Description

A summer full of alpine exercise: Wellness relaxation on the gentle Nock Mountains

Why Bad Kleinkirchheim leaves its guests sometimes hanging

Sometimes it’s the small things that bring great happiness. The listening to the rushing sounds of a stream or the gurgling of a spring fountain, or the chirping of a cricket. For this Bad Kleinkirchheim in the Carinthian Nock Mountains leaves its guests simply hanging – and they swing a little. 40 small wellness oases around this well known holiday village make really enchanting “beautiful spots”. A comfortable wooden hammock, hangs near to a river or a spring, and invites you to laze around.

The mountains help you to keep your legs in shape. Bad Kleinkirchheim achieves its own mixture of alpine exercise and comforting relaxation.

Alpine wellness - Bad Kleinkirchheim is the very best. This the holiday resort, with many years experience, has proof literally in black and white: as it was the first resort in Austria to receive an official certificate, certifying that it is, superior and competent when it comes to the subject of wellbeing.

Wellness spurts out of a lot of springs in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The main attractions are the villages’ two thermal springs; their healing thermal water helps relieve pain and helps relaxation. Both the Therme St. Kathrein and the Thermal Römerbad (Roman Bath), but also the two dozen hotel indoor swimming pools will give you that feeling of being in an oasis of wellbeing in the middle of the Nock Mountains.

The word well-being gives a hint – that the way is also an aim. In aromatic mountain air and in the stimulating high alpine climate, walking is a very special experience. The scenery is breathtaking at many places, but the gentle high slopes of the Nock Mountains make sure, that no one needs to catch their breath. There are about 1,000 kilometres of signposted and well cared for walking paths, guaranteeing Safe Mountain top walks and trails between altitudes of 1,000 and 2,000 metres, leading to many beautiful spots and mountain huts, and also helping to find the correct balance inside.

The unique fauna and flora in the Nock Mountain National Park holds many surprises. Nature trails, information boards and museums as well as a number of guided walks by the National Park Association will get your spirit back into form. This is one of the oldest regions in Austria, captivating with its extraordinary variety – from carefully tended mountain pastures to the naturally wild grown areas.

Something very extraordinary flowers in a few places: The Speik flower, a type of Alpine Valerian captivating with its intensive scent – and, it is unique world wide to the summits of the Nock Mountains. Bad Kleinkirchheim has made a natural adventure out of this natural wonder: Specially chosen Speik Walks follow the scent of these flowers, and specially selected Speik Huts present natural Speik based cosmetics. After a foot bath in the “Water Tubs”- which have been placed along each of the Speik Walks – your feet will be rubbed with Speik Oil. But your stomach will certainly not be forgotten: Culinary specialties such as “Yellow Soup”, sweet Emperor’s Pancakes, or a hearty snack with speck and farmers bread, offer a special savoury note of Carinthian hospitality.

From Speik to bike: Bad Kleinkirchheim’s offer naturally includes the trend sport mountain biking. Again it is the gentle forms of the Nock Mountains that open new mountain ways for cyclists without being too demanding. Easy walking uphill for the whole family, ideal routes for road cyclists but also for extreme trails – 43 superbly planned tours are awaiting you in the Nock Mountain Region to be conquered by bike. Stroke by stroke and in the middle of fantastic alpine surroundings golfers enjoy the 18 holes “Kaiserburg” course in Bad Kleinkirchheim. And for beginners there is a Golf Academy, trial courses and a 6 holes practise green.

There are many ways to experience wellbeing in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The complete offer of wellness naturally includes the wide spectrum of the hotel sector, even offering two five star hotels. And also the culinary offer ranges from huts to chefs’ hats – a wide range. And beyond this Mother Nature is the patron. In a specially designed room of pine the wellbeing effects of this wood can be felt by your heart and your general condition of health.

