Leslie Woit's Mystery Shopper Tour: Zillertal

We sent travel journalist Leslie Woit off to discover and experience Austria’s Hidden Treasures in the summertime, making sure she disguised her excellent journalistic credentials to get the true visitor experience. We’ll be posting the results of her magical mystery shopper tour over the coming weeks, where you’ll be able to pick up tips on the best bits to look out for and those not so good bits to avoid. First up is culinary heartland Zillertal, and didn’t it do well?…

Mountain Culture
Full marks to the Erlbenis Sennerei. Have recently visited a similar laiterie in Livigno, and find the Zillertal one more interactive, interesting, with nice outdoor terrace. NB some very nice milk products for sale in Sennerei — Alpienne skincare (from Pitztal?) and Metzler.

It’s no coincidence that the biggest trachten store in Western Austria is located in the Ziller Valley. Trad rules here, and events like the Gauder festival let visitors join in and enjoy.

Culinary excellence.

Hotel Theresa in Zell am Ziller is a perfect example of Zillertal hospitality. Here, the charming Theresa Egger is one of Austria’s most gifted and charming sommeliers and her brother Stefan rules a gastronomic kitchen and offers cookery lessons and healthy eating seminars to guests. An elegant spa spills outside to the pool area with panorama onto the peaks.

An easy to get around mountain getaway for families and couples interested in organic foods, walking, with the added bonus of a year round glacier. Herb walks, cooking class in the hotel, a bit of spa time, combined with a hut visit to Wedelhutte – very nice!
HOTEL BERGLAND — welcome was extremely friendly, glass of sparkling on arrival, and v nice reception. Huge room, hotel design was a touch on the dated side.





original on treasures.austria.info