Daily Life and holidays in Austria with reader questions, comments and photos to keep you amused!.
Latest local news
October 2024
This month is the real start of Autumn in Austria. The trees are turning a golden brown. Very beautiful and probably on a par with the USA in comparison to the colours and stunning background that is created. Also, not so far to travel and visit!!
This month is the famous Wolfgangsee lauf ( marathon run around the lake) now in 52nd year! Over the years it has included many other options to encourage more people to take part. There is a Walk around the lake sector, Children’s sector and more.
September 2024
Sunrise over the lake
Autumn is fast approaching, as you can see by the above photo…but very beautiful all the same.
It has been a very hot summer this year, but the last few weeks we had flooding all over Austria, creating lots of devastation. The government has stepped in with millions of euros to compensate the many areas affected.
But as of late September the sun has returned and also temperatures of 24 degrees and more.
Image Amazing Austria
May 2024
This time of year is the erection of the Maypole.
A maypole is a specially prepared and decorated tree trunk which, in this area, is installed the evening before 1st May. During installation process there is often a performance by the local folklore group. Part of the tradition is for a rival group to try to steal the maypole before it is erected. In the night before the installation it is, therefore, usually very well guarded.
March 2024
Easter is just around the corner at the end of March. All villages are preparing for Palm Sunday with elaborate decoration. This is another important religious event. Of course there are also the easter eggs for children. Besides the standard chocolate eggs are the pre-boiled and decorated eggs. They make a great snack if you are trying to keep off the chocolate!
December
Well this weekend is the first advent Sunday..and we are pleased to say the Snow arrived, to make the Christmas Markets all that more magical. Our own Wolfgangsee markets are some of the most popular in Austria as one can visit all three that are around the lake. The lake ferry runs ov er the advent period taking rev ellers to all three villages. You can chose from St Gilgen, with it’s Mozart theme. Strobl with it’s Nativity crib and animals theme. Or St Wolfgang which attracts with it’s range of food and drinks, besides all the market cabins selling everything in the way of hand made Christmas decor!
NOVEMBER
1st November
All Saints’ Day services in the parish church in St. Gilgen.
9 a.m.: All Saints’ Day Service with music by the church choir St. Gilgen, followed by commemoration for the deceased at the war memorial.
2 p.m.: Commemoration for the souls of the departed, walk through the cemetery and blessing of the graves.
All Saints’ Day, is a solemnity celebrated on November 1 by the Catholic Church and several Protestant denominations, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In Catholic theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven.
11th November
Krampus go Electro – https://www.abarena.at/
We will be posting local photos of Oktoberfest as they become available.
One of the best ways to keep up to date with Austria is to listen to a radio station. Here is the link for Radio Salzburg brush up on your German!
Mozart Fountain. Always an attraction for the many Chinese tourists – as anything to do with Mozart is a big attraction!
10.10.23 – Autumn is now upon us and the evenings are drawing in, as dusk gets earlier each day!!
Question from reader Tim: I recently went on a rafting trip to Austria. I was always greeted by locals with the words Gruss Gott?
I was never sure what this meant, so simply said hello in return.
AB– It means God’s greetings. It is a term used by older people and not so much by the young who tend to have drifted towards – Hallo, or Guten Tag/Morgen.
Why do Austrians have a penchant for driving in the middle of the road, particularly at night?
Could it be that there are no good roadside markings and they do not want to end up in a ditch?
AB -We asked a local. Below is their answer.
Mr S. – Wolfgangsee resident
“I have lived in Austria since 2008, and in all those years, it seems to me that the standard of driving has got worse. Perhaps it is the more powerful cars or that the drivers are getting younger? But the one thing I have found is that they all drive as if they are in an F1 race. They do not like to be behind you”.
“I have at times speeded up to maybe 20km above the speed limit but they still chase and want to overtake…which always seems to be on a bad bend when another car is comeing towards them!!
Winter tyres will be required soon, in fact as from 1st November!
If you have had an interesting holiday experience in Austria, let us know.
For daily news in English from Vienna Times – What is happening in Austria.
Driving is a superb way to experience Austria as you have your own vehicle, but for a short visit then flights are the sensible option. You can check out flights with the link below.