Carinthia is a region in southern Austria where mountains and lakes offer a stunning scenery attracting the tourists from all over the world. Those who come here should devote at least one day to have a look at the surroundings.
If you just go down into the valley, you can immediately get to the spa town of Bad Kleinkirchheim known primarily for its thermal springs. Römerbad is renowned for its revitalizing saunas and the Aromaticum wellness area with the enchanting aroma of essential oils. After a comprehensive renovation in the fall of 2017, the family-run St. Kathrein thermal complex was reopened. Its pools occupy the largest area of the thermal spas in the region, and its 86-metre slide is one of the longest in the country. So, it is not surprising that not only adults but also children like to come here. The wellness pool with panoramic views and, of course, the famous Sauna World are also popular.
Jacob Forstnig, Director of the Bad Kleinkirchheim Tourism Agency:
“Our resort is very well known throughout Austria. The Carinthia region is located in the south of the country sharing borders with Italy and Slovenia. Bad Kleinkirchheim is located 1,000 meters above sea level. There are a lot of attractions here, both in summer and in winter. In summer it is, of course, hiking, mountain biking and thermal spas. People come to us mainly from the neighbouring countries and regions, but the resort is well known on the international market. In summer, clean air and 2,000-2,400 meter high alpine mountains perfect for outdoor activities allure the guests. And after a day full of impressions, you can relax at our thermal centres. These are St. Kathrein and Römerbad spas.
We also have something to please gourmets. The restaurants have a wide choice of food products from the local farmers, especially during the summer and harvest season. Our spa resort, with its thermal springs and sports facilities, is perfect for families and young couples. Welcome to Bad Kleinkirchheim!”
Continuing your drive through Carinthia, be sure to turn towards Lake Millstatt (Millstätter See). The water is so clean that you can drink it. You can do many water sports here such as windsurfing, canoeing, yachting or kayaking. The water in this lake is warm enough to enjoy these activities from May to October. In addition, the largest fish festival in Carinthia takes place in July at Millstätter See. In general, this place is beautiful in any weather. Even when it’s raining, it is pleasant to do meditation here and feel all the splendor of nature.
In Carinthia, at the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, at an altitude of 1,400 m above sea level, there is a unique tourist project Almdorf Seinerzeit. The hotel complex is a large alpine village. This project, the largest of its kind in Europe, combines the traditions and modern technology with the necessary infrastructure and excellent service. The architects tried to convey not only the appearance, but also the spirit of antiquity, creating a traditional chalet with a superior flavour of ‘old Austria’. Each chalet is a bit like a museum. Moreover, the chalets are equipped with modern conveniences. Next to the modern sauna and shower room, there is a real wood-fired oven, where you can cook the same way as the Austrian elderly women did. There is also a spa and sauna complex, as well as the smallest restaurant in the world, where you can taste traditional Carinthian dishes made from the best local products, as well as the fine Austrian cuisine, which is influenced by the southern Adriatic one. This restaurant is called the Woodsman's house. It offers a full 7-course menu cooked in a small wood-fired oven.
The daily service includes a traditional Alpine breakfast served in the chalet in baskets from the restaurant as the guests wish.
Stefan Prägant, Director of the Almdorf Seinerzeit Resort:
"Almdorf Seinerzeit is located in central Austria surrounded by alpine mountains. Our village was set up in 1995 by Steiner. It all started in the old part of the village called Fellagher. Steiner and his brother built a mountain resort, which was the first of its kind at that time. They started with 14 houses, today there are 51 chalets and an excellent restaurant.
Time passed, and it looks like an old alpine village, where the houses have changed the colour of the wood to grey due to wind and rain.
All alpine chalets in the resort, in addition to bedrooms and a spacious kitchen, have a living room with a fireplace, many of them have saunas and wooden spa-tubs (barrels) and you can admire the breathtaking mountain view.
In our mountain spa, the guests are offered unique spa services, a massage, warm alpine herbal baths, Finnish sauna, mountain herbal sauna, as well as hay beds and beauty facials that allow you to fully experience the energy of alpine herbs.
Everything here is aimed at relaxation and meditation. Soft light, comfortable sofas and armchairs, a fireplace and majestic mountain views. The traditional oil massage with herbal bags perfectly stimulates and at the same time perfectly relaxes the body and mind. For the guests’ convenience, a cup of delicious tea is always offered as well as dried fruits and branded glacial water. The SPA offers a line of natural cosmetics to stimulate all the antioxidant, moisturizing and regenerating power the skin needs".
The Almdorf Resort is an extremely popular event venue. It has everything you need for a romantic alpine wedding party with 70 guests, and for other special ceremonies. Every weekend, one or more festivities take place here.
Janis Hegwein, Almdorf Seinerzeit Resort Manager:
“Almdorf Seinerzeit is owned by the Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein who acquired the resort several years ago. He had been looking for a place for many years where he could bring businessmen together, organize conferences and offer an excellent service.
Having come to Almdorf, the guests do not need to worry about anything. They can have breakfast anytime they want and can do it in their chalet. The restaurants offer all the variety of dishes popular in Carinthia, and especially in the Alpe-Adria region.
