An American in Styria
An American in Styria
© Chris Lukas
Fotos: Chris Lukas
Rogner Bad Blumau
Life in harmony with nature – this was the vision of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Rogner Bad Blumau was one of the places where he realised this vision in architecture.
A lively spot that combines landscape and architecture. There are no corners, edges or straight lines. Instead, there is the courage to create organic forms, colours, joy, and include the human dimension – a truly liveable work of art.
At the heart of it all is the water, with 14 different inside and outside pools and two hot springs. The most predominant of these is the Vulkania® thermal spring. A mineral-rich inland lake at a depth of around 3,000 metres with natural salt content. From the North Sea to the South Seas. Everyone will find a water temperature to suit them here. The Olympic sports pool with digital timing equipment is the ideal size and temperature for swim training. Relax after a session in the sauna in the shade of the natural cave in the sauna garden.
And there is much to explore · Colourful columns · ”Dancing windows” · Flowing colonnades · Golden cupolas · Roofs to walk on top · Resting galleries · Canopies · Room of silence · “HimmelReich” · Sauna landscape · ”Health and beauty” in the spa · A celtic tree circle · Hidden oasis to rest · Different restaurants and bars · Regional and organic cuisine · Wide variety, from buffet style through to à la carte · Wine bar · Fireside lounge · “Speis” (larder) shop · Breakfast for late risers · And much more.
Ratscher Landhaus
The Ratscher Landhaus represents wine & well-being in southern Styria! Celebrating the small pleasures in life that add up to great happiness, the Ratscher Landhaus aims to create a cozy atmosphere for its guests where nothing is missing and you feel completely at ease. Whether in the year-round hotel with vineyard restaurant, wine bar, Ratscher coffee house & wellness area - Michaela and Andreas Muster bring their guests closer to the lifestyle of southern Styria with passion and great attention to detail. Perfectly located on the oldest and probably most famous wine route in the region, the hotel is both a starting point for visits to the surrounding vineyards and wine taverns and a retreat for moments of absolute peace and relaxation. Enjoy doing nothing in the wellness area, dip into the natural or heated infinity pool or relax on the sun terrace. And more than 600 different wines in the cellar prove that good wine is simply part of the South Styrian way of life. This is how vacation dreams become dream vacations. At the Ratscher Landhaus.
Almchalets Keinprecht
Imagine a place where every breath you take is fresh and where you get spectacular views : Welcome to Keinprecht’s, located at 1,200 meters above sea level in the heart of the Styrian Alps.
The Chalets: Where Tradition Meets Modern Comfort
The stunning chalets blend traditional timber from their own forests with modern luxury. Warm yourself up by the cosy wood stove or relax in your private spa with a Finnish sauna. Expansive windows offer unique panoramic views. You can either book the entire chalet or individual rooms with private bathrooms. Families will love the bunk bed area – an adventure for the young and the young at heart.
Gourmet Delights At The Village
The village’s à-la-carte restaurant, "Schnepf'n Alm," not only offers spectacular mountain views but also serves regional delicacies in the spirit of the Styrian culinary scene called “Kulinarium Steiermark”. The “Kulinarium Steiermark” represents a seal of approval for regional products and local quality. Enjoy different deer specialties of premium quality shot by our senior boss and his son Christian.
Nature At Its Best: The “I Love the Mountains” Feeling
Almwelt Austria is perfect for nature lovers. Hiking trails start right outside your door and lead to beautiful spots like the Spiegelsee on Reiteralm. As a bike-friendly hotel, we offer well-marked trails, e-bike rentals, and a comprehensive bike service area.
Winter Wonderland Right Outside
In winter, Almwelt Austria turns into a skiing paradise. The chalets are located right on the Reiteralm slope, with access to 126 kilometers of trails across the 4-mountains-Skischaukel. After a day on the slopes, enjoy the cosy après-ski at the "Herzerl Alm" in the village.
Our Mountain Paradise
Almwelt Austria on Reiteralm has it all: nature, tranquility, comfort, and unforgettable experiences. Whether in summer or winter, with family or friends, this place offers the perfect setting to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Alps. The blend of traditional charm and modern comfort makes it a true Alpine gem.