WINTER
Bad Kleinkirchheim means …

* Unique Ski+Spa pleasure
* Guaranteed skiing fun (97 % of pistes with snow cannons)
* Countless hours of sunshine (southern side of the Alps)
* Sincere hospitality
* State-of-the-art and varied infrastructure

Fun on the Pistes

* High altitude skiing area between 1,100 and 2,055 meters above sea level
* 25 modern lift systems
4 cabin ropeways
6 chair lifts
15 ski tows
* More than 100 km of eventful pistes – wonderfully wide slopes and interesting piste variations for skiers of all skills
77 km of intermediate runs
18 km of easy runs
8 km of expert runs
* Snow guarantee: 800 snowguns provide for perfect skiing pleasure. 97 % of all pistes are permanently covered with snow all winter long – the artificially produced snow corresponds to 50 cm of natural snow
* 23 rustic and comfy alpine huts in the skiing area as well as possibilities to stop for a drink or a bite to eat at all lower lift stations
* Après-ski with great atmosphere to dance, celebrate and enjoy
* 4 ski schools with perfect child care and ski kindergarten
* Ski and spa shuttle free of charge – operating in Bad Kleinkirchheim from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m.
* 60 km of winter hiking trails through the idyllic scenery
* Illuminated natural toboggan run at the Kaiserburg – additional sledging possibilities in St. Oswald.
* New World Cup Downhill track “Carinthia - Franz Klammer”
* 8 km of cross-country trails – connected with 45 km of trails to Gnesau, Ebene Reichenau - 5 km of high-altitude cross-country circuit on the Nockalm at a height of 1870 meters above sea level
* Extensive ski-rental service offer – Ski-Rent at all four main entries into the skiing area with high-end models and top service – ski depot and boot warmers – switch between connected skiing areas as often as you like – skis can be changed, replaced or returned at any station.

Spa Pleasure

Water is the perfect element to keep or make you “fit” with pleasure. There is hardly any other sport besides swimming that gets you into shape while being so gentle and careful with your joints.
In addition, the thermal water in Bad Kleinkirchheim is provided with the well-known curative effects:

* Strengthening the circulation
* Steeling the immune system against infectious diseases
* Strengthening of connective tissue and vessels
* Alleviating of rheumatic symptoms
* Alleviating of neuritis and nerve degenerative diseases
* Fighting disorders of the cardiovascular system
* Positive effects on the healing process after surgery and
infectious diseases

Akrato spa = pure, low-mineral spring with a maximum of 1 gram of dissolved mineral substances per liter of water – spring temperature 36° C – pool temperature 32 to 34° C.

A new dimension of wellness – The Thermal Römerbad (Roman bath)

The Thermal-Römerbad has been transformed into a wellness oasis. The highlight of the Spa is the offer of an exclusive and high quality sauna area, covering 4,000 m², setting new standards both indoors and out. To help round off the programme of relaxation there is a new expanded massage section, and a beauty salon. There is an adventure area for children, both indoors and out. A new “relaxation tower” has been built, enabling regeneration on many levels and with a large quiet area for total relaxation. Bad Kleinkirchheim, the wellness oasis of the Southern Alps, is setting new dimensions on the subject of wellbeing holidays.

History of the Origins of the Mineral Spring in Bad Kleinkirchheim

* 1055 Legend has it that Count Palatine Poto hid in the Kirchheim Valley during his
escape. After drinking some water from the fresh spring, he appreciated the
curative powers of these miraculous waters, when he saw that his wounds
had healed
* 1884 The first brochure offers 12 rooms for the accommodation of cure guests
* 1934 Inauguration of the first outdoor thermal pool in Kirchheim
* 1935 Kleinkirchheim is granted the right to add the word “Bad” (= spa resort) to its:
name as follows: Kleinkirchheim – Bad
* 1957 New spelling: Bad Kleinkirchheim
* 1969 Inauguration of the indoor thermal pool
* 1977 The local Carinthian government officially grants Bad Kleinkirchheim the right
to use the denomination “Thermalbad” (= thermal spa)
* 1979 Inauguration of the Roemerbad (Roman spa) thermal bathing center
* 1991 Complete refurbishment of the St. Kathrein Spa
* 2006 Complete refurbishment of the Roemerbad (Roman Spa).

Source: Bad Kleinkirchheimer Tourismus Marketing GmbH

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Spittal an der Drau

Spittal an der Drau ist die Hauptstadt des gleichnamigen Bezirks und liegt im Bundesland Kärnten.

Im Bezirk Spital an der Drau finden Sie alles was Ihr Herz begehrt. Ob Sie im Sommer Wander- und Wellnessurlaub bevorzugen, oder in den Thermen von Bad Kleinkirchheim entspannen wollen, ob Sie leiber einen kulturell interessanten Stadturlaub in der gleichnamigen Hauptstadt verbringen wollen oder ob Sie entspannt an einem See wie sem Weißensee leigen möchten.

