldenburg

Evangelical City Church Waldenburg

Part Of The Waldenburg Castle Complex

Entrance To Schloss Neuenstein

Schloss Neuenstein

Blaue Turm Bad Wimpfen

Half Timbered Buildings In Bad Wimpfen

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If you like to travel the back roads like we do, you won’t have to travel very far to find charming towns with half-timbered buildings and castles perched on cliff tops in this lovely area of Germany. Many of the castles have been restored into private homes, romantic hotels and museums.

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We’ve only stayed for two days on each of our two trips to this hotel but there is so much to see in the Hohenlohe region that I have a feeling we will return again in the future. I can just imagine how beautiful this area must be in the spring and summer when the rolling hills are a bloom with wildflowers and fruit trees.

Posted in food, lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Europe's best spas, Germany, Relax Guide, spa resort, top German spas, Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe, Zweiflingen-Friedrichsruhe | 61 Comments

Restaurant Obauer, One Of The Top Four Restaurants In Austria

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Karen

Obauer Restaurant

Restaurant Obauer deserves every accolade that it receives. The restaurant is one of only four in Austria to have received four toques and 19/20 points in the Gault & Millau Austria 2017 edition and the restaurant has had this top ranking for years. Not only that, Karl and Rudolf Obauer were chosen as Gault & Millau “Chefs of the Decade” in 2012. Being the food lovers that we are, it is no wonder then that my husband and I have eaten at Obauer every single time we have visited Austria.

The restaurant is in the small village of Werfen, Austria located in the scenic Salzach valley just about forty kilometers south of Salzburg. You may have heard of the town because located high above it is Eisriesenwelt, the world’s largest ice cave. The 900 year old Hohenwerfen Castle and falconry center is also perched on a high peak above Werfen.

Since we were staying just north of Salzburg, we decided to made a lunch reservation, then took the scenic route to the restaurant. After being seated at our table, Rudi came out of the kitchen to welcome us back to Obauer.

Soon after, little gifts from the kitchen started arriving while we looked at the menu. We looked, no we didn’t read the menu, as we don’t understand a word of German. Not a problem at Obauer, our waitress explained every dish to us and after that, we decided on their four course tasting menu. We were told that we could substitute an item if we chose to and my husband didn’t hesitate a second to decide on the foie gras prepared four ways for his first course…he is so predictable.

Amuse Bouche

A Little Tasting From The Kitchen While We Look At The Menu

Amuse Bouche

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The four course menu of the day sounded delicious and I didn’t change a thing.

Guinea Fowl With Foie Gras, Mushroom And Rucola

My Husband Substituted Foie Gras Four Ways For The Guinea Fowl

Veal With A Perigord Truffle Sauce And Bok Choy

Zander (Pike-Perch) With Tomato And Pumpkin With Verbena Buttersauce

A Fantastic Chocolate Dessert With Pumpkin Strudel, Pumpkin Ice Cream And Blackberries

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There is always a few sweet tastings to go along with a cup of coffee to end the meal.

Post Dessert Sweets

A Cup Of Coffee

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The meal from the start to the finish was delicious, the food compositions were beautiful and the flavors just amazing. Two brothers as chefs, one fantastic lunch, we’ve never been disappointed with any meal we’ve had at the restaurant.

Not only is the food great at Obauer but chefs Karl and Rudolf Obauer are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. We couldn’t leave without Rudi insisting that we get a photo together in front of the restaurant and presented me with a Obauer apron to remember our visit.

The Chefs Obauer

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If you are a food lover like my husband and I, the restaurant Obauer should be on your short list of restaurants to eat at if you travel to the Salzburg region. Hopefully, you will have a meal as delicious as the ones we have enjoyed at lunchtime. Of coarse, you can stay at the Obauer hotel, enjoy a multi course meal with wine parings and then head up to bed. Over breakfast in the morning, you can reminisce about your dining experience from the night before. Oh and did I mention the scenery around Werfen, after all you can never see too many castles.

