Herberstein Castle - Riegersburg Castle - Bad Blumau

Route: Sopron - Herberstein Castle - Riegersburg Castle - Bad Blumau - Sopron
Duration: 11 h
The first stop of our tour will be at the "Garden Castle Herberstein" which located in the municipality of Stubenberg near the wildlife park Herberstein. The fortified castle stands high on an east-west-facing rock, is not visible from distance and very difficult to access. The oldest parts comes from the end of the 13th century. In the middle of the 16th century, it has been transformed into a residential building with Renaissance elements and expanded. Now, for 21 generations, the castle has been owned by the Herberstein family. In the 17th and 18th centuries, about one fifth of Styria was owned by the Counts of Herberstein. More than a dozen castles and palaces from Istria to Bohemia, from Carinthia to Silesia made the Herberstein's a leading power in Europe. Today, the "Garden Castle Herberstein" still serves the Herberstein family as a residential and administrative seat. And it is not without a reason that this place is called "Garden Castle". Sprout, trail, bloom, smell, thrive - the castle's important gardens date back to the 16th century, are inseparable linked to this place and invite you to stroll and be astonished. During a relaxing walk through the flowers on the garden ground you will learn interesting facts about the history of European garden culture starting from the Middle Ages till today. Our next stop will be at the Strongest Fortress of the Christian world Riegersburg, situated on a volcano rock, proudly overlooks the soft hills of Eastern Styria. Unconquered for centuries, is she still today a remarkable fortress and fills people with respect.You can „conquer“ the castle, climbing up the footpath through the seven archways or you can use the lift at the north side of the castle.The first knight who is known to have build a castle here, was a Rüdiger von Hohenberg and the castle was name after him, „Ruotkerspurch“, that was in 1138. Next we will visit to Rogner Bad Blumau for an unforgettable experience. Set amidst the fields and lush green meadows of the Styrian countryside, the resort was designed by the eccentric painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Hundertwasser’s buildings are distinguished by their highly experimental and Gaudi-like shapes that employ a variety of unusual materials, combining the artist’s vision of structures that blend with the natural environment. The Rogner Bad Blumau spa is no different and is worth seeing as much for its architecture as for its relaxation opportunities. You’ll be greeted by an irregular jumble of rounded facades, two thousand erratically shaped windows, fantastical columns, golden domes, rooftop gardens, and rainbow-colored walls linked by winding, crazily paved pathways to the swimming and spa facilities. The spa complex is huge and has 14 indoor and outdoor pools. The crystal-clear waters are all fed from two highly mineralized natural hot springs, whose water supports blood circulation and ameliorates ailments from arthritis to eczema.  Recharge your batteries in curative thermal water, take a refreshing sauna or jacuzzi, or pamper yourself to a wide range of individual health and wellness packages.  You can sit under the stars or sip drinks in the warm pool. Whatever you choose, it will prove to be a magical experience!After we will return to Sopron.
Price: Per person