Auch im Winter finden Sie ein umfangreiches Angebot an Wintersportaktivitäten, die weit über das "einfache" Ski- und Snowboard - Vergüngen hinaus reichen. Entdecken Sie die Skigebiete des Bezirks!

Weitere Einzelheiten:

Der Bezirk ist mit einer Fläche von 2.763,99 km² der mit Abstand größte Bezirk Kärntens, nach dem Bezirk Liezen in der Steiermark der zweitgrößte Bezirk Österreichs und umfasst fast die gesamte als Oberkärnten bezeichnete Region im Norden und Westen des Bundeslands. Geprägt ist die Region im Norden und Westen von den Bergen der Hohen Tauern, deren zahlreiche Dreitausender zu den höchsten Gipfeln Österreichs zählen, einerseits und der Ebene des Oberen Drautals sowie Mölltal, Maltatal und Liesertal andererseits. Im Osten bzw. Süden des Bezirks befinden sich mit dem Millstätter See und dem Weißensee zwei der vier großen Seen Kärntens.

Der Bezirk Spittal an der Drau grenzt im Westen an Osttirol und im Norden an das Bundesland Salzburg.

Verwaltungsgliederung

Der Bezirk Spittal an der Drau gliedert sich in 33 Gemeinden, darunter drei Städte und zehn Marktgemeinden. In Klammern stehen die Einwohnerzahlen vom 1. Januar 2010.[1]

Städte
* Gmünd in Kärnten (2.609)
* Radenthein (6.363)
* Spittal an der Drau (15.801)

Marktgemeinden
* Greifenburg (1.868)
* Lurnfeld (2.617)
* Millstatt (3.406)
* Oberdrauburg (1.279)
* Obervellach (2.369)
* Rennweg am Katschberg (1.880)
* Sachsenburg (1.350)
* Seeboden (6.163)
* Steinfeld (2.108)
* Winklern (1.232)

Gemeinden
* Bad Kleinkirchheim (1.822)
* Baldramsdorf (1.896)
* Berg im Drautal (1.337)
* Dellach im Drautal (1.661)
* Flattach (1.299)
* Großkirchheim (1.485)
* Heiligenblut (1.093)
* Irschen (2.064)
* Kleblach-Lind (1.207)
* Krems in Kärnten (1.939)
* Lendorf (1.789)
* Mallnitz (858)
* Malta (2.084)
* Mörtschach (844)
* Mühldorf (967)
* Rangersdorf (1.764)
* Reißeck (2.349)
* Stall (1.717)
* Trebesing (1.254)
* Weißensee (797)

Quelle: Wikipedia

Carinthia

Carinthia Family: Full speed ahead

No other place will turn exercise-shy stay-at-homes into passionate outdoor freaks and active sports lovers as quickly as Carinthia can. Hosts in the Austrian province with the most hours of sunshine know just how to target the needs of teens, children and even babies. The shy young scientist will be just as much in his element here as the little adventurer or the youngster with an irresistible urge to run around. And if their parents want a bit of time to themselves now and again, that isn’t a problem either. Lots of the Carinthia Family businesses have special childcare offers for the younger ones. And best of all: As far as your budget is concerned, Carinthia is Europe’s Number One family holiday region.

Where nature is cooler than any games console
This summer too there are lots of new ideas on offer in the “Carinthia Family” programme, from mountain peaks to lakes, from climbing to surfing, from action to relaxation – “Carinthia Family” brings together all the activities that are of interest for families. The numerous leisure attractions and group offers are aimed at bringing not only the little ones, but also the medium-sized and bigger ones into closer contact with nature in a fun and sporty way, so as to turn holidays with the family into a very special experience.
And we have also taken care to provide offerings which are just right for the youngest ones of all: The group of babies’ and children’s hotels specialises in meeting their wishes and preferences. Here right from the baby food stage they try to indulge the tastes of the tiny holidaymakers. For instance, Europe’s first hotel especially for babies and children in Trebesing in the Lieser and Malta Valley offers baby care from seven days old. Holidays on a farm are a perennial favourite. Children love stroking and feeding the animals, and even at haymaking they are in the thick of it, enjoying their holiday life to the full.
“Carinthia Family” is a cooperation between the Kärnten Werbung promotional organisation and the tourism regions in Carinthia. The 47 hosts are regularly monitored to ensure their suitability to welcome families. They have to meet stringent criteria in order to be awarded the bears or kids and teens icons.

