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Fancy a theatre experience with a unique backdrop? At the Grandhotel Panhans , plays and readings take place in a historic setting where Stefan Zweig, Arthur Schnitzler and Alma Mahler resided at the turn of the century, as well as in the Südbahnhotel Semmering, which has been abandoned for decades and where spa guests used to relax.The mountain “Rax” is the secret protagonist of the Festspiele Reichenau - how much more beautiful can it get? Find out at the many cultural festivals and events at magical locations in the Semmering-Rax-Schneeberg region.
Holidays in Semmering give rise to ideas in cinemascope dimensions. Hollywood director Wes Anderson was inspired by the architecture of the grand hotels for his Oscar-winning masterpiece "Grand Budapest Hotel". And a little earlier, at the beginning of the 20th century, the poets and thinkers of Viennese modernism met on Semmering and Rax. The nobility and imperial family also travelled to the summer resort.
Relaxation is getting on the Südbahn , reading a few pages of Schnitzler, Grillparzer, Werfel or Doderer, taking in the passing scenery, drinking coffee, taking a nap. Relaxation is being picked up by the RUFbus and dropped off at your accommodation (or Excursion destinations). In short, relaxation is everything except driving. And that's not necessary, because you can travel directly from Vienna and Graz to the Semmering-Rax-Schneeberg region by train . Fast, climate-friendly and relaxed.
How is a UNESCO World Heritage Site created? By building something that contemporaries dismiss as impossible, for example. This is what happened in 1854 on the Semmering, where Carl Ritter von Ghega designed Europe's first high mountain railway. The "impossible" route can be admired particularly well after a hike to the "20-Schilling-Blick". Those who can still remember the Schilling banknotes may feel nostalgic at the sight of the "Kalte Rinne" viaduct; the panoramic view of the Pollereswand, Rax and Schneeberg is also impressive for younger visitors. If you don't want to hike but want to travel like in the old days, you can take the restored Höllentalbahn railway from Payerbach to Hirschwang.
Sometimes mountain fans are allowed to cheat a little: To overcome the 1,017 metre difference in altitude, you can hike up the Rax for several hours or take the Rax cable car. Austria's first passenger cable car runs from the Hirschwang valley station to the Raxalm Berggasthof. It gets sporty anyway when you visit up to seven of the many serviced huts on the Rax during "hut hopping".
Where is the world-famous Viennese water before it flows out of the tap? Find out with us: via the Wasserleitungsweg in the Höllental valley , you will walk along part of the 1st Vienna Water Pipeline. The water flows from the springs in the Rax and Schneeberg region via 29 stations into the city's cisterns. Do you need a break? Reichenau an der Rax is a climatic health resort, Semmering is a climatic health resort.
Take a deep breath - and off you go!
The blinds are closed, the fan has been humming for hours, but you're still not sleeping well? No wonder, 15 to 19 degrees Celsius is ideal for a restful night's sleep. The good news is that when the tropical nights hit the city, it's pleasantly cool in the mountains. So simply head to one of the many unique accommodations (grand hotel, villa, farmhouse, ...) in the Semmering-Rax region, open the window, take a deep breath and sleep in a wonderfully idyllic setting, including the chirping of crickets.
Here, we interpret the term "high enjoyment" in the literal sense: in the Semmering-Rax region, you can enjoy excellent food every day. No matter what your body craves - whether traditional tavern fare, elegant gourmet cuisine, snacks or pastries - it will be lovingly cooked with regional ingredients. The gala dinner anno 1925 with theatre and wine accompaniment is a historical highlight: jewel robbery at the Grand Hotel. The Looshaus am Kreuzberg, designed by architectural pioneer Adolf Loos, invites you to marvel and linger over regional cuisine. Don't hesitate to tuck in, the calories will fall away as you hike!
Nature is good for body and soul. Sigmund Freud and Viktor Frankl ("Climbing is a parable on life") found inspiration for their analyses in the mountains, Arthur Schnitzler honed his characters there. You can hike in their footsteps - even without having read their works. Simply enjoy nature, for example the rugged rock faces of the Höllental valley. There, at the Hubmer memorial site , you will discover the story of the "Rax König", who founded the timber industry in the area. Experience the Vienna Water Pipeline on the Wasserleitungsweg or modern art in the open air in the landscape of Gut Gasteil. And history nerds will also get their money's worth at the Dr Karl Renner Museum in Gloggnitz.
Can't do anything yet? So switch off your mobile phone and laptop, lean back and don't think about work or errands? If not, you can learn how to do it with us. Around Semmering, Rax and Schneeberg is the best place to relax and remember: you are on holiday, not on the run.
