Excursions

The Styrian Spa Country has a wide choice of interesting places to see, many of them offering a deeper insight into the history and culture of the region.

The Castle Road

A journey along the Castle Road is a scenic and a cultural delight, a trip back into history, visiting the majestic fortresses and castles in this part of Styria. Originally these fortifications were built to protect against invaders from the east. Today they are popular tourist attractions; the fortress at Riegersburg, for example, houses a witchcraft museum and hosts many temporary exhibitions. Also Kornberg Castle, the 'wine castle' of Kapfenstein, Herbertstein Castle, Pöllau Castle, Burg Güssing and Obermayerhofen Castle are all open for the public to come and take a journey of discovery down through the ages.

Further information: www.schloesserstrasse.com

The Styrian Apple Road

In 1986 around 40 farmers got together and formed the 'Styrian Apple Road' organisation. The basic idea was to boost the local economy, in particular by promoting the region´s apple-growing traditions and landscape. A 25-kilometre long 'Apple Road' was identified and appropriately marked out, starting near Gleisdorf and extending through five different local communities. In April, thanks to the one million or so apple trees in the area, this road is a sheer delight of blossom. The centre of apple-growing here is Puch bei Weiz. This wonderful 'natural resource', with its fresh fruit, apple juice, brandies and schnapps, honey, rural traditions and crafts, is just waiting to be explored.

Further information: www.apfelstrasse.at

The Styrian Wine Routes

As far back as 2,500 years ago the Celts were making use of the wild vines that grow in the region to make wine. When the Romans came, vines started to be cultivated and wine production became more widespread. Archaeological excavations have revealed ancient vineyards and drinking vessels in the southeastern part of Styria, evidencing the culture of wine-drinking in the Roman era. Styrian wine production entered another dimension in the 19th century under the influence of Archduke John of Austria who was keen on systematically developing and promoting wine growing in the region. He had over 425 different grape types tested for suitability. Nowadays wine-growing is an important part of the economy in southeastern Styria, favoured by a combination of the humid, warm Mediterranean climate and the dry heat of Pannonia, and by a range of different soil types.

The wine buff visiting the area has quite a choice of wine routes in southeastern Styria: 'Klöcher Weinstrasse', the 'Südoststeirisches Hügelland Weinstrasse', the 'Thermenland Weinstrasse' and the 'Oststeirische Römerweinstrasse', which leads to Bad Waltersdorf.

Further information: www.steirischerwein.at

Graz, capital of Styria

Graz, Austria´s second largest city, exudes charm and southern flair. As a centre of business, learning and culture, the city has an important role to play in the region. Graz is not only a young city, a school and university city, it is above all a city of style and culture. Its colourful and lively arts scene spans the whole cultural spectrum from classic to avant-garde. As a result of this special cultural climate, here at a key intersection between different cultural spheres, the city was nominated European City of Culture for 2003. Graz´s many tourist attractions include the mediaeval old town, the Landeszeughaus (reputedly the largest collection of historic armoury in the world), the clock tower on Schlossberg, Eggenberg Castle with its 365 windows and the newly created 'Murinsel', an artificial island in the River Mur.

Further information: www.graz.at