St Anna am Aigen
I undertook a tour across Austria on my e-bike back in 2020. When I was planning it, it looked like a smile on the map. Hence the Smile Tour of Austria was born. Included in this epic tour was the beautiful St Anna am Aigen.
St Anna am Aigen
I am not entirely sure why I fell in love with this area, but by the time I stopped in the centre of the village, I was completely smitten. St Anna am Aigen is a gem in the heart of Steiermark.
The rolling hills, the vineyards, the views over the surrounding countryside or the feeling of peace? Whatever it was, I love this place.
It is away from the mass tourism that you will find in the other parts of the wine region in Steiermark. The pace of life seems less frantic, and the people seem calm and happy.
Sometimes you get a lovely feeling about a place, you can’t always explain why, but it’s a special feeling. The people, the sounds, the smells, the views and that something special that makes you feel comfortable and happy. That is what St Anna am Aigen is for me.
The Village
The village is set around a church on a hill, with 360° views towards Slovenia & Burgenland in the east and north and the vineyards and farmland of Steiermark in the west and south. This is the volcanic and thermal region of Steiermark and has walking, thermal waters, vineyards, wine shops and thousands of Elderflower trees.
Away from the main road, the roads and paths for cycling are quiet, with plenty of variety of routes on offer. You will be glad of your e-bike on some climbs, as they are short but sharp. Getting around by e-bike is definitely the best way to see this area. Walking will take too long, and you will miss seeing the beauty of the countryside by car.
Mythical Creatures
I was lucky enough to have a guide for the morning. Andrea took me to all the best viewing points and shared lots of stories about the area. One that I love is about the ‘Unifrauen’, which were half woman, half horse. These quiet creatures lived at the base of the ‘Waltrafelsen’, which is a rock face, They only came out at night, but they helped the farmers with their work and lived in peace with the locals. Until one day, they were disturbed by dogs which a peasant had sent into the woods to scare them. Since that day to this, they have never been seen; however, people say they hear them sometimes in the woods even now. Making our way through the woods to this point, I can understand how people feel that there is something magical about this area.
Coming from a country where Myths and Folklore are part of everyday life, I love hearing these stories.
Hailstone Protection
As we were riding around, we were discussing the effect severe storms can have on farm and wine land. There had been a big storm the previous evening, leaving a lot of debris from the trees on the road. Apparently, a very bad hailstone storm 4 years ago damaged the grapes badly and cost the industry millions. Since then, they have introduced ‘Hagel Flieger’ or Hailstone planes. They fly over the area when the threat of hailstones is high before a storm breaks. These planes spread a chemical mixture which is harmless, and this disperses the hailstones. It won’t stop them completely, but if any do fall, they are small, which will not cause much damage. I had heard a plane flying around during the storm the previous evening, and all I could think was that the pilot was brave!
Gasthof Fischer
I would highly recommend dinner at Gasthof Fischer. Run by the Fischer family, who will provide a warm welcome and excellent service. The “Backhendl” salad washed down with Elderflower cordial and finished off with an Elderflower liqueur was delicious. You will find it difficult to top the views from the garden over the surrounding area. I found it very calming sitting under the tree, which provides shade from the heat. A perfect spot for dinner.
Gesamtsteierische Vinothek
The Vinothek is an impressive building with a fabulous view towards the east. A friendly welcome from the team who are knowledgeable about their products, a collection of wines from all over Steiermark. I spent a lovely couple of hours in the company of the owner Richard Hofner and Andrea Pöck from the Tourist office, talking about this area over a couple of glasses of chilled sparkling wine.
For me, wine is about taste, and I don’t know anything else about it. I don’t know the different wines, grapes and ways of producing wine. However, I learned about the way glasses make the wine taste different. Previously I wouldn’t have credited the taste to the glass, but it is true. Thank you to Richard for explaining and showing me what this means.
Gästehaus Lipp’n’Sepp
I stayed at Gästehaus Lipp‘n’Sepp, a new build bed and breakfast surrounded by vineyards and elderflower bushes. Rooms are built with customers’ comfort in mind. My room faced the vineyard, which was a lovely view to wake up to in the morning. The beds are really comfy, and there is air conditioning which is a bonus when it’s been a warm day on the e-bike. There is undercover parking for your bikes, and breakfast is hearty, using lots of local produce, which is always a plus in my book. The breakfast room and terrace have an amazing view across the valley, which is an inspiring way to start your day. Your hosts, Marlene and Josef Neubauer, are very welcoming and keen to ensure that your stay is comfortable. I will definitely return for another stay at this beautiful bed and breakfast.
What I liked about this area:
- The breath-taking surroundings
- Variety of cycling paths leading to excellent viewpoints
- Vineyards, as far as the eye can see
- A huge amount of Elderflower trees
- The relaxed and carefree feel of the place.
I can highly recommend this area; I was only due to stay for a day but stayed for 2 as I loved it so much. And I will be back, and I look forward to exploring this area more with my husband the next time.
