A holiday in the heart of the Austrian Lake District
By Kathryn Quinn
Lake Fuschl located in Austria’s beautiful Salzkammergut region was created after the end of the four ice ages when the foothills of the Alps were covered by massive glaciers. Huge amounts of ice and rocks from the Alps were brought into the Salzkammergut as well as huge amounts of melted snow and water. This created what is now known as the Austrian lake district.
Only 22 kilometres from the city of Salzburg Lake Fuschl is the only lake in the Salzkammergut Lake District that lies in its entirety in the state of Salzburg – the region was made famous serving as the backdrop for the legendary Sound of Music film.
Stretching four kilometres in length, the turquoise waters due to the limestone base in some places sixty-six metres deep delights visitors and locals alike. Due to the high quality of the water freshwater fish caught in the local lakes can be savoured in many of the town’s hotels and restaurants.
Visitors flock to the picturesque town and many in the summer months like to take a dip in the lake, or enjoy a number of water sports. For those who prefer to stay on dry land the region offers fantastic mountain walking and climbing in the summer, ice skating, snow shoe walks and cross-country skiing in winter as well as all year round beautiful hotels with fantastic facilities from spas, top quality restaurants and great entertainment. A walk around the lake is perfect at any time of the year to admire the stunning scenery and take in the tranquillity and relaxing atmosphere of the region.
Located right on the shore of Lake Fuschl is the impressive Ebner’s Waldhof Am See, a luxury hotel, resort and spa. Nestled on the shore the hotel stands in the forefront of the region’s imposing mountains the Filbling, Ellmaustein and the Schobe. Hosting the largest spa in the Salzkammergut region the hotel offers its guests a large range of sports, spa and wellness activities.
Whether in summer or winter this is the perfect retreat from the stress and strains of everyday life – the hotel boasts among other attractions its very own 9-hole golf course just a ten minute walk from the hotel where experts and beginners alike can enjoy a round or two and get tuition form golf legend Walter Meyer.
The region offers many different hiking routes around the lake or into the local mountains. Just behind the hotel a path takes you up through the forest to a sunny hillside walk with fantastic views of the village and the lake. It is the ideal way to start your holiday and to get your bearings for further walks.
Hotel owner Herbert Ebner regularly organises a particularly spectacular hiking tour to the peaks of the Dachstein or Osterhorn mountain ranges, which is not to be missed.
The hotel offers a daily entertainment programme with fitness experts which includes many organised activities for families and couples alike. Everything from early morning pilates and aerobics, to cross country ski courses, Nordic walking tours, hiking tours, water sports, horse carriage rides, yoga as well as golf tournaments.
Parents too can relax whilst the children are entertained in winter there is the winter world where kids can sledge, toboggan ski and play in the snow or in summer the lake offers a massive playground for kids or the hotel has an impressive water world with child friendly areas.
For those who prefer to just sit back and take it easy the hotel offers the perfect atmosphere. Whether you want to lounge on the shores of the lake or stay in the hotel and admire the beautiful view form the balcony or from the whirlpool here you do not come short.
The large spa offers something for everyone – whether you want to chill out in the 4,000m2 wellness area, relax in the whirlpool, swim in the impressive outdoor heated pool, sweat it out in the sauna or enjoy a massage or a beauty treatment you will be impressed with the great selection on offer.
Lovers of good food do not come short here either, guests are treated to a high quality culinary experience in an award-winning restaurant on a daily basis starting with an impressive breakfast buffet full of fresh local produce and continuing throughout the day with wellness snacks, a lunch time treat, coffee and fresh cakes and in the evening a fantastic a la carte donning experience where you will experience the best of local Austrian cuisine with an international kick.
After a good meal guests can sit back and relax in the bar and be entertained by the daily entertainment programme including local music and dance.
For more information on this hotel visit: http://www.ebners-waldhof.at/en
and for more information on the Fuschl region visit: http://www.fuschlseeregion.com/en