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The
region around Lake Hallstatt was awarded the status of “World
Heritage region” by UNESCO in 1997. This award speaks
for itself, and does justice to the historical significance
of the region, after which an entire period was named.
There are many significant areas of interest just on our
doorstep like the Salt mine in Hallstatt, the Dachstein
Caves and Hallstatt town itself to name a few.
The Dachstein Caves. www.dachsteinwelterbe.at
There are three natural caves open to the public and is
one of Austria most significant natural Monuments. The Ice
Cave (Eishöhle), the Mammut Cave (Mammumthöhle)
and the Water Cave (Koppenbrüllerhöhle). Each
cave is spectacular and it is well worth visiting all three.
In addition to the regular guided tours it is possible to
opt for adventure tours for children as well as adults.
See the above link for more information. All the caves offer
English speaking tours.
The Ice Cave and the Mammut cave are reached by taking the
cable car to the first stage.
The Giant Ice Cave.
This is one of the largest ice caves in the world and attracts
at least 150,000 visitors each year. The guided tours will
take you deep into the cave and you will see the magnificent
ice formations, stalagmites and ice masses some as thick
as 25m. The tour is approximately 1 hour long as is suitable
for all ages. The cave temperature seldom rises about freezing
so you will need a jacket and non slips shoes.
The Mammut Cave
It is the sheer size of this cave that gives it is name.
at present 60kms of passageways are explored, but only 1
km can be visited on the regular guided tour.
The cave is one of the longest and deepest caves in the
world. The tour lasts an hour and is suitable for all.
The Water Cave
The Kroppenbrüller Cave is located along the bank of
the River Traun at the far end of the village. The tour
lasts approximately 1 hour and explains about the formation
of the cave and the power of underground streams.
This cave offers a unique experience for children - Cave
Trekking. These tours mean you explore the winding passages,
washed out by underground waterflows. You get a hard hat
with a lamp and protective suit. You will have to belly
crawl and climb to explore all the passages and much more!
The 5 fingers viewing platform
If you take the cable car to the top station you can explore
the many walks and trails. The 5 Fingers viewing platform
was opened last autumn and juts out from the mountain side.
It gives you a spectacular view across the area. The route
to the platform is suitable for all – even pushchairs.
You will probably get to see paragliders taking off as you
walk the trail.
Those of you who are more adventurous there are many to
follow – for example you can follow the route right
down to the bottom cable car station (11kms) or over to
Hallstatt or just follow the circular route (3hours approx).
There are maps available so you can’t get lost! It
is possible to stay in one of the many huts over night should
you wish to.
Hallstatt
The town of Hallstatt is less than 4 kms by road or alternatively
you can take the lake steamer and get a magnificent view
of the town as you arrive.
The Salzberg, a local mountain of Hallstatt, contains salt
mines which hold the distinction of being the oldest operational
mines in the entire world. Due to the many archaeological
discoveries from the early Iron Age which were found in
the area, an entire cultural era came to be known as the
Hallstatt Period (800-400 B.C.E). Since salt mining activities
continue at present in the Salzkammergut, the area can also
be considered the oldest industrial community in the world.
The new HALLSTATT WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE Museum covers
7000 years of the history of the area. The new Hallstatt
World Cultural Heritage Museum provides visitors with interesting
insights into the culture of this fascinating World Cultural
Heritage Resort. Learning more about the cultural history
of this region is real fun. With a great variety of visual
effects and activities everyone in your family will have
a great time at the Hallstatt World Cultural Heritage Museum!
Opening Hours
May, June, September & October:
Daily 09.00 to 18.00
July & August:
Daily 09.00 to 19.00
November to March: Daily 10.00 to 16.00 (closed on Mondays)
For lots more on Hallstatt, please see www.hallstatt.net
Salt Mine
The mine in Hallstatt has 7,000 years of history to discover.
The "Man in Salt" accompanies the visitors on
their journey through time at the Salzwelten Hallstatt.