Hohenwerfen Castle In Werfen, Austria

Posted in food, photography, travel | Tagged Austrian restaurant, Gault & Millau Austria, Karl and Rudolf Obauer, Obauer, Restaurant Obauer, restaurant review, top restaurant in Austria, Werfen Austria | 80 Comments

Genussdorf Gmachl And The Outskirts Of Salzburg

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Karen

If you want to enjoy the Austrian countryside and also visit Mozart’s city of Salzburg, hotel Genussdorf Gmachl is the perfect choice of where to stay. Located just five kilometers north of Salzburg, in the urban village of Bergheim bei Salzburg, it is the perfect base for exploring the province of Salzburg and as well as nearby Germany. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes to get into the historic heart of the city from the hotel either by car or by train, the local stop being just a short walk away. If you prefer, you can use one of the hotel’s electric bicycles and bike into town, about a fifteen minute ride along the Salzach river.

Fortress Hohensalzburg Can Been Seen Off In the Distance

Fortress Hohensalzburg, Salzburg’s Famous Landmark Towers Over The Rooftops Of The City

We have stayed at the Genussdorf Gmachl hotel several times and were in for a nice surprise when we returned this year. The hotel, which has been in the Gmachl family for seven generations, has been added on to as well as given a facelift and I love the new look.

The hotel’s bar, restaurant and breakfast room have been totally redone. They also added a second wellness center and thirty additional bedrooms. The new look is a combination of wood, glass, leathers and suede in earth tones with lots of plants and potted herbs to create a natural and contemporary environment that still retains a regional Salzburger style, I think all done very well.

The Lounge Area Of The Bar With Sage And Rosemary Growing In Planters

The Hotel Bar

Breakfast Buffet

The Dining Room With Large Windows Looking Out At The Garden

Dining Room

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We didn’t stay in one the new hotel rooms on this trip but instead requested one of their double rooms (Panoramic) where we had stayed on a pervious visit as it has a nice sitting area with a gas fireplace to enjoy on a cool evening and a wonderful view of the gardens, Salzburg and the mountains in the background from the room’s large balcony.

The Sitting Area With A Gas Fireplace For A Cool Evening

Our “Panorama Room”

Bathroom

View Of Grounds From Balcony

Gmachl’s Garden

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The hotel now has two wellness areas, one for families and another just for adults. The new rooftop infinity pool has a great view of Salzburg, the fortress of Hohensalzburg and the mountains in the distance. There is also a natural swimming pool and whirlpool in the garden area as well as an indoor pool with a swim through to an outdoor pool.

Infinity Pool With A View Of Salzburg

The Outdoor Pool Just Below Our Room

Indoor Pool

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I love the elements of nature found throughout the hotel including in the new spa and the garden spa. Treatment rooms are even dedicated to different herbs. The new wellness area includes an infusion sauna, a gentle herbal steam bath, an ice plunge, and a large relaxation area. The outdoor lounge area on the roof top terrace is a wonderful place to relax on a sunny day.

Entrance To The New Spa

Infrared Room

Steam Room (Dampfbad)

Panorama Sauna

Relaxation Room

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Staying at the hotel on the outskirts of Salzburg makes it very convenient for traveling out to the many charming communities in the region, the beautiful lake district or even Berchtesgaden, Germany. After you’ve spent a day in town visiting Mozart’s birthplace, the cathedral, the Residenz, Mirabell Palace and gardens, try to visit the Hellbrunn Palace with its gardens and trick water fountains situated on the outskirts of the city. Other interesting places to visit are the pilgrimage basilica of Maria Plain, Hanger Seven at the Salzburg airport with the Red Bull collection of aircraft, formula one racing cars and art, picturesque Wolfgangsee and the other lakes in the outstanding Salzkammergut district, the salt mines in Hallein or in Berchtesgaden and St. Bartholomew’s church on Lake Königssee, all very enjoyable day trips.