Carinthia’s natural arena: From tree to tree
Whether it is rafting or flying – in the Gail Valley, Gitsch Valley, Lesach Valley, on Lake Weissensee or in the Nassfeld-Hermagor-Lake Pressegger See region, virtually every outdoor activity is possible. On the giant Mega Dive swing in the Lesach Valley you can swing above the treetops at around 100 kilometres an hour. Join in the pirate or Viking rafting and you can chase down the river in disguise in a dinghy; go prospecting for gold or precious stones and one or two surprises may lie in store. On the Nassfeld sports mountain brave souls can float from treetop to treetop in the labyrinth of cliffs hanging on a rope with the Flying Fox, or tackle the bends on the Pendolino summer tobogganing track.
For children, hiking tours along the new “BergWasser” aqua trail offer an especially exciting adventure, where they can even get into a sailing boat at a height of 1900 metres, right in the middle of the mountains. Lake Weissensee offers a chance to cool off after a long trekking tour with a swim or a waterskiing trip. And young historians can search for fossils in the Geopark in the Carnic Alps.

Katschberg-Rennweg: From an adventure park to a world of experiences
At Katschberg-Rennweg families will be playing the main role again this summer. Amongst other things the Adventure Park on the Katschberg has been extended by another 30 stops, while the high ropes course is one of the largest in Austria. With the new “Children’s Adventure World” and the new stream discovery trail in the Pölla Valley, the region has now been enhanced by two attractions.
A trip on the Tschu Tschu railway has been popular with younger visitors for many years now, as have the valley of 1000 orchids, climbing activities for children and fishing in the fish ponds followed by a trout barbecue.
The larger hotels on the Katschberg offer their own childcare facilities and activities, so that parents can spend a few hours on their own now and then. And what’s more: A stay at above 1500 metres altitude strengthens your heart and circulation, and activates your metabolism, which is just as healthy for grownups as it is for children. Particular excitement awaits in the form of the modern electronic version of the treasure hunt: To go geocaching on the Katschberg, families are equipped with mobile format GPS equipment and set off together for a hike involving plenty of surprises and challenges. Along the way the children’s enthusiasm for the mountains will be awakened and every member of the family can enjoy time spent together amongst the unspoilt Carinthian nature.

Lake Millstätter See: From a pirate ship to a jewel mine
Pirates conquer Lake Millstätter See. On their ship the “Black Pearl”, Captain Barbarossa and his crew of young pirates set off to search for treasure. But many a young pirate will find his first treasure at the “Granatium” prospecting for gems. Here the whole family can go on the search for real garnets armed with miners’ helmets and hammers. Small mountaineers will find more treasures on the Millstätter summit trail, for example along the river crab hiking mile at Fresach or at the children’s alpine summer events on the Lammersdorfer Alp.
Those who prefer to hear about adventures rather than experiencing them themselves will feel at home in the “Sagamundo”, the house of story-telling. Here amongst other things you can discover the story of the giant Mirnock. Animal lovers will learn a lot in the Bear Museum in Fresach or on the bee trail in Baldramsdorf.

Hohe Tauern National Park Region: From a dream setting to a waterfall
A holiday at the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, is already a special experience simply due to the landscape. Add a day panning for gold in the gold digger village of Heiligenblut and your stay will become unforgettable. In the Fallbach water fun park in the Malta Valley, situated directly beneath the highest waterfall in Austria, naturally the focus is on having fun in the water. New this summer is the hiking bus, which will take mountaineers large and small to the starting points for their hikes. In Innerfragant every Monday there is a children’s climbing taster course, and in Döllach also on Mondays you can discover the landscape with llamas.