Since 2002, the "Man in Salt" is the central theme
of the re-designed Salzwelten mines. In 1734, a corpse preserved
in salt was discovered right in a salt deposit, a contemporary
chronicle describing it as "pressed flat and tightly
grown into the rock. Clothing and tools were quite strange
but well preserved."
The entrance to the mine is high above the town itself and
the first part of you journey is the cable car ride. Form
there it is a 15 minute walk to the main entrance where
you are fitted out with protective clothing and then you
can start your journey into the mine. This is a great attraction
for the whole family. Unfortunately, the mine is not suitable
for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Open daily from the end of May to the end of October.
Summer Toboggan Run
Super fun for all the family - situated overlooking lake
Wolfgang, this outdoor attraction is the longest double
summer toboggan run in Europe. Open daily from 10.00am.
The Blue Dome
Newly opened, this unique park explores everything to do
with water. Its an attraction that the weather can’t
spoil. Situated near Wolfgangsee approximately 35 minutes
by car from Obertraun.
See www.bluedome.at for more information.
St. Wolfgang
On the edge of Lake Wolfgang, the town of St. Wolfgang is
a traditional Austrian town bursting with character. As
well shops, horse and carriage rides, Lake Steamer tours
and then there is the famous steam railway the Schafbergbahn.
See www.wolfgangsee.at
for what’s on.
Bad
Ischl
The small town of Bad Ischl 25 kms from Obertraun was the
former summer capital of the great Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
and has been associated with the Habsburg imperial dynasty
for at least 700 years. The Imperial Villa in Ischl, the
Emperor's summer residence, was described by Franz Josef
I as "heaven on earth" for himself and his family.
Where the Emperor went – the court followed. Now,
Bad Ischl is full of grand villas, parks and promenades’,
cafes and concert halls.
The Villa is now open to the public in the summer months
and is well worth a visit.
Today there are concerts almost daily as well as the Lehár
Music Festival which takes place in the summer.
Bad Ischl is a spa town and has a magnificent array of
treatments available in the Wellness Centre. If you just
fancy a dip in the waters – the indoor pools are open
daily.
For lots more information what’s on in Bad Ischl
see www.badischl.com
Linz www.linz.at
The heart of the Upper Austrian capital has a pulsating
beat.. The idyllic streets and the stylish marketplace provide
a delightful counterpoint to the contemporary art and virtual
reality of the popular ARS Electronica centre. Sightseeing
and shopping can be done in the inner city centre followed
by a gastronomic stroll through the many streets of local
cuisine. Traditional cakes and pastries are on hand at the
numerous coffee shops throughout the city.
A tour of the old quarter allows visitors to make a range
of historic discoveries. The oldest church in Austria and
the church of St Martin are amongst many to be found here.
The museum of the future (ARS Electronica) is great to visit
where the latest technology is on hand much of which can
be experienced. The Postlingberg family mountain railway,
Europe's' steepest, offers a charming touch of nostalgia.
Once at the top, the view of the city is stunning. Linz
also has its own zoological and botanical gardens which,
along with a busy calendar of events makes this a great
city to discover. A very full day out !
Salzburg www.salzburg.at
The city of Salzburg is known as the world's stage. It is
here where history comes alive and where music and nostalgia
come together. The birthplace of Mozart really comes alive
and all around Salzburg memorabilia can be seen. History
is around every corner. There are too many attractions for
one day and so much to be discovered. Many tour operators
offer city excursions and if your visit is short it is well
worth considering this option. Horse and carriage rides
are available from university square and the city's picturesque
side streets provide many a pavement cafe with cakes and
pastries on offer.
The "Sound of Music Show" (with dinner)
www.soundofmusicshow.com at the Sternbrau theatre provides
an excellent evening of enjoyable entertainment. There is
far too much to mention here but a visit to Salzburg is
an absolute 'must'. From museums to mountain tours and from
palaces to parks - it's all here
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