Straying Throughout the Fantastic European Places

There is nothing like straying in all the fantastic European places, especially

Austria. This place is far from ordinary and boring because cruising all over this country is distinguished, extraordinary, and amazing. I have three distinguished reasons for those words: privileged traveling, first-class dining, and one-of-a-kind sightseeing.

The highlights of my travel affair include the professional service I received from the multi-lingual and accommodating

tour directors, luxurious motor coaches driven by chauffeurs, palatial hotels, and rejuvenating rooms where I stayed. Of

course, what made my travel more distinguished was the dining buffet I've experienced. The welcome dinner in Vienna was really outstanding because of the high-end environment and palatable delicacies. Moreover, the wide classification of buffet breakfast really awed me while the grand dining experience I had in five-star hotels left me speechless.

Lastly, the most essential reason that I joined the cruise was because I wanted to witness the numerous wonders of Austria. The numerous cities I have been to -- from Vienna, Austria to Bratislava, Slovakia --were the highlights of my cruise. My choice among these destinations is the dramatic cruise around the famous River Danube, where we can see the calm Vienna Woods, and the must-see Alpine Austria, Budapest, and Slovakia.

Tales Behind the Austrian Banner

Along with the Danish area symbol, the state banner of Austria is acclaimed to be one of the oldest and the most neutral flag designs and concepts in the world. With a very common tricolor figure, the Austrian banner features three, equal, horizontal bands of colors red on top and bottom and white on the middle. Just like the banner stories and backgrounds of other countries, Austria's national symbol also has affecting legend and factual story versions.

As for the legendary stories regarding the history of the banner, the area symbol of Austria was said to be invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria. The Duke came up with the figure during the time he was participating in the bloody conflicts of the Crusades. After a fierce conflict at the Siege of Acre, the Duke's battledress was infused with blood. The stuff underneath his belt, however, was left unsullied with any blood stain. With this, the Duke adopted the color figure in his army streamer. Going over to facts, the Austrian banner was in fact, administered by Duke Frederick II of Austria in the 13th century. The white and red figure of the flag only became the official state streamer of Austria in the year 1919.

Delicious and Scrumptious Austrian Desserts

When I visited Austria last year, I discovered that Austrians eat many kinds of desserts – particularly sweet and light desserts. Although I haven’t tasted many of the famous Austrian desserts, I discovered that they love chocolates and almonds so much. In fact, most of their desserts are overflowing with these sweet ingredients. Among the many Austrian desserts, these are the most known: vanillekipferl, sacher torte, dobosch torte, panama torte, marzipan, and heisse schokolade.

Vanillekepferl, which are usually served during Christmas, are crescent-shaped cookies overflowing with sugary confectioner’s sugar. This lip-smacking sweet is made of roasted almonds and vanilla bean – making it an all-time adored Christmas treat. Sacher torte, on the other hand, is a known chocolate cake overflowing with apricot jam. Dobosch torte, another known Austrian dessert, is a cake that is coated with caramel glaze and thick chocolate frosting while the Panama torte is a chocolate cake that is made in honor of the Panama Canal’s opening. Other Austrian sweets are Marzipan, which is an almond paste that is dipped in mouthwatering chocolate and the Heisse Schokolade, which is a known Austrian hot chocolate drink topped with homemade schlag or whipped cream.

So, thrill your sweet tooth and make sure to taste these known Austrian desserts if you’re planning to visit the beautiful country of Austria.

A Special Fashion Bond From The Land Of Maria

I was first familiarized with Austria when an uncle of mine took along home a rented VHS tape of "The Sound of Music" when I was 4 years old. After that, I really had no notion what Austria was all about until I spent my spring break in Vienna through the generosity of some relatives who live and work there.

Like any other traveler, I was into being informed bits and pieces about Austria's history, food, and culture. But what made my sabbatical experience special is my discovery that my beloved brand, Isabella G., turned out to be originally Austrian and that it's parent company, Geiger, gives one of the most diverse lines but holds the unique identity of its home country.

Knits, formal dress, casuals, men's and tykes', Geiger and Isabella G. has them. What is amazing about their prints is that they carried out to imbue traditional styles with the modern in a classic chic manner. Another goody is that they are one of the world leader in providing smart dressing with environmental friendliness regarding their production procedures.

Upon journeying back home to the States, I came to appreciate that Austria isn't only Salzburg or the Von Trapps: it's fashion with a

heart for Mother Earth.

The Business Of Supervising A Well-known Austrian Hotel

If you happen to have a pet dog which you would like to take along in your next possible journey to Austria, the hotel to go to is Golden Tulip Hotel Auersperg in Salzburg. It has a policy of allowing pets, peculiarly dogs, into their hotel rooms, and this should make your next Austrian visit doubly exciting.

Salzburg, of course, is a prominent city in Austria so absolutely there will be a number of great places that you can get to visit. While thinking about this, deciding on any of the 51 exquisite rooms available at the Golden Tulip should be a good starting point. The rooms are created with modern accommodations, including satellite TV, direct-dial phone system, private bathroom, VCR, and refrigerator and should ably give you delight while mapping out a good and workable travel plan.

Buffet breakfast is given until 11 in the morning in the garden room of the hotel that has been peculiarly designed for breakfast purposes. However, if you desire smaller dishes or a light snack, you can always go to the hotel cafe bar which serves a variety of sandwiches that are served in both warm and cold versions.

The Garden Tulip Hotel is a family-run business of the Raschhofers that has spanned three generations and has become prominent for its rooftop terrace where excursionists can get an excellent view of Salzburg. Through the years, it has seen numerous changes, including space expansion, resulting in the establishment of the adjacent Villa Auersperg, a smaller version of the main hotel, where guests can make use of the facilities initially serviceable only at the Garden Tulip.