I spent a couple of days in Burgenland in eastern Austria in early May 2011, staying at the fabulous St Martins Therme & Lodge as a guest of the Austrian National Tourist Office UK. Here are my tips for things to do in Burgenland.
A stork nest on chimney; a common sight in Burgenland
Podcast on Things to Do in Burgenland
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Admire the Twin Spires of the Church in Frauenkirchen
The Basilica Maria auf der Heide (Our Lady on the Heath) church in Frauenkirchen is quite a local landmark, I spotted the twin spires from several miles away. There was a bed of yellow tulips inside the church when I was there.
Basilica Maria auf der Heide in Frauenkirchen
Follow a Wine Route
Burgenland is well known for its wine. There are official wine routes you can follow but there are so many small family run wineries around Neuseidl am See where you can sample the produce, sitting in a courtyard accompanied by some nibbles. In Eisenstadt there’s a large vinothek opposite Esterhazy Castle.
One of the many small wineries in Burgenland
Cycle the Shores of Lake Neusiedl
Burgenland is ideal for cycling, as it’s fairly flat and there are dedicated cycle/walking routes running alongside, but totally separate to the roads for cars. It’s also so easy and cheap to hire a bike. There are many places to stop for refreshments located right on the lake. I had lunch at Mole West in Neusiedl am See and coffee and cake at the Katamaran in Rust.
Lake Neusiedl from terrace at Mole West
Be Charmed by Rust
I though that the town of Rust was like a picture postcard, with lots of brightly coloured houses and stork’s nests.
Ornate building in Rust
Explore Eisenstadt
Eisenstadt is the main city in Burgenland. It’s closely associated with the composer Joseph Haydn who lived here, and his former residence is a museum. The Haydn Mausoleum is at the back of Bergkirche. Esterhazy Castle is pretty impressive.
Esterhazy Castle, Eisenstadt
Visit Halbturn Castle & Restaurant
There was a lavish wedding on during my visit to Schloss Halbturn, I just had a walk around the grounds and sampled a local asparagus dish at the renowned Knappenstockl restaurant which had outdoor seating in the courtyard.
Gates to Halbturn Castle
Go on a Bird Watching Tour
Lake Neuseidl is a popular with bird watchers. I went on a tour in the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel offered by my hotel. We were in an elevated hide and the guide helped us spot a lot of birds with the help of a high magnification telescope.
View of Lake Neusiedl from the elevated hide
You can see all my Burgenland photos on Flickr.
Win a 5 Night Holiday to Burgenland
UK residents can win a five night holiday in Burgenland including flights, half board accommodation at St Martins Spa & Lodge and various tours (competition closing date 31 August 2011). So if you win you can then follow some of my tips for things to do in Burgenland.
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