Notes From the Road: Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking

Vienna and Budapest, like Austria and Hungary, complement each other like yin and yang. Hence the perfect combination for my new <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/vienna-to-budapest-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking</a> trip. The culture, history, landscapes and cuisine in many respects are opposites, which is why it is great to experience them together.&nbsp;

<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/24-hours-in-vienna" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna</a> is consistently ranked as the world’s most liveable city and is the world’s second-largest German-speaking city. As a German, travelling through this part of Austria always felt like a place close to home (Berlin) but different enough to be exciting.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Austria’s capital is cosmopolitan, the seat of many international organizations and institutions. It is grand, having been the capital of the Habsburg Empire for 600 years. At the same time, it's an unparalleled mix of the traditional and the contemporary, the conservative and the progressive, the global and local. It’s a gateway to the less-known eastern parts of Central Europe. Above all, we’re very well connected in this region and can show travellers “our” Vienna, personally and through local eyes.&nbsp;

VIENNA & BUDAPEST: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN 

<a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/insiders-guide-budapest-baths" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Budapest</a> is the city where Tibor Barna, B&amp;R’s Regional Expert and my close colleague studied and lived for many years. The turbulent history shows in its architecture and even a one-time visitor can sense how each building tells a testament to centuries past.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ancient castle of Buda, the lavish 19th c. palaces, the communist blocks and the modern high rises all have a tale to tell and contrast each other in spectacular fashion. While there are so many unique experiences to discover through Budapest’s rich arts and music scene, a definite highlight is the numerous baths one can visit in the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For history buffs, the Austro-Hungarian Empire offers the possibility to compare post-war European history and its actual influences on the current lives of everyday people in these great European cities.&nbsp;We’ll visit the border crossing between Austria and Hungary where the famous Pan-European picnic was organized in 1989. Many say this was the first crack in the Iron Curtain. An event meant to celebrate friendship and peace turned out to be one of the most important events of the Cold War. They opened the border for three hours so that locals from the villages on either side could meet and have a picnic together. Former politician Laszlo Nagy was one of the organizers of this event. He’ll meet us at the crossing and shed light upon the events of 1989 over lunch.&nbsp;

A CRACK IN THE IRON CURTAIN 

Austria’s capital is an enticing mix of old and new and one of the world’s most beautiful cultural hubs. One element I’m looking forward to sharing with travellers the most is on Day 1 when we have a 17th c. Jesuit Baroque Church all to ourselves as one of the country’s best organists and pianists plays the church’s organ for us. A fantastic start to the trip certain to induce lasting goosebumps!&nbsp;&nbsp;We show travellers the little-known vineyards within city limits and start introducing the surprising wines of the region. Vienna is home to 700 hectares of vineyards and about 140 vintners just north of the centre. The Danube and the proximity to the woods provide optimal conditions for growing grapes, and the paths through the hills are just beautiful. We follow these paths through the mountains on Day 1, arriving at a rustic tavern for lunch.&nbsp;

A MUSICAL BANG IN VIENNA 

Day 2 focuses on the area around Lake Neusiedl, where travellers will bike on paths through vineyards to arrive at the Relais &amp; Châteaux Taubenkobel just in time for a fabulous dinner at their Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s one of the best and most innovative restaurants in Central Europe. With a full wine tasting and pairing, travellers will have the ultimate introduction to the world-class wines of Austria&nbsp;

In Hungary, we taste the best of <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/vines-101-introduction-hungarian-wine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hungarian wines</a> and dine at local wineries around Lake Balaton, an area akin to the Italian countryside with its rolling hills and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/2017/06/22/vines-102-hungarian-wines-savour" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vineyards</a>. Our bike ride through the lake’s northern shores is like biking through a little slice of Tuscany.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HUNGARIAN TUSCANY  

Hungary’s dominant highlight is Lake Balaton, the largest body of water in Central and Eastern Europe and a playground for locals looking for blue skies and water to match. LUA Resort is nestled on the shores of the lake, one of the best hotels on Lake Balaton and our home away from home for two nights. Travellers will be able to make use of the heated outdoor pools, a jacuzzi, three types of saunas and a steam room—the perfect way to rejuvenate after exploring the area on two wheels.