Lake Wörthersee: From a mini-captain to Minimundus
On Lake Wörthersee there is any amount of room for children and adolescents to play, such as playing the captain on one of the Lake Wörthersee boats. In Minimundus, where the major buildings of the world are reproduced on a scale of 1:25, this summer a 400 square metre playground is being inaugurated where miniature elephants, hot air balloons and lots of other miniaturised items from the story “Around the world in 80 days” can be seen. Youngsters can learn the coolest types of trend sports at “Seekids” in Pörtschach and at “FIT for FUN” in Krumpendorf.
A family holiday at Carinthia’s best known lake offers extra special value for money with the Wörthersee Card. This is available free of charge at around 140 businesses of all categories throughout the Lake Wörthersee region. More than 100 attractions ranging from boat trips, cable cars and panoramic roads to museums, zoos and water worlds are here to be discovered all over Carinthia. The Wörthersee Card gives you free entry to eight lidos in the Lake Wörthersee region (from Monday to Saturday) and enables you to join adventure trips which take place every day.

Bad Kleinkirchheim: From meeting Heidi to carving wooden animals
Exciting expeditions into the Nockberge Mountains can be undertaken in the area around Bad Kleinkirchheim. With the leisure programmes on offer from the Krainer sports school, you can discover the National Park by bike or on foot from the family sports village Feld am See. The little ones will particularly enjoy the Heidi Alm on the Falkert and if you really want to get your adrenalin going, why not take a ride on the Nocky-Flitzer, the 1600 metre long Alpine rollercoaster on the Turracher Höhe. In the “designerzeit” wood museum in Gnesau the younger ones can attend a special children’s wood workshop and find out how this natural material is worked professionally. On a tractor ride on the Trattlerhof farm the dads’ eyes will be shining too.
And all five senses will be sharpened up at the Hotel Eschenhof: Little ones can feel for objects between stacks of wood, listen out for the tunes in the sound house, feel the different floor coverings on the barefoot snail, smell the fruit in the orchard and watch out for the balls on the boccia track.

Lieser and Malta Valley: From fairy tales to little bears
In the Malta Valley it is not only the spectacular landscape between the Hohe Tauern and Nockberge National Parks that could have come straight out of a fairy tale. The “fairytale trail” for example leads through the middle of the woods, where tinies can meet different figures from their favourite fairy stories and run across the longest suspension bridge in the Alps.
This region has long been an absolute specialist in looking after the youngest visitors. Trebesing for instance is Europe’s first village for babies and children, where not only can the youngsters discover all kinds of exciting things, but their parents can really switch off too. In no other region of Carinthia will you find so many little bears and smileys adorning hotels and bed and breakfasts as in the Lieser and Malta Valley.

Lake Klopeiner See region: From juggling to mountain biking
At up to 28 degrees, in high summer Lake Klopeiner See is the warmest swimming lake in Europe, making it an ideal place for little ones to paddle. But the other six swimming lakes in the region also become lovely and warm, and are all of drinking water quality. The high points of a family summer on Lake Klopeiner See are the children’s festivals held in July and August. These events are under the motto “artistry and clowning”. Spectacular trampoline shows, clown performances, juggling arts or a makeup studio invite you to do more than just sit and watch. The children can also join in the fun themselves. The festivals are held on 9, 15, 22 and 29 July, and 5 and 12 August.
But even if you don’t make it to one of the region’s festival days, you can still enjoy a great many experiences. For instance on a cruise on the River Drau, where the children can also take the wheel sometimes, or in the forest adventure park in St. Kanzian, the nature and flower discovery park, in the dripstone caves in Bad Eisenkappel and Griffen, at the Wildenstein waterfall or hurtling down the Eberndorf summer toboggan track.
Older children will be enchanted by the all-day “Lake in Flames” event, when jugglers and fire-breathers put in an appearance and in the evening Austria’s largest firework display is lit. From 17 May to 17 September children and adolescents can take part in a free sports programme with groups at different levels, and play beach volleyball, join in guided cycling or mountain bike tours, go on hiking tours or take a tennis course. Guests of the Schmautz family guesthouse in Jerischach can live as the Romans did in ancient Carinthia, by putting their strength to the test at the Roman Olympics, regaining their energies with a Carantanian meal eaten with the fingers, and in between brewing an enchanted elixir over the campfire from herbs they have gathered themselves.


