www.suedburgenland.info

HOLIDAYING IN SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

S U N S H I N E F O R T H E S O U L

S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d2

S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d

E V E R Y D A YA H O L I D A Y

Where each day brings new surprises, where enjoyment in every form awaits you, where life is a feast for all the senses, where it’s easier to unwind, and where things are simply different – that’s southern Burgenland.

3

S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d4

Austria’s sunniest region is brimming with a seemingly endless choice of health and wellness resorts, exercise amid glorious scenery, and cultural attractions. All this and the region’s mouth-watering specialities, washed down with its wonderful wines.

This brochure is a foretaste of your holiday in southern Burgenland – a time full of variety, pure relaxation, and sunshine to warm the soul.

F E E L g O O d , E N J O Y , R E L a XHOLIDAYING ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE

Va R I E d

S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d 5

Va R I E dUNWINDING, ENJOYING AND LIVING FOR THE MOMENT –HOLIDAYING IN SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

WELLNESS & HEaLTH RESORTS 6-9

aCTIVITY 10-13

NaTURE 14-17

CULTURE 18-21

WINE & FOOd 22-25

INFORMaTION 26-27

ALL YOU NEED FOR A 365-DAY BREAK

W E L L N E S S & H E A L T H R E S O R T S6

W E L L N E S S & H E A L T H R E S O R T S

W E L L N E S S & H E a L T H R E S O R T S 7

Health and spa resorts go back a long way in southern Burgenland. The Romans were the first to discover the healing and soothing powers of the region’s hot springs. Today southern Burgenland is home to some of Austria’s most modern health resorts, and gives a whole new dimension to wellness – wellbeing, beauty and top class spas, with a fantastic variety of options to choose from.

W E L L N E S S & H E A L T H R E S O R T S

W E L L N E S S & H E a L T H R E S O R T S8

Visitors to southern Burgenland have a wide range of healthy and relaxing holiday options that draw on the region’s thermal springs. For example, Bad Tatzmannsdorf is one of Austria’s leading health and wellness resorts. The spa uses three kinds of natural healing resources. Its holistic Bad Tatzmannsdorfer Kur health treatments are based on carbon dioxide, moor mud and thermal spring water. “Five spas – one experience” is the thinking at Bad Tatzmannsdorf. You have a choice between the public Burgenlandtherme and four other hotel spa complexes. Whichever one you choose, you can always be sure of quality time for relaxation and regeneration.

Reiter’s Familientherme in Stegersbach specialises in affordable luxury for the whole family. Whether your taste is for revitalising relaxation, fun or restful tranquillity – this spa is a chance to discover a whole new side of the magic of water. And just across the Styrian border, the Loipersdorf spa invites visitors to unwind, experience and rejuvenate.

The many luxury spa hotels in southern Burgenland have their own private spa areas, or direct covered access to public resorts. Private accommodation that makes a holiday in southern Burgenland affordable for all rounds out the services that will leave you with a whole new sense of wellbeing.

W E L L N E S S & H E a L T H R E S O R T SWELLSPRING OF WELLBEING

R E L a X I N gMOMENTS WHEN YOU WISH TIME COULD STAND STILLSUN FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

W E L L N E S S & H E a L T H R E S O R T S 9

R E L a X I N gNOTHING IS HEALTHIER THAN NATURE’SCURATIVE POWERS

a C T I V I T Y10

A C T I V I T Y

a C T I V I T Y 11

The idyllic scenery and gently rolling hills of southern Burgenland are perfect for all kinds of sports activities. Whether you’re looking for competitive level sport or relaxed fun for all the family, you can be sure that our region will keep you on the move.

a C T I V I T Y12

A BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP FOR ACTIVE ENJOYMENT

a C T I V E

a C T I V I T Y 13

People in southern Burgenland understand that exercise and mobility is at the heart of a healthy lifestyle, and as a result the entire region is brimming with a wide and innovative range of sports facilities.

The many hours of sunshine are just one reason why golfers find southern Burgenland suits them to a tee. Reiter’s Golf & Country Club Bad Tatzmannsdorf boasts a superb 27-hole course, a nine-hole compact course, and a state-of-the-art David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Reiter’s Golfschaukel Stegersbach-Lafnitztal is Austria’s largest golf resort, with a total of 50 holes and a Simon Tarr Golf Academy. And with the additional option of the 27-hole Rudersdorf-Loipersdorf spa course on the border with Styria, golfers are truly spoiled for choice.