Experience the magic of Keinprecht’s and discover why this alpine paradise keeps captivating visitors!
GEZ - NEW YORK Project
The Gleisdorf Shopping Center (GEZ) is one of the most popular shopping malls in the eastern part of Styria, located in the city of Gleisdorf. Covering an area of over 13,000 square meters, it offers a wide range of shopping options. Situated directly at the A2 highway, the center is easily accessible and attracts many visitors daily.
The GEZ features over 30 stores, ranging from fashion brands and electronics retailers to drugstores, bookstores, and toy shops. The shopping experience is further enrichened by a variety of dining options, including cafés and bistros, providing a diverse culinary selection. A large grocery store is also part of the center, making it a popular trendy place for everyday shopping.
It offers visitors a pleasant shopping experience. In addition to free parking, the shopping center presents an accessible design, making it easy for people with limited mobility to shop conveniently. Regular promotions, exhibitions, and events ensure a dynamic and entertaining atmosphere.
The GEZ is also attractive to families, with playgrounds for children and family-friendly services. Its modern architecture and bright, welcoming environment make it a popular meeting point for all ages.
With its central role in Gleisdorf and its diverse offerings, the GEZ significantly contributes to people’s quality of life and the economic vitality of the region. It is not just a place for shopping but also a social hub and an essential part of the city's life.
INJOY
Fitness Adventure In Styria: Experience the INJOY Vibe!
Styria is not just about stunning landscapes – it is also home to the ultimate fitness experience at INJOY’s! Whether you want to stay fit during your vacation, or train where Arnold Schwarzenegger first started his career, INJOY is the place for you.
Train Like A Champion
At INJOY’s, you work out in the same city where fitness legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger began their journeys. Our studio offers a full range of fitness options – from intense strength training and gentle back exercises to relaxing yoga – all within a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere. Make new friends with local fitness enthusiasts and feel right at home.
Your Fitness Home In Styria
INJOY is not just a gym. It is a place where you can truly feel at ease and connect with like-minded people. Our dedicated team, including Anna and Uwe, is here to provide personalized support and help you get the most out of your workouts. The 5komma5sinne team also trains here – maybe we will see you around some time.
Drop by and find out why INJOY is the perfect spot for your fitness adventure in Styria!
Bauer's Bitter
Bitter Extracts: 100% Handmade With Passion
Imagine holding a bottle filled not just with the finest ingredients, but also with all that dedication poured into every stage of its creation. That is exactly what you get with the handmade bitters from Herbert and Sabine Bauer.
Do Something Good For Yourself
Bitters have always been a gift of our nature and have been renowned for their positive effects for centuries. They support healthy digestion and enhance our overall well-being. Bauer’s handcrafted bitters blend ancient wisdom with modern insights in order to bring balance and harmony to your daily life.
Sustainability And Purity
Our bitters are 100% organic and vegan. We use only natural ingredients from certified organic farming and avoid any kind of animal products. This way, we support not only your health, but also a sustainable lifestyle.
Your Expert In High-Quality Bitters
The Bauer Family relies on traditional recipes and artisanal skills to provide you with a unique taste experience. Whether you want to support your digestion or simply want to enjoy the special taste, these bitters offer unmatched quality and flavor.
Bauer's Bitters – Styrian Handmade Quality You Can Taste!
Hiebaum
Discover Authentic Austrian traditional costumes, Trachten as we call them, At Hiebaum’s
Nestled in the picturesque southeastearn Styrian Volcanic Region, Hiebaum Trachtenmanufaktur has been passionately crafting traditional Austrian Trachten for over 65 years. Our family-run business proudly produces hand-made Trachten that embody the spirit and craftsmanship of Austria.
