Organizer’s note: The Austrian Wine Adventure Tour is a series of articles, videos, and webinars about adventures in Austrian wine country. Julia Sevenich gives an insider’s view of the best wine places to go, the juiciest insider secrets, and just who is shakin’ and makin’ the dynamic Austrian wine scene.

Between now and the EWBC 2010, 9 articles and 7 videos are scheduled to appear. The Austrian Wine Adventure Tour will be featured exclusively on Haidu.net. During the EWBC you will be able to locate wine bars and wine dining places recommended by Julia on the Haidu iphone app as well as many of the wineries that will be presenting their wines at the conference and on the conference trips.

First up…Weinvertel DAC!

“There is a rather endearing curse in the German language. When you are frustrated with someone and want to send them to the end of the world, you tell them to go ‘where the pepper grows’,” laughs Marion Ebner-Ebenauer. “I used to think that meant somewhere far away and isolated like Africa, Madagascar, or the most rural parts of the Weinviertel. But now with the international success of our peppery Grüner Veltliner under the geographic label of origin ‘Weinviertel DAC’, the place where ‘the pepper grows’ has gained a pleasant second meaning.”

Marion is giving us a tour of the Weinviertel in her vintage VW beetle and I am impressed that this old red convertible successfully climbs each vineyard slope without a sputter! We are just past the borders of Vienna touring vineyards of Langenzersdorf, Bisamberg und Hagenbrunn. We refresh ourselves along the way with typical heuriger fare of various salads and bread with different delicious spreads as well as the region’s famous Marchfeld asparagus. The Weinviertel is the bread basket of Austria. Most of the country’s grains are grown here and it is also a primary source of fresh vegetables for the nation’s capitol city. Austria’s heuriger culture was born when a sanction passed by Emperor Franz-Josef II in 1784 allowed farmers to sell their produce and products directly to consumers and this culture of rustic wine taverns continues to thrive.

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Tip #1: Eating & Drinking

Cafe Culture

The Viennese coffeehouse goes back a long, long ways. And yet, despite its age – or perhaps because of it – the coffeehouse is more alive and diverse than ever before. You can find dozens of traditional cafés in Vienna´s Old City. Here you will encounter Viennese coffee house culture in its most original form. For example: Landtmann Franz Landtmann created a coffee house institution when he opened Vienna´s largest “café locality” in the year 1873. His patrons have included Sigmund Freud, Marlene Dietrich, Romy Schneider, Paul McCartney and Hillary Clinton. Open daily 7.30 a.m. – midnight.

Landtmann, Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring 4 (Public transport: Tram D, 1 Rathausplatz/Burgtheater, Underground U2 Schottentor)

Vienne Cuisine

A true bon vivant will know that Viennese Cuisine is the only cuisine in the world to be named after a city. Viennese chefs draw on influences from various countries to conjure up exciting dishes that never fail to capture the imagination. For example: Zu den 3 Hacken. Open Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zum Weissen Rauchfangkehrer. Open Thurs-Sat 12 a.m.-11.30 p.m.

Zu den 3 Hacken, Singerstrasse 28 (Public transport: Underground U1, U3 Stephansplatz, U3 Stubentor)

Zum Weissen Rauchfangkehrer, Weihburggasse 4 (Public transport: Underground U1, U3 Stephansplatz)

Tip # 2: Art Exhibitions

Vienna’s Albertina presents the first extensive exhibition on Michelangelo for more than 20 years. Precious works from the Graphic Arts Collection of the Albertina and loans from museums and private collections in Europe and the United States offer an unparalleled overview of the artist´s oeuvre. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Albertina, Albertinaplatz 1,  (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D, Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlplatz/Oper)

Tip #3: Family Activities

Adventure Parks

Dive into the colourful adventure world of the Prater where 250 different stands and attractions wait for you: from a traditional merry-go-round to the ghost train to ultra-modern highlights. Open daily 10.00 a.m.-midnight.

Prater Adventure Tours (Public transport: Underground U1, U2 Praterstern)

Museums for Families

What do children expect from a sightseeing trip? Pretty much the same as the grownups do: variety and entertainment. Many Viennese museums and organizers have therefore created programs that are fun for the entire family … The motto is “hands on.” For example: Schönbrunn Palace, open daily 8.30 a.m.-5 p.m., Maze, Labyrinth & Labyrinthikon, open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Zoo, open daily 9 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Guided zoo tours at night can be booked at: tel. +43-1-877 92 94-500 (business days). Imperial Palace & Sisi Museum, open daily 9 a.m.-5.30 p.m.