Southern Burgenland is also a paradise for joggers and Nordic walkers. Take the Lauf- & Walking Arena Bad Tatzmannsdorf, for instance, with its impressive 418 kilometres of clearly signposted routes. Countless riding and hiking trails (the majority with GPS coverage) and superb cycle routes (such as the new three-country trail linking Burgenland, Hungary and Slovenia) are just some of the other outstanding sports facilities in the region.

And for a truly action packed holiday there are canoe trips on the Raab, Lafnitz and Feistritz rivers.

M O V I N g M O M E N T SBUILDING YOUR FITNESS

a C T I V EWHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK THAN TWO THOUSAND HOURS OF SUN EACH YEAR AND GOLF COURSES FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL?

N a T U R E14

N A T U R E

N a T U R E 15

Gently rolling hills, idyllic vineyards and an unusually mild climate with more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Austria make southern Burgenland a great place to connect with nature. Every season hold its own unique attraction for nature lovers. The blossom and verdant green of southern Burgenland in spring casts a powerful spell on all who experience it, and everyone loves the great outdoors in summer. The autumn brings an abundance of wine and fruit, while in winter romantic walks as nature slumbers are always irresistible.

N a T U R E16

Three nature parks – each a one-of-a-kind experience – are central to enjoying the outdoors in southern Burgenland.For example, the Geschriebenstein-Irottkö nature park straddling the Hungarian border, with its 500 km of signed trails, is an Eldorado for hikers, bikers and Nordic walkers.

At the Naturpark in der Weinidylle nature park everything centres on wine. Given these splendid growing conditions and stunning natural surroundings, it is hardly surprising that Burgenland’s smallest growing area keeps coming up with outstanding Blaufränkisch and Welschriesling wines. Wine lovers should also make a beeline for the romantic, thatched cellar houses, and find out about the Uhudler grape at the Moschendorf wine museum.

The Raab-Örsèg-Goricko nature park extends into three countries – Austria, Hungary and Slovenia. The cross-border location makes for outstandingly colourful linguistic, cultural and natural diversity. And the park has a lot to offer in terms of things to do and see. No fewer than 30 different activities for all age groups, themed around experiencing and understanding nature, have been developed.

But the beauties of nature in southern Burgenland are not confined to the nature parks. For example, the Lafnitz Valley and the Zickenbach Valley nature conservancy with its rare birds should not be missed. There is also the 120-km alpannonia® hiking trail, which runs from the Semmering hills to the Styrian woodlands immortalised by author Peter Rosegger, and the Pannonian Plain.

But if all that is still not enough for you there is more – take to a canoe and explore the Raab, Lafnitz or Feistritz rivers.

N a T U R E a T I T S B E S TA FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES

P R I S T I N EPADDLE YOUR WAY THROUGH SOUTHERN BURGENLAND – A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER

N a T U R E 17

P R I S T I N EUNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS IN NATURE

C U L T U R E18

The history of southern Burgenland lives on in its mighty castles and magnificent palaces. The region’s eventful past has given rise to an outstandingly rich and varied cultural life. Today southern Burgenland is the scene of lovingly preserved folk customs as well as some of Europe‘s leading cultural events.

C U L T U R E

C U L T U R E 19

C U L T U R E20

HISTORYTESTIMONY TO THE PASTSOUTHERN BURGENLAND’S CASTLES AND PALACES

C U L T U R E 21

Modernism and traditions, folk customs and avant-garde – opposites anywhere else, but elements of a harmonious cultural whole in southern Burgenland. For example, the historic castles and palaces have become the venues for outstanding cultural events. Schlaining Castle is home to the European Museum for Peace – a uniquely comprehensive guide to the history of war and peace. Güssing Castle hosts many exhibitions, and is also the scene of the Güssing summer festival, curated by Frank Hoffmann, and an annual open-air theatre season. And Tabor Palace in Jennersdorf is the magnificent setting for top-class opera and theatre performances. The historically important Bernstein Castle has been given a new lease of life as a hotel.

Besides the well-known events, southern Burgenland also has a wealth of other cultural attractions. Numerous smaller museums give a picture of Burgenland’s history, leading artists and performers draw on the region for their inspiration, and pass on their skills at workshops, and virtually every town and village holds events that help keep authentic folk customs alive.

