Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria

Savor these Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria

We spent three days traveling in the Waldviertel region of Austria. For the first time. So far I've had from the Waldviertel Lower Austria only heard and could not imagine much of it, except for a lot of forest. We start our journey in Gartenhotel & Weingut Pfeffel in Dürnstein in the Wachau, a gourmet hotel right on the Danube. We present this in another article. From there we drive a few kilometers to the east and turn off in Weissenkirchen on a side road that brings us to the ridges behind the place.

Trip map courtesy of hiking log, a vacation planner app on iOS and Android

Serpentine after serpentine we screw up the hill until we get to a viewpoint, the view of which takes our breath away. In one direction our view follows the Danube to behind Dürnstein, in the other direction we look over wine fields that cover the mountain slopes above Weißenkirchen. "A great start for a connoisseur trip to the Waldviertel", I think to myself. We are immersed in another world.

Forest and meadow landscape around Gutenbrunn in the Waldviertel Austria

Experience the Waldviertel, one of the Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria

As soon as we have left the mountain peak, the view changes. Vineyards and vines are no longer visible. Instead, fir forests are increasing. The woods become denser, and the tall, straight trees rise to the sky, with the September sun announcing autumn.

The further we drive into the Waldviertel, the more often we see colorful foliage. Here fall arrives earlier than in the Wachau. That's because we're at heights around the 1000 meters, while the Wachau is just under 800 meters. But that does not detract from our pleasure. We are on a journey, which opens up not only the culinary, but also the scenic beauties of the region.

The Poppy Village Armschlag, one of the Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria

Our first goal is that Poppy village, at first glance a village like the others in the region. But only at first glance! Because we quickly see that something is different here. Everything is in the sign of the poppy in the arm stroke. We park our cars in front of "the largest poppy painting in the world". 60 meters long and 4,50 meters high, it delimits the large parking lot in the village center towards the forest. It was painted by Karl Moser, a Waldviertel artist, who shows a poppy meadow on this monumental painting.

We go to the local inn, which - appropriately - is called the poppy host. Here we learn that Johann Neuwiesinger and his wife Rosemarie were the initiators of the Mohndorf. His wife tells us how he came home one day and enthusiastically says: "We are turning our village into a Mohndorf." When asked what he meant by this, he explained to her: "A lot of poppies are grown in the vicinity of our village , We make this the theme of our inn. And who knows, maybe others in the village will join our idea. ”They could not have known with what enthusiasm their nearly 100 neighbors would take up the idea. That is why the Mohndorf is one of the main attractions in the Waldviertel in Lower Austria and provides culinary delights all year round. We can confirm that, because the poppy seed noodles and poppy seed dumplings that we taste taste simply heavenly.

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Poppy Park in Armschlag in the Waldviertel Austria

Oat Whisky from the Distillery Weidenauer

Our journey continues to more culinary delights. We visit the oat distillery Weidenauer, which is in the village of Kottes. What originally started as a hobby of the farm owner, has today developed into a profitable sideline for the farmer. He grows the oats himself, which he distills into whiskey in his distillery. As soon as we enter the farm, we smell that the finest brands are made here. Since the year 2000 the whisky from the house Weidenauer is listed among the best spirits in Austria, and in the specialist literature such as the Gault Millau, the Destillata Guide or the A La Carte Guide it appears regularly among the top products of Austria.

Not far we spend the night in one of the Genießerzimmer (rooms to savor) in a holiday apartment of the Bauer family in Gutenbrunn, 3665 Gutenbrunn 133. Our dinner at Gasthof Seewolf, 3665 Gutenbrunn, Edlesberg / See 15 ensures an enjoyable end at the lake to our day.

In the Blockheide Gmünd, one of the offbeat places to visit in Austria

The Blockheide near Gmünd in the Waldviertel Austria

The next morning we drive to the Blockheide near Gmünd, where we get to know the scenic beauties of the region on a hike through this nature reserve. We walk past narrow fields, which indicate that life in the Waldviertel is hard. Our companion, Ms. Laister, confirms this: "The young people are moving away from here." We are very close to the Czech border and thus not far from the former "Iron Curtain".

