|
A few years ago, whilst looking for somewhere to stay in Austria after seven weeks on the move, we came across a little piece of paradise quite by accident.
Our criteria was fairly simple – all we wanted was somewhere to chill out and relax for our last week away but it had to be somewhere that the kids could be occupied too! Scrolling through a list of place names, we came across Zell am See, and although we had not heard of it before and had little knowledge of the Zell am See – Kaprun Sportregion, we decided this was the place for us.
 Zell am See is ideally situated at the foot of the Alps.
Situated between Innsbruck and Salzburg, Zell am See is probably most famous for its winter sports. The Schmittenhohe towers 2000 metres above the town, and not far away, the giant Kitzsteinhorn rises from the ground near Kaprun. These mountains are a magnet for skiers and snowboarders, and are dotted with runs to suit all levels.
But arriving in Summer, we were to experience Zell am See’s summer delights. The town itself, with a population of around 9,000, is situated on beautiful Lake Zell, hence the name, which, in German, means Zell on the lake. Said to be one of the warmest lakes in Europe, as it is fed by an underground spring not the melting snow, the lake is a great place to unwind but also offers plenty of activities for those who like to keep busy.
Cruises are popular on the lake, as are a range of water sports, and we spent a couple of lazy hours in an electric boat taking in the views from the water. For something more energetic, you can hire a bike and circumnavigate the lake. The 12 kilometre ride is suitable for all the family and is a great way to see the other little villages perched on the lake.
 Zell am See's busy Stadtplatz
The township itself is a traditional Austrian village. The traffic-free Alt Stadt (old town) is a great place to stop for a coffee and cake (the Erdbeer torte is to die for!) and watch the world go by. We frequented Café Feinschmeck often – coffee and cake was only 4 Euros, with heaps of cakes to choose from. The centuries old buildings in Stadtplatz now house hotels and restaurants, and in summer, a traditional market every Friday is a great place to stock up on local produce and enjoy a Bratwurst and beer.
Whilst you sit and sip your daily coffee, Zell am See’s oldest building, the Kasternerturm, will have you in view. Thought to be built before the year 1000, the tower now houses the town’s museum. Just across the square, St. Hypolith’s Church, dating back to the 11th Century, stands proud.
For those wanting to venture a little further afield, Zell am See is well situated to explore. Only an hours drive away, Salzburg is a great day out with its history, Baroque architecture and everything Mozart, as is the Gross Glockner High Alpine Road, a magnificent, panoramic road that twists and turns its way across the Alps. At the ‘top’, you come face to face with Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, at 3,798 metres, towering over the Pasterze Glacier, one of Europe’s longest and most impressive glaciers. Take the funicular or walk down to the glacier where you can walk upon the frozen ice.
Keeping to the ‘ice’ theme, the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Caves) are located near Werfen, just over an hour from Zell am See. The caves take a bit of an effort to get inside (a 20 minute uphill walk, a ride on Austria’s steepest cable car, at 70 degrees, and then another ten minute walk), but the ice formations inside are worth the effort. Despite being around minus 1 C inside, climbing the paths that take you along some of the 42 kilometres of ice caves, soon warms you up. Allow plenty of time as the queue for the cable car ride can be long.
 The majestic Grand Hotel sits on its own private peninsula.
To really get the feel of the Alps, take a cable car to one of the surrounding mountains and enjoy a stroll along gorgeous alpine paths. The National Parks are abundant with wildflowers and even in summer, you’ll still see snow on the peaks. Hike along one of the many well-maintained paths, drink from an alpine stream and experience Mother Nature at her best.
With such a wide range of accommodation to choose from in Zell am See, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose where to stay, but if you decide on the self-catering option, the town boasts two reasonably sized supermarkets as well as a couple of smaller ones, where you can stock up on all your needs. Being Austria, there are also plenty of bakeries where you can buy your daily supplies of bread and cakes. Our two bedroom apartment, overlooking the lake, was an easy ten minute walk to the town centre, either along the lakeside path or through the winding streets.
If you prefer to be a little more pampered, Zell am See offers a wide range of hotels, most offering half- or full-board. One of the most popular, is the stately Grand Hotel, located on its own peninsula jutting into the lake. The impressive looking hotel certainly boasts the best location in town but is on the higher end of the price scale, too! If your budget doesn’t stretch to the Grand, you can still enjoy a meal in the hotel’s picturesque gardens overlooking the lake.
With something to offer the whole family, Zell am See is worth considering for your next Austrian holiday. Small enough to have that ‘village’ feel but big enough to offer all the facilities of a larger city, you won’t be disappointed with Zell am See as a holiday destination.
 Magnificent Lake Zell, Photo courtesy www.austria.info Story and photos: Carolyn Schonafinger
|
|
Last Updated ( Sep 16, 2008 )
|
|
|
|
Bookmark Us |
|
|
Featured Destinations 
