Your hotel:
Hotel Palais 26
The hotel, located directly on the main square, first impresses with its magnificent Renaissance façade. Built around 1500, the historic city palace was recently transformed into a charming boutique hotel. Here you will not only find cosy, modern superior rooms (single rooms are available in the
standard category), but also a small wellness area and an exclusive roof terrace with breathtaking mountain views. Culinary delights are served in the hotel's own restaurant, Charles.
Trip
Stroll through the charming old town of Villach today and let yourself be enchanted by the southern flair in one of the numerous terrace cafés.
You cycle past Warmbad Villach and leave the town heading east, always at the foot of the impressive Karawanken mountains, until you reach the turquoise-blue Faaker See. Towering above the lake is the imposing Mittagskogel, a true rock giant. Surrounded by wide, unspoilt meadows and green strips of forest, a wooded island lies in the middle of the lake. After a relaxing break on the shore, you start the return journey. You overcome a small ridge and finally reach the grey-green shimmering Drau. The leisurely Drau cycle path takes you back to Villach.
In the morning, the train takes you to Spittal, a town that was already an important transport hub for pilgrim travellers in the Middle Ages and became prosperous as a result. From here, you cycle almost effortlessly downhill along the Drau on the Alpe-Adria cycle path. On the way, you can take a break in the picturesque market town of Paternion, where you can visit the impressive churches and castles. After a few hard pedals, you finally reach Villach again.
You first cycle a few kilometres eastwards along the Drau Cycle Path before continuing through the original Carinthian farmland. The crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Lake Wörthersee and the lively hustle and bustle of Velden invite you to take a well-earned break in this prominent holiday resort. The route then leads through a gently undulating, picturesque landscape into the idyllic Keutschacher Seental valley. Here you will see dreamy wayside shrines and flower-decorated farms time and again. The Hafnersee, Keutschacher See, Baßgeigensee and Rauschelesee lakes are lined up around the cosy bathing resort of Keutschach. Along the Lend Canal you finally reach the provincial capital of Klagenfurt.
You leave Villach along the Seebach and enjoy the impressive view of the Landskron castle ruins. The lush green of the Gerlitzen stretches out in front of you, with the blue of Lake Ossiach shimmering behind it. The eleven kilometre long lake, often referred to as the ‘bathtub’, impresses with its drinking water quality. In Ossiach, it is not only the surrounding mountains and the water, which is up to 27 degrees Celsius in summer, that impress, but also the imposing 11th century monastery with its magnificent late Baroque church. The route continues to the idyllic seaside resort of Steindorf on Lake Ossiach. After a short stopover in Bodensdorf, your round trip today comes full circle in Villach.
In the morning, the train will take you to Italy, where it's ‘Servus Austria - Ciao Italia’ at the border. In Tarvisio you will even be welcomed in three languages, as Austrians, Slovenians and Italians have lived side by side here for centuries, and all three major European language families - Germanic, Romance and Slavic - meet here. Before you start your return journey, treat yourself to a creamy cappuccino. The Alpe-Adria cycle path then takes you along the wild Gail river, accompanied by impressive mountain panoramas, back to Austria.
Your wonderful cycle tour ends in Villach after breakfast. We are happy to book extra nights for you.
Map
Prices / Dates
Services / Info
- Overnight stay with breakfast at Hotel Palais 26
- Room with shower/bath/WC
- Personal tour information
- 1 x train journey Villach - Spittal incl. bike
- 1 x train journey Klagenfurt - Villach incl. bike
- 1 x train journey Villach - Tarvisio incl. bike
- Digital route guidance via smartphone app
- Tips for preparing your journey
- Tourist information
- 7-day hotline service
Things to know about the cycle tour Alpe-Adria: Villach Star Cycle Tour
Below you will find specific information about the individual cycle tour Alpe-Adria: Villach Star Cycle Tour. If you have any further questions about this tour, simply give us a call: Tel.: 06421 - 886890.
Travelling by car
There are tolls and motorway charges in Austria. Vignettes are compulsory on the motorways in Austria. Vignettes can be purchased at German petrol stations just before the border or at the border.
Travelling by train
The best way to reach your hotel in Villach from the railway station is to take a short taxi ride from Villach station. You can find up-to-date timetable information and prices at:
Car park at the start hotel
The hotel has a car park, costing approx. €12.00 per day. Alternatively, a free public car park is available outside the city centre. You will receive detailed information on parking facilities at the hotel you have booked with your detailed travel documents two weeks before the start of your trip.
Condition of the cycle paths
You cycle mostly on tarmac and well signposted cycle paths. The stages to Klagenfurt and around Lake Faak are characterised by a gently undulating route, while the rest of the route is mostly flat.
Available hire bikes
For this tour, you can choose between unisex bikes with 21-speed derailleur gears in various frame heights and 8-speed electric bikes. Simply state your bike preference when booking.
Cycling in Austria and Italy
Helmets are not compulsory in Austria, but wearing one is highly recommended. Since 2011, cyclists in Italy have been required to wear a high-visibility vest outside built-up areas at night (half an hour before sunset to half an hour before sunrise). In addition, reflective waistcoats are compulsory when cycling in tunnels with road traffic.
Extra costs that are not included in the tour price
A possible tourist tax and charging fees for bicycle batteries are not included in the tour price and must therefore be paid at the hotel.
7-day hotline service
If your bike chain breaks, floods make it impossible to continue your journey or other nasty surprises await you: We are available for you 7 days a week and will organise help as quickly as possible.
Passport and visa requirements
For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements for this trip.
Travel insurance
The statutory insolvency insurance is already included in the tour price. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance after receiving your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of cancellation, trip interruption, illness or accident.
For all those who want to combine comfort with sustainability and only require digital travel documents, we grant a discount of €20.00 per room.
Please let us know at the time of booking whether you would like to use printed or digital travel documents.
Your travel expert for this tour?
I provide you with advice and assistance
Nicole Janke