Who says A, must also say B? That’s right. Artisan Walk, Afternoon Tea and Afterwork Cocktail are three experiences curated by the Hotel Bristol for a mindful visit to Vienna. On a walk through the city centre, back doors open to traditional artisan businesses, tea and scones can be enjoyed in the lounge by a crackling fire and the American Bar invites you to unwind after work.

No, the Douro Boys are not a boy band, but the spirit is the same: they work together to touch the hearts of the whole world. Not with pop songs, of course, but with wine – from the Douro Valley. Not only does the river of the same name flow here, but above all port wine. One of the four Douro Boys members also runs the marvellous Hotel Casa do Rio. Door number 9 takes us to Portugal for today’s prize: a night in a hotel including wine tasting for two people.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary (2023), the Portuguese winegrowers’ group has created two exceptional wines: a red wine and a tawny port. These special cuvées, each blended from the best barrels of the five wineries, deserved a special presentation. The Linz-based creative agency upart won the tender. Their design for the labels and packaging of the valuable wines has now been honoured with the Austrian State Prize for ‘Smart Packaging 2024’.

In the heart of the picturesque Istria region of Croatia lies the Meneghetti Wine Estate, a winery renowned not only for its exceptional wines but also for its luxurious hotel and culinary offerings. Here, tradition, innovation, and elegance merge into an unforgettable experience for those who appreciate fine wine and exclusive service.

Proper nutrition is part of holistic well-being. Of course, this is also recognised at Melea – The Health Concept, a retreat in Hungary with an innovative concept for well-being. Medical Manager Eszter Répási tells us about bad eating and drinking habits and how nutrition plans are created. Chef Gábor Gyurik reveals his favourite smoothie recipe and which sacred unit of measurement he uses for wine.

It would actually be more appropriate to call Willi Stürz a master miner than a master cellarer, as he doesn’t store his most valuable wine in the cellar, but in the mountain tunnel. This wine was even awarded 100 Parker points in 2019. A portrait of the exceptional Epokale from the Cantina Tramin – a bottle that has made history in South Tyrol.

The walk into the forest is taken literally here. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, the Hotel des Horlogers not only offers numerous panoramic views of the surrounding sea of spruce trees, you will also come across sculptures made of branches and oversized truffles. The Horloger’s culinary table takes you a little deeper into the forest. Guests are even invited to take off their shoes to feel the moss and wood shavings on the ground with their bare feet.

Eating, chatting, being together – it doesn’t take much for a successful meal. The houses of the Alto Group in South Tyrol show how it’s done. They are places that tell stories and create stories. Places with charm that are simply there without pushing themselves to the fore. Places where culinary delights are celebrated together. Buon appetito!