INSIDER TRAVEL TRIPS

Footer

FavoriteLoading
MOST SCENIC DRIVES IN AUSTRIA

Scenic Drive along the Panoramaweg through the Mostviertel in Lower Austria.
Scenic Drive in Austria

A SCENIC DRIVE THROUGH THE MOSTVIERTAL REGION OF LOWER AUSTRIA

Map Mostviertal, Austria

After a long week at work and school, it is finally the weekend. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the weather is gorgeous and you are desperate for the fresh air of the countryside. Where should you go?  You could spend precious time aimlessly surfing the internet or…  Eager to learn more?  Read on!  Rolling hills, blissful meadows, and majestic mountain views make this one of the most scenic drives in Austria a must.  

WHERE EXACTLY IS LOWER AUSTRIA?

A little known fact to most non-Europeans, Austria is actually divided into nine different states. Vienna is considered to be its own state but the area surrounding the city is called Lower Austria. Lower Austria happens to be the largest state. Confusing huh? To make things even more complicated, Lower Austria is divided into regions called Viertel.

The four regions are the Weinviertel (the rolling hills north of Vienna and the Danube River); the Waldviertel (the forested area of central Austria bordering the Czech Republic; the Mostviertel (the orchard filled mountainous area to the west of Vienna); and the Industrieviertel (the area to the south of Vienna). Each region has its own amazing attributes. For our scenic drive in Lower Austria, we will be focusing on the Mostviertel region.

THE FOUR REGIONS OF LOWER AUSTRIA + VIENNA

four regions of lower austriamostviertelkarte PROSPEKT

THE MOSTVIERTEL REGION

Although you can find apple, apricot, and cherry orchards in abundance, the Mostviertel is the region for pears and sparkling “perry” or pear cider (alcoholic of course).  Naturally, this is also a fantastic place to find home made schnapps.  This region is defined by its rolling hills, farms, domed churches, and back roads that wind their way through the foothills of the Austrian Alps. Life is slow here and the people are relaxed. The horizon is defined by the prominent peak of Mt. Ötscher which stands at 1,893 meters (6,211 ft). These back roads are a great place to bike, hike, or roll down the windows of your car and enjoy the fresh mountain air. They are like a jigsaw puzzle so it is essential you know where to go.

Map of the Mostviertel Regionmostviertelkarte PROSPEKT

THE PANORAMAHÖHENWEG

Our scenic drive in Lower Austria will take us along the Panoramahöhenweg or Panoramic High Road, a 24 kilometer (15 miles) route at an average elevation of 700 meters elevation (2,300 feet) that stretches from the Sonntagberg Church to the village of Randegg. It is a network of scenic roads that connects all of the farms and villages. There are several pull-offs along the way for you to enjoy the views. If you are using a GPS or Google Maps, our road trip will start at the Basilika Sonntagberg (Sonntagberg Church). From the Church, we will be following the Panoramahöhenweg. Luckily, there are yellow signs along the road to show us the way.

The Panoramahöhenweg starts just below the Sonntagberg Church. If you are walking or cycling, the Church would be a good place to park your vehicle. As you begin your drive East towards Randegg, you will likely encounter a bit of congestion and foot traffic as many other people have the same idea and are hiking around the Church. As you drive farther away from the Church, the crowds should thin out considerably. The speed limit along the route is 35 km per hour. Go slow as you will unexpectedly encounter cyclists, dog walkers, tractors, and some hairpin turns.  Click the links below to open the Start/End Points in Google Maps.

DIRECTIONS

Start Point

BASILIKA SONNTAGBERG  

Our start point is front of the Basilika Sonntagberg, the beautiful church high on the hill overlooking the valley.  

Sonnentagberg start point scenic drive in austriasonntagberg.at

End Point

RANDEGG

We will end our drive in the tiny village of Randegg, located in the lower valley.

randegg end point scenic drive in austriaMostviertal Tourismus

Route

Route for the scenic drive in lower austria© Google 2022

PRO TIPS FOR TAKING ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC DRIVES IN AUSTRIA

PRO TIP 1.  The most scenic road trip in Lower Austria is absolutely FREE.  

PRO TIP 2.  Remember to pack a lunch and bring water.  Also remember to have gasoline in your vehicle before you start as there are no gas stations once you depart the highway.

PRO TIP 3.  Do not be in a rush or you will enjoy the amazing views all around you.

