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Mostviertel Tourism - Winner 2015

What makes Mostviertel special?

Fruit trees covered in colourful blossoms, gentle hills, verdant fields and the amber-coloured juice that gave the region its name – these are the ingredients of the Mostviertel, Europe’s largest contiguous area devoted to cultivating pear trees.

Along the 200 km of the Moststrasse, visitors will find inns, Moststrasse Heurigen (cider-makers’ restaurants) and producers selling home-pressed cider, providing plenty of opportunities to become more familiar with this sparkling beverage that was already known to the Celts in ancient times. Speckbirne, Pichlbirne, Dorschbirne or Stieglbirne - no pear is the same and there's only one way to find out which cider you like best: tasting, tasting, and tasting again, while the 'cider barons' explain the process from fruit to bottled cider.

Pear cider is not only refreshing, but healthy too! If you are looking to get in shape, what better way than exploring the unique rolling hills of the Mostviertel region with its scattered hamlets and farms with their enclosed courtyards, along the countless themed walks and nature trails, on foot or by bike?

Local gastronomy

There are 300 different varieties of cider pear grown along the Moststrasse, with around 30 varieties native to the area. Some of the pear trees are over 100 years old, most are approximately 30-40 years old, and in good years they can produce up to 1 tonne of pears per tree.

With great commitment, a wealth of innovative ideas and the latest cider-making technology, the cider-makers transform the fruits into (mainly) liquid delights: juices, liqueurs, spirits, and of course cider. Anyone sampling these modestly-alcoholic ciders for the first time will be amazed by the variety of aromas and nuances in taste. After just a few tastings, visitors will have discovered their personal favourites and learned how to match cider to a particular occasion or meal.

The enterprises operated by the 'cider barons', Lower Austrian fine dining establishments, inns run by the growers and TOP Heurigen treat visitors to unique traditional dishes such as Mostschaumsuppe or fresh contemporary cuisine featuring dishes flavoured with gourmet cider, cider jelly or balsamic pear vinegar. Gourmet diners will also delight in innovative variants like the sparkling, fruity Mostschaumweine and the lively fresh ciders such as Gödnmost and Jungspund.

Sightseeing tips

  • Attend one of the high-quality seasonal events celebrating the pear: the MostFestWochen (April-May), the international salon of cider in summer, and autumn’s Mostherbst.
  • Visit the MostBirnHaus or the Mostelleria, and meet one of the many people passionate about the area. They can teach you about the pear tree, its quality products and sustainable living.
  • Sample the treasures of the region in the spice shop at the MostBirnHaus, at the Mostelleria, or directly from the farm of one of the ‘cider barons’.

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Kaunertal Valley - Winner 2013

Accessibility

For over 30 years, Kaunertal has hosted initiatives for barrier-free holidays. People with physical disabilities can enjoy a fully accessible holiday. What is on offer is suitable for wheelchair users, mobility-impaired individuals, and families with small children and pushchairs.

Barrier-free cars and lifts on the Kaunertal glacier offer a complete range of activities for this target group, both in summer and in winter. The Kaunergrat Nature Park is wheelchair accessible all the way from the exhibition space to the terrace. Innovation is key and new developments are regularly introduced. The real key to success however, is the highly-trained staff with their years of experience in hosting people with disabilities.

Sustainable tourism is also a priority in Kaunertal. A holiday in the valley offers personal contact through the option of staying with local hosts, letting you enjoy home-cooked food and local produce in a beautiful natural setting. You can also stay in private rooms and apartments.

Sightseeing tips

  • Discover the unique landscape of Kaunergrat Nature Park and Nature Park House. Kaunertal Nature Park allows wheelchair users, persons with reduced mobility, and families with small children and strollers to have unrestricted barrier-free active vacations all year long.
  • Discover the Glacier park, transporting you from the daily grind to unparalleled freedom.
  • Experience the panoramic Kaunertal Glacier Road, taking you up to the eternal ice at an altitude of 2750m.

More information

  • Kaunertal website
  • Kaunertal EDEN video
  • infoatkaunertal [dot] com (EDEN contact for Tiroler Obeland-Kaunertal)

City of Gmund - Winner 2011

      Regeneration and revival

      For the local authorities and residents, the protection and upkeep of the old town and its architectural and cultural heritage has always been very important. The city has witnessed large-scale renovation projects aimed at preserving its flair and ambience, while also protecting its historic structures in an innovative way. The historical buildings have been carefully renovated and repainted.

      For the last 20 years, Gmünd has consistently focused on art and culture, and today the city is a fine example of how a strong cultural commitment can enable the development of a city. Over the same period, 15 abandoned historic buildings have been carefully converted into stunning public spaces, such as galleries, arts and crafts workshops, artists’ studios and sculpture gardens, all of which add to the enchanting appearance and atmosphere of Gmünd.

