The Wachau is an area of Austria that I have visited regularly since childhood.  It is a valley that runs along the Danube river for 33 km from Melk to Krems but today is the first time I viewed it from the Danube itself.  I left Krems on the Austria, one of several vessels from Brandner that run along the river and disembarked in Weißenkirchen one hour later.
A short walk along the Wachaustraße took us to the the main retail location for Wieser, a purveyor of local apricot marmalade (Marillenmarmalade) …

Business travelers frequently bring home a souvenir or two for family members when visiting interesting destinations.  Twice in the past year I’ve brought home something a bit different – and much larger – but I couldn’t pack it in my rollerboard.
In recent years, savvy business travelers have joined the thousands of Americans who each year take a trip to Munich, Germany with one goal in mind.  Unlike other tourists, they are not there for the beer, the Schnitzel, the museums, and art galleries.  The real reason for the trip: …

Attached to the huge and hugely popular WestEnd Center shopping mall, a nondescript glass-and-steel arc wrapping around the back of Gustav Eifel’s soaring Nyugati train station, the hotel blends into its surroundings. Although it is by far the newest building on the venerable Váci út,  its simple brick design belies the modern four-star hotel within.  An attractive lobby and attentive staff beckon.
WHERE IS IT?
Situated in the center of the business district, the Hilton WestEnd is convenient for meetings and touring.  The views overlooking the Nyugati train station are grand. The …

THE 2426 KM DRIVE
In 5 days, I covered 2426 km and four countries (Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Italy). I crossed international borders 22 times.   I planned each day’s drive the night before, choosing my destination primarily based on the promise of good weather.
11. November – 460 km, Germany, Austria, and Italy
Friends Rich and Jill joined me for breakfast and soon enough, we were on the Autobahn in two 2006 3er Series BMWs.  Our itinerary: drive across the Brennerpaß into Italy and then head back north to Berchtesgaden.  I wonder if …