Month: January 2020

Winter Escape – Falkensteiner Sport & Wellness Hotel in Kärnten

Maybe it would be nice to see snow again this winter after all? Or I could enjoy a tasty Kaiserschmarrn (pancake with raisins) instead of being exposed to the dreary weather at home, right?

How’d you feel if I tell that you can go snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing in a matter of minutes? But it gets even better with a 1530m high gondola right in front of the door. Lazing around and being pampered is the dream that gets fulfilled here.

If it weren’t for the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Carinzia with all its great offers, nothing would’ve been possible. The four-star hotel in Tröpolach is only a good 50 minutes’ drive from Klagenfurt airport at an altitude of 600 metres.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

The Hotel

As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you have to admire the modern and spacious reception hall. We were accommodated in a junior suite with a view of the village. The room had the usual sleeping area and bathroom, but there was also a spacious lounge and a walk-in closet. 

From the first floor we could go directly to the ski and snowboard rental, which is located in the hotel, and also had direct access to the wellness area.

The wellness area is an exciting experience from both exterior and interior with its floor to ceiling windows and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, you can enjoy the heated indoor and outdoor pool and a variety of saunas with a separate pool area. Twice a day there is even a free sauna infusion, to let the long ski day come to a relaxing end. And if that’s not enough, you can also relax completely with a body massage.

For those who want to get even more exercise, the modern cardio-fitness centre with yoga and workout room is a must.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Culinary Experience

I am a big fan of Austrian cuisine. With it, you could start the day at a breakfast buffet! Everything that one could desire for a snack was there along with a variety of egg dishes, porridge, fruits, muesli, and so much more with it.

At dinner, you can look forward to a fusion of Carinzian specialities: South Tyrolean delicacies and Mediterranean influences.

A Kaiserschmarrn is of course not missing from the buffet!

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Outdoor Activities

Outside of the hotel, you shouldn’t be without Ulli and Marco from the Sportfabrik! Together with the hotel, they‘d created a unique program for us. Whether it was ski trips, snow yoga, snowmobile driving, helicopter flying or snowshoe hiking, everything was included.

The ski slopes are less than a minutes‘ walk from the hotel, as well as the gondola.

From there, you have numerous downhill runs for every level of experience. Ski passes and ski equipment are available at the hotel, of course.

For the romantics among us, a carriage ride was also offered. On this trip, I have experienced so much fun & action in 2 ½ days as I haven’t for a long time.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Good to know

  • Try the Kaiserschmarrn on the Kofel Alm.
  • Dine at the “Bärenwirt” in Hermagor.
  • Après-Ski is a great way to celebrate at the Kristallalm!
  • You can celebrate until late at night in the bar “Zum Alois” right next to the hotel
  • The Klagenfurt airport is small and fine, but flies directly to Cologne, for example.
  • In the meantime, you can also travel to Villach by train from Bonn or Frankfurt at low cost,   sometimes even for 29,90€!
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Kofel Alm
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Bärenwirt
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Bedroom at our hotel
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Suite with the village view
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

In Kooperation mit Falkensteiner Hotels

TOP 10 things to do in Budapest

I never thought that I could experience the beauty of two unique cities in one place. 48 hours in Budapest felt like Paris and Berlin at the same time. Majestic buildings like in Paris and hip pubs, vintage shops and street art like in Berlin are no rarity in Budapest. Honestly, some European capitals should beware of this modern Hungarian capital. The wide avenues, the coffee house culture and the wonderful Danube entices one to take a city trip!

I’ve compiled, just for you, the best tips when in Budapest:

– Visit Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is located in the older part of Budapest, also known as Buda. On one side of the Danube is Buda, and on the other side is Pest. The Fisherman’s Bastion, however, cannot be overlooked by the sights of Pest!

From the seven fabulous white towers, you can take a panoramic view of the whole city. This historical monument was my personal highlight of the trip, as the place is simply picturesque. For unique pictures, you should be there before the first tourist buses arrive at 9 am. Otherwise, you can visit Fisherman’s Bastion 24 hours except for the towers, which close at the 21st hour.

Many ways lead to the Fisherman’s Bastion, of course, but I recommend you to walk from the city to the castle hill if the weather is good.

– Cross Széchenyi Chain Bridge

On the way to the Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll definitely cross the Chain Bridge. On foot, you have the opportunity to make several stops, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the view over the Danube.

– Danube River Cruise

Another highlight was the evening cruise over the Danube. A boat trip there is best done in the evening after dusk. The illuminated panorama can be especially enjoyed with a romantic glass of wine or even beer.

Usually, the 48h ticket costs between 8€ and 10€ per person. So, you could also take a day trip the next day with the same ticket.

– Discover the Third Biggest Parliament Building in the World

The impressive parliament building in Budapest is definitely a must-watch. The gargantuan structure can be seen from far away. You can see it particularly well from the Fisherman’s Bastion or while on a tour of the Danube. Of course, you can also take a tour inside the third largest parliament in the world.

– On the Top of St. Stephen’s Basilica

From the highest church of Budapest, 96 meters above, you can get a scenic, bird’s-eye view of the city for just 200 HUF. The domes inside the St. Stephen’s Basilica reminded me a little bit of the Vatican City in Rome.

– Watch the Sunset at a Rooftop Bar

A very special and unique rooftop bar can be found on the luxurious shopping street, Andrássy út, in the middle of the city centre. From a transparent igloo, you can watch the sunset with a delicious drink in hand or Swiss cheese fondue.

The 360 Bar really offers a 360-degree view of Budapest.

– Vintage Shopping in Budapest

Almost everywhere in Budapest, you can find vintage design and second-hand shops. Many are located in the Jewish quarter. Be sure to check out Retrock and Szputnyik D20. Don’t forget (!) the shops are also open on Sundays.

– Explore the Jewish Quarter

Speaking of the Jewish quarter, don’t just explore the vintage shops, but also the street art, trendy cafes, and delicious restaurants. It’s the place to be in for hipsters! The restaurant Mazel Tov or Twenty Six is remarkably delectable.

– Eat Local Food

I still remember eating the mouth-watering goulash dishes with pleasure. The hearty Hungarian cuisine is a MUST during your time in Budapest. Langos with garlic cream and cheese can be found on almost every corner. For the sweet hunger, I recommend Kürtőskalács – a chimney cake made from sweet yeast and then spun around a truncated cone-shaped baking material.

– Stay at Radisson Blu in Budapest

Right in the middle of it all, you’ll be staying at the newly renovated and modern Radisson Blu Béke Hotel. The main train station is only 300m away, and only 500m away is the famous Boulevard Andrássy with all the famous shops!

In the spacious rooms, we could relax wonderfully after a long day in the city. The beds are super comfortable.

The Nespresso machine in the room and the extensive breakfast buffet are not the only things we can eat in the morning. My tip? An omelette with everything and cheese!

How to Get Around?

In Budapest, you can reach all the tourist hot spots on foot. So, you can see more, of course! If you need to go faster, I recommend the taxi app “Bolt” or the app “Lime” for the e-scooters.