08 March 2019
Located in the East Tyrol, on the doorstep of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, Matrei is a pretty mountain town at the heart of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, an undiscovered gem for UK walkers.
At Collett’s Mountain Holidays, we are naturally passionate about the quality of the walking, but the region itself is passionate about its cuisine and local produce. So, if you like BOTH your food and your mountain walks, then read on, because our base at the Hotel Hinteregger in Matrei is big on both.
The hotel is run by our friend, Katherina, who also farms land nearby – just as her father, grandfather and great-grandfather did. Using this land, she brings organic food from ‘Field to Fork’ – a process known locally as ‘Landwirtschaft.’
Meat production is looked after by Katherina’s husband, Bernd, a local vet, who has animal welfare high on his list of priorities. Herbs and veg are taken care of by Katherina’s mother, whose traditional farm garden is full of organic herbs and vegetables, all of which compliment Bernd’s carnal labour!
Imagine it – beef carpaccio with rocket salad! Pork filet with cranberries and red cabbage! Dumplings in a sage butter!
All produced locally by the family. As for breakfast, expect herbal teas, prepared locally; apple juice from the family orchard and hand-pressed; plus a variety of breads baked by Katherina’s mother each morning to a traditional family recipe.
At the Hotel Hinteregger, the ingredients speak for themselves. The focus is on honest, traditional Tyrolean cuisine made from home-grown and local produce. Nothing travels too far and nothing is out of place. Even the wine is local.
If you like being close to nature, a Collett’s walking holiday at the Hotel Hinteregger in Matrei is as good as it gets.
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