1.	Ditch the (rental) bike after 35 kilometres.
Fancy a bike ride, but didn’t bring your bike? Not a problem along the Drau Cycle Path! This 5-star cycle path offers cyclists the perfect infrastructure, with bike hire and bike-friendly establishments along the way. Tip: From Villach via Rosegg (Rosegg Animal Park) and Feistritz im Rosental (Wahaha Leisure Centre) to the gunsmith town of Ferlach with its bee museum in Kirschentheuer und the gunsmith museum. After an eventful tour, simply return the bike at one of the drop-off stations and take the train back to where you set off. Find further information on the transregional “Carinthia rent e-bike“ system here (Motto: “Hire where you want, return where you want!“).
2.	Austria’s biggest art project in a public space is to be found in Klagenfurt.
"The Indomitable Force of the Attraction of Nature"
The international FOR FOREST project (8th September – 31st October 2019) will transform the Wörthersee Stadium into a work of art. Inspired by a drawing by Tirolean artist Max Peintner – "The Indomitable Force of the Attraction of Nature" – Swiss art mediator Klaus Littman will turn the pitch of Klagenfurt‘s football stadium into a forest with 200 living trees, open to the public for almost two months, day and night (10am – 10pm, free entry). In the run-up to and throughout the project, various events will take place across Austria, themed around forest, ecology, art, nature and artificiality.
3.	Ten lakes in one go?
The new "Big Carinthian Lake Loop“ makes this possible. The 340 km long round trip, which is actually a double loop, is a joint venture by the five Carinthian destinations of Millstätter See, Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See, Wörthersee, Klopeiner See - Südkärnten and Region Nassfeld - Pressegger See - Lesachtal - Weißensee. Each of these five regions boasts mountains and lakes of all sizes and at varying altitudes.
The double loop makes it possible to design and combine the stages as you please, and the entire route serves as an excellent bike holiday for those who like to take things easy and nature lovers, for romantics and active holidaymakers, for anyone who would enjoy a dip in the up to 28 degrees warm water of the bathing lakes along the way. Packages (including accommodation, luggage transfer, route maps and a service hotline) can be found at Alps2Adria and Kärnten Radreisen (German only).
Carinthia’s longest and largest river, the Drau, swings through Austria’s southernmost province like a green ribbon. Alongside cyclists, more and more “paddlers“ are drawn to quality down-time along the river, be it in kayaks, canoes or on stand-up paddle boards. Since last year there are also bookable packages for three (comfortable) day stages between Oberdrauburg and Paternion.
A trip along the Drau Paddle Route can be combined with bike rides, hikes, fishing, golf or kite flying. One particularly noteworthy excursion is to take the cable car from the alighting point in Spittal an der Drau to the top of the almost 2,000 m Goldeck.
5.	Shop, indulge and be amazed!
The Marktplatz Mittelkärnten is a collaboration of 45 businesses: high-end manufacturers, fair-minded caterers, agricultural holdings, authentic craftsmen, dedicated winegrowers, beer brewers and creative refiners. The array of goods on offer includes custom-made shoes and hats, tins to bake traditional Carinthian Reindling, premium oils and wood products.
The new Nockberge Trail is Austria’s first online bookable, all-season trail. A hiking route to be expereinced step by step in summer, and a multi-day ski tour come winter. The high-altitude trail leads across the delightful peaks and ridges of the Nockberge Mountains in five day stages in summer, and four in winter.
With help of the Trail Angels Info & Booking Center, hikers can tailormake and book their tour (selected partner establishments, luggage and shuttle service, route maps).
7.	Bathing as in times gone by - Karlbad and Nockalmstraße.
The 35 km long Nockalmstraße mountain road is known as one of the prettiest and most varied panoramic routes in the Alps. It can be explored by car, bus, bike or motorbike from the beginning of May until the end of October. 52 bends promise ever-changing views of the gentle “Nock’n“ mountaintops, which gave the region its name.
