ZELL AM SEE AUSTRIA – A BIT OF FOOD AND FUN

Zell am See Austria, is a simply stunning venue for a race or a vacation. We’ve heard of a few good restaurants and fun things to do if you need some ideas. My husband did Ironman Austria in 2010 and the scenery was just unbelievable, so I’m sure you are in for such a treat. From the pictures I’ve seen, the areas look similar and I hear you can drink from Lake Zell just like in Klagenfurt!

So, here are a few restaurant tips and fun things to do in the area…

PLACES TO EAT IN ZELL AM SEE AUSTRIA

We would certainly be remiss not to include an Italian restaurant for a triathlon! Guiseppe’s is located right in the center of town. We hear while the pizza is great, the lasagne is not to be missed, plus they have plenty of vegetarian options. We would also suggest making a reservation if you want to sit in the upstairs dining room and not in the bar area. Another pizza spot is Pizzeria Zum Caser.

Brasserie Traube – So, after carb loading and Italian, comes something for the meat eaters. Brasserie Traube is located in the Hotel Traube, again, in the center of town. The burgers, ribs, and beef noodles are all rated highly.

Kupferkessel – Popular with the locals, it has a varied menu to please everyone. If you have to try wiener schnitzel while you’re here, they’ve got you covered.

Schmiedhofalm – If you are looking for some local dishes, such as Wiener Schnitzel or Grostl, and want to get out of town, this restaurant near the top of the ski area, is a great choice. Besides great food, you also get a gorgeous panoramic view from the terrace.

We also hear you can’t go wrong with any of the hotel restaurants, such as the Steinerwirt or Zur Einkehr.

Looking for places to party? You can try Crazy Daisy’s or the Gin House for great drinks and some dancing. Crazy Daisy’s also has an outdoor seating area and a good restaurant.

THINGS TO DO IN ZELL AM SEE AUSTRIA

Most of the things to do in the area revolve around outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, swimming, golf, and tennis. And of course, tons of water activities, such as rafting, sailing, fishing, and waterskiing.

Just in case you didn’t have enough of snow this past winter, you’re in luck. Take a 3 cable car trip to the summit of Kitzsteinhorn and you can see snow all year round and a glacier to boot. Plus, you are in for just some spectacular views. Doesn’t get much better…

The Tauern National Park is a one of Austria’s most beautiful and there are several great ways to enjoy it:

• Take a scenic tour up to Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner and pass through Tauern National Park. The road itself is known for it’s spectacular scenery and engineering feat! If you don’t have transportation, buses tours are available.
• If you love waterfalls, the Krimmi Waterfalls are the highest in Europe and the fifth highest in the world. It is said that the mist from the falls has healing powers, so if you’re a believer…You can walk to the top, but it takes about 1 1/2 and is quite steep; maybe not the best activity for a triathlete pre-race. But, for the rest of the group, there’s plenty of opportunity to stop along the way, including a restaurant. If you’re not in the mood to walk, you can always take a taxi.

Spas and Wellness – There’s certainly no shortage of spas in the area, including the host hotel, Tauern Spa. You can find steam baths, aroma grottos, and solariums, besides the usual spa offerings. There is also the Leisure Center of Zell am See Wellness & Spa, an indoor swimming complex with water slides.

Maisiflitzer Tobogganing Track – Tobogganing in the summer! Yes, you can. Great fun for the whole family.

If you get bored of all the outdoor activities, hit the Vötter’s Oldtimer Museum for a nostalgic look at some gorgeous vintage cars from the 50’s – 70’s as well as some motorbikes.

Salzburg is only an hour away and just filled with so much culture and history, so really, not to be missed since you’re in the area! You can visit the birthplace of Mozart, see where the Sound of Music was filmed, and visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, a tea house perched on a mountain summit. It’s always great to take a city tour or get a private guide. A tour of the town of Berchtesgaden will also get you to Eagle’s Nest and to the famous salt mines.

We also just like to just get in the car and drive and see where it takes us. The scenery is going to be gorgeous, so you can’t go wrong. There are many picturesque villages in the surrounding area, so you can be adventurous! Coming upon something wonderful and unexpected can’t be beat…

Zell am See also has a great site with tons more information. And, don’t forget to check out Ironman’s site for race information. To follow the race on twitter, use the hashtags #zellkaprun and #IM703WC. Have a great time out there!