What to do in Austria?
Skiing and Cross Country Skiing
From November, the slope at the ski lift 50 m from the house is quite snow-sure. In total there are 7 lifts and 17 km of ski slopes in this ski area. The ski area is up to 1600 m high and ideal for families with (small) children. It is possible to rent skis and ski lessons are also given for young and old. Take a look at: http://www.3laendereck.at/skiverleih.
For sports enthusiasts, there is the possibility to walk up the mountain through the snow with touring skis on your back and then ski down on the slopes.
Directly from the house is the start of a 10-kilometer long cross-country trail.
Tobogganing and snow biking
On the same slope at the house is an 8.4 km long toboggan run that starts from the Drielandenpunt. Super cool experience for young and old!
The top of the Dreiländereck is also worth a visit in summer. At the top you can enjoy a beautiful view over the valley, but also over the various mountain ranges in Slovenia such as the Triglav, Karawanken, Julian Alps and Italy, the Italian Alps and a part of the Dolomites.
The Faakersee is the fifth largest lake in Austria. Crystal clear water and very clean bathing water with a summer temperature of 26 degrees, this lake is one of the most beautiful in Austria. There are 12 beaches and plenty of opportunities for surfing, fishing, renting a boat or sunbathing on a beach. Motor boats are not allowed on this lake. Special is that in the middle there are 2 islands.
Klagenfurt is located on the Wörthersee, one of the largest lakes in Europe. It is a lake for water lovers and sunbathers. The lake has a pleasant temperature in summer for swimming, surfing, water skiing and sailing. There are sunbathing areas, where you can also play sports. Not to be missed is a boat trip on this lake. Many hikes start and end from Lake Wörthersee. A boat trip on the lake is highly recommended. You can choose from different ships and cruises (www.woertherseeschiffahrt.at).
Klagenfurt has one of the most beautiful and oldest inner cities in Europe. During a walk you will discover the picturesque courtyards in which modern boutiques, cafes and restaurants are located. On the new square, the Lindwurmbrunnen, the symbol of the city, tells the story of the origin of Klagenfurt. During a castle walk you imagine yourself in the Middle Ages. There are numerous museums, such as the Armory Hall, Diözesan Museum, the Landesmuseum and Museum of Modern Art, as well as 16th century palaces to admire. The Landesmuseum is one of the most important historical monuments of Klagenfurt. One of the oldest churches is Klagenfurt Cathedral built in 1581.
The city has a mild Mediterranean climate, but can get quite hot in summer
Cycling enthusiasts can ride their route on the beautiful cycle paths and runners will also find no more beautiful route than the Klagenfurt marathon.
In Minimundus (a miniature city) you can travel around the world in a few hours. You can see some special buildings of the world that have been recreated in miniature.
From the Pyramidenkogel, a watchtower of 100 m that can be climbed to the top, you have a beautiful view of the Wörthersee and the surrounding mountains (Keutschach am See). The best part is that you can slide down 50 m via the longest covered slide in Europe. You can dine at a high level in the sky box.
In the center of the city you can visit the market, the Benedictine Market, where all kinds of local products from Italy and Slovenia are sold. The market is from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays (Benediktiner Platz).
Reptilenzoo Happ is a large reptile zoo with over 1000 different animals such as crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, scorpions, tarantulas and 60 species of snakes, including mambos and cobras.
Burg Hochosterwitz is a beautiful medieval castle and is spectacularly located on a 160 m high rock. Built in 860, it has never been destroyed despite all the wars. You can visit the historic rooms with weapons, armor, rifles and helmets, as well as antique furniture and paintings. It is located in the village of Launsdorf about 21 km from Klagenfurt.
The best restaurant in town is Restaurant Maria Loretto, the best cafe is the Lendhafencafé.
Villach
Villach is located in the wide valley of the river Drau and surrounded by mountains (Villacher Alpe, Karawanken, Gerlitzen). In the city center you will find smaller streets with terraces, museums, galleries, restaurants and nice (brand) shops. The buildings are often hundreds of years old. The center is not very big, great for a day out (erlebnis card).
