Admittedly, a holiday in the thermal and volcanic region is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries between vineyards, wine taverns and thermal baths at any time of the year. In summer, the region in the southeast of Austria is even more amazing. How come? Simply because the Mediterranean flair, the rolling hills, the invigorating thermal water and the great cuisine of the region are even more beautiful, colorful, finer, warmer and more delicious in summer. In addition, outdoor experiences such as wine hiking and pleasure cycling, visits to natural swimming lakes and sightseeing through places steeped in history are simply better when it is warm. Logical! So there are enough reasons to introduce you to our favorite things to do in Thermen & Vulkanland, which you have to try out with your favorite person, alone or with the whole family.
By bike through the vineyards (c) Thermen- & Vulkanland | Harald Eisenberger
Discover the region’s thermal baths
To invigorate all your senses this summer, the Thermen & Vulkanland is definitely your place to splash around. No matter whether it’s refreshing bathing fun in the region’s natural swimming lakes and outdoor pools or relaxation in the mineral-rich thermal water of the six thermal baths: there’s a wellness program for body and soul everywhere at the touch of a button. And yes, you read that right: a total of six thermal baths are waiting for you to visit. To help you a little bit about which of these suits your needs: You can find moments of relaxation in the Therme der Ruhe Bad Gleichenberg, in the Rogner Bad Blumau, the Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf and in the Schaffelbad of the Loipersdorf thermal resort. The bubbling springs are up to 3,000 meters deep. Once you reach the top of the whirlpools and pools, the healing water will pamper you with warmth and well-being, bringing you inner peace in no time.
Recharge your batteries in the invigorating thermal water (c) Parktherme Bad Radkersburg | Harald Eisenberger
If you don’t want to miss out on cardio on your summer vacation, the Parktherme Bad Radkersburg with its 50-meter-long sports pool is perfect for doing lengths. Also nice: the adventure area with a wild water stream, family slide and whirlpool systems for young and old. Speaking of little ones: There is also bathing fun for the whole family at the H₂O Hotel-Therme-Resort, where you can enjoy it together Blue lightning Rush down in the double tire or in the blackhole slide Speedy can slide. By the way: In the Loipersdorf thermal resort, your little ones can crawl on the sandy beach of the baby beach, while you sweat with infusions in the sauna village or send your inner child diving in the white water whirlpool, wave pool or at the diving tower.
Tips for even more bathing fun in the thermal spa & volcano land:
>> Read more: All information about the region’s thermal spa diversity
Off to the seaside resort of Riegersburg! (c) Thermal & Volcano Land | Harald Eisenberger
Culinary excursions along Vulkanland Route 66
A little shorter than its big sister, which connects the cities of Chicago and LA, Vulkanland Route 66 winds its way through the Thermen & Vulkanland. The Road of Lust for Life lives up to its name: along the 80 kilometers, new culinary temptations are waiting to be tasted behind every bend. In the House of Whiskey, Gin & Rum you can get closer to the fine spirits during guided tours and tastings. Speaking of trying: You can immerse yourself in the art of making cheese with Cheese Artist Bernhard Gruber. In his fromagerie in Riegersburg you can snack your way through the cheese dairy. Unusual varieties such as sheep’s cheese with candied mango and rose or goji berries, goat’s cream cheese with caviar or double mold cheese with chocolate and liqueur included.
Visit the culinary establishments along Vulkanland Route 66 (c) Styrian Vulkanland | Bernhard Bergmann
If you’re a fan of chocolate anyway, the Zotter adventure world with its 500 colorful varieties, tasting stations, the nougat fountain and zoo with pig-petting is definitely worth a visit. You can get more regional delicacies at the Vulcano ham factory, where the famous specialty has its origins. If you explore the Vulkanland Route 66 leisurely, be sure to take a break in one of the many wine shops and wineries along the way. At Buschenschank Bernhart, the family serves you delicious Riegersburger castle wine with your Brettljause. And if you want to tickle even more senses, the winemakers will guide you through their own sparkling wine garden and aromatic herb garden in the middle of the vineyards.