Villach-Warmbad, Lake Faaker See, Lake Ossiacher See: From the climbing centre to the thermal spa
Sporty families are in good hands in Villach, at Lake Faaker See and above all at Lake Ossiacher See. Naturally you can learn almost any kind of water sport here. But if you have a good head for heights, why not try climbing up the cliffs at the climbing centre on the Kanzianiberg, visiting the eagle centre or taking the cable car to the mountain kart races on the Gerlitzen.
And after all their exciting adventures, children can really relax in the Warmbad-Villach thermal spa resort together with their parents. In Gina’s babies’ and children’s hotel in Drobollach on Lake Faaker See there is a special children’s driving ranch, where the youngsters can practise their first strokes and even get their licence to play golf on a five-day course. Parents can play golf here too, as there are seven 18-hole courses in the vicinity.

Golfland Kärnten

“Golfland Kärnten” is a co-operation between 13 golf courses (10 in Carinthia, 1 in Slovenia and 2 in Italy) and 60 hotels specialising in golfing holidays. Golfers who have booked in one of the member hotels get 20 % reduction on the green fee in the high season and 30 % in the preseason and the off-season (until the end of march and after september)


Within driving distance. How great are the distances involved within the “Golfland Kärnten” co-operation? To put it briefly: any of the courses can easily be played within a single day. Because the Klagenfurt-Seltenheim, Moosburg-Pörtschach, Velden-Köstenberg and Finkenstein courses are so close together, ambitious golfers can even conquer two of these within a day. Here are some examples of distances between courses: from Klagenfurt to Moosburg-Pörtschach is 19.1 km, to Velden-Köstenberg 28.1 km and to Finkenstein 44.7 km. Even the courses in Slovenia and Italy are within “driving distance”. Via the Karawankentunnel, the distance from Villach to Bled is 52.3 km, to Tarvis 30.9 km and to Gorizia 155.6 km.

The “Golfland Kärnten” courses:

Carinthia: GC Bad Kleinkirchheim-Reichenau
GC Millstätter See
GC Klagenfurt-Seltenheim (27 hole)
GC Velden-Köstenberg
GC Moosburg-Pörtschach (27 hole)
GC Klopeiner See-Turnersee
GC Wolfsberg – Hattendorf (9 hole)
GC Alpe Adria Golf Schloss Finkenstein
GC St. Veit-Längsee
GC Gailtalgolf

Slovenia: Gc Bled (27 hole)

Italy: GC Tarvis
GC Grado

Carinthia Take a fresh look

In summer Carinthia is the region of lakes. The lakes glow turquoise blue and the water is warm. Children play on the shores, couples take romantic strolls and active types let off steam swimming, waterskiing or surfing. And if you want to see the lakes from a different perspective, all you have to do is climb a mountain and look down into the valley over the wonderful Carinthian landscape. A landscape with 1,270 areas of still water, 200 swimming lakes, 8,000 kilometres of rivers and numerous mineral springs. All of these turn Austria’s most southerly province into a true water paradise. But do visitors to Carinthia really know all that the lakes have to offer? No, because with all the new holiday ideas even Carinthian professionals can take a fresh look at the lakes this summer.

Natural arena: Pleasure rafts on Lake Weissensee
Lake Weissensee has made a name for itself as one of the most environmentally-friendly regions in Europe. A raft can offer you an atmospheric mix of experiencing nature and culinary enjoyment. On a pleasure rafting trip, the mayor invites his guests to sample the best of the Lake Weissensee cuisine floating on the lake. And hence offers you a new and unequalled view of the lake.

Upper Drau Valley: Across wild waters by canoe
Visitors see the Carinthian landscape from a totally different perspective on a canoe trip along the Drau. The river flows for 60 kilometres between Oberdrauburg and Sachsenburg. This stretch is ideal for accomplished canoeists. In Dellach an der Drau, just a few kilometres east of Oberdrauburg, is the new canoe camp, an ideal starting point for a variety of guided canoe tours through the unspoiled waters of the Drau. The meadows and woods along the banks of the river, which is 720 kilometres long in total, are home to numerous rare species of animals and plants. The upper Drau valley has been designated a NATURA-2000 area, which means it enjoys special protection from the European Union. As far back as 1943, the German travel writer and canoe pioneer Herbert Rittlinger described the unspoiled beauty of nature here in his book “The soon to be forgotten paradise”. He was one of the first people to canoe down the Drau.