Hiebaum Trachten: One Of A Kind
Looking for a unique memento from your Austrian adventure? Hiebaum Trachten – from elegant Dirndl dresses and stylish Lederhosen to adorable children’s outfits – offer the perfect blend of tradition and modern charisma. Explore our new collection and be enchanted by trendy classical styles
Where Tradition Meets Style
Visit our family-run business in Studenzen and immerse yourself in the world of traditional Austrian fashion. Whether you are searching for a stunning Dirndl, classic Lederhosen, or stylish accessories, Hiebaum has something for everyone. Experience the warmth of our family tradition, the quality of our craftsmanship, and the joy of wearing some Austrian spirit.
Your adventure in Styria is not complete without a visit to Hiebaum’s in the southeastern Styrian Volcanic Region, where tradition meets modern style and every Tracht tells its own story.
Milchhof Wurzinger
Welcome To Wurzinger’s Dairy Farm: Where Animal Care And Welfare, Local Tradition And Flavor Meet
Wurzinger’s Dairy Farm is nestled in Fehring, right in the heart of the southeastern Styrian Volcanic Region. Surrounded by lush, green meadows where the best grass grows, the Wurzinger Family focuses on a deep love for nature and animals as the foundation for their delicious milk. The cows at Wurzinger’s are happy and healthy, and you can taste this in each of our products – from fruity yogurt to savory cheese of highest quality. This is local flavor you can truly taste.
Local Flavor And Variety At Wurzinge’sr Dairy Farm
Our product range is diverse and offers something for everyone. Whether it is creamy yogurt, soft curd cheese, or flavorful hard cheese, each product captures the unique character of the Thermal & Volcanic Region. Since 1996, we have been processing fresh milk right here on the farm, supplying local grocery stores, restaurants, school canteens and kitchens, senior homes, and even the Vulkanland Hotel with milk, curd, yogurt, and a variety of different kinds of cheese.
A Unique Experience: Rent A Cow – "Kuh4you"!
You want a truly personal connection to the milk from Wurzinger’s Dairy Farm? Then our unique "Kuh4you" service is perfect for you! When you rent a cow, you receive a “moo-tastic” surprise four times a year, featuring cheese, yogurt, curd, fresh milk, and creamy yogurt spreads. Not only do you enjoy premium products, but you also support animal welfare and special care and sustainable farming practices.
Our Farm Shop – Local Flavor Around the Clock
Our super-moo self-service farm shop is open for you 24/7, from Mondays to Sundays. Here, you will find everything your heart desires: fresh organic milk daily from the "Milchkammer," handcrafted cheese, yogurt, and much more. For nearly three decades, the Wurzinger Family has been producing high-quality organic products directly on-site, ensuring the best quality from pasture to plate.
Come by and discover what genuine animal care and local quality are all about. Experience Wurzinger’s Dairy Farm, where nature takes center stage, and where you can enjoy the freshness and aroma of Styrian products.
Ewald Zweytick
The fact that Ewald Zweytick is one of the great Styrian winemakers has long been clear even to wine amateurs. His wines, full of character and rich in enjoyment, simply leave a deep impression on the taste buds. Straightforward and uncompromising are also attributes that apply both to his wines and to Ewald Zweytick as a person. He turns out to be a fanatic when it comes to ripe grapes: “I don't pick green grapes to get this extreme fruit tone, I want ripe grapes.
Many wines are usually drunk young, but it's important to me that my wines are also enjoyable years later.” The fully ripe, healthy grapes are therefore harvested late and exclusively by hand and then vinified into various wine lines: In addition to the regional wines Welschriesling, Gelber Muskateller, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, Zweytick also has local wines and single vineyard wines (Riedenweine) in its range. The latter include, for example, his own heart wines, the barrique wines Sauvignon Blanc “Don't Cry” and “Heaven's Door”, which is obtained through intracellular fermentation - also made from Ewald's most cultivated variety in terms of percentage and, for him, the most perfect variety in terms of nose, spiciness and length on the palate, Sauvignon Blanc. These wines can spend up to 20 months or more in barrique barrels. With them, Zweytick comes closest to his ideal of full, dense and long-lasting wine. Incidentally, their English names are owed to Zweytick's second great passion, the hard rock band Guns N' Roses.