We have limited time in Budapest, but entering the city in true B&amp;R style is the way to do it: by private boat on the Danube (with champagne in hand!). It’s one of the few big cities along the Danube, where the river crosses the city centre. As we arrive by boat, we already see all the iconic buildings of the city—it really is the most beautiful entry to our final night Michelin-starred celebration.&nbsp;

CRUISING THE DANUBE 

Feeling inspired to make this experience your own? Reserve your spot on our <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/vienna-to-budapest-wine-country-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vienna to Budapest Wine Country Biking</a> trip for September 2023.&nbsp;

Austria

With endless rivers, crumbling castles and extraordinary beauty, Austria is truly a welcoming land rich with surprises. Each bend in the river offers a new castle to explore or a breathtaking view upon which to linger. It’s a land where you can explore towns seemingly frozen in time, fill up with a hearty bowl of goulash, pass lush forests, visit cellars, taste wines and marvel at spectacular monasteries all within miles of each other.

Discover Austria

With endless rivers, crumbling castles and extraordinary beauty, Austria is truly a welcoming land rich with surprises.

Austria | Butterfield & Robinson

Ringing with cow-bells, bedecked with wildflowers, where passing hikers sing out a hearty “Grüß Gott.” And yes, they might really be wearing lederhosen. Austria is ornate palaces and remnants of the mighty Habsburg Empire scattered across the countryside like jewels. Austria is a legacy of art and music nurtured over centuries, where echoes of Mozart and Strauss still ring out. It’s a land of thousand-year-old vines by the Danube. Of fresh, seasonal food both hearty and haute. Of emerald mountain lakes and aqua glaciers. Whether you’re connecting with other lands or spending a glorious week biking from the palaces of Vienna to the mountains of Salzburg, let us tailor your unique Austrian odyssey.

Famous for its architecture, Austria’s ornate palaces and remnants of the mighty Habsburg Empire scatter across the countryside like jewels. It's a legacy of art and music nurtured over centuries, where echoes of Mozart and Strauss still ring out. A land of emerald mountain lakes and aqua glaciers, of thousand-year-old vines by the Danube—and fresh, seasonal food both hearty and haute. Where cowbells ring, bedecked with wildflowers, and passing hikers (who might really be wearing lederhosen), call out a hearty “Grüß Gott.”   

Whether you’re connecting with other lands or spending a week biking from the palaces of Vienna to the mountains of Salzburg, let us tailor your unique Austrian odyssey.

Alpine pastures, architecture and art in Austria

austria is green alpine pastures...

Where you'll stay

Should you float down the Danube or bike along it? Why not have your Gerbeaud cake and eat it too? Gawk at towering castles from the deck of our world-class Signature Ship one day, cycle the pretty riverbank the next.&nbsp;Our top-notch local guides (hello Jeanette, Silvia, Martin, and Judith!) lead you on show-stopping tours of local culture and cuisine. Pop into castles, towns and abbeys. Win/win/win.<a href="https://www.uniworld.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Learn more about Uniworld Boutique River Cruises</a>

In partnership with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Should you float down the Danube or bike along it? Why not have your Gerbeaud cake and eat it too? Gawk at towering castles from the deck of our world-class Signature Ship one day, cycle the pretty riverbank the next.&nbsp;Our top-notch local guides (hello Jeanette, Silvia, Martin, and Judith!) lead you on show-stopping tours of local culture and cuisine. Pop into castles, towns and abbeys. Win/win/win.

Sophistication and old-world charm: where the only thing more world-class than its sites are its rare vintages. You'll traverse through two countries and capitals, where quiet lakes, historic towns and globally ranked restaurants await around every bend. Follow great lakes through four wine-growing regions in the Pannonian Basin, bursting with world-class liquid gold just waiting to be discovered. Savour a night in Budapest's Gresham Palace and two at Taubenkobel (where we're the only bikers invited to stay!).

Ride from Austria to Hungary

Shabby chic and old-world charm: where the only thing more world-class than its sites are its rare vintages. We’ll traverse through two countries and capitals, where quiet lakes, historic towns and globally ranked restaurants await around every bend. As does a night in Budapest's Gresham Palace, and two at Taubenkobel (where we're the only bikers invited to stay).

Bike from Prague’s Bohemian chic to Vienna’s stately elegance. Witness our friend Vladimir and his team show off their spectacular skills in a private falconry show. Add vineyard cycling, towering castles and breathtaking monasteries (one is our hotel). Finish off at the best hotel in Vienna, the Hotel Sacher. Sweet dreams.

Two capitals with endless charms

Our guide Marie knows all about the Velvet Revolution – she was there. Get the inside scoop over drinks. Bike from Prague’s Bohemian chic to Vienna’s stately elegance. Add vineyard cycling, towering castles, hilltop monasteries (one is our hotel), and dinner at the legendary Landhaus Bacher. Finish off at the best hotel in Vienna, the Hotel Sacher. Sweet dreams.