Imperial Palace, entrance under the Michaelerkuppel

Public transport: Underground U3 Herrengasse, Tram 1, 2, D Burgring or Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring

Tip #4: Hip and Trendy

Motto am Fluss lies right on the Danube Canal at Schwedenplatz like a racy speedboat. The new hotspot doubles up as a mooring station for the Twin City Liner and is an architectural highlight. At first sight, the building could be confused with a boat. The heart is the restaurant on the first floor. The bar and a shop adjoin the restaurant. On the second floor is the Motto Café, together with a large terrace. Open daily 6 p.m.-2 a.m. (restaurant), 6 p.m.-4 a.m. (bar), 8 a.m.-2a.m. (café), 8 a.m.-7.30 p.m. (shop)

Motto am Fluss, Franz-Josefs-Kai/Schwedenplatz, (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, Underground U1, U4 Schwedenplatz)

Café Drechsler on the Naschmarkt is open 23 hours a day. Clubbers as well as market stallholders appreciate that fact. The legendary café has been given a stylish makeover by famous British designer Sir Terence Conran. It still retains its popularity as a place to meet, and enjoy Viennese cuisine and excellent coffee. Open daily 3 a.m.-2 a.m.

Café Drechsler, Linke Wienzeile 22, Public transport: Underground U4 Kettenbrückengasse

MuseumsQuartier is Vienna´s exciting art complex near the Imperial Palace offers that contains not only renowned museums such as the Leopold Museum, with its numerous works by Schiele, the Museum of Contemporary Art, but also the Kunsthalle: a lively array of restaurants, cafés and bars make this museum district even more attractive. See and be seen is the motto – and above all: enjoy …

MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz 1 (Public transport: Underground U2 MuseumsQuartier, U3 Volkstheater)

Tip 5: Vienna Music

Opera

Open-air opera “Oper Live am Platz“ is back in October with live broadcasts of selected performances on a giant outdoor screen – entry is free of charge. October 22^nd, 8 p.m.: “L´elisir d´amore”, Gaetano Donizetti.

Vienna State Opera, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D, Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlplatz/Oper)

Experimental Music

House of Music In the musical adventure world in the heart of the city, music can be experienced with all of the senses. Giant instruments, computers and state-of-the-art electronics are great for playing, experimenting and discovering. Open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

House of Music, Seilerstätte 30 (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D, Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlplatz/Oper, U1, U3 Stephansplatz)

Tip #6: Nightlife

Dancing and “chilling” of the highest quality – after all, Vienna´s electronic music scene is world-renowned. Clubs such as Flex at the Danube Canal were selected as one of the best locations worldwide. The program there varies as much as it does at other party locations in the city. The Gürtel establishments in the City Rail Arches such as Chelsea, B72, Rhiz have been permanent fixtures on Vienna´s nightlife scene for years. A new party strip is developing in the Prater with Fluc, Planetarium and Pratersauna. For Example:

The Passage, Burgring/Babenbergerstrasse (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D Burgring)

Platzhirsch, Opernring 11, open Fri/Sat from 10 p.m. (Public transport: Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D, Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlplatz/Oper)

Tip #7: Sightseeing

Tours & guides Learn about the many faces of the city. Discover her secrets. During guided walks or with your own personal guide, during sightseeing trips by bus, boat, streetcar, bicycle or during torchlight tours through Vienna´s underworld …

Medieval quarters and hidden courtyards: Sun, October 24^th, 2010, 2.30 p.m., meeting point Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse (Tourist Info), EUR 14, as of 3 people, no booking required.

Remarkable sights of Vienna in 2 hours: Fri, October 22^nd, 2010, 2.30 p.m., meeting point Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse (Tourist Info), EUR 14, as of 3 people, no booking required

Tip #8: Shopping

Flea Market & Food

Vienna Naschmarkt Vienna´s best-known market has around 120 market stands and restaurants for a colourful culinary offering ranging from Viennese to Indian, from Vietnamese to Italian. The Naschmarkt has developed into a meeting point for young and old. The Flea Market on Saturday is already a cult event.

Naschmarkt, Wienzeile, between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse (Public transport: Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz/Oper, U4 Kettenbrückengasse)

Clothing

Trend shopping around Naschmarkt Close to Vienna´s famous Naschmarkt market and not far from an established fashion quarter – the Freihausviertel – a small yet fine shopping treasure trove is emerging.