Villach: See the unique turquoise of Lake Faaker See
The most beautiful view of Lake Faaker See is reserved for early risers. On a sunrise hike up the 2,145-metre high Mittagskogel you can watch the colours of the water changing minute by minute, until the lake sits in the landscape in glowing turquoise. “Zest for life comes in turquoise”, is the saying in the region around the lake, as you would more likely expect to see this special colour in the Caribbean than in the most southerly swimming lake in Carinthia. The white lime slurry which is swept into the water from the nearby Karawanken Mountains is to thank for this, as in the right light this reflects the unique turquoise colour.
Another perspective on the lake is offered by the new high ropes course which has been built on the Tabor. Or from the newly laid out path round the lake, signposted in turquoise, which visitors can explore for the first time this summer.
The new evening tour, during which you can discover Lake Faaker See from a nostalgic island boat, is also especially atmospheric.

A different lake view is promised by a trip on the Kanzelbahn cable cars onto the Gerlitzen, which rises above Lake Ossiacher See. From the summit you can float down into the valley by paraglider over the turquoise blue of this other major lake in the region.

Lake Wörthersee: With your family along the barefoot water trail to the water playground
This summer you can step rather than swim through the waters of Lake Wörthersee: As you walk along the new barefoot water trail in Pörtschach, the water and ground features feel quite different to when you are swimming in the lake. And the unique boat cinema now offers a completely new lake custom. Amongst others, the cult Lake Wörthersee films with Roy Black are being shown on a floating screen. The sound reaches the beach via loudspeakers, or if you are in a boat you can pick up the dialogues via a radio hired at the main jetty.
A visit to the modern water playground in Velden is a great experience for families: While parents can relax on loungers, children can act out the legend of the origin of Lake Wörthersee. The playground is situated on the circular hiking route around the lake, which you can tackle in several stages. Particularly convenient: Boats to take you back to where you started from every interim stage you reach.
In Pörtschach there are activities for children from Monday to Friday such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, tennis, beach volleyball or sailing, which means that parents can get to know Lake Wörthersee and its surroundings without their little hangers-on.
The “lakes and fine dining” programme offers an extra-romantic experience. Take a boat tour with a captain and crew, and you can drop anchor wherever you like and swim, sunbathe and enjoy a cosy romantic dinner together. And if you haven’t yet found the right partner, you might strike lucky on a singles cruise. The party boat MS Klagenfurt takes a night-time tour of the lake in May and twice in August. As well as good music, there is a cosy lounge on board and speed dating events.

Lake Millstätter See: A seat for romantic moments
Looking out from a hemisphere across the lake into the mountains and forgetting everything that you have left behind – a visit to the “seat in Lake Millstätter See” can set your view of life straight again. Around two kilometres to the west of Döbriach the seat is close to the shore, but in the middle of the water. With a few courageous steps over the large stones you can reach the acrylic hemisphere, which is filled with hay. An especially romantic time awaits if the two of you sit together in the sphere to look at the starry sky above the lake and the mountain panorama, or paddle your feet in the warm water of Lake Millstätter See.
Romance is on the menu everywhere on Carinthia’s second largest lake, which at 141 metres is also the deepest. Dinner for 2 can be served on a raft in the middle of the lake by the four-star Superior Hotel Koller. And a hike over the Millstätter Alpe also has a romantic background. Up until a hundred years ago, garnets used to be mined here, known as the “fire stones of love”. The high point of the hike is a view through the “garnet gate”. From here you can see Lake Millstätter See in all its grandeur.

Rosental Valley: From steep gorges and Ice Age waterholes
Water adventures come steep and rocky in the Rosental Valley. The Loiblbach stream hurtles downwards with ancient force at the Tschauko waterfall and wraps the Tscheppaschlucht Gorge in a gentle mist. If you go canyoning you can experience the gorge from underneath, from amidst the rapid waters. The tour to the roaring waterfall leads via ladders, bridges and water slides, through crystal-clear waterholes, up and down the ravine walls and through a gateway in the rock.
A special experience in the Rosental Valley is a visit to the so-called “eye of the sea”, the Meerauge glacial lake in the Bodental Valley, a deep blue relic of the Ice Age. For a good two years now it has been possible to reach the Meerauge easily with buggies or wheelchairs using the larch pathway. According to the local people, the little lake shrouded in legend is connected to the sea underground. And legend has it that a fully laden team of oxen which once fell into the Meerauge emerged again several weeks later on the other side of the Karawanken Mountains, in a lake in Slovenia.

