15 October 2025

Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of autumn

Snacking on chestnuts in South Tyrol

In South Tyrol, autumn is hard to imagine without chestnuts. They've been a staple in the cuisine here for centuries – whether roasted by the roadside, as a sweet filling for dumplings, or as chestnut hearts on a dessert plate. You can experience this particularly well during the Chestnut Days around Lana, Foiana, and Tisens: Here, everything revolves around these brown treasures, along with music, crafts, and plenty of culinary delights.

Tip: Near Völlan there is a 2-kilometer-long circular trail through chestnut groves with ten stations on the history, use and curiosities of the sweet chestnut tree.

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Drinking wine in the Rhineland

In the Rhineland, autumn is inextricably linked with Federweißer – a young, partially fermented wine with a sweet, crisp, and slightly sparkling flavor. It's traditionally enjoyed with onion cake. You can experience this in a particularly atmospheric way at the Federweißer Festival in Landau in mid-October: four days of wine, music, and the coronation of the Wine Princess. Around 100.000 visitors celebrate, so beware: joyful crowds, but super entertaining!

Tip: During the same period, Rüdesheim am Rhein hosts the “Days of Federweißer” with wine, live music, and a vintage tractor parade.

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Discover the mushroom paradise of Bavaria

Starting in September, Bavaria's forests begin to glow, not only in the treetops but also down on the forest floor. Mushrooms of all kinds sprout beneath the trees. Porcini mushrooms, morels, and parasol mushrooms are waiting to be discovered. If you carefully roam through the moss and leaves, with a little luck, you might bring home a basketful of fresh mushrooms (Please note the maximum quantities). And then the true autumn magic begins: The mushrooms end up in the pan or oven, combined with regional ingredients, and are transformed into hearty stews, soups, or side dishes.

Tip: There are guided mushroom hikes for newcomers who are not yet familiar with mushrooms and do not want to go on their own.

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Enjoy the stormy season in Styria

In Styria, autumn is synonymous with storms, and storms with autumn—and no, we're not talking about a weather phenomenon, but rather freshly pressed, gently fermenting grape must, sweet and bubbly. Particularly popular is the pink Schilchersturm, made from the regional Blaue Wildbacher grapes. Whether enjoyed neat or as an accompaniment to small autumnal delicacies, this sparkling grape juice is simply a Styrian autumn.

Tip: From September to the end of October, stalls with Sturm wines roam the wine routes – perfect for spontaneous autumn chats and a last soak up of the sun.

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Normandy, France – Apples & Calvados

If autumn smells like an orchard anywhere, it's Normandy. Between old half-timbered villages and green hills, apple trees hang heavy with fruit, and the region transforms into a single apple festival. Not only is tarte tatin baked, but cider is also pressed and Calvados (a local fruit brandy) distilled.

Tip: This is especially enjoyable at the numerous apple and cider festivals in November, for example in the Pays d'Auge region. There are markets, demonstrations of old presses, and, of course, tastings en masse.

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