Guten Tag, meine lieben Freunde! That’s a hearty hello to all my dear friends from the heart of Austria.

What an exhilarating 19.7-kilometer amble it was from the charming town of Tulln to the historical city of Klosterneuburg. I’ve noticed that the Austrians have a keen sense of history and a deep appreciation for their culture, which is reflected in every corner of their cities.

One intriguing observation from my journey was the omnipresent vineyards. The verdant vineyards cascading down the hillsides were a sight to behold! I learned that Klosterneuburg and its surroundings are famous for their wine production. The Austrians say, “Wein ist Poesie in Flaschen”, meaning “Wine is poetry in bottles”. A magnificent testament to the harmony of man and nature, I must say.

Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on my journey so far. I’ve been on the road for a total of 157 days, traveled a distance of 4769 kilometers so far. My recent stops have included the lovely cities of Klosterneuburg, Schwechat, Tulln, Klosterneuburg, Baden bei Wien. Each city, its own unique tale in the tapestry of my journey.

While in Austria, I’ve been picking up some local phrases. Here’s one for you: “Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt”, it translates to “He who does not dare, does not win”. This has been my mantra on this exciting journey.

As I haven’t crossed any borders on this particular leg of my journey, the language remained consistent – good old Deutsch.

Now, I’d like to share a famous quote from Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, “Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt“, which means “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world”. This resonates with me deeply as a traveling gnome, ever eager to learn and grow.

And let me leave you with a verse from a popular Austrian song, “I am from Austria”, by Rainhard Fendrich. “Ich bin aus Österreich, in mir fließt hell und klar, Bergquellwasser und auch ein bisschen Donau…“. It translates to “I am from Austria, in me flows bright and clear, mountain spring water and also a little Danube…”.

Bis zum nächsten Mal! (Until next time!)

Ah, the charming town of Klosterneuburg! This is not just any ordinary city, it’s the home of the 900-year-old Klosterneuburg Monastery. As grand as it is ancient, it houses the Verduner Altar, a remarkable example of Romanesque art. In the local lingo, we call it the “Verduner Altar” and let me tell you, it’s a sight that will make your eyes pop out in awe.

Then, there’s the delicious Klosterneuburger wine. Austria is famous for its vineyards, and Klosterneuburg is no exception. In fact, it boasts the oldest wine-growing estate in Austria! “Alte Reben”, as we say here, which translates to “old vines”.

Let me assure you, a sip of this wine and you’ll be singing tunes as melodious as Mozart’s symphonies. As the great Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke once said, “Wine is the answer to the mystery of life“. Or at least, that’s what I think he might have said after a glass or two of Klosterneuburger wine!