The Beautiful City Of Salzburg

Hellbrunn Palace On The Outskirts Of Salzburg

Hellbrunn Garden And Water Fountains

Schloss Wittelsbach And The Stiftkirche, Berchtesgaden, Germany

St Bartholomew’s Church, Königssee, Berchtesgaden Nat’l Park

Alpine Road Outside Berchtesgaden

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After a day out exploring this area of Austria or nearby southern Germany, it is nice to return to the hotel to make use of the spa and then head down to have dinner. The restaurant is excellent and has been awarded 13/20 points and a toque by Gault & Millau. Mr. Gmachl himself, stopped by our table each day to inquire if everything was to our liking. The entire staff couldn’t do enough to make sure your meals were just as you wanted.

Our meals were part of the price of our room which included a large breakfast buffet with a nice variety of sausages, cheese, breads and eggs cooked to order, an afternoon buffet with soups, salads, pastries and delicious cakes. Dinner featured specialties of traditional Austrian cuisine as well as international dishes.

Beef Carpaccio

Seafood Carpaccio

Blueberry Crepe With Homemade Lemon Ice Cream

Cheesecake With Raspberries

Cold Terrine Of Head Cheese

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You can order a four course dinner off their regular menu or their light menu…both focasing on local, seasonal and organic products. On two different occasions we had carpaccio, not only of beef but also a seafood one as well. One evening my husband had liver and onions, probably the best either of us have ever tasted. The hotel also has another restaurant “Franz” next door that is a popular meeting place with everyone in the village. They have a nice menu and serve homemade meat and sausage specialties from their own in house butcher shop and deli.

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Some of the best and most convenient places to stay when visiting Salzburg are on the outskirts of town, especially if you have a car while on your holiday. Genussdorf Gmachl in Bergheim is a nice four star superior hotel that offers modern comfort and traditional charm and my husband and I always enjoy our stays there…now more that ever with the new additions they’ve added to the hotel.

Posted in lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Austria, Bergheim Austria, day trips from Salzburg, Genussdorf Gmachl, Mozart's city of Salzburg, outskirts of Salzburg, Salzburg, surrounding area of Salzburg | 76 Comments

Posthotel Achenkirch

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Karen

Austria may be known for its alpine scenery and world class skiing but it is also known for having some of Europe’s best spas. Just south of the Bavarian border and about a half hour from Innsbruck, is the small village of Achenkirch. It lies just a few kilometers from the northern edge of Lake Achensee, which is the largest mountain lake in the Tyrol region of Austria and totally surrounded by mountains.

Achensee, Austria

That is where you will find Posthotel Achenkirch, a wonderful five star spa resort which is dedicated to the wellbeing of its guests.

Posthotel Achenkirch

Posthotel Achenkirch Is In The Center Of Town

Posthotel Main Building

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Compared to the other spa hotels my husband and I have stayed at over the years, the Posthotel Achenkirch is different in that it is a resort for adults. The hotel considers itself a retreat for wellness, rest, relaxation and tranquility, so no children under 14 are allowed. The owners want you to enjoy a peaceful environment so that you can recharge your body during your stay.

If you are arriving by car like we did, after checking in, you drive your car into their underground garage where your luggage will be unloaded and your car parked. Parking is free and upon your departure, the car will be given back to you washed. We were happy to be given a tour to acquaint us with the hotel before heading to our room. The resort is large and consists of eight buildings connected by indoor passages designed like village streets with lamp posts, directional signs, fountains, flowers and lit candles everywhere.

The Reception Area Of The Underground Garage Where Luggage Will Be Unloaded And Then Your Car Parked For Free

The Underground Garage

The Hotel Bus In The Underground Parking Garage

Passageways Look Like Village Streets

Old Post Carriage In One Of The Passageways

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The Posthotel Achenkirch is a blend of relaxed country charm and elegance…warm woods, stone and wood floors, crystal and iron chandeliers, a mix of contemporary and traditional furniture, velvets and leathers, and colors of subdued blues, grays, and browns. The wood and white plaster dining rooms have brown plaid carpet and are set with all white linens and white draped chairs. There is a punch of red plaid on the upholstered chairs in the winter garden dining room.

