Retz: Lower Austria

Our site director and another teacher took us on a day trip to Retz. It is a cute town in wine country almost on the border of the Czech Republic. 

We arrived in Retz around noon and walked to the center of the town. Our teacher, Markus, explained the history of the town and the architecture and we climbed up to the top of the tower. I was a little nervous at the top but the view was so incredible that I forgot about how high up we were.

After the tower we hiked in the vineyards towards a windmill, but somehow we ended up no where near it. Armed with ammo from the brush, we had a few berry wars, throwing them at each other and having to stock up whenever another bush was nearby.

It was very windy but absolutely breathtaking. It made me want to go hiking more in Eugene when I get back home.

walking through the vineyard

Once we were back into the town center, we went on a tour of the wine cellars of Retz. They gave us these silly phone like devices that had english translations of what our tour guide was saying. Afterward we each got a free glass of wine. I got a glass of white wine and it was very crisp and light. Very refreshing after a long day of walking around!

After walking towards the Heuriger where we had dinner plans, it became evident that we were taking the long way. Once we were back on the main road, the owner of the wine tavern saw us walking and offered to give us a ride there. So we gladly took him up on his offer.

I had a great time eating little platters of ham, blood sausage, liver pate, bacon, cheese slices, some aspic (which is meat encased in gelatin), and some pepper cheese spread, all with delicious rolls. My mother would be proud, I tried a little aspic AND the blood sausage. After having some Wein Gespritzter (red or white wine diluted with mineral water) and Weiß Wein (white wine) we taught each other hand games and chatted until it was time to leave for the train station. Overall a really amazing day in Austria!

the Heuringer