With the 2020 and 2021 vintages of barrique wines currently on sale, it is worth waiting a few more years before opening them, says the winemaker. But it wouldn't be Ewald Zweytick if he wasn't constantly working on new wines. Without ever forgetting his motto: “If I don't like it myself, it won't be bottled.” From the harvest to the work in the cellar to the packaging and delivery - Ewald Zweytick is involved in every step of the process himself. As a result, each of his long-lasting wines not only reflects the unique climate of the Styrian wine-growing region with its flavor-defining soils, but is also always pure Ewald Zweytick.
Weingut Tement
Surrounded by the Zieregg vineyard, the winery offers an incredible view of vineyards and hills in Southern Styria and neighboring Slovenia. The family can be easily counted as the pioneers of contemporary winemaking. They set a milestone, a flavor profile for the topographically diverse region they call home. In 1976 Manfred Tement took over the only three-hectares-small winery from his father. He put the winery, Southern Styria, and his idea of Sauvignon Blanc on the international culinary map. By now, his sons Armin and Stefan and daughter-in-law Monika work hand in hand with the parents about 100 hectares of vineyards – 80 ha of which are located in Austria and 20 ha in Slovenia. Since 2004 the winery expanded its most famous vineyard Zieregg to the Slovenian side, which shall count as the birth of Domain Ciringa.
What connects the family above all is the love for wine and the mutual confession to unconditional quality: The grapes are harvested by hand at the perfect time, then spontaneously fermented. The vinification and additional storing in the cellar happen separately in small parts, each vineyard, and parcel for itself. It was a personal concern for Armin and Stefan to work sustainably and think ahead. The next logical step was converting to a biodynamic circular economy and, in 2022, joining the Demeter association.
Next to the extensive offer of diverse wines, the family enriches the region with two gastronomical companies and the Winzarei, which offers a fantastic place to stay and a stunning view over the mountainous panorama.
Loisium Wine & Spa Hotels
Welcome, lovers of life! The LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotel in Southern Styria, Langenlois (Lower Austria) and Champagne (France) are the hotspots for wine lovers, connoisseurs and everyone looking for a special experience. LOISIUM is the first choice for discovering wine regions and experiencing them with all your senses. Culinary highlights & indulgence, relaxation in the Spa Club with outdoorpool, saunas & relaxation areas as well as an extra portion of wine edutainment - and all this in the middle of the vineyards. This is the LOISIUM lifestyle!
www.loisium.com/en/
Weingut Masser – Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Since 1937, Winery Masser, poetically named “Vogel” (“Bird”) is situated in the scenic heart of Southern Styria. Winemaking has evolved here into an art form for four generations. On renowned sites like Sernau, Oberglanz, and Schlingelberg, the classic grape varieties of the region thrive under the careful hands of the winemakers Florian and Peter Masser, a passionate father-son duo dedicated to their craft. The Masser Family’s winemaking philosophy is simple: being uncompromisingly authentic, innovative, and in harmony with nature. The Massers especially focus on fungus-resistant grape varieties which are cultivated under the "KOMPROMISSLOS" label, thus producing natural wines of outstanding quality. These natural wines convince through their purity and “raw” authenticity.
But the winery is not just about the regional classical wines like Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Florian Masser, who returned to the family estate after completing his studies at the prestigious Wine School in Klosterneuburg, enjoys experimenting with varieties like Pinot Noir, creating an exciting and diverse product line that reflects both tradition and innovation. A definite highlight of the summer is the pop-up “Buschenschank”, which is a temporarily installed wine tavern at the Family Masser’s vineyard. Here, visitors can taste the latest wines in a relaxed atmosphere and experience a true part of Styria.
Visit them online at www.masser.cc to discover wines that best express their terroir.
Their Favorites:
Welschriesling Wetterschütz 2020 – A classic line that lingers in the memory.
Riesling Ried Oberglanz 2020 – A sip full of elegance and flavorful depth.
Sauvignon Blanc Ried Schlingelberg Dachstein 2018 – All the essence of Styria in one glass.