A princely stay at the Schlosshotel Rosenau in the Waldviertel Lower Austria

What belongs to the Waldviertel in the suitcase

The nature in the Waldviertel invites to walks and hikes. Good hiking boots therefore necessarily belong in the suitcase.
For a walk through the Waldviertel you need one backpack, where you can take a snack and drinks. Even if you only plan a walk is one backpack practically. In it you can put a warm jacket and your photo equipment.
Due to the location of the hilly landscape and the proximity to Bohemia, "the Bohemian" often blows here. This is the name of the winch, which often cools down even in summer. Therefore, one belongs in summer Summer vest *, in the autumn a waterproof windbreaker and in the winter a jacket with a hood * in the suitcase.
If you are planning a hike in the Waldviertel, then you can with our hiking checklist check that you have packed everything you need. Here you can find practical utensils for hikers.
When you travel to the Waldviertel in winter, the wind often whistles over the open hills. Then you are happy if you Hand warmer and foot warmer you have. Our tips for the winter cold in Canada help you to make your winter holiday in the Waldviertel in Austria a pleasure.
For a wellness holiday in the Waldviertel, which is just in winter a pleasure, you need swimsuit and swimming trunks*, We also like to take our own Bathrobe* and our Slippers * With. We are prepared for a visit to the spa after a trip to the winter world in the Waldviertel.

If you purchase via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Hiking in the Blockheide

Our walk through the Blockheide shows us, how interesting this landscape is. Granite blocks are scattered in the forest. Ms. Laister explains that these granite stones were exposed by erosion. We pass a pond, in the middle of which there is an island, where wild geese in particular seem to feel at ease. A goose family swims past us, chattering. In the forest, which adjoins, a tower rises above the firs and opens the view of the surrounding forests. Those who come here should take their time to enjoy the magic of this area.

Herbs, spices and tinctures are mixed at Sonnentor

Herbs, Spices and Teas at Sonnentor in Sprögnitz

After a lunch with roast pork and potato dumplings in the tavern in Demutsgraben, we continue to the herb-sensory world of Sonnentor in Sprögnitz. At first, I am surprised, that we are standing in front of a big factory. I expected something different. When I hear, however, that Sonnentor is a company, that makes millions of dollars in sales every year with its herbs from all over the world, I realize the significance of this company for the region.

The farmers of Sprögnitz plant herbs of all kinds, but the founder of Sonnentor, Johannes Gutmann - a farmer's son from the region - today buys herbs from all over the world. His suppliers are located in China as well as in Africa, in Latin America as well as in India. We are guided through the warehouses of Sonnentor, where the scents and smells almost take our breath away. Here Rosenholz is stored as well as peppermint, hemp as well as parsley, oregano as well as turmeric. In bags, the herbs from the region and the world are collected, mixed and packed. Tees, herbal mixtures, spice mixtures and tinctures of all kinds are sent from here to the Sonnentor shops, but also all over the world. Quality is a priority, and the tea we taste at the end of our visit to Sonnentor testifies to the quality of the products that are produced here.

We end our second day in the Waldviertel with a dinner in the Castle Hotel Rosenau , 3924 Schloss Rosenau 1, where we spend the night in historic elegance in the Rose Room. This castle hotel is a true insider tip!

Enjoy autumnal silence at the Herrensee in Litschau

A Walk around Lake Herrensee in Litschau in the Waldviertel Lower Austria

On the third and last day of our autumn trip through the Waldviertel, we drive again almost to the Czech border. This time our destination is Litschau, a village, over which a castle rises, which is not accessible to the public, but is privately owned. Nevertheless, a visit to Litschau is worthwhile, above all because of Lake Herrensee, which extends only a few steps from the center of the village into the forest.

The longer we follow the path along the lake, the quieter it gets. Fewer and fewer people meet us, and we enjoy the tranquility, that prevails over the water surface. Only now and then do we hear the chattering of geese, who, when they spot us on the shore, hurry to swim towards us in the hope of getting some crumbs. However, we have nothing to give them, so they are just circling loudly before waddling back into the water and swimming on.