The Large Sitting Room/Lobby

A Mix Of Contemporary and Antiques In The Lobby/Sitting Room

Warm Woods, Velvets And Leathers

Another Of The Dining Rooms

The Winter Garden Dining Room

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We were very happy with the room category we had selected. We had a very spacious junior suite with a lovely sitting area with a flat screen TV, a beautiful marble bathroom with a large soaking tub and a separate walk in shower, his and her’s vanities, one with a TV hidden in the mirror, a separate toilet room and there was a nice balcony looking out at the mountains, the little St. Anna chapel and the local parish church.

The Sitting Area Of Our Junior Suite

Our Junior Suite

Junior Suite

The Bathroom With Another Vanity On The Other Side Of The Tub

Looking Out At The Hotel Complex From Our Balcony

the St. Anna Chapel Seen From Our Balcony

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The hotel is one of the leading spa resorts in Europe. The water and wellness worlds that make up the spa are huge. At 7000 sq. meters, the spa is one of the largest in the Tyrol region of Austria. There is an incredible variety of indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam baths, an yin yang pool outdoors where you can switch from cold to warm water, a woman’s only section in the spa, 35 treatment rooms as well as rooms for napping and reading.

One Of The Outdoor Pools

Yin Yang Pool

Indoor Pool

Sauna

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In the underground sauna area, there is also an area designed as a sunken temple with a round meditation room. A Shaolin monk from China stays at the hotel six months of the year to teach guests how meditation helps with your health. They also have their own acupuncture specialist at the spa.

For those looking for something more active, you can sign up for daily fitness classes such as yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and Nordic walking. The resort also has tennis courts and its own 9 hole golf course, horse stables and indoor and outdoor riding rinks. The owners of the hotel have the largest private Lipizzaner stud farm in Europe, with 40 white stallions. They are the breed of horses closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria. You can sign up to take riding lessons on one of the horses or perhaps just enjoy a carriage ride pulled by Lipizzaners around the surrounding area.

Visiting The Lippizzanners

This Lippizzanner Is Warm Inside The Stables On A Rainy Day

If The Weather Is Nice, A Carriage Ride Would Be Memorable

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This is another resort where all your meals are included in the price of the room. There is a large buffet breakfast, a light lunch of soups, sliced local hams, cheese, salads and fruits, teas and coffees served with pastries in the afternoon and a dinner in the evening. You can order à la carte or have a meal off the buffet that usually is prepared around a different theme each evening. The meal includes a salad, dessert and cheese buffet (one evening was a special cheese night with 74 different cheeses, both local and from other regions of Europe.) There is also a spa menu and many of the products are raised and grown on their own organic farm, one of the largest in the area.

Pumpkin Soup, My Favorite Fall Soup

Delicious Main Course

We Had These Almond Cookies Every Night With Ice Cream, Delicious

Cheese Course

Part Of The Cheese Course Selection

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During an afternoon drive through the most southern part of Bavaria a couple of years ago, my husband and I crossed over the border into Austria and discovered the little village of Achenkirch and drove right past this resort without knowing how lovely it was. I’m happy to say that we can now add it to the wonderful list of spa hotels that we have stayed at. If you want to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I believe you would truly enjoy the Posthotel Achenkirch. The hotel is sophisticated and luxurious and yet relaxed and informal, making for a perfect holiday.

Posted in lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Achenkirsh Austria, Austrian spa resort, Europe's best spas, Lake Achensee, Lipizzaners, Posthotel Achenkirch, spa hotels, top Austrian spas | 70 Comments

Post Hotel Lermoos

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Karen

The Post Hotel in the small village of Lermoos, Austria seems to have it all…beautiful rooms, delicious food and spectacular views of the Zugspitze. It also has a wonderful spa and is one of Austria’s Best Wellness hotels. You can enjoy relaxing therapies as well as beautiful scenery and that is what keeps my husband and I returning to this lovely hotel.

View Of The Zugspitze From The Hotel Post Lermoos

The hotel began as a post office in the center of Lermoos in 1560 and became an inn in 1702. In 2006, the hotel was completely rebuilt into the four star superior hotel that you see today.

Post Hotel Lermoos

The Post Hotel Is By The Parrish Church

Old Photo Of The Post Hotel

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Decorated in a sophisticated yet casual country house style, the hotel and its employees make you feel welcome the minute you walk through the front door.

