Ms. Braunsteiner, you founded the Bed & Breakfast in 2005. How did you come up with the idea?
My children have all slowly left home and started their own lives. That gave me strength for something new. We have an insane amount of space in the garden. The house in which our bed & breakfast is located has been empty for far too long and so I asked myself: how can I continue to enrich people with the empty space and the flourishing garden? How can I share the beautiful space we have here with other people who also appreciate this ambience? And then it was obvious: a guest house for travellers! And in the middle of the beautiful Mostviertel region, not far from the Wachau, the Vienna Woods and the Austrian capital. A recipe for success that had to work - and it did.
Wow, impressive! And then the project started straight away?
Exactly. We worked on the remodelling for about a year and did everything ourselves. The most important thing for us was to give the old house a new life and to retain its original identity.
You definitely succeeded! Looking back, was the idea of the bed & breakfast a good one?
I would even say that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I regularly come into contact with incredibly interesting people, with whom exciting encounters and conversations arise. That's really exciting. Seeing how other people tick, think or live. After all, that's how you broaden your horizons.
What are your favourite memories?
I made a lot of wonderful memories over the last 12 years. I have fond memories of the ballet dancers from the Vienna State Opera who came to Böheimkirchen to escape the urban jungle at the weekend. Or the dog trainer from San Diego who tours all over Europe to give dog coaching sessions. The American English teachers from the neighbouring school also stay with me every year. Just recently, I hosted a top Swiss manager who simply needed some time off and worked here in my garden in peace and quiet. As you can see, the people who come here couldn't be more diverse.
A dog trainer! Now that's interesting! So is your Bed&Breakfast also pet-friendly?
Definitely. We love dogs and they are always welcome - just like their owners.
Do you have a peak season when you can't keep up with all the enquiries?
Yes, there are always peak periods. The top events in the area in particular, such as the Frequency Festival, the Iron Man at Lake Ratzersdorf or the many Jehovah's Witness meetings, always attract an incredible number of guests.
What do you like most about your work?
The most exciting thing is simply meeting new people. You never know who is going to turn up and ring the bell. Whether they like to share interesting stories with me or prefer to keep to themselves. For me, by the way, both ways are okay.
What is your favourite way to travel?
When I'm travelling, I always try to stay as authentically as possible. In other words, in cosy bed & breakfasts, guest houses or B&Bs where you can chat to the owners over a coffee. Or in private flats in the centre of the hustle and bustle. The most important thing is to get a sense of the holiday destination, interact with the locals and simply feel a bit at home. I usually find my accommodation on the recommendation of friends or on various platforms.
