Carinthia is an ideal destination for those traveling alone or in company, for those with families and children of all ages, here are five things to do in every season in Carinthia.
For those who, like me, grew up in Northern Italy, the Carinthia it is one of the almost mandatory destinations for holidays, bridges, or weekends.
Being the region more a south of Austria, benefits from an enviable climate that makes it perfect in all seasons. Whether you love the mountains and winter sports, spring walks in the open air, or even swimming and sunbathing in the summer, Carinthia always has a lot to offer, but above all it has a lot to offer at low cost! These are the 5 things that you absolutely cannot miss during a holiday in this beautiful region!
1. The lakes of Carinthia
True, summer rhymes with the sea, so a summer holiday in Austria seems almost a contradiction. However, although it may seem like the typical winter destination, often associated with ski resorts and white weeks, Carinthia offers a lot of possibilities even during the summer!
The most beautiful places to spend a few days of total relaxation are the lakes, such as the Wörther See, Faaker See, or theOssiacher See, just to name a few. The most popular destination for tourists - and also my favorite - is undoubtedly the Wörthersee: the landscape is beautiful, it is close to the city of Klagenfurt, and being the largest in the region you can do many different activities, such as the sailing, water skiing, or surfing.
The advice to keep your holiday low-cost is to look for a hotel or a pension in one of the surrounding villages, much cheaper than the actual tourist area.
2. The Großglockner
For those who are fond of excursions or outdoor activities, the choice becomes even more difficult! Carinthia is known throughout Europe for its AlpenStraßen, beautiful and evocative panoramic roads that cross the Alps. The place not to be missed is certainly the Großglockner Alpine Road.
Il Grossglockner it is the highest mountain in the country - almost 3800 meters - as well as the one with the largest glacier. The important thing is that it is also the one able to satisfy the most disparate tastes. Car enthusiasts will appreciate the 48 km long mountain road which with its 36 hairpin bends and a vertical drop of more than 2500 meters is often the scene of gatherings and gatherings of vintage car clubs.
I more greedy will be able to transform the itinerary into a gastronomic itinerary thanks to the numerous Gasthof present along the route in which to taste the typical specialties of this region, while the more sporty will enjoy the cycle stages designed specifically for racing bikes and mountain bikes, or the six itineraries designed for unrivaled excursions!
3. The Minimundus
If you are traveling with children (or if you still feel a bit like a child inside!), You cannot miss a stop at the Minimundus! I know it looks a little kitschy, and maybe it is, but when I was little I literally loved it! There was no trip to Austria where I didn't bother to take a tour. Basically it is a park that features faithful and 1:25 scale reproductions of the world's greatest attractions. You will find a small Eiffel Tower, the Sagrada Familia, the Sydney Opera, a miniature St. Peter's Square and so on. Obviously it should be taken for what it is, but it is the ideal place to do
4. Shopping in Klagenfurt
For me, a trip is not a trip without some healthy and well-deserved shopping. I generally avoid souvenir shops, which are overpriced and often tasteless items, but I like to be able to have something that reminds me of the places I've been, so I usually bet on shoes and clothes! After all, this is also optimizing: you buy things that are still useful, right? No matter what your excuse for shopping, there is no city in Carinthia that can compare with Klagenfurt: in addition to a vast industrial area full of shopping centers, the historic center is a real jewel.
You will find practically everything, from typical shops to your favorite international chains, from bookstores where you can sit and sip tea while you shop, to perfumeries full of products that we cannot find. The beauty is that in Carinthia, prices are usually lower than in Italy, so double the advantage! Don't forget to take a tour in Alter Platz, and to get to City Arkaden, a shopping center opened a few years ago but housed in a historic building. Trust me, you won't go out empty-handed!
5. The thermal baths of Warmbad
If you are not part of the category of lovers of active holidays, or of pilgrimages, but are looking for an escape of total relaxation, there is no problem! Rather! Carinthia is particularly known for its spas. There are several, but the most convenient as a quality / price ratio (as well as one of the closest to the Italian border) is that of Warmbad, near Villach.
A very popular destination for tourists, Warmbad has a solution for every need. In fact, you can find spas and beauty treatments such as physiotherapy or rehabilitation programs, fitness programs so varied that they start from classic swimming to even pole dance, such as water games and water slides with led lighting! In short, what to please everyone.
Obviously the prices are decidedly competitive compared to Italy, but for an even more low-cost holiday I recommend you to choose one of the many packages offered by the hotels or pensions nearby: they usually offer free admissions or treatments, or at least aperitifs of welcome, and are therefore particularly convenient, especially if out of season!