Front Entrance Of The Post Hotel

Reception Entrance

Hotel Post Reception Desk

Traditional Fall Decor

The Traditional Tyrolean Restaurant

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After checking in at reception, we headed up to our beautiful room. This year we had a junior suite with a view of the Zugspitze that was quite lovely. It had a kingsize bed, a comfortable seating area, a large flat screen TV, and a small table and bench next to a tiled heater for cold nights. The large bathroom had double sinks, a bathtub and walk in shower and separate toilet.

The Junior Suite

A Comfortable Seating Area With A Great View

The Bathroom Has A Window Over The Tub So You Can Enjoy The View While Taking A Bubble Bath

View Of Hotel From Our Balcony

View Of The Zugspitze From Our Balcony

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After unpacking, it was time to head down to the hotel lobby. There is a nice bar and a separate smoking lounge, if you are so inclined. Next we always head out onto the terrace at the back of the hotel to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

The Lobby Is Very Welcoming

Perhaps A Cigar And A Good Book In The Smoking Lounge

The Bar At The Post Hotel

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If it is a nice day, a light lunch or a slice of Sacher torte at one of the dining tables on the terrace is delightful. If it is cool, you can snuggle in one of the fur lined chairs next to one of the fireplace heaters that line the terrace.

The Terrace Has An Amazing View

A Cosy Chair On The Terrace

A Slice Of Sacher Torte Makes A Perfect Snack Outside On The Terrace

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The afternoon is a great time to head down to the wellness center. You are provided with a bag, bathrobe and slippers for the spa. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool that are connected with a glass door that you can swim through and a whirlpool.

The Outdoor Pool

The Indoor Pool Is Connected To The Outdoor Pool

The Whirlpool In The Indoor Pool Room

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In the spa area there is an herbal steam bath, brine bath, aroma bath, bio sauna, Tyrolean sauna, ice cave, cold water plunge and relaxation rooms. There is even a separate family area with a steam bath and sauna. The beauty spa has all kind of treatments, scrubs, baths and massages available.

Tyrolean Sauna

Spa Area At Hotel Post

Aroma Bath

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In the evening, it is time to head down to the bar for an before dinner cocktail and then on to dinner. The price of your room includes full board which is a full breakfast, a light lunch, cakes in the afternoon and in the evening you are served a six course gourmet meal. The wine cellar, overseen by sommelier Markus Saletz, has been voted one of the best in Austria. Markus has remembered us each time we have visited the hotel and always recommends a wonderful wine to go along with what we have ordered for dinner.

A Delicious First Course

An Herb Cream Soup

Almost To Pretty To Eat

Part Of The Dessert Selection

A Selection Of Cheeses

The Hotel Post Has Been Voted Having One Of The Best Wine Selections In Austria

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After a good night’s sleep, it is a pleasure to awake to the wonderful views of the mountains and plan you day’s adventures. Within an hours drive of the hotel, you can cross the border into Bavaria and visit the beautiful pilgrimage church of Wies, Ludwig’s famous Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Palace outside of Fussen, Garmisch-Partennkirchen, and the storybook villages of Oberammergau and Mittenwald.

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Sun Setting At The End Of A Wonderful Day

Whenever we travel to Austria, I believe the Hotel Post in Lermoos will always be one of our stops. The countryside is beautiful and the hotel leaves nothing to be desired.

Posted in lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Austria, austria's best wellness hotels, Austrian spa hotel, austrian spas, Lermoos Austria, post hotel lermoos, top rated spa hotel in Austria, travel | 81 Comments

Mittenwald, One Of Bavaria’s Most Picturesque Villages

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Karen

If you are planning a trip to Bavaria, then you should add the small village of Mittenwald to your list of places to visit. I believe that it is one of the most charming and picturesque towns in the region.

Mittenwald, Germany

To truly enjoy Mittenwald wander the streets, Obermarkt is the main pedestrian zone. It is just a short walk from one end of the town to the other, with a carved violin in a square at one end and the beautifully painted baroque parish church of Saints Peter and Paul at the other.

