deen

Castle Fuschl in the snow

Picture-book Austria

It’s all the lights in the windows, all the candles, the decorating stars. It’s the big advent wreath in the lobby, it’s the crackling logs in the fireplace, the scent of coffee, tea and gingerbread: all this is perfectly arranged here, composed even. I love Castle Fuschl near Salzburg – and I particularly appreciate this house from the Luxury Collection in the period right before Christmas. Because everything simply fits together and with a bit of luck even the sky plays along, causing it to snow heavily shortly before arrival and sticking flakes into the surrounding pines: an amazing sight, which to me is Austria right out of the picture book.

A promenade at the lake is part of it – through the snow. You can’t do without a feel-good visit to the large spa, and dinner in the castle restaurant under the direction of two-time Gaullt&Millau award winner chef Johannes Fuchs is the highlight. The trick with him: he blends Austrian and French cuisine, creating the highest of pleasures while consistently relying on local products. The fish on the menu comes from his own fishery, the meat comes from the forests of Castle Fuschl. My pre-Christmas tip from the current Signature Gourmet menu: pink roasted back of the local deer with red cabbage strudel and forest mushrooms as main course.

Photo: © Georg Grainer Fotografie