When we designed and built our houses we tried to use the old village concept, to convey its true spirit. All houses are built from eco-friendly materials, a sauna and spa tub are in most of the houses. Everything here is arranged taking into account the traditional concept of real Alpine houses.”
The best architects were the designers of the houses who combined the traditions with modern technologies and materials. The houses are equipped like a city apartment: there is everything in the kitchen from a coffee maker, set of dishes and microwave oven to a dishwasher. They are happy about the tap water quality.
In such a house, everyone wants to have a family dinner. And Almdorf has a very good choice for such cases. The so-called ‘Carinthian plates’ with cheeses, sausages and other gourmet foods are delivered from the restaurant. And if you need something more substantial, the personnel can bring an outdoor grill and grill sausages, meat, shrimps and vegetables to please you, and they can also set the table and prepare everything you need.
“In future, we are going to expand the project and focus on the health and wellness services. These include, in particular, detox programmes, relaxation and the opportunities offered by nature to find a balance of mind.
After 2021, most houses will be available for sale. As of today, 5 houses have already been bought by the investors from various countries. Two of them are from Russia. They really liked what we did here. It reminds them of their homes in Siberia. We think it very important to interact with Russia.”
Once a year, Prince Alfred von Liechtenstein holds a unique event. The International Peace Foundation - Prince Alfred chairs its advisory board - meets annually in Almdorf. This independent venue for informal discussion of the geopolitical issues is called the Global Peace Congress. The businessmen, politicians and parliamentarians from many countries, including Russia, are invited to participate in it.
“We would like to invite people who fully share the vision of Prince Alfred von Liechtenstein and want to find a place for themselves to regain strength. Many people still perceive Austria as a destination exclusively for ski holidays, and of course, our ski resorts are wonderful. But Austria is beautiful in summer, too. Try and visit Austria at this time of year to see and feel all this beauty.”
Everyone knows that it’s great to start the day at a mountain resort with a morning sauna or yoga. Oriental practices help restore balance and the serenity of mind, strengthen the body and take a pull on yourself, get your second wind and enjoy a new lease on life. Many people call this ‘happiness’. In Almdorf Seinerzeit, yoga lessons are held every morning - in clear weather, outdoors on a special panoramic platform surrounded by mountains, and in silence.
For those who like outdoor activities, the resort offers mountain bikes and all the necessary equipment for free. A tour of the picturesque surroundings of Nockberge starts right from the hotel’s door. Only a few steps away, there is the National Park and vast pristine mountain forests where mushrooms, berries and fragrant herbs grow. The local waterfall is a favorite place for selfies. In the Austrian Alps, you can perfectly combine outdoor activities and comfort. The guests of all ages can practice yoga, enjoy mountain hiking and cycling trips.
Rose Kosch, representative of the Falkertsee area:
“My house is near Lake Falkert, and Falkert Peak is seen in the distance. It is one of the highest mountains in the Nockberge. The Falkert mountain is known for its magnificent grassland and traditional alpine chalets. We have beautiful nature - forests, lakes, mountain air. The guests can go mountain hiking, mountain biking, or just laze around and relax.
There is also a recreational park where you can see over 100 characters from Heidi's animated series. In summer, about 45,000 people enjoy their time in the Park. Here, you can stay at the hotel of the same name. And for children, the Schneekönig Hotel is of special attraction. We have many other interesting places, for example, Falkerstube and Seehütte.
When choosing a destination for a half-day trip, consider the Turracher Höhe ski resort located half an hour by car from Almdorf. In summer, the ski resort turns into a multifunctional outdoor recreation centre. The visitors love its quiet and natural atmosphere, fresh air, picturesque meadows and mountain ranges. There is a wide choice of services for active recreation. From November to May, the Turracher Höhe, 1,800 meters above sea level, is covered with a lot of snow making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. However, the Austrians consider this resort ideal all year round. In summer, the Turracher Höhe is excellent for hiking and enjoying the beauty of nature. It is especially wonderful to walk in the largest pine forest in Austria. Here, you can feel the influence of both Carinthia and Styria (Steiermark), focus on your personal rhythm without being disturbed, and enjoy the nature in peace. The feeling of freedom and independence, which we often lack in our everyday life, we can feel in the highland.
During the summer season, the roller coaster ride is among the most favourite and exciting adventures for children and adults. The cable way takes you to the top, and you can rush down at full speed in a small cart pretending to be a bobsleigh driver.
Being a wine connoisseur is trendy and also very useful. After all, it is much easier to choose wine for a dish, for tasting and even make the right gift - a bottle of a good wine - when you are a wine connoisseur. And it’s no secret, the better knowledge of a wine culture comes easier with constant practice. The Austrian wine traditions go back hundreds of years and the quality of the local wines is well known in the market. At the Almdorf Hotel, you can gain practical expertise and useful practical skills by attending a wine-tasting party. A professional sommelier offers the guests to taste various wines and their combinations with food and cheese. While wine-tasting, you can find out, for example, why they prefer metal corks or even exotic glass ones in Austria, the difference between German and Austrian Riesling wines, what wines need to be decanted, and much more. The guests are told about the wine geography and the Austrian winemaking traditions, wineries, grape varieties, they are told about the peculiarities of wineries in different regions and, of course, they taste many white and red wines.
