the wino’s #LTeuropa highlights
With the retelling of our harrowing experience in a Viennese dungeon (you know you want to click that link), our #LTeuropa coverage is coming to end. Which, truth be told, kind of makes me want to crawl into a ball and weep. Sadly, I have no trips to Europe in the near future, and even sadder, no way to see the romantic until the spring. Woe is me. WOE. IS. ME.
Because you can never have too much of a good thing (or because I’m refusing to let it go), here’s one more trip down #LTeuropa lane.
Eastern European Wine
It should come as a shock to no one that I was looking forward to two straight weeks of drinking quality budget-friendly European wine. It shocked even me, however, to discover that the wine we drank in Eastern Europe was some of the best wine I’ve ever had. Let’s review.
There couldn’t have been a better way to start our trip than the wine tasting at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace. We tried nine (or ten? eleven?) of Hungary’s finest wines, each from different regions around the country and each with a story that evoked a culture rich with a history wine making. Who knew!
On to the vineyards of Vienna, Europe’s only capital boasting vineyards within the city limits. When the cold and rain stopped us from walking through the hills, we set up camp in the heurigers of the nearby town, Grinzing, where we enjoyed housemade blends that weren’t even bottled for sale.
Our mini-roadtrip to Salzburg & Hallstatt
Maybe it’s because I rarely drive in my real-life, but on vacation, I’ve always been a big fan of renting a car. After two successful roads trips together on the Emerald Isle, the romantic and I tried our hand at another cross-country drive, this time in Austria (and also, we let the hubs drive most of the way).
Stop one// Salzburg. It was my second time visiting Salzburg, which did not, in any way, curb my desire to sing the entire Sound of Music soundtrack. We roamed the winding streets, climbed to the top of Hohensalzburg Castle, ate soft pretzels the size of our heads, and it was just as magical as the first time I visited.
Stop two// Hallstatt. I mean, chelloooo. Hallstatt could not have been more picturesque. The small town was perfect for an afternoon roadtrip, and half of the fun was the drive through the countryside on our way.
The reunion.
Going from living four blocks away from your best friend to thousands of miles and an ocean apart is hard on a girl. This isn’t our first time living on different continents, and it probably won’t be our last, but thanks to our insatiable wanderlust (and extreme co-dependence) we never stay apart for too long.
Until next time, Eastern Europe!
xo!
the wino
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
20 Comments
Lance | Trips By Lance
Very beautiful indeed. I love having a car on trips that enable me to drive into a beautiful region. I miss the affordable wine of Europe as well.
Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted..New Mexico Reflections
Lazy Travelers
having a car is great on vacations, especially since i’m so used to only traveling by public transport in nyc! xo, the wino
@mrsoaroundworld
I love this post! I am quite curious about EE wine to be honest. I mean, you did seem to like it, A LOT!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..My Flight: British Airways World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) on the new A380 – LAX to LHR
Lazy Travelers
it was so delicious! i think it flies under the radar since most of the countries don’t export a huge amount of it (if at all!). so delish. xo, the wino
Pola (@jettingaround)
OMG those pretzels… I want some, and I want them NOW! Also, I’d take the mountain views, and the cute towns, and all the wine. K?
Gosh, I miss Europe…
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Jetting Around’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration
Lazy Travelers
the pretzels were divine and the mountain views, cute towns, and wine weren’t too bad either… xo!
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Francesca (@WorkMomTravels)
You gals are gorgeous. And so is Hallstatt. I really need to spend some more time and drink some more wine in Europe.
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted..Could we be the very first #GwOGuestTester Family?
Lazy Travelers
but like who’s more gorgeous- us or halstatt??? (pick us!)
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
Leah
I’m such a copycat. I did Gresham Palace and the wineries of Vienna, after you, of course. Such travel trendsetters, you both are.
Leah recently posted..Cooking Traditional Hungarian Goulash in Budapest
Lazy Travelers
that’s what they call us. the travel trendsetting duo. also they call us the romantic & the wino or sometimes just ashley & carolyn. you know, depends on the day.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
Mary Anne
Being on a road trip anywhere is (don’t tell my husband) is really my fav. way of seeing a place. You never know what you will discover.
Now worries.. I will be seeing the Romantic soon… with Lola and Mrs.O. You should come with.
Lazy Travelers
ugh i wish! make a pitstop in nyc and we’ll see if you can fit me in your luggage.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
Raul (@ilivetotravel)
You had me at wine! I have enjoyed wines from Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Moldova and it has been really neat to discover and enjoy wines from Eastern Europe so I am with you!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Manila Relaxation
Lazy Travelers
i shame myself for calling myself a wino and only finding out about eastern european wine so recently! now i have drink a lot to make up for the error of my ways…
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
Erin at The World Wanderer
What an awesome trip! I seriously have to get to some of these places and drink up all their wine. 😉 So glad you girls had a fabulous time together – though, not that I’m surprised! xx
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..A Wish to Spend New Year’s Eve in Barcelona.
Lazy Travelers
come with next time and we’ll drink beaucoup du vin!
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
Traveling Ted
Sad to see the dynamic duo separated, but at least you toasted many times over great wine in Europe.
Traveling Ted recently posted..A Chicago Marathon morning and take off
Lazy Travelers
do not cry, tedward, we’ll be together again soon enough.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..style spotter: autumn weekend
lola
mmmm you know i love the WINE but those humungous pretzels look out of this world. i would like to check out more of Austria than Vienna some day!
lola recently posted..Hotel Le Germain, #Montreal – by @JETSETextra @TheWrldWanderer & @loladimarco
Lazy Travelers
ohhh we’ll go back with you! if only to get our hands on those pretzels again! xo