OTHER THINGS TO DO DURING THIS SCENIC DRIVE

ALL THINGS PEAR. This region is known for its pear production. The pear trees blossom during April and May. The countryside comes alive with the bright white and pink flowers of the pear trees. While in the region, it behooves you to pick up some pear cider.

PANORAMAGUCKER. What on earth are those giant boards on the side of the road with iron pipes sticking through them? These boards are called Panorama Gucker and are the creation of a young local architect named Joseph Hofmarcher. The concept is simple, look through a pipe and you will spot a mountain peak. Better yet, each Panoramagucker site (there are six of them) typically has wooden benches nearby to take in the views.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Now, this is really cool. Before Christianity, the villagers would light fires on the mountain tops to keep the evil spirits away. Today, this tradition lives on through Feuer am Berg (Fire on the Mountain). On 20 June, to celebrate the summer solstice, villagers will create a “chain of fire” along the ridges and overlooks of the Panoramahöhenweg. More specifically, there will be 16 massive bonfires lit between Sonntagberg, Windhag, St. Leonard am Walde, Ybbsitz, and Randegg. Locals simultaneously light the fires at 10:00 p.m. Not only fun to watch, there is food and drink served at each site.

WAIDHOFEN AN DER YBBS. Once the home of the wealthy Rothschild family (similar to the Carnegies, Rockefellers and Elon Musk), Waidhofen an der Ybbs is a gorgeous little town with cobblestone streets along the Ybbs River. The town has the feel of a place that was (and is) incredibly prosperous. It has a vibrant historical old town with a number of restaurants and little shops. Three church spires accent the town’s skyline. The Rothschild Palace is the centerpiece of Waidhofen an der Ybbs and is open for tours. Since the Rothschild family was Jewish, sadly the Palace was confiscated and looted by the Nazis in 1945. The town’s historic buildings are marked with signs in German that explain when they were constructed and their relevance to the town. Highly recommended, after your scenic drive be sure to enjoy some dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants in town.  If you are interested in learning more about the Rothschild family, please check out our VoiceMap walking tour called Vienna + the Holocaust: From Tragedy To Justice.

NEAR THIS PLACE

WILDKOGEL RODELBAHN.  Race with your family and friends down the world’s longest illuminated toboggan run at the WildKogel Rodelbahn in Neukirhen-Bramberg.

TRAVEL GUIDE | ČESKÝ KRUMLOV. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Český Krumlov or “Little Prague” has quickly become a must-see travel destination in Central Europe.

TRAVEL GUIDE | RETZ UNDERGROUND WINE CELLARS. Retz has a beautiful medieval square and the largest and most unique system of underground wine cellars in Central Europe.

ALMABTRIEB.  Almabtrieb is a once a year Alpine tradition in a gorgeous village setting. This travel guide focuses on Almabtrieb in Austria.

MEMORIAL OF THE IRON CURTAIN. The last remaining section of the Iron Curtain is preserved in the small village of Čížov along the border where East once met West.

VOICEMAP VIENNA AND THE HOLOCAUST SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR

VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District.

BEST PLACES TO STAY

RELAXRESORT KOTHMÜHLE. Situated in the picturesque hills of Lower Austria’s Mostviertel region. Extensive breakfast buffet, a spa area, and tennis courts. ADDRESS: Kothmühle 1, 3364 Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Austria.

HOTEL FAHRNBERGER. Located in picturesque scenery at the base of the Hochkar Mountain, Hotel Fahrnberger offers a restaurant, a spa area, and a bathing pond. Rooms have furniture made from natural materials, wooden ceilings, FREE Wifi, a Finnish sauna, and a steam bath. The spa area comprises a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, an infrared cabin, and a relaxation area. Massages are available on request. Rafting, canyoning, and kayaking are possible in the area. Lake Lunz is 12 km away. ADDRESS: Lassing 19, 3345 Göstling an der Ybbs, Austria.

CITYHOTEL D&C. This modern hotel is located in St. Pölten’s Baroque Old Town. Rooms have FREE Wifi. Also, there is a FREE spa and fitness center with a sauna, steam bath, and gym. There is also a bar, a wine and champagne lounge, and a garden in the courtyard. ADDRESS: Völklplatz 1, 3100 Sankt Pölten, Austria.

