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Enjoy Historic, Romantic Accommodations at Hotel Schlair

© Eve Carr

It's fun to time-travel through history as you visit historical sites and living history museum around the world. But it's even more enjoyable when you can actually stay in historic accommodations--just as travelers have done for centuries.

"If you're looking for quaint, historic and, quite frankly, romantic accommodations," says Dr. Michal Barszap, President of ITS Tours in College Station, Texas, "check out the Hotel Schlair, an 800 year old guest house in Kremsmünster, in the Austrian countryside." As a tour operator with decades of world-wide travel, Michal knows what travelers are looking for and heartily recommends the Hotel Schlair because it combines Old World charm with modern amenities.

"You can imagine travelers staying here throughout the centuries," he says. "It's quaint, yet modern because all rooms come with a bath/shower, WC, hair dryer, satellite TV, a minibar, and a direct dial telephone. Four apartments even have kitchens."

Imagine, for example, that you just enjoyed an invigorating walk in Austria's snowy countryside. You come into this quaint old guest house and discover a crackling fire in its ancient open-hearth fireplace. You pull your chair up as close as you can and feel your body, as well as your soul, warm to your heart. You sit back, sip a glass of fine Austrian wine and totally relax as you enjoy the best of yesterday and today.

You wonder how life could get any better. And then, a mélange of fragrant aromas hits your nostrils, and your taste buds start to anticipate a feast. And, if you have planned to dine here, that's exactly what you'll enjoy. That's because Erik Kux, who, along with his wife Maria, owns the inn, is a professional chef as well.

As you enter the dining room, you'll senses will be indulged even more as you relax in an intimate setting, with gleaming tableware, sparkling glasses, flickering candle light and, overhead, vaulted ceilings that take you back through the centuries.

By now, your taste buds are truly ready for Chef Erik's gourmet fare, such as cider cream soup, grilled goat cheese on mixed salad greens, stuffed veal steak on mushroom gulyas or grilled breast of duck with roasted nuts and raisin.

"Enjoy your meal," Michal says, but absolutely save room for dessert. You don't want to miss a chance to enjoy some of the finest Austrian pastries while you're here."

One of the nicest things about dining here is that after such a delicious meal in this elegant, casual ambiance, you don't have to leave it. Just wander upstairs and continue to live in this fairy tale dream.