Around Kettenbrückengasse, Schleifmühlgasse, Margaretenstrasse, (Public transport: Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz/Oper, U4 Kettenbrückengasse, Bus 59A Schleifmühlgasse, Pressgasse, Ziegelofengasse or Margartenplatz)

Chocolate

Confectionery from Vienna Vienna is a Mecca for chocolate lovers. Sweet treats are hand-crafted in small factories: from flowering confectionery to exotic truffles. For example: Xocolat Manufactur, open Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Xocolat Manufactur, Servitengasse 5  (Public transport: Tram D Schlickgasse, Underground U4 Rossauer Lände)

Tip #9: Sports

Danube Island The 21-km Danube Island offers fun and relaxation for the whole family. The U1 and the U6 stations are convenient points of access to this oasis for skaters, cyclists, joggers and walkers.

Danube Island (Public transport: Underground U1 Donauinsel, U6 Handelskai or Neue Donau)

Tip #10: Vienna, Wine & Design

From September 15 – November 15, 2010 the Vienna, Wine and Design promotion provides the perfect opportunity to see, sample and experience Viennese wine and design. There is also a competition with a star prize of 999 bottles of Viennese wine to be shared between three lucky winners. There are also instant prizes to be won at the tourist information office in the city center. Open daily 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Tourist Info, Albertinaplatz, (Public transport: Tram 1, 2, D, Underground U1, U2, U4 Karlplatz/Oper)

For More Information!

Tourist Info Vienna Our Vienna experts are happy to advise you and help you plan your stay in Vienna.

Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse (close to the Vienna State Opera), open daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

info@vienna.info

media.rel@vienna.info

www.facebook.com/ViennaTouristBoard

Twitter Account Coming Soon!

Tel. +43-1-24 555

Vienna Card

Vienna Card More than 2010 discounts and unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram for 72 hours – with this card for only EUR 18,50. Available in your hotel and at the tourist information centre on Albertinaplatz

Please feel free to leave your questions in the comments below.

Time: 10:00 – 10:45 am

Roundtable Contributors: Wink Lorch, Ricardo Gomes and Anthony Swift

Theme: The new world of wine tourism: the pros and cons of using social media as a tool for attracting wine tourism

Questions to be Addressed:

• How, in your individual experiences, can social media impact wine tourism?
• You each have businesses that promote wine tourism, through guided tours, planned itineraries or self-guided wine tours, how has social media impacted your business? What tools do you use the most? Blog, Facebook, Twitterm others? Do you think these tools have increased exposure and in return business for you?
• What are the pitfalls of using social media, if any?
• Now let’s look at it from a winery’s point of view: How can a winery use social media improve/attract tourism? What are the benefits? What are the draw backs?
• In the same respect how can a blogger affect winery tourism?
• Country specific issues: We all know that California has a highly developed wine tourism industry, in Europe depending on the region, the tourist experience can be very different, what cultural issues need to be kept in mind when writing about a specific region? Does a blogger need to change his/her formula for writing about a winery from California as opposed to one in Burgundy? How can a blogger better prepare their readers for their visit? What is the responsibility of the blogger in this case?

GoCars in Lisbon with Catavino from ryan opaz on Vimeo.

When visiting any new city, I tend to enjoy walking for long hours through its backstreets. I love passing by small cafes and restaurants savoring exotic smells wafting from its front doors, watching children playing in the alleys, or simply sitting in a park and basking in the energy of the city. To be honest, I’m not one for museums when only having a few days in a new location. I’d rather be in the fresh air, listening to locals chatting in their native tongue, seeing the architecture up close and personal, and striking up a conversation with anyone who can decipher my simple gestures or who can speak the handful of languages I can muster. To me, traveling is not only physically being in a location, but fully experiencing its sights, sounds, tastes, smells and overall feeling.

Hence, what better way to feel the sunshine on your face, or see the various hidden outdoor markets than taking a Go Car through the city of Lisbon?! During our recent visit to Portugal, we decided to take these little bright yellow cars for a ride, and quite honestly, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Choosing the West City Center Tour, we zoomed through the city center, passing by the Amalia Rodrigues Museum, Sao Luis Theater, Bairro Alto, the Botanic Garden, Camoes Plaza and the Chiado, all while honking and waving at gawking tourists who were so wishing they too had a fabulous little race car to easily carry up those steep and windy streets. Not a bad way to travel!

Most tours last approximately an hour and a half, but if you’re interested in renting them for longer stints, this can also be arranged. Check out their website and if this is something you’re interested in partaking in during the conference, let us know in the comments below.

Oh, and one quick word of advice: if you have a head that is categorized on the “larger” side, you might want to consider bringing your own helmet