Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - 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. Moving on, admire 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 off in the perfectly preserved
stretches to the Czech border. and Bad Blumau medieval town of Friesach (p278),
Take a clockwise circuit of the area Head through the rolling before heading up the Gurk valley
through the lovely old towns of country side east of Graz to Castle to admire the cathedral (p273),
Zwettl (p144) and Gmünd (p144) Riegersburg (p174), 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 by and Klagenfurt
To the southeast of Vienna are Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Spend half a day seeing the
the forested hills known as Vienna famously dramatic medieval
Woods (p141), which are perfect Day 3: Bruck an der Mur castle of Hochosterwitz (p272),
for walking or cycling. Stop at the to Murau before moving on to explore
Seegrotte underground lake at Head to the north of Graz and the Renaissance squares of the
Hinterbrühl before ending the spend the morning in the Carinthian capital, Klagenfurt
day at a Heuriger wine bar in historic market towns of Bruck (pp274–7). Packed with good
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,
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
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 a
(pp170–71), which provides Rooftops of Graz’s Old Town, a UNESCO Porsche Car Museum.
fascinating insights into rural life. World Heritage Site

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