Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

DISC OVERING A USTRIA  13

Day 5: The Wachau
Stretching between Melk and
Vienna is the Wachau, where a
stretch of the Danube loops its
way between vineyard­covered
hills. Enjoy an excellent day­long
tour here, starting with the
ruins of the medieval castle at
Dürnstein (p142). Stop off at the
delightful town of Krems (p142)
and finally, tour the Egon-
Schiele-Museum (p138) at Tulln.
Day 6: The Waldviertel Tour
North of the Wachau is the Pretty view of the Wörthersee, Austria’s warmest lake
Waldviertel (pp144–5), a rustic
region of low hills and forests that Day 2: Riegersburg the perfectly preserved medieval
stretches to the Czech border. and Bad Blumau town of Friesach (p278), before
Take a clockwise circuit of the area Head through the country side heading up the Gurk valley to
through the lovely old towns of east of Graz to Schloss Riegers- admire the cathedral (p273),
Zwettl (p144) and Gmünd (p144) burg (p174–5), an imposing which is a masterpiece of Alpine
and past the impressively turreted hilltop fortress with an absorbing Romanesque architecture.
Schloss Rosenburg (p145). museum. Continue on to the spa
resort Bad Blumau (p174) to see Day 5: Hochosterwitz
Day 7: The Vienna Woods the wacky buildings designed and Klagenfurt
To the southwest of Vienna are by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Spend half a day seeing the
the forested hills known as the famously dramatic medieval
Vienna Woods (pp141–2), which Day 3: Bruck an der Mur castle of Hochosterwitz (pp272–
are perfect for walking or cycling. to Murau 3), before moving on to explore
Stop at the Seegrotte under­ Head to the north of Graz and the Renaissance squares of the
ground lake at Hinterbrühl before spend the morning in the Carinthian capital, Klagenfurt
ending the day at a Heuriger wine historic market towns of Bruck (pp274–7). Packed with good
bar in Gumpoldskirchen (p141). an der Mur (p172) and Leoben hotels and restaurants, Klagenfurt
(p187). Next, follow the Mur is the ideal base for the last few
A Week in valley west past the foothills of days of this tour.
Southern Austria the Niedere Tauern. Take a side­
trip to the historic silver­mining Day 6: The Wörthersee
• Airports Arrive at Graz village of Oberwölz (p179) Experience Riviera chic,
Thalerhof and depart before arriving at Murau (p179), Carinthian style, with a trip round
from Klagenfurt. the prettiest of Styria’s well­ the Wörthersee (pp280–81),
• Transport Train transport preserved medieval towns. stopping off at the lake resort of
from Vienna to Graz is swift, Pörtschach. End the day in swanky
comfortable and scenic, taking Day 4: Friesach and Gurk bustling Velden (p280), with its
you over the 965 m (3,166 ft) Venture out to the green hills of casino and glitzy café­bars.
Semmering Pass. Trains are northern Carinthia with a stop in
a good way to explore the Day 7: Villach and the
main towns of the region, Millstätter See
although a car is needed to Wander through the well­
reach the smaller towns. preserved historical centre of
Villach (p278) before taking a
scenic drive round the Millstätter
Day 1: Graz See (p278). If it’s too cold for a
Full of fine architecture and dip in the lake, then head to
parks, the Styrian capital of Graz Schloss Porcia in nearby Spittal
(pp164–7) is one of Austria’s most an der Drau (p278). Explore the
elegant cities. Explore a clutch excellent local museum here.
of outstanding art museums
here and take time out to see To extend your trip…
the weaponry collections of the Just north of Spittal an
Landeszeughaus (pp168–9). Con­ der Drau, the turreted
sider a half­day trip to the Austrian medieval town of Gmünd
Open­Air Museum at Stübing (p279) is the site of the
(pp170–71), which provides Rooftops of Graz’s Old Town, a UNESCO Porsche Museum.
fascinating insights into rural life. World Heritage Site

012–015_EW_Austria.indd 13 12/09/17 2:45 pm