HOME  AUSTRIA

Link and Share

Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  


Share

Magdalenenhof

SenderstraBe 127, 1210 Wien
www.berggasthof-magdalenenhof.at

Magdalenenhof

SenderstraBe 127, 1210 Wien
www.berggasthof-magdalenenhof.at

Magdalenenhof

SenderstraBe 127, 1210 Wien
www.berggasthof-magdalenenhof.at

RECENT DAY TRIPS

FavoriteLoading
Jewish Vienna Forgotten Internment Camps

JEWISH VIENNA | FORGOTTEN INTERNMENT CAMPS

VIENNA’S JEWS WERE DEPORTED FROM THESE FORGOTTEN INTERNMENT CAMPS PERSPECTIVES   Unlike in Germany, where the Jewish population was deported from several different cities, in Austria deportations of the Jewish population were centralized from Vienna’s Aspangbahnhof or Aspang Railway Station.  From February 1941 to October 1942, the majority of the Vienna’s Jewish population was deported to ghettos and concentration camps in the east from this train station.    The transports to the camps were organized by Austrian born SS Captain Adolf Eichmann, who was in charge of the Nazi Central Agency for Jewish Emigration in Vienna.  Eichmann had one primary objective — to speed up the rate that Jews were being deported from the city. Before being deported, Jews were held against their will at four internment camps in Vienna’s 2nd District: – Kleine Sperlgasse 2a; – Castellezgasse 35; – Malzgasse 7; and  – Malzgasse 16 At these camps, Jews were bullied, humiliated, and robbed of their honor and last possessions before being sent to their deaths.  Today, these camps have all been completely forgotten to history. Between 1939-1945, a total of 48,953 Jews were forcibly deported from Vienna.  Of this number, 47,035 Jews were forcibly transported on trains that departed from the Aspangbahnhof.  Tragically, only 1,073 of the Jews deported from the Aspangbahnhof would survive the Holocaust.    HOMECOMPANION GUIDE    Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