I like this lake. It reminds me in many ways of the thousands of lakes, that we have encountered on our travels through Canada. Here, too, huts stand on the shore, small promontories jut into the water, and there is a silence over the water, as I have known it in that intensity only in the far north of Canada. Nice! I would like to stay here longer.

The art museum Waldviertel Austria - extraordinary, interactive & creative

In the afternoon we visit The Museum of Art in Schrems and are welcomed by its founder, Professor Makis Warlamis. As a former professor of architecture, he designed the museum building himself.

But Mr. Warlamis is a versatile person. With his children's furniture, he has won awards all over the world. His paintings fetch the highest prices at auctions in art galleries around the world. And he shows us a letter in which Pope Benedict XVI. congratulates on his art. "I'm a star in my home country of Greece," he says proudly. And he shows us his art museum, which differs from usual art temples.

A Museum to Touch

"Feel free to touch the picture," he tells me as he leads us through the painting collection, and I look at him in astonishment. "Yes, here visitors can feel the art," he laughs. And he shows us his works and those of other artists, which are shown here in changing exhibitions. “We want to show people that art is not something that you don't understand. It's something that you should feel and touch. "

I am particularly impressed by the sculpture garden, in which this understanding of art becomes particularly clear: in a small chapel that Professor Warlamis built from the remains of a former stonemason's workshop, visitors sit outdoors with a direct view of the sky. "Here, night services are especially beautiful when you can look out at the starry sky," explains his companion, Bernhard Antoni. And I have to agree with him. Not only the chapel, but also the sculpture garden surrounding it radiate something magical.

Art Museum Schrems in the Waldviertel in Lower Austria

A Museum that awakens Your Creativity

We learn that this museum is not only open to the viewer, but also wants to arouse his creativity after the tour. Professor Warlamis leads us into the workshop of the museum, where after a short introduction, we are allowed to try our hand at creative work with clay. And so we knead, roll, pull and push our clay chunks, until an interesting head, a prehistoric monster, an arrow-shooting centaur, a trophy, a blue chicken and an idealized brontosaurus have been created. How diverse the ideas and the imagination of the visitors can be, can be seen in our small group alone. At any rate, our visit to the Kunstmuseum in Schrems shows, that art does not have to be boring, but can be a highly interesting and interactive experience, if you get involved in it.

The art museum
Mühlgasse 7a
3943 Schrems
Austria

View from the spa of the Hotel Schwarz Alm

Winter Wellness Hotel in the Waldviertel Austria

The Waldviertel in Austria is not only interesting in the warmer months of the year. The higher elevations of the hilly landscape in the Waldviertel in Lower Austria ensure, that the landscape becomes a winter wonderland in winter. We experienced this during the Advent season on a short getaway in the Wellness Hotel Schwarz Alm. We experienced winter wellness, which can hardly be more beautiful. The hotel is tucked away in a clearing in the woods. It is surrounded by forests and meadows. The nearest major road is a few kilometers away. As well as the town Zwettl. This contributes to the fact, that we can enjoy pure peace in this hotel.

Enjoy the Waldviertel region

In addition, the seclusion of the hotel allows us to experience the magic of winter particularly well. While eating, a fire flickers in the fireplace and creates a real feel-good atmosphere. There is a lot to discover around the hotel during the day. We visit the Zwettl Abbey with his Gingerbreadhouse exhibition. In Heidenreichstein we learn how Waldviertel cheese produced - of course with a tasting of the cheeses. And in the castle Heidenreichstein we enjoy the Advent season with a glass of punch at the Christmas market.

After eventful rides through dreamlike winter sceneries, we enjoy the wellness treatments in the hotel Schwarz Alm all the more in the evening. Relax in the warmth overlooking a winter landscape, that couldn't be better. A stay in the Wellness Hotel Schwarz Alm is a real insider tip for people, who like to savor their trips.

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Source Waldviertel Lower Austria: On-site research at the invitation of Waldviertel Lower Austria Tourism. However, our opinions remain our own.

Offbeat Places to Visit in Austria - Tips for Trips to Savor