Where the challenging environment of the Austrian mountains inspires and challenges you, in Vitalwelt you can take things a bit easier. In this area, we find thermal baths with plenty of opportunities for entertainment, both in and out of the water. As a vital over-fifty, you might want to become more active afterwards, seeking challenges through walking or cycling. This can be done in the green surroundings, which are perfect for a cycling or walking tour.
Above Bad Schallerbach, there is a beautiful viewpoint with a small church overlooking the valley. It’s a great spot for a break to take in the scenery. Here, the landscape is more hilly than mountainous. The sun is shining, and together with the friendly surroundings, it creates a desire for a cycling trip.
Upon arriving in the village, our cycling guide is ready with the e-bikes. “What would you like to do?” he asks in a way that suggests anything is possible in the two hours we have. We choose to explore the area on quiet roads to get a good sense of the surroundings. And there we go. We ride along well-paved roads in a green, hilly landscape. The car traffic here is very limited, allowing us to pass by farms and fields.
Upon reaching Grieskirchen, we experience a lively atmosphere in the central square. An ideal spot for an ice cream. Above this square hangs a net of 1,600 square metres, an artwork symbolising collaboration. Under the lovely sunshine, we continue along good paths. It’s a perfect environment for cycling.
While exploring the region, we visit Hofzeit in the village of Rottenbach, one of the seven villages in the Vitalwelt holiday region.
Here, fish are farmed using a special technique called aquaponics. Essentially, the water for the fish is filtered by plants, keeping their living environment healthy in a natural way. Our host passionately explains this, with his daughter on his arm. Additionally, they sell agricultural products and offer regional specialties to eat. It’s a lovely place to visit!
We check into our hotel, Paradiso. It’s large, very large compared to the smaller hotels we visited earlier. The ground is covered in red carpet, and many guests are in bathrobes. Yes, we have arrived in relaxation land.
The rooms are comfortable, but in a spa resort like this, we won’t be hanging around in our rooms. Off to the pools and other facilities that are plentiful here. There are three different areas to visit for children and adults. We choose to relax under the palm trees. The sunny weather and the water create a feeling of relaxation in our legs after cycling. We find ourselves, not entirely by chance, at the pool bar. It’s outdoors, and we enjoy our Aperol in the sunshine. It feels like a holiday.
In the evening, we enjoy a delicious meal at the same hotel. It’s impressive how they manage this given the large number of guests. The same goes for the sweet buffet in the afternoon and the delightful breakfast in the morning. Wellness is practiced here in various forms.
The federal state of Upper Austria is situated in the area between Salzburg and Vienna. The Vitalwelt region lies to the southwest of Linz.
When staying in this region, you receive a guest card for free, allowing you to enjoy many activities at a discount. This includes museums, thermal baths, sports activities, and events.
Generally, you can find a good, tasty meal at your hotel, such as at Hotel Paradiso. Prefer to dine in a restaurant?
The best locations to stay in the Vitalwelt region can be found in Bad Schallerbach and Grieskirchen.
In Bad Schallerbach:
In Grieskirchen:
More information about the Vitalwelt region can be found at vitalwelt.at/en. For information about Upper Austria, visit upperaustria.com/en.