Large Violin Carved Out Of A Tree Trunk

The Beautifully Painted Bell Tower Of The Parish Church Can Be Seen Throughout The Town

Everywhere you look there are beautiful old buildings with ornately carved gabled roofs, pretty wooden balconies and in many cases, stunning painted facades. The frescos are known as lüftlmalerei, similar to the baroque frescos seen inside many churches in Southern Germany. Most of the frescos date from the 18th century and are biblical in nature, very common throughout Bavaria and the Austrian Tirol region.

Pedestrian Center Of Mittenwald

Ornately Carved Gabled Roofs And Balconies Are Found Throughout Mittenwald

Beautiful Detail On Mittenwald Building

Alpenrose Hotel

Neuner Haus, Mittenwald, Germany Painted With The Twelve Apostles In The 1700’s

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A small stream flows down the center of the main street with little wooden bridges for crossing to the other side of the street. Along with way are pretty old water fountains and flowers everywhere.

Flowers And Fountains Along The Stream That Flows Through Mittenwald

A Small Stream With Water Fountains Flow In The Pedestrian Center Of Town

Water Fountains And Flowers Are Everywhere

Wooden And Wrought Iron Fountain

Water Fountain In Mittenwald

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The town has been known worldwide for years for its violin making. In a dominate place in town, next to the church, is a statue of Matthias Klotz, a master violin maker, who made Mittenwald famous for its’ stringed instruments that are still being handmade here.

The Church Square In Mittenwald Features A Statue Of Matthias Klotz

Statue Of Matthias Klotz, A Master Violin Maker

Even The Angles In The Frescoes Have Violins

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The town and its residents still hold on to age old traditions, often wearing traditional Bavarian clothing, especially on Sundays and when attending weddings held at the beautiful church. While on our visit, my husband and I were lucky enough to see a wedding group as they were just leaving their ceremony.

Two young men held a laundry line with violin parts and paper hearts for the couple to walk under as they left the church. (I believe this goes back to the tradition of hanging new wood violins in the sun to achieve a nice dark color.) A beautiful flower decorated carriage with two horses awaited the couple after a procession through the streets.

The Elaborately Decorated St. Peter and St. Paul Parish Church Of Mittenwald

Violins And Hearts Hanging On A Line For The Wedding Couple To Walk Under

The Happy Bride And Groom, I Wish Them Much Happiness

Horses And Carriage Decorated For The Wedding Ceremony

A Flower Decorated Carriage Awaits The Bride And Groom

Handsome Looking Horses In Traditional Harnesses

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If the weather is nice, one of the pleasures of visiting Mittenwald is sitting outside at one of the many cafes to have a locally brewed beer and a Bavarian snack of weisswurst with sweet mustard and a pretzel. If you are in the mood for something sweet, then perhaps a slice of cake and coffee or a dish of ice cream would be more to your liking.

Enjoy A Meal At An Outdoor Table In Mittenwald

Enjoy A Locally Brewed Beer At An Outdoor Cafe

A Bavarian Snack Of Weisswurst, Sweet Mustard And A Pretzel

Enjoy A Pastry And Coffee At One Of The Outdoor Cafes In Mittenwald

Perhaps An Ice Cream Would Be Nice At One Of The Outdoor Cafes On A Warm Day

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Mittenwald is a town that I can return to over and over again. The nice thing is that nothing changes and that is what I like about it…it holds on to its traditions and celebrates them daily. I do hope you will get a chance to visit this charming town on day.

Posted in lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Bavaria, bavaria's most picturesque villages, Germany, lüftlmalerei, matthias klotz, Mittenwald Germany, southern germany, violin making | 57 Comments

Wellness Residenz Schalber In Serfaus, Austria

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Karen

While only 50 kilometers from St. Anton and an hour away from Innsbruck, most people have never heard of the small Tyrolean village of Serfaus unless they are skiers living in Europe. Surrounded by the Ötztal Alps with peaks over 9200 feet high, it is absolutely beautiful.

