Fresh air lovers should consider the winter wonderland of Austria for a honeymoon of ski resort chic and city charm writes Karen Creed
A sun holiday is not for everyone: some couples would much rather canoodle on winter nights and snowy days for their honeymoon. In fact, many couples purposely seek out snowy regions for their first holiday as newlyweds. A skiing honeymoon can be fantastically romantic – imagine spending long, wintry nights by a fireplace in a log cabin hotel and all day racing each other down the powdery slopes. Not forgetting the evenings of horse drawn sleighs; snowmobiling; and the spectacular winter scenery.
So where is the perfect setting for a snowy honeymoon? Austria is quite possibly the most beautiful country in the world, especially in winter. Ask an Austrian to rattle off the best ski resorts in the country, and Kitzbühel will invariably make the grade. I can vouch for this reputable resort having the winning formula, suiting those that are passionate about skiing in a stunning setting.
Kitzbuhel is an unspoilt Alpine town which dates back to the 9th century. In the winter you will hear the jingle of bells as a horse-drawn sleigh is pulled through its cobbled, traffic-free town centre. Kitz, as locals nickname it, is situated around a labyrinthine medieval centre with enough Porsches and Prada to rival St Moritz in the glamour stakes. It’s a slalom playground, a magnet to the rich and a postcard Tyrolean village.
The atmosphere is eclectic from sunrise to sunset with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants, and some top-notch Austrian hotels. The Kitzhof in particular is a haven to look forward to after a day on the slopes. With a fabulous spa and health centre, a trendy bar and lounge area and inviting wood cabin style bedrooms, it’s a struggle to even leave this chic abode.
The scenery in Kitzbuhel looks like it has been created on an artist’s canvas it is so spectacular. You can spend a week just ogling the surroundings, but there is plenty on offer – and not just your new spouse – to try and distract you. Even non-skiers can find plenty to do like ballooning, hang-gliding, hiking, snowmobiling or just playing billiards. The outdoor ice arena and the natural rink at nearby Lake Schwarzsee offers perfect conditions for ice skating.
Even if you don’t feel brave enough to take to the ice, Torvill and Dean-style, spectators are invited to sit around with hot chocolate while the more energetic skaters do their triple-axel stunts. And then of course there is the main reason you are here – the skiing. Every ability is catered for in Kitzbuhel from beginners to expert downhill champions Ski school is important as are great value learn to ski and snowboard packs. There are also fine intermediate terrain and a few black runs to challenge veteran skiers.
After a day on the slopes an hour an hour’s drive will take you to where the hills are alive with The Sound of Music. Salzburg is the home of the Von Trapp family so there is plenty of oppurtunity to live out your Julie Andrews fantasies. One recomendation is hiring a car and making a loop around the mountain villages and towns, stopping of at a restaurant for a hearty traditional meal as you go.
Mozart fanatics can head for sleepy St. Gilgen, where the composers mother was born. Many visitors also time their trips to coincide with the city’s various music festivals. Salzburg is worth an overnight stay – start the night with an aperitif in one of the city’s classy bars, before a posh-nosh meal and then take in a classical music performance in one of the city’s grand venues.
Another highlight of your honeymoon could be a visit to Austria’s capital. Vienna is a jewellery box of treasure where hopeless romantics can soak up this historic city by simply cuddling up under a blanket on a horse-drawn carriage. Whether your passion is fine art, classical music, or opera Europe’s capital of high-brow has it all. These days the city’s old world charms mingled with great, reasonably priced food, local wine and a laidback vibe are now just as much of a draw. Even on the food lovers trail of the city there is no escaping Vienna’s past. Hitler, Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky were regulars at cafes like Griensteidl and Centrale.
Two city breaks and a ski holiday later, a honeymoon could be a romantic adventure you will never forget. I, for one, fell head over heels for Austria’s snow capped mountains and enchanting cities.
Romantic Highlights:
Food lovers should indulge in the national pastime of strudel-eating in Vienna before cosying up in one of the wine taverns in Stammersdorf, which sell home-brewed wine.
Indulge in a pampering treatment for two at the fabulous Spa at the Kitzhof Hotel before soaking up the panoramic mountain views from the relaxation area.
Salzburg’s cafes and chocolate are legendary. For a coffee with a view make the effort to get up to Café Winkler, high up the hillside behind the city of Salzburg with great views of the city as it spills out around the banks of the Salzach river.
Treat yourselves to a shopping spree in some of Kitzbuhel’s beautiful boutiques. Or spoil your new wife with another diamond for her collection – anything Swarovski will be a great purchase considering Austria is where it originates.
Your Honeymoon Planner:
Hip hotels: The Kitzhof in Kitzbuhel prides itself on providing a cosy, mountain experience. At the centre of the spacious lounge/dining area is a trendy bar with panoramic views of the mountains, and surrounded by comfortable seating for those rather intimate après-ski hours. Also the exceptionally good-value half-board includes an excellent four-course dinner. www.kitzhof.com
Romantic Restaurants: Austrian cooking in itself does not exactly enjoy worldwide acclaim, but given the number of well-heeled tourists breezing through the country there are some very good restaurants. For a romantic mountain setting and excellent food take a 15-minute taxi rise to Rosi’s Sonnbergstub’n. Or put on the glad rags to dine at the Tennerhof Restaurant which gets rave reviews for everything from main courses to avant-garde desserts.
How to get there: Kitzbuhel is approximately an hour and a half from either Salzburg or Innsbruck airports. There are direct flights from Ireland with Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com Directski.com and Topflight offer ski holidays to Kitzbuhel.
Check out www.directski.com www.topflight.ie
Tell me more: Visit www.kitzbuhel.com or www.austria.info
Unravel Travel www.unraveltravel.eu