Read More
FavoriteLoading
Operation Radetzky Memorial in Am Spitz Floridsdorf

OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL

Table of Contents1 A MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE MEN WHO TRIED TO SAVE A CITY2 OPERATION RADETZKY2.1 THE NERO DECREE2.2 TRAGEDY STRIKES2.3 SAVING VIENNA3 OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL4 EPILOGUE5 NEAR THIS PLACE6 BEST PLACES TO STAY7 BOOKSHELF8 A MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE MEN WHO TRIED TO SAVE A CITY Am Spitz, 21st District   OPERATION RADETZKY On 19 March 1945, Hitler issued what became known as the “Nero Decree” — the planned destruction of all infrastructure within the German Reich.  Operation Radetzky was the code name given to a defensive plan organized by a group of Austrian opponents of the Nazi regime to surrender the city of Vienna to the advancing Soviet army.  The plan involved four major players: Major Carl Szokoll, Major Karl Biederman, Lieutenant Rudolph Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth.  Today, the Operation Radetzky Memorial stands in their honor. THE NERO DECREE In Vienna, German troops were ordered to destroy the city’s vital infrastructure for transportation, information, industry and public utilities.  This would include bridges, railway stations, water plants, electrical plants, gas plants, important road corridors, public transportation networks – in short anything and everything the enemy could use to help them advance their goals.   Viennese Major Carl Szokoll was instructed to draft the plans for Vienna’s self-destruction.  However, this was not Szokoll’s first rodeo.  In July 1944, Szokoll participated in Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s plot to assassinate Hitler at the Wolf’s Lair and to assume power.  During Operation Valkyrie, Stauffenberg detonated a bomb in the presence of Hitler; however, Hitler miraculously survived the blast.  Believing incorrectly that Hitler had been killed, Szokoll and other plotters rounded up the leading SS and Nazi officials in Vienna. During the ensuing investigation, Szokoll was able to convince the Gestapo that he had simply been following orders and was released.  Szokoll was promoted to Major and was tasked with defending Vienna from the advancing Soviets.  In Spring 1945, Szokoll joined Operation Radetzky and became one of the key players.  For Operation Radetzky to succeed, Szokoll and other military commanders in Vienna needed to pretend they were making preparations to destroy the city, while actually making plans to save it from annihilation.  Szokoll worked closely with the Austrian Resistance group, the O5, to successfully contact Soviet leadership.  Separately, the Allies agreed to not bomb Vienna during the turnover.   TRAGEDY STRIKES On the evening of 4 April,  Major Karl Biedermann was betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo.  Biedermann’s role in Operation Radetzky, which had now been partially uncovered, was to secure the city’s bridges.  The Gestapo frantically investigated to determine the goals of Operation Radetzky.  The Operation continued as planned. On 5 April, Soviet planes dropped red flares to signal their arrival overhead.  The resistance fighters responded with green flares to mark the beginning of Operation Radetzky.  Lieutenant Rudolf Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth were arrested while trying to commandeer the Bisamberg radio tower on the northern edge of Vienna.  Szokoll was warned, evaded arrest and fled to the Soviet 9th Guards Army command post at Purkersdorf where he briefed the Soviets on the failure of the operation. On 8 April, the Nazis hung Biedermann, Raschke, and Huth from the lampposts at the Am Spitz square in Floridsdorf.  Signs attached to their bodies read “I have made a pact with the Bolsheviks.” SAVING VIENNA In addition to the planned surrender, Szokoll and his team provided the Soviets with the the German battle plans for the defense of Vienna as well as the locations of munitions and other key military details.  Suing this intelligence, the Soviets surprised the Nazis by advancing from the West and North rather than the South.  The Battle for Vienna lasted from 6-13 April 1945.  The rapid Soviet advance prevented the Nazis from creating a siege situation and saved numerous lives and the left Vienna largely intact. OPERATION RADETZKY MEMORIAL Today, the Operation Radetzky Memorial stands in the Am Spitz square to recognize the bravery of Major Karl Biederman, Lieutenant Rudolph Raschke, and Second Lieutenant Alfred Huth.  There is also plaque on the main entrance of the Town Hall in Am Spitz.    EPILOGUE After the war, Szokoll went on to start a film production company.  He is buried in the Central Cemetery of Vienna. Biedermann, Raschke, and Huth were cremated and had their remains buried on 2 August 1945 in Vienna in Hietzingen cemetery (group 66, row 19, number 5). NEAR THIS PLACE VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District. SEEGROTTE HINTERBRUHL MINE.  The Seegrotte Hinterbruhl Mine is a family friendly attraction that was once used by the Nazis to build the world’s first fighter jet. WW2 SITES NEAR VIENNA | MESSERSCHMITT ENGINE FACTORY.  Explore World War 2 sites near Vienna along a scenic hiking trail.  See the Messerschmitt Bf 110 aircraft repair factory and the front lines of the Battle of Vienna. BEST PLACES TO STAY SO/ VIENNA. Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel is near all of the sites. Panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and FREE spa facilities. Modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Praterstraße 1, 02. Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna. RUBY LISSI HOTEL VIENNA. Boutique hotel located in an 18th-century building in Vienna’s first district. Luxuriously furnished rooms with air conditioning, wooden floors, use of tablet device and FREE Wifi. Each room has a Marshall amplifier and guitars can be rented. Organic breakfast and 24/7 access to Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages and selected wines. ADDRESS: Fleischmarkt 19 / Laurenzerberg 2, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. GRAND FERDINAND VIENNA.  Opened in autumn 2015, located on the Ringstraße boulevard in the center of Vienna. Modern spacious rooms with air conditioning. Rooftop pool, 3 restaurants, fitness center, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Schubertring 10-12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. LE MERIDIEN VIENNA.  Located on the Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna. Modern, spacious rooms with amenities. Indoor pool, spa facilities, fitness center, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. BOOKSHELF HOME  AUSTRIA Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

Read More
FavoriteLoading
World War 2 Sites Near Vienna Air Raid Shelter in Floridsdorf

