Beautiful cars, mountains and culinary heaven

26 Feb 2015
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3 min read
Bring your automotive gem to a personalised culinary trip across the glorious mountains of Austria and South Tyrol and meet the Chef of the Century, Eckart Witzigmann.

Are you agourmand who loves to discover something new, loves the mountains, the countryside and the air flowing through your hair? If so, this might bethetrip for you.

Reinhard Loeven, owner ofLoeven Sportwagentouren, developed this unique event and invited Eckart Witzigmann – who happily agreed – to come along. Above all, you have the opportunity to meet agroupofkindred spiritsin early Septemberat Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport.Hangar-7 isa uniquearchitectural concepthousingthe historical Flying Bulls aircraft fleet and a collection of Formula 1 race cars.After a privatetour you’ll sit down for dinner at famous restaurant Ikarus, a unique project where, each month, a different top chef from around the world serves their creations. On this occasion, it’s Richard van Oostenbrugge of Hotel De L’Europe in Amsterdam. The two-Michelin-star chef brings the sea to the mountains with his emancipated approach to classical French cuisine.

At dinner you will meet Eckart Witzigmann, Chef of the Century and patron of restaurant Ikarus, who implemented the concept in 2003 and is still present every month to greet the guest chefs. And now you!

Having spent the night in a four-star hotel nearby, you’ll meet up next morning –full of expectation – and hit the roadsouth. As you get used to the joy of driving your vehicle along beautifully winding mountain roads, you’ll later take it a step further when conqueringthe extraordinary Großglockner high alpine road. Butlet’s take a break at Zeller See, sit down on the sunny terrace for coffee and marvel at the gorgeously beautiful views over the lake. After lunch at the Großglockner high alpine road you will continue down south across the Staller Sattel and into Italy. The first lake you willencounter in Bella Italia is the Antholzer Lake where you’ll take a short break for afternoon tea at Hotel Seehaus, again overlooking the lake from the terrace – a feast for the eyes.

Arriving at Hotel Rosa Alpina you’ll inhale the fresh Alpine air, packed withcharacter, and take a few moments to admirethe breath-taking majesty of the mountains. Part of Relais & Châteaux, the hotel emanates exquisite luxury.After some rest and some time to refresh, you will make your way to’s restaurant St. Hubertus. The Michelin-star restaurant follows the concept of “Cook the Mountain”.Niederkofler works closely with a network of chefs, farmers, growers, naturalists, sociologists and entrepreneurs of all mountainous regions in the world to organise events where the public can be brought closer to mountain cuisine and culture.

Niederkoflercomments regarding his approach: “I’m an individual, everyone is. I have my strengths and weaknesses like everyone. I don’t always manage to be authentic. But when I’m able to let people take part in the familiar smells and flavours of my homeland, that makes me very happy.”What a privilege to be able to taste these mountain flavours in his dishes tonight.

After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast you’ll start your morning cruise through the mighty Dolomites crossingthe passes of Valparola, Falzarego, Giau and Campolongo. For a break at Passo di Giau you will stop off at Luca’s Berghotel Passo di Giau for a coffee.

Before lunch in Corvara you will have driven a good 100km and taken in some stunning scenery.

Arriving Bad Schörgau in the Sarntal in the early evening, you will begreeted with a traditional Apéro on the picturesque meadows. After checking in at the Genießerhotel you will have some time to refresh before sitting down for dinner. Michelin-starred chef Egon Heiss, who trained with legendary chefsMarco Pierre White, Anton Mosimann and, is now back in his homeland of South Tyrol and in his restauranthe serves both traditional and contemporary fare, all sourced from his valley and regional producers. The result are dishes full of character and deep flavour and we will be savouring every bite.

This trip is taking place from 17-20September 2015 and you can be part of it! Come along on this gourmet ride,feel the power and sovereignty of your exceptional car and relish three days full of alpine pleasure.On top of that you’ll have the chance to get some invaluable advice on your cooking techniques from Chef of the Century Eckart Witzigmann, who will be with us for the entire journey. And if you feel like extending the bliss, why not stay another day at Hotel Bad Schörgau to make the most of it. Should you dream of a sports car for this event, be itmodern or vintage, Loeven will happily locate whatever is on the market.

Booking is open now atinfo@sportwagentouren.comandwww.sportwagentouren.com​.