Having a tough day at work, or stuck on yet another commute? Then just take a moment to let the mind wander and imagine the following scenario taking place in the picturesque SalzburgerLand region of Austria.

You wake up as the morning sun shines into your room. You feel rested and ready to take on the day. But first, breakfast. You’re on holiday, so you can enjoy yourself. The coffee smells like heaven as you sit down on the outdoor terrace, with a view over the old town. The freshly baked bread is still warm; you eat it with delicious home-made raspberry jam. The sun’s rays warm your back as you take a sip of champagne (it’s a holiday, remember) and smile.

After breakfast, you drive along the lakeshore, the convertible hood down to see the sun glistening on the deep blue lake. The restaurant overlooks the lake; the fish they serve has only been caught this morning, then grilled using local herbs to make the taste truly pop.

Once you’ve finished your main course, you walk down to the lake and dip your toes in the water, relaxing in a tree’s shade.

You return to your table for dessert and take a bite of the tiny chocolate treat the pastry chef has put in front of you. It melts in your mouth. It can’t get better than this. But wait, there’s more: a cheesecake with a flaky crust. A strawberry tart made of fresh, local fruit. A classic apple strudel with hints of cinnamon and cloves. You stand corrected: it does get better.

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Back in the car and it’s up the mountain as you effortlessly take one hairpin bend after the other. The last part of the journey, you make on foot, walking through blooming meadows. By the time you reach the mountain hut you’ve worked up a fresh appetite and are served a selection of cheese made from Alpine milk and locally sourced meat. Afterwards, a tiny glass of schnapps as a digestif, and a little while to take in the mountain vistas.

To complete one of the most perfect culinary days you can remember, you take to another restaurant for an evening meal. With the sun still out, a glass of honey-coloured beer appears in front of you, brewed according to the same methods that people have used for centuries in this area. And as you take your first swig, it’s just as refreshing as it was hundreds of years ago. The wild game you order tastes intense, the herbs bringing out its flavour. Perhaps you’ll order another beer. Remember: you’re on holiday. You’re allowed to indulge.

TRAVEL TIP:

Experience these moments for yourself on Via Culinaria in SalzburgerLand – a unique collection of nine different themed culinary pathways, covering everything from organic meals and local herbs to beer and schnapps themes.

Take a time-out in nature with Visit Austria here.