More culinary tips from the area:
>> Read more: All gourmet factories along Vulkanland Route 66
After a good Brettljause it’s easier to explore (c) Thermen- & Vulkanland | Barbara Majcan
Wine hiking and pleasure cycling in the southeast of Styria
If you like to make your summer vacation a little more active, you can get your exercise in hiking boots and pedals in the Thermen & Vulkanland. Be sure to try out the numerous themed hiking trails that wind through the region. On the way you will catch great views and can fortify yourself with a Brettljause including Styrian asparagus, horseradish, runner bean salad and more at the many refreshment stops. Tip for tough calves: You can hike the Klöcher Traminerweg in four and a half hours. You start appropriately at the Klöcher Vinothek, explore the well-known wine town on foot and pass wine taverns, vineyards and the romantic castle ruins. Also wonderful: TAU – Way of the Ried.
In hiking boots through the gentle sea of hills (c) Thermen & Vulkanland | Bernhard Bergmann
Those who prefer to explore the region by bike are spoiled for choice from a wide variety of bike tours and 14 themed bike paths on 6,000 kilometers of fun. From the handlebars you can look out over the rolling sea of hills and stop off at bike-friendly establishments. In many guesthouses and hotels you can lie down and lie down on your bike, use small repair tools to pick things up, eat your way through the breakfast menu and continue your journey with renewed strength.
Cool cycling routes at a glance:
The 43 km long culinary delights tour with stops at the Thaller winery, the Riegersburg including the seaside resort, the Zotter chocolate factory, Trattoria della rosa and more. The power source tour on 32 km along the historic Johannisbrunnen, many wineries and Buschenschänken
>> Read more: Further nature experiences in the thermal and volcanic region of Styria
Enjoy the views from the saddle (c) Thermen & Vulkanland | Bernhard Bergmann
Tips for even more excursion destinations
Every summer vacation includes culinary excursions that you will remember fondly and for a long time. Luckily, the Thermen & Vulkanland is a true Eldorado for the heart and palate. Looks over Alois Gölles’ shoulder in the Gölles factory as he refines almost forgotten types of fruit such as Maschansker, Hirschbirne and Kriecherl into Styrian brandies and vinegars. Or you can stroll with the family through the farmers’ markets in Bad Waltersdorf, Fürstenfeld, Fehring, Bad Radkersburg and Co and pack regional delicacies such as smoked meat products, pumpkin seed oil, cheese, sparkling wine and wine to take home. Also interesting: On the romantic castle route you will get closer to 37 knight’s castles, castle ruins, monasteries, mansions and fairytale castles – historical garden tours and chamber music concerts included.
Other family trips:
>> Read more: To even more excursion destinations in the thermal and volcanic region
There’s always something going on in the thermal and volcano land! (c) Thermal & Volcano Land | Fabian Trummer
Summer events in the thermal and volcanic region of Styria
And because it’s simply too beautiful in the southeast of Styria not to be there, it’s best to plan your trip around one or the other event. On the full moon nights at Riegersburg, the historic walls come to life with sword fights, court gossip, blacksmithing and other program items. If you like to go shopping in the evenings anyway, the long shopping Thursdays in Fürstenfeld are definitely something for you: with Mediterranean flair, live musical acts and a chain carousel on the main square, Steckerlbrot and Woazbrotn taste even more like a holiday. Or you can get off the saddle on Fridays after a bike ride in the old town of Bad Radkersburg and enjoy the Styrian dolce vita of mild summer nights.
The great summer events at a glance:
Full moon nights Riegersburg on July 20th. and August 17th, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight Long shopping Thursdays in Fürstenfeld from July 11th. until August 8th, 2024 Strolling & cycling in Bad Radkersburg every Friday from July 15th. until 2.9. 2024
>> Read more: All summer events in Thermen- & Vulkanland
Look out for the Riegersburg! (c) Thermal & Volcano Land | Harald Eisenberger
Continue reading:
Even more things you can do in Southeast Styria
All the highlights of Styria
*This article was created in friendly collaboration with Steiermark Tourismus.