8.	Recall the taste of childhood on a canoe trip.
A particulary beautiful backdrop for this is the wildernis of the rockslide region along the Gail river. The journey is the reward, but after an exciting canoe trip you will also be treated to homemade breads, cider and apple juice at Lisi’s alpine farm! This is just one example of the “Magic Moments 2019“ (German only) – a collection of unique, guided adventures in Carinthia’s natural paradise.
Now and then you have to see the world through new eyes! Or in other words: Carinthia’s warm bathing lakes are too good for swimming and splashing alone. How about a stand-up paddle tour on Lake Wörth (German only)? Your surroundings look completely different from the water. And those who like a more relaxed approach will love getting to know Lake Wörth as a yoga hotspot.
More information: holidays by the lake in Carinthia.
10.	Test the new mountain bike route in Bad Kleinkirchheim from this August.
On your mountain bike, get set, go! From the banks of Europe’s highest bathing lake, 13 mountain bike trails with a total length of over 150 km and of all difficulty levels lead into the surrounding mountain world. You can start your chosen route right from the doorstep of your accommodation, or make use of another of Lake Weissensee‘s advantages: the mountain bike taxi, by ship and boat. This is a great way to shorten or simply make the journey to and from your trail‘s starting point more enjoyable.
The Weissensee liners are well-equipped to transport bikes, and there is even a designated bike transport chair at the Weissensee chair lift, taking riders and their bikes to the Naggler Alm in just 12 minutes amidst stunning views. This is a must for passionate mountain bikers as some key experiences await: three 3.5 km long downhill routes, plus a special mountain bike technique training site.
12.	Bivouac or star-rated hotel?
Be it a 5-star hotel, farm stay or campsite, the choice is yours when it comes to accommodation. Amongst the most unusual: a tree house in Althofen, bivouacs at Lake Millstatt, a sunset suite by Lake Wörth, “earth houses“ at the Weissensee and barrel lodges in Hermagor.
13.	Hike through three countries.
You don’t have to cover all 43 stages of the Alpe-Adria-Trail, from the foot of the Grossglockner to the Upper Adriatic (750 km) – you could start small. With pleasure the focus of this long-distance hiking trail through Carinthia, Italy and Slovenia, the Alpe-Adria-Trail Booking Centre can do the legwork when it comes to planning your trip (accommodation, luggage transport, restaurant tips).
14.	Cool down with glacier trekking on the Pasterze.
Equipped with crampons, a waist harness and rope, you make your way through the rugged ice landscape at the foot of Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner. A tour led by a state-certified mountain guide (June – September) that leaves no one cold.
15.	Bake your own bread.
In Carinthia, the world’s first Slow Food Travel Destination, regional, seasonal and traditional cuisine is of particular importance. For this reason, locals and guests are invited to look over the shoulder of the dedicated food artisans, and perhaps even have a go themselves. The spectrum ranges from bread baking courses and hay milk processing to beer brewing and herb tastings. Find an overview of the workshops here.
16.	Celebrate feasts as they fall.
The joy of life is not expressed quite so much in any other Austrian province as in Carinthia. Those looking to be in the middle of it all will find plenty to choose from. In addition to large public festivals such as the Villacher Kirchtag, there are a number of culinary events that should definitely be taken note of. There is the fish festival in Feld am See, for example, or the village and bread festival in Lesachtal. Tip: SeeEssSpiele (LakeFoodGames) by Lake Wörth, KüchenKult (KitchenCult) in Villach and Aufwort’n (Food’sUp) at the Weissensee.
17.	Slow motion instead of high speed.
Slow Trails are short hiking routes, close to a lake and through wonderful natural settings with stunning lake views. They can be found at the Weissensee, Lake Pressegg, Lake Klopein, Lake Ossiach, Lake Wörth and Lake Millstatt. Slow Trails are not just great for winding down, but also for exploring Carinthia’s unique landscape of mountains and lakes.
18.	Play golf in two countries in one day.
Tip: Visit 100 sights free of charge.
Museums, mountain railways, water worlds, boat trips, panoramic roads, leisure and adventure facilities. The Kärnten Card makes it possible. Valid from April to October, it costs from €41 (adults) and from € 21 (children) per week. An overview of the benefits can be found at www.kaerntencard.at. There are also various regional discount cards across Carinthia.