Bad Kleinkirchheim: Unwind on the trail of the Romans and mountain farmers
Lake Friesenhals See offers a total contrast to the other Carinthian lakes – it is ice cold. This lake, situated at 2,160 metres, will entice you above all after a long hike through the Nockberge Mountains to enjoy a refreshing bath – and a splendid view over mountains and valleys. The springs in the two thermal spas in Bad Kleinkirchheim are substantially warmer: The Römerbad thermal spa with its many different saunas is one of the most attractive of its kind in the entire Alpine region.
A bathing tradition going back centuries is still cultivated in the ancient Karlbad baths, which have been managed by the Aschbacher family for eight generations. Here you can relax as the mountain farmers once did: in water just under 40 degrees and rich in minerals, with no electricity and no mobile phone signal. Or book the “Wellness & Wildlife” experience package and stay for four nights in a five-star hotel, then hike through the national park with a ranger and spend one night in the old Karlbad.
A unique feature of the Nockberge Mountains area is the Alpine valerian plant, which only grows on the knolls of the region above Bad Kleinkirchheim. After a foot bath in the traditional water tub on the valerian hiking trail, your feet will be pampered with valerian oil.

Hohe Tauern National Park: Hiking over untamed vista water trails
Water has stamped and shaped the mountain landscape of the Hohe Tauern for millions of years. A total of nine hiking routes share the motto of “wild water”: Safe of foot but with spectacular views and access, the paths lead through deep gorges and past high waterfalls. The Jungfernsprung for instance is a place of spiritual energy, at the Gartl waterfall you can breathe air which has been proved to be exceptionally healthy and in the Groppenstein and Rabi Gorge you can pop into a gourmet restaurant. If you like things more on the wild side, try a rafting and canyoning tour through the gorges. New this summer is the National Park hiking bus, which takes visitors to the starting points for the water-filled hiking trails conveniently, cheaply and above all with a neutral impact on the climate.

Lake Klopeiner See region: Swim or cycle
The warmest swimming lakes in Europe are to be found in Carinthia. Which is no surprise, as the 2,000 hours of sunshine a year really heat up Lake Klopeiner See and six other lakes in the region. At up to 28 degrees Celsius, the waters are wonderful for paddling in. With no mountain streams flowing through the lakes and no cool wind blowing across them, in the summer months a layer of warm water develops which is five to eight metres deep, and can survive a few cooler days with no drop in temperature. All the lakes in Carinthia are also so clean that they have been certified as drinking quality for years.
But as well as relaxation on and in the water, there is also a very extensive range of sports on offer around the lakes in the Klopein region: You can surf here, and the fearless can dive down into the colder levels of the lake. The countless hiking and cycling trails between and around the lakes constantly reveal new views over the magnificent Carinthian landscape.
If hiking is too exhausting, then in Globasnitz, Gallizien or Bad Eisenkappel you can hire an electric bike charged up with climate-neutral electricity from renewable energies. The most attractive tours by electric bike lead to the 54 metre high Wildenstein waterfall, into the bird-filled world of the Völkermarkt Reservoir or to Neudenstein Castle and the surrounding shallow water biotope.
On 9 July 2010, around 10.45pm, Lake Klopeiner See will shimmer in all the colours of the rainbow, when the largest firework display in Austria is lit from three positions on the shore at the same time. The spectacle is known as “Lake in Flames”, as the “water bombs” really transform the lake into a multicoloured sea of flickering flames.

Lieser and Malta Valley region: Hear the water rushing
Water experiences in the Lieser and Malta Valley are marked by the surrounding mountains of the Hohe Tauern and Nockberge National Parks. A perfect spot for taking a deep breath is the “Graggltümpfe water experience”. Here you can listen to the waters of the River Lieser rushing past, dangle your feet into the cool waters and barbecue a couple of sausages alongside. The wild River Malta is fed by the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern and carves its way into the valley through deep gorges and lots of waterfalls. You can follow a section of its course along the “Malteiner Wasserspiele” nature trail. The tour isn’t too difficult, which makes it well suited to families. A high point of the hike is the “Blaue Tumpf”, a tarn in which the waters of the Malta collect and glow turquoise blue.

Source: Kärnten Werbung GmbH