VIENNA AIR RAID SHELTER

Table of Contents1 A WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAID SHELTER NEAR VIENNA HAS A PASTEL MAKEOVER1.1 ALLIED BOMBING OF VIENNA1.2 CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER1.3 PURPOSE OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER1.4 AIR RAID SHELTER TODAY2 NEAR THIS PLACE3 BEST PLACES TO STAY4 BOOKSHELF5 A WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAID SHELTER NEAR VIENNA HAS A PASTEL MAKEOVER Gerichtsgasse, 21st District   Nestled in a quiet neighborhood across the Danube River in the 21st District, just minutes from the city center of Vienna, is one of the city’s remaining relics of World War 2.  This massive concrete Air Raid Shelter near Vienna was constructed during Summer 1944 – Spring 1945.  You will need to work hard to find this gem as it is not on any tourist maps.  The front of the Air Raid Shelter has been painted in warm pastels.  The Shelter is located just off the sidewalk and sits between two modern apartment buildings.  There are no restrictions or fences, so you can walk around and explore as much as you like.  Although the front of the Air Raid Shelter has been painted, the rest of the structure is “as is” and its 1940’s era concrete remains is good condition.  The doors have been bricked up so you cannot enter.  Although the Air Raid Shelter has been characterized as a Memorial, there are no visible signs to this effect. ALLIED BOMBING OF VIENNA The city of Vienna was bombed 52 times during World War 2.  Allied bombs destroyed 37,000 buildings and approximately 20% of the entire city.  The first air raid took place on 4 September 1942, when a lone Soviet bomber targeted the city.  Allied planes began bombing Vienna in earnest in 1944.   The skies over Vienna were defended by a ring of anti-aircraft batteries set up around the city and by three pairs of Flak Towers.  By early 1945, Vienna had already faced 1,800 bombs.  In February and March 1945, 80,000 tons of bombs were dropped by US and British aircraft.  270,000 people were left homeless. CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER Hungarian Jews as well as Polish and Russian slaves from the Vienna-Floridsdorf satellite camp of the Mauthausen concentration camp were used as forced labor to build the Air Raid Shelter.  After completing the Shelter, the Nazis forced these laborers to march 120 miles to the main Mauthausen concentration camp in Upper Austria.  In 1945, the Shelter was damaged when a munition exploded on the roof.      PURPOSE OF THE AIR RAID SHELTER This Air Raid Shelter was specifically built to protect the workers at the nearby Siemens facility in Floridsdorf.  Among other armaments contracts, this Siemens facility produced control components for the V-2 rocket.  The Air Raid Shelter also protected workers at the Heinkel-Süd aircraft factory, the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery, as well as technicians at the nearby Messerschmitt Engine Factory. In early July 1944, Allied bombers struck the Heinkel-Süd plant in Floridsdorf, destroying the third prototype of the He 177B four engined bomber, and possibly damaging the incomplete fourth prototype He 177B airframe. During the Allied oil campaign, American B-17 and B-24s dropped their payloads 16 times on the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery. AIR RAID SHELTER TODAY NEAR THIS PLACE VOICEMAP | VIENNA SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Want to learn how the Mossad operation to bring Nazis like Adolf Eichmann to justice originated in Vienna?  Check out our VoiceMap self guided walking tour: VIENNA + THE HOLOCAUST: FROM TRAGEDY TO JUSTICE.  You can preview it for FREE.  Start point is Nestroyplatz on the U1 red line in the 2nd District. SEEGROTTE HINTERBRUHL MINE.  The Seegrotte Hinterbruhl Mine is a family friendly attraction that was once used by the Nazis to build the world’s first fighter jet. WORLD WAR 2 SITES NEAR VIENNA | MESSERSCHMITT ENGINE FACTORY.  Explore World War 2 sites near Vienna along a scenic hiking trail.  See the Messerschmitt Bf 110 aircraft repair factory and the front lines of the Battle of Vienna. BEST PLACES TO STAY SO/ VIENNA. Designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel, this stylish hotel is near all of the sites. Panoramic views over Vienna, a gourmet restaurant, a gym, and FREE spa facilities. Modern, spacious rooms with air conditioning, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Praterstraße 1, 02. Leopoldstadt, 1020 Vienna. RUBY LISSI HOTEL VIENNA. Boutique hotel located in an 18th-century building in Vienna’s first district. Luxuriously furnished rooms with air conditioning, wooden floors, use of tablet device and FREE Wifi. Each room has a Marshall amplifier and guitars can be rented. Organic breakfast and 24/7 access to Italian antipasti and snacks, beverages and selected wines. ADDRESS: Fleischmarkt 19 / Laurenzerberg 2, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. GRAND FERDINAND VIENNA.  Opened in autumn 2015, located on the Ringstraße boulevard in the center of Vienna. Modern spacious rooms with air conditioning. Rooftop pool, 3 restaurants, fitness center, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Schubertring 10-12, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. LE MERIDIEN VIENNA.  Located on the Ringstraße in the heart of Vienna. Modern, spacious rooms with amenities. Indoor pool, spa facilities, fitness center, FREE mini-bar, and FREE Wifi. ADDRESS: Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 01. Innere Stadt, 1010 Vienna. BOOKSHELF HOME  AUSTRIA Disclosure: White House Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Agoda affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.  

Read More