In winter Villach is beautifully decorated in a Christmas atmosphere where you can endlessly look around the Christmas market and you can even skate on the Rathausplein!
The top of the Dobratsch
An absolute must is to visit the Dobratsch Nature Park with a breathtaking view (2,166 m) at the top. Via the Villacher Alpenstrasse (16.5 km long) you can reach various sights by car on the way to the top, including the 'Red Wall' (see photos) and a view of the 3-country point. This street starts at Villach. During the car ride you can get off at the various parking lots and enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna. When you are almost at the top you can park the car after which various walks start that take you to the top at 2166 meters altitude. The walk to the top is about 1.5 hours on a well-maintained path. At the top is a mountain restaurant where you can pause and enjoy the beautiful view. Entrance costs for a car are a one-off € 19.50.
In addition to the Villacher Alpenstrasse, there are 3 other panoramic roads that are really worth a look:
- Goldeck Panoramastrasse 14.5 km long you will reach an altitude of 1,900 meters (see photos below)
- Nockalmstrasse in the Nockberge National Park 35 km long, a green paradise with a lot of information and exhibitions along the way, also very nice activities are planned for children.
- Malta Hochalmstrasse 14.4 km long alpine road with countless waterfalls
- Tschiernock Panoramastrasse at 2,100 m with hiking trails for families and seniors and also paragliding.
For more info: https://strato-editor.com/.cm4all/widgetres.php/com.cm4all.wdn.PhotoGrid/images/thumbnail-grid.svg
http://www.karinthie.nl/goldeck-panoramastrasse.html
Impression of the Goldeck panoramastrasse next to Zlan (Austria):
Landskron Castle where you can eat at a 14th century castle or what is left of it. There are 2 restaurants and a terrace with a view. There are also bird of prey shows with vultures, owls and eagles. Nearby is the Affenberg (Monkeymountain) a small zoo with monkeys.
Villach Warmbad is a large swimming pool complex with thermal baths, sauna, sports pool and water slide. Behind the thermal baths is a very well-maintained natural park, where you can walk and cycle, but also run. There are signs that provide information about the flora and fauna in the park. It is very quiet! In Villach there are other sights to see such as the Villacher Fahrzeugmuseum, more than 100 cars from the period 1927-1977, the Atrio, a beautiful shopping center with more than 90 shops. The Porsche Automuseum von Helmut Pfeifhofer is located in Gmünd, where the first car with the name Porsche was developed. There is a large collection of Porsche cars.
What to do in Slovenia?
The Ski Resort Kranjska Gora is located in Slovenia and is a 15-minute drive from Seltschach. There is 20 km of slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Winter sports enthusiasts have access to 17 lifts and the altitude is from 800 to 1,215 m. The area is suitable for beginners. The slopes are between the trees and are quite wide. There is no big difference in height. In the town of Kranjska Gora you can have a nice beer, but there is hardly any après-ski. Excellent value for money at the restaurants in the valley. There are also many options for cross-country skiers.
The village of Kranjska Gora is the gateway to Triglav National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Europe, but the only one in Slovenia. Mount Triglav is the highest mountain in the country and is 2864 m high. Nature is breathtaking. Take the green valleys to pine forests and from crystal clear rivers to jagged mountain peaks. One of the best ways to discover the beauty of this park is by taking a drive on the 50 km long Vrsic pass. This can be done by car or for the experienced cyclist. From Kranjska Gora you can drive straight into the park and it will take you about an hour. More than 40 different mapped out walking tours are available. For families with children to an experienced runner of trails.
Take a dip in Lake Jasna, a beautiful mountain lake at the foot of the Triglav National Park, only 2 km from Kranjska Gora. In the village there is a bike park and you can also play paintball.