      The cultural initiative, ‘Kulturinitiative’, the city’s administration, and various networks of cultural and marketing organisations have worked together to strengthen the local economy and improve the quality of life for inhabitants and visitors.

      Sightseeing tips

      • Visit the Valley of Malta, part of the spectacular Hohe Tauern National Park, and the Kolnbreinsperre, Austria´s highest dam. Here you can take a walk or bike ride and see the spectacular Austrian countryside with its mountainous terrain and stunning views.
      • Visit the Nockberge National Park - a walking and hiking paradise within Austria.

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      Seelentium - Winner 2010

      What makes Seelentium unique?

      Seelentium is a paradise for those looking for an aquatic holiday. The authenticity of the lakes and rivers give the area a truly unique character. The three lakes situated in the area are great examples of special allure. The western shore of Lake Holzöstersee and the Schwingrasen Moor have been maintained in their original pristine form. Other lakes also remain undiscovered and pure. The balance between water and the surroundings is especially visible in this area.

      Before leaving, don’t forget to...

      • try locally brewed beer and fresh juices
      • visit Stahlpark – the museum for contemporary metal sculpture
      • visit the longest castle in Europe, situated in the town of Burghausen.

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      Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Park - Winner 2009

      What makes the Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Park special?

      An array of activities that range from guided garden tours to cooking classes make for a memorable experience. The region boasts some of the most exotic flowers and herbs in the country and one can experience first-hand how the women in the area have, for centuries, created some of the finest products from the Alchemilla plant, such as oils and soaps.

      In 2004, a new community centre opened that set the course for modern, ecological and energy-efficient architecture. Using wood and other natural materials from its own backyard, the ever-expanding centre echoes in the minds of the locals, who envision a beautiful and natural environment.

      Centuries of farming and producing some of the finest dairy products in Europe have made this region fundamental to Austria. Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Park shows a real concern for the environment through innovative farming and building methods.

      For over 1,000 years, man has worked and inhabited the land in the rich valleys of the park. In 2007, the Grosses Walsertal won an energy award for their development of two biomass heating plants that saved nearly 280,000 litres of heating oil in one year.

      Modern life and a proud history continue to shape this region's developing future.

      What to look for in...

      • Spring - The spring thaw gives way to wonderful waterfalls
      • Summer - Herbal aromas fill the mountain air
      • Autumn - The sound of music echoes through the valley
      • Winter - Knee-deep powder snow with spectacular mountain landscapes.

      Highlights of the Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Park

      • Rises 2,500 metres high through the brisk alpine air
      • Gourmet cheeses and other tasty delights
      • Exotic oils and fragrances that excite the senses
      • Peace of mind while consuming fair trade products.

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      Steirisches Vulkanland - Winner 2008

      What makes Steirisches Vulkanland special?

      Steirisches Vulkanland is rich in volcanic formations, thermal water resources, historic sacral and architectural monuments, and folk art, as well as in traditions expressed in its characteristic culture of festivals and celebrations. The arrangement of the land makes the 'inner energy of the region' accessible through guided tours to experience the landscape.

      Steirisches Vulkanland is a holistic destination where nature, space and man are harmonious. Nature, landscapes, authentic cuisine, and immaterial and cultural heritage can be experienced with all the senses. The region lives in an equilibrium of material and immaterial values. Special accommodation allows visitors to experience 'living culture' – dialect, legends and myths, customs and traditions – as part of the region’s distinctive culture of celebration throughout the four seasons:

      • Pleasure of Spring - geomantic hikes along the 'On Volcano’s Trail' hiking paths, allow visitors to experience nature’s awakening and the harmony of man and nature.
      • Summer masterpieces - glass factories open their doors to the public. Handcraft traditions and culture can be experienced at close hand.
      • Culinary Autumn - a cornucopia of delights as varied and colourful as the landscape makes for a treat for all the senses. There is wine-tasting in cellars with explanations by experts, wine harvesting in the vineyards, and the interplay of the aroma of wines, juices, cheeses, ham, vegetables and fruit.
      • Advent peace - rest and contemplation, experiencing calm in a landscape of tranquillity.

      Steirisches Vulkanland’s greatest potential lies in its identity – scenic, socio-cultural and economic, with one of the highest qualities of life. The region’s all-round approach to marketing is based on the inhabitants who are the bearers of a special way of life with innovative products and offers.

