Twelve women from the senior organisation AUSSER in Triest were testing the tourstic offer of the EDEN-regions in Slovenia, Croatia and the Styrian Vulkanland. Under the guidance of Mrs. Francesca Borgna they laid a special focus on multi-day offers for the target group 55+.
THE REGION BLOSSOMS!
Excerpt from the work notes from Spirit of Regions, April 24, 2017
Twelve Italian women find their way into the region Vulkanland. Alerted to the south-eastern corner of Styria through EDEN-european destinations of excellence. An interesting day awaits the cooperating SMEs. On our way to welcome the group we met Franz Niederl from the restaurant Pfeilers. He happily shows us the flower blossoms in his trunk: „Freshly picked to decorate the table for our Italian guests!“ We are awed by his dedication and move on to Straden, where we join the ladies on their bus. Joining us is Karola Sakotnik from „Creating culture“, she is fluent in Italian and runs a cultural thread through the days‘ programme.
With a small delay we pass by Straden with its three impressive church towers, the Gleichenberger Kogel and meadows with scattered fruit trees, a part of them still blossoming. Via the bridge crossing into town from the train station we arrive in Feldbach. Prosecco made from apples, refined with sweet-smelling Damaszener-rose buds from bio farmer Eisvogel Raabau, is served as a welcome drink. The colorful church tower attracts a lot of attention. The blooming decoration triggers the expected „wow“-effect.
Chef Lisi conjures wonderful dishes with fresh, local ingredients. The faces reflect contentment. Later on, Beatrice welcomes us at the Tabor Feldbach, purposefully marching up the steps leading to the former class room. Scarcely seated, the surrounding transports the guests back their our own schooldays, playfulness is spreading, writing is done by quill and ink. The heavenly hams from Vulcano draw us to the northern corner of Feldbach. The ham cinema makes the ladies break out into raptures, while later on, during their visit to the fruit farm Stangl, they unanimously agree on: „Now we’ve arrived in the region!“. Michi is taking them with her to visit the blossoming appletrees, a tasting in paradise underneath blooming treetops and wonderful singing by the landlord. Overnight stays at the B&B Raabtal. The language barrier is removed by warm cordiality.
On the second day our guests visit the south-eastern corner of Feldbach, following the fire-creature of our regional hiking map inside the former stone quarry Gossendorf. Attunement with the sun salutation, an exercise for the body. It’s nothing unusual to see an anthill, but stopping in front of it and listening to the bustling activity with closed eyes is exceptional. Thus, nature is conciously perceived during the morning and the volcanic fire in the hearts is kindling. At the Loambudl, an outdoor bowling alley made from clay, Karl Ladenhauf joins us as a rather charming director for our visit in Gossendorf.
On the following bus ride we discover a blossoming alley of appletrees and spontaneously stop for taking pictures. The owner of the trees produces excellent spirits, KRENAC. The planting of the young vines has to wait, the group is invited to a guided tour through the cellar and a tasting in his garden. While enjoying their spirits, the group is already scheduled to taste some wine at Sissis Weinbar. So in addition to the spirits wine tastings with the taste of the volcanic soil are served. Next up are a spontaneous brief talk with Austria’s best patissier and a short visit to the Bauernstadl. Now a break is definitely necessary. The group walks to dinner at the inn Gasthaus Schwarz, where the evening fades away comfortably with music.
press: die Woche and Kleine Zeitung
EDEN55plusNW 