AUSTRIA


T


he view from my window seat is breathtaking: below me snow-covered mountain peaks pierce through a cotton wool-like blanket of cloud while above, a luminous winter sun decorates a cloudless azure sky. It’s a magical scene not even veteran pilots would tire of. At this point, however, it’s worth highlighting that my window seat isn’t on an aircraft and, more importantly, I’m about to indulge in some gourmet food miles beyond the ÕÃÕ>l in-yi}hÌ v>Ài ov VhiVkin oÀ Liiv. I’m in the Ice Q restaurant in Sölden, Austria, a spectacular glass-walled, steel-framed architectural feat perched 3,048 metres above sea level where I’m being treated to a feast for both the eyes and stomach. Outside, in almost every direction, I see uninterrupted panoramic mountain views while within the glass façade, servers glide by ÜiÌh > LoÕnÌÞ ov wni Üinià >n` >««iÌiÃiÀð Ice Q is the highest-located toque-rated gourmet restaurant in Austria and I’m lucky enough to be enjoying


`


I’m 3,048 metres above sea


level in the Ice Q restaurant in Sölden, Austria, where I’m being treated to a feast for both the eyes and stomach


the delights of Wein am Berg (wine on the mountain), a unique three-day wine and food festival that brings Ìo}iÌhiÀ Ìhi wniÃÌ ÃommiliiÀÃ] Üini }ÀoÜiÀà >n` inÌiÀn>Ìion>l Vhivà vÀom Ìhi Ài}ion >n` vÕÀÌhiÀ >wil`° Wein am Berg is hosted by Hotel Das Central, Sölden’s wÀÃÌ >n` lon}iÃÌ-ÀÕnnin} wÛi-ÃÌ>À «Ào«iÀÌÞ >n` the festival combines three of my favourite Ìhin}Ã\ }oÕÀmiÌ voo`] wni Üini >n` >VViÃà Ìo Ãomi ov ƂÕÃÌÀi>½Ã wniÃÌ Ãkiin} and snowboarding. I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. The alpine resort of Sölden sits within the Ötztal Valley, in the Austrian state of Tyrol, and Das Central is conveniently situated in the heart of the charming village, approximately one hour


from Innsbruck. Upon arrival we are welcomed at the opulent reception with a small aperitif and, once settled in our rooms,


the programme of events begins in the early evening ÜiÌh > 6inÌniÀ½Ã >iÀ° /ÜinÌÞ-wÛi Üinim>kiÀà vÀom >VÀoÃà Europe share their knowledge and insight into what


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OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Food tastings at Wein am Berg; Gaislachkogl cable car SECOND ROW: Pinot 3000; writer Paul McLaughlin; top of the Giggijoch sector THIRD ROW: Ice Q restaurant FOURTH ROW: Falcon restaurant; high-altitude Reisling tasting ABOVE: Off-piste skiing in the Ötztal Valley PREVIOUS PAGE: Ice Q restaurant Credits: Ötztal Tourismus; Rudi Wyhlidal; Isidor Nösig


62 ASPIRE JANUARY 2024 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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