Located just north of the joint Austrian, Swiss and Italian border, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (three historical villages) is one of the biggest ski resort areas in Austria. The towns specialize in holidays for families with children. They come to ski in winter and then return again in the summer to hike and bike on the trails of the high plateau. This area is sometimes referred to as Austria’s “sun terrace” as it is said that the sun shines more often and more intense than anywhere else in the country.

Schalber Hotel In Serfaus, Austria

My husband and I aren’t skiers, hikers or cyclists so you might wonder what has brought us back for a second visit to Serfaus. One reason…the Wellness Residenz Schalber. Rated 19 out of 20 points and awarded the top rating of 4 lilies by the Relax Guide of Austria, Schalber is one of the top spa hotels in Austria.

The Majestic Mountain Peaks Surrounding Serfaus, Austria

A serpentine road, that made me wince a few times, takes you up to the village. As you enter Serfaus, the road ends at a parking garage where you leave your car if you are a day visitor then take the free Dorfbahn, considered to be one of the world’s smallest and highest subways, into the village. If staying in a hotel, you can bypass the subway and drive up to where you are staying.

The Schalber Hotel

The Entrance Fountains Of The Schalber Hotel

Mountain Goat Fountain

Schalber is at the beginning of this little village of chalets and is easily recognized by its striking entrance and beautiful fountain. After a warm and friendly welcome, a valet delivers you to the front desk, takes the luggage to your room then parks your car in the hotel’s underground garage while you are given a tour around the hotel and a welcome glass of Champagne. Gault Millau once wrote about the hotel…”from the reception to the service, all employees deserve the title extraordinary,” and I would certainly agree. From the gracious owners to the very courteous staff, everyone wants to make sure that you have an unforgettable experience at their hotel.

We had a junior suite decorated in the tradition alpine style of light colored woods. The room had a nice seating area and a balcony that looked out at the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains.

Junior Suite

Bathroom With Tub And Large Walkin Shower

The Wonderful Mountain View From Our Balcony

The price of the room includes full board which offers you culinary treats throughout the day. There is a large breakfast buffet, a lunch buffet, afternoon beverages served with pastries and then a five course gourmet dinner, including a salad bar. The courses feature Austrian and international cuisine with many of the ingredients coming from the hotel own’s organic farm and hunting grounds.

Champagne On Ice Waiting To Great New Guests Arriving At Schalber

Schalber Hotel Bar And Lobby

One Of Schalber’s Traditional Dining Rooms

A Five Course Gourmet Dinner Is Served In The Evening

In Nice Weather Dining Is Available On The Terrace

The beautiful spa truly feels like an oasis of relaxation with many different types of saunas and steam baths, a separate ladies spa, a large panorama sauna with wonderful views of the mountains, an outdoor pool, seawater pool and a relaxation area with lounge chairs and waterbeds and a fitness room.

Herbal Dampfbad Room

Lady’s Spa

Enjoy A View With Your Swim

Life in Serfaus is geared towards outdoor adventures for all ages but we enjoyed just walking through the narrow lanes winding through the village, stopping into the beautiful church on a lovely sunny afternoon.

Bell Tower Of The Serfaus Parish Church

Interior Of Serfaus Parrish Church

Beautiful Alter Of Serfaus Parish Church

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The Tyrolean village of Serfaus is picture perfect. The first time we visited Schalber was during the Christmas holiday season a few years ago and it looked like something out of a postcard.

Wellness Hotel Schalber During The Winter Season

Wellness Residenz Schalber During The Winter Season

Unfortunately, my husband was very ill and never got to leave our room for the three days we were there. We knew that we had to return someday and on this visit, we made up for everything we missed out on and thoroughly enjoyed the hotel and all of its wonderful facilities.

Posted in lifestyle, photography, travel | Tagged Austrian spa hotel, Schalber hotel, Serfaus Austria, top rated spa hotel in Austria, Tyrol region of Austria, Wellness hotels Austria, Wellness Residenz Schalber | 36 Comments

Back Road Journal

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Posthotel Achenkirch

Post Hotel Lermoos

Mittenwald, One Of Bavaria’s Most Picturesque Villages

Wellness Residenz Schalber In Serfaus, Austria

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