In 2011 Burgenland’s cultural life will revolve around Franz Liszt. Lisztomania 2011 will mark the 200th anniversary of Liszt’s birth. A large number of concerts will be devoted to the gigantic oeuvre of the pianist and composer, who was born in Raiding, Burgenland.

a T R O V E O F C U L T U R EUNITY OF OPPOSITES

FRANK HOFFMANN, DIRECTOR OF THE GÜSSING

SUMMER FESTIVAL

HISTORY

W I N E & F O O d22

W I N E & F O O d 23

The variety, originality and quality of southern Burgenland cookery is virtually unmatched. The delicacies on the menu range from international haute cuisine served at top restaurants to regional specialities enjoyed at typical south Burgenland inns and rustic wine taverns. The food is always accompanied by the region’s life’s blood – its wonderful wines.

To look at wine in any detail would more than fill a brochure like this, so the following is merely a foretaste of the pleasures that await you during a holiday in southern Burgenland.

W I N E & F O O D

F L aV O U R

W I N E & F O O d24

Wine growers from 12 southern Burgenland communities are behind the Weinidylle brand, which has established an international reputation for top quality. Although they are best known for the dark Blaufränkisch wines that are typical for the region, they also produce fruity Welschrieslings, Cabernet Sauvignons, Zweigelts and Blauburgers. A unique local speciality is Uhudler – a fruity wine with a finish that recalls wild strawberries which is made from the grapes of non-grafted vines. Colour range from a pale straw yellow to a full brick red.

Southern Burgenland is also home to many other renowned wine growers whose products are often among the winners of the coveted Falstaff awards. The region’s brandy distilleries are also held in extremely high regard.

Fancy a small culinary excursion? About 40 top food and beverage producers market local specialities under the Südburgenland – Ein Stück vom Paradies® brand. The Paradies firms stand out for their passion for the region and the local produce their delicacies are made from.

The menus of the Pannonische Schmankerlwirte are redolent of the taste of Pannonia and the history of southern Burgenland, and all of the inns in the alliance are strongly committed to using local produce.

Zickental marsh oxen, and southern Burgenland goose, apples and herbs have been included in the regional specialities listed on the prestigious Genuss Region Österreich website.

T H E a C M E O F P L E a S U R EFINE FOOD AND WINE IN SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

A DAZZLING ARRAY OF DELICACIESTRY THE TASTE OF SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

F L aV O U RBRANDIESFOR CONOISSEURS

W I N E & F O O d 25

26 S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d

From luxury to homely simplicity, you’ll find accommodation in all categories and to meet every taste in southern Burgen-land. There are five star hotels with their own spa areas. There are numerous spa hotels, either with their own spa facilities or with access to those of the resort. And there are private guesthouses that will give you a typically warm Burgenland welcome.

A special feature of southern Burgenland are the romantic cellar houses, known locally as Kellerstöckl. These small buildings, mostly nestling among the vineyards, are former press houses that have recently been converted into idyllic holiday homes – an unforgettable experience.

To find out about the whole range of accommodation on offer in southern Burgenland visit www.suedburgenland.info

S O M E T H I N g F O R E V E R Y O N EYOUR HOST IN SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

27S O U T H E R N B U R g E N L a N d

VIENNA

The best way to plan your trip by car is to use the route planner atwww.suedburgenland.info > Service > Routenplaner

MAP OF SOUTHERN BURGENLAND

Published by: Mittel- und Südburgenland Tourismus GmbH and its partners. Creative ideas and graphic design: spreitzer and friends, Graz. Pictures: Südburgenland Tourismus/Croce&Wir, Manninger, Innes Laschober; Burgenland Tourismus; NTG/Mike Kranz; iStockphoto; Kurbad Tatzmannsdorf AG/Bruckner; Verein Regionalmarketing Bad Tatzmannsdorf/Lammerhuber; RMB/Franz Kovacs; Michael Schmidt; open air museum Gerersdorf/G. Kisser; Bernstein; Liszt Zentrum Raiding/Ulrich Schwarz; Güssinger Kultursommer; Pralinenmanufaktur Castle Spiegel; Naturidyllhotel Landhofmühle*** Fartek family; Reiter’s Resort Stegersbach; Seier GmbH; and partners‘ picture libraries. Printed by: Schmidbauer GmbH, Oberwart.

a T a g L a N C E

Mittel- und Südburgenland Tourismus GmbHA-7400 Oberwart, Waldmüllergasse 2-4Tel. 0043/3352/313 13-0, Fax: DW 20info@suedburgenland.infowww.suedburgenland.info