      Tourist highlights

      • On the Volcano trail: the 300km hiking trail through the picturesque landscape is an invitation to visitors to immerse themselves in the landscape of Steirisches Vulkanland and get to know its environment and the people. The main route has 40-day circuit hiking routes which are accessible by public transportation.
      • Life gardens: some 34 public and private gardens with various themes form a network open to visitors. The glass factory and the edible landscape – herbs, wild and cultivated berries and old varieties of vegetables – also mark the route.
      • Museums and collections: 28 museums and collections, public and private, associate cultural and natural pleasure.
      • Health: a spa with warm, naturally carbonated water with high mineral content and a 25-hectare park has been around for 170 years.
      • Culinary voyages of discovery: tours to the glass factories are given along the volcano by ambassadors of the region. They are occasions for promoting local products, and shopping at specialist wine and food shops or direct marketing outlets.
      • Culinary festivals: special festivals combine the three focus areas – cuisine, handcrafts and life force – on a high level. Masters in the various fields join together in a holistic pursuit of identity, authenticity and regional character.
      • Creative seminars: summer academies for visual arts, sculpture and ceramics are organised in Kapfenstein, the Vulkanland painters’ forum. Inspiration from the landscape offers young artists ways to learn new skills and techniques from masters both from the region and further afield.

      More information

      Pielachtal - Winner 2007

      What makes Pielachtal special?

      In Pielachtal, sustainability is a tradition. Farming shaped the life of the valley in the past and continues to do so today. Human activity revolved around cattle, chicken and sheep, herbs and fruits, in particular the most typical fruit of the area, the cider pear.

      The idea for the Pielachtal Eco-Region began to take form in 1994. 'Eco' stands for both ecology and economy. The aim is for an ecologically intact and economically prosperous region for work, leisure and recreation.

      The Pielachtal Regional Planning Society was founded in 1996 with the goal of implementing regional strategies.

      In addition to ecology and economy, social networking and cultural resources were stressed. A multitude of cultural projects were initiated, including the 'Pielachtal Artists Days', regular performances of folk music at inns, and a cooperative venture with the director of the Vienna Boys Choir.

      Integrated tourism ensures the support and encouragement of the local population in tourism.

      'In the heart of nature’s plenty, in the heart of Pielachtal life'. That is the motto that inspires offers affording an authentic insight into the valley’s nature, culture, crafts and way of life.

      Sustainability defines not only the character of offers, but is also a theme that they communicate.

      Guests are invited to learn to read the landscape and discover the interrelationships between nature and agriculture. They have the opportunity to learn about the principles and advantages of sustainable horticulture and the processing of fruits and herbs.

      There is a great variety of paths and gardens that invite guests to undertake discovery tours.

      The total length of the region’s hiking paths is 1,000 km.

      Sightseeing tips

      There is a variety of gardens: the lovingly cultivated and tended natural landscape, gardens of local people, and the Steinschaler gardens. Qualified guides impart interesting facts about hiking, caves and nature.

      Gentle mobility is the central theme suggested by the Mariazeller Bahn. Hikers in particular enjoy travelling by train for at least part of their trip. An additional motivation to travel by train is the 'Steinschalerhof Soft Mobility Package', which earned the Nets Award in Berlin in 2005.

      Two extraordinary vacation hotels have been created in the area:

      • Steinschalerhof
      • Steinschaler Dörfl (a small village on a mountain).

      Both hotels were originally farms and combine a high level of comfort with an emphasis on sustainability.

      The two family-run 'nature-hotels' are decorated in typical regional style making extensive use of wood and incorporating innumerable charming details. Nestled in their splendid natural surroundings, the hotels offer all the latest conveniences.

      Health and sustainability

      Trend scouting predicts that sustainability and health will gain in importance for holidaymakers in the future. Pielachtal plans to enhance its competence in the fields of sustainability and wholesome enjoyment. A range of projects that will concentrate on the health aspect is already in planning. In addition to healthful nutrition, healthy exercise will also be promoted.

      The Pielachtal region is distinguished, among others, by its:

      • Transfer potential: The region’s sustainability profile is unique in Austria, and by virtue of its high transfer potential can serve as an example for other destinations.
      • Health – theme of the future: As part of regional development efforts, academic analysis and development of the health theme is being carried out based on medical studies. The focus of the product being designed is the treatment of metabolic disorders.
      • Health and ecology: It was possible to document the interaction of health and ecology – 'Garden of Sustainability' – which has great potential for the development of a unique selling point.
      • Integrative tourism: Exemplary cross-sector co-operation between firms in the tourism branch, agriculture, trade, and local associations.

      More information

      • Pielachtal website
      • Steirisches Vulkanland EDEN video
      • weissatsteinschaler [dot] at (EDEN contact for Pielachtal)