Lake Bled
There are many activities to do around Lake Bled. Hiking trails have been laid out and a fun way to travel the 6 km long road around the lake is by carriage. In the middle of the lake you will find the Assumption Church from the 9th century. You can visit the island by rowing boat or with a covered gondola. Climb the 99 steps of the church and ring the bells to make a wish.
Lake Bohinsj
Lake Bohinsj is the largest lake in Slovenia and is enclosed between the mountains of the Slovenian Alps and the Triglav National Park. It is very beautiful, the water is clear and you can swim or enjoy a boat trip with the canoe. Hiking maps are available at the tourist information point Ribcev Laz.
What to do in Italy?
Ski area Tarvisio-Monte Lussari is a small ski area near Arnoldstein (13 km) and is located in the province of Friuli Venezia Giulia. It has 24 slopes and there are 10 lifts including a cabin lift. It closes at 4 in the afternoon.
Tarvisio
Near the ski area is a nice Italian town, where you can eat a delicious pizza and buy nice ski clothes. In the covered Markthallen you can walk around and make a choice between items made of leather. Negotiation is a must here, otherwise you will pay too much.
Monte Santo Lussari is a small pilgrimage site just outside Tarvisio. The church was built there after the discovery of a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary in 1360. Until now, masses were read in Slovenian.
The murals are by a Slovenian painter Tone Kralj.
In Parco Cervi, a 2-hour circular walk has been set up where you can read thematic signs made by primary school children in Tarvisio (parking on Via delle Veneto).
Foresta Millenaria di Tarvisio is an ancient forest with breathtaking views and a rich flora and fauna. Here you can take walks, cycle, dog sled rides or look for mushrooms. The walking area is closed to traffic.
Laghi di Fusine are 2 beautiful lakes, which are located behind each other. You can walk around the lake. Nice restaurants nearby, one of them is Locanda Mandi when you drive back to Tarvisio.
Udine
“Mandi” This is how the inhabitants of Udine greet each other. Due to its location near the border with Austria and Slovenia, the town is a mix of cultures. You hear that in the dialect, you taste it in the food and you see it in the architecture. On the most beautiful square of the city, the “piazza della Libertà”, stands the Loggia del Lionello, a palace from the 16th century. Opposite is the Loggia di San Giovanni, topped by a beautiful bell tower. Behind it is the Castello di Udine. Many museums are located in this castle. From the castle garden you have a beautiful view over the city. In the city you will find many stylish shops, especially in Via Mercato Vecchio and Via Paolo Canciani.
Just outside the city you will find shopping center Citta Fierà a huge shopping center with restaurants, cinema, a Dinopark and Hollywood Kart (Via Bardelli 4).
Summer activities
Walking and cycling
There are endless walking and cycling routes in the area. You can take the adventurous mountain bike trails or cycle across the flatlands of the Gailtal. While walking in untouched nature with fresh, clean mountain air you immediately feel relaxed.
Cable cars
In addition to using the many cable cars, you can visit fun parks, bird of prey shows, castles and museums. There is also a lot to do here for children. With the use of the Kärnten Card a discount is given on the entrance fees.
Sea
The Adriatic Sea can be reached within 2 hours, where you can visit cities such as Trieste, Gorizia and Grado (surprising seaside resort) and enjoy the Italian culture. Slovenia is 20 minutes by car and offers many interesting places to visit, such as the Triglav National Park, the lakes of Bled and Bohinsj, or the cities of Llubljana and Granjska Gora.
Lakes
Well worth a visit are the nearby lakes where you can swim, fish and sail. The Pressegersee is the warmest lake, just like the Faakersee. Boat trips are arranged on the Ossiachersee on this larger lake. You can go paragliding and a cable car goes to the Gerlitzer Alps, where you have a beautiful view over the lake.
If you don't like swimming in a lake, you can go to Villach Warmbad. A large swimming pool complex with hot water pools, slides and sauna.
Museums
The private collection is displayed in the Porche museum in Gmünd.
Bunker museum at the Wurzenpass.
Terra Mystica in Bad Bleiberg (mining museum)
