Balance Resort Stegersbach

Leisure Tips – Balance Resort Stegersbach in Burgenland

Stegersbach is situated in the heart of the Burgenland spa region and borders the Styrian thermal spa country. This part of Austria is renowned for its vineyards and fruit orchards. The numerous vineyards and brandy distilleries testify to the long-established art of wine and brandy production. The southern Burgenland spa region has the perfect soil conditions for producing red wines with a strong character and is also home to the famous uhudler. Our vinotheque offers you an opportunity to sample many of the fine wines from the region.

The Styrian capital of Graz, European Cultural Capital 2003, is only 50 minutes away and is an excellent destination for a day trip. Whether you are looking for culture or want to go shopping, the city on the River Mur has something to suit every taste: The historic city centre, modern and fascinating museums, the nightlife geared towards young people – in fact, it’s just the place to visit, if you hanker for the sights and sounds of the city.

Excursions

Hot Air Balloon Rides
Explore the region from above! A balloon ride is truly a wonderful experience. The gentle hills of southern Burgenland and eastern Styria are a particularly charming area for this breathtaking form of transport. See for yourself. Further information is available at: www.apfelwirt.at

Rauchwarter See
Open the doors to new life paths as you find the centre of your life force walking around the Rauchwarter See (only 6 km from Stegersbach). The idyllic location and unspoiled scenery of southern Burgenland will enchant you.

Open Air Museum Ensemble Gerersdorf
The Open Air Museum Ensemble Gerersdorf is only 15km from Stegersbach. The 32 buildings, mostly thatched roof houses and farm buildings, are home to an abundance of rustic utensils and farming equipment, that gives a comprehensive insight into the Pannonian culture of the 18th and 19th centuries. An extensive programme of events such as concerts, special exhibitions and rustic festivities round off the activities at Burgenland’s largest open-air museum.

Güssing Castle
Güssing castle, the oldest castle in Burgenland, is only 21km from Stegersbach and sits atop a long extinct volcano. Built in 1157, it changed hands several times before coming into the possession of the Battyány family.  In the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was enlarged into a proper stone fortress designed to defend against the Turks. After extensive restoration work, the castle has been restored to the same condition as 200 years ago.

Hartberg
Fancy a day out? How about a stroll through the old town centre of Hartberg (only 29km from Stegersbach). Hartberg describes itself as the first Styrian "Città Slow"! Besides the picturesque old town centre, the Old-Timer Museum is also worth a visit.

Zotter Chocolate Factory
Can chocolate possibly be a sin? Not at the Zotter chocolate factory in Riegersburg. Experience the world of chocolate in all its diversity on a tour of the unique chocolate-shop-theatre, and let the wide range of unusual flavours melt on your tongue!
 
High Spirits in Kukmirn & Schnapsbrennerei Lagler
Enjoy some high spirits in the village of Kukmirn (only 12km from Stegersbach) which boasts more than 30 distilleries and produces more than 50 different brandies and liqueurs. Tip: Schnapsbrennerei Lagler. Learn all there is to know about distilling and sample the award-winning brandies. It’s just as well the Balance Resort runs a pick-up service!

Thousand-Year-Old Oak Tree
Take a romantic walk through the unspoiled countryside to the thousand-year-old oak in Bierbaum (only 14km from Stegersbach). The tree has a circumference of 8.75 m and with an estimated age of 1,200 years is the oldest oak in Europe.

Althodis Treetop Skywalk
The Althodis treetop skywalk invites you to walk through the crowns of the trees at the Geschriebenstein Nature Park. The Althodis treetop skywalk is a 500m long, 25m high elevated treetop walk on a timber bridge connecting eleven towers.  The information panels along the trail provide interesting information about the region’s flora and fauna and their habitats.  What makes this walk so special is that the path around the tree tops is also accessible to people with special needs. The Althodis Treetop Skywalk is only 32 km from Stegersbach.

Riegersburg
Countless myths, and tales of adventure and mystery surround this imposing landmark in eastern Styria, which was never taken. Once considered to be the strongest fortress in Christendom, the castle’s many rooms today host two exhibitions: Witches and Sorcerers" in the cellars and "Legendary Riegersburg - Legendary Women" in the state apartments. Getting up to the castle is an experience in itself. Kilometre-long defensive walls with countless crenels line the historic footpath that winds its away past eleven bastions and through seven gateways. The castle can also be reached with less effort by taking the modern inclined lift.  The Riegersburg is only 40 km from Stegersbach.

Gölles Schnapps Distillery & Vinegar Production
The Gölles Schnapps Distillery & Vinegar Production (only 40 km from Stegersbach) specialises in the manufacture of premium spirits and fine vinegars using only flawless fruit. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of only the highest quality products, because only the naturally delicious taste of flawless, sun-ripened fruits or excellent wines is a suitable basis for producing dense and robust schnapps or elegant, delicately aromatic vinegars. Traditional and now rare varieties of apples, pears and plums are still cultivated in the orchards surrounding the Gölles Distillery and outstanding wild fruits are also available. A tour through the distillery offers insights into the production of vinegars and brandies and visitors can see the high quality of the products for themselves when the tour ends with a sampling.