If you are longing for a peaceful winter retreat where you can regroup, breathe, and simply relax in nature, this Austrian guesthouse-restaurant and nearby lake are the perfect solution.
What an incredible, peaceful, beautiful retreat. The food looks amazing and everything is surrounded by such peace. It would be wonderful to visit at anytime of year.
I'm sure it would be beautiful at other times of the year, too. The area would be much busier in the summer, though, and it wouldn't be as much to spend time in a sauna. That is why we've always gone there in the winter.
I want to go there!!!! I wonder if it’s accessible via train? I went on a similar winter retreat in Garmisch! I was confused about the sauna. I wore a bathing suit and other people were nude! I thought since it was a co ed public sauna bathing suits would be required. 🧖🏼♀️ anyway I loved walking and skiing in winter !
You could definitely get to Mariazell via bus or train. From there, you would need to take a taxi to Lurgbauer and/or to Erlaufsee. There are also a couple of downhill skiing facilities in the area. I haven't checked, but there might be buses in Mariazell that could take you there.
Many Europeans, including the Germans and Austrians, have a more natural, less puritanical attitude toward the human body than we Americans do, which I really like. Although it can require some getting used to!
My first experience of this was when I was 26 and newly married to my first husband, who was from Holland. We were visiting his parents when I needed to have a health check-up for some reason, so I went to the local village doctor. He had one large room, with his desk at one end, an examination table in the middle, and a closet for changing clothes at the other end. I had to walk naked to the table in front of this man and climb up on it--with no little gown or blanket or anything. It was an eye-opening cultural experience for sure!
The idea of a winter retreat in such a lovely place with all the amenities is so appealing, especially amidst a frantic month of holiday preparation and celebration. The descriptions of how Gerhard handled the details of the sauna and the sensual experience of the two-person tub were such a delightful read, and, combined with your excellent photos (that multicourse dinner!) definitely transport us o this Austrian winter paradise. I just wish we could follow in your footsteps! Thanks, Clarice.
What an incredible, peaceful, beautiful retreat. The food looks amazing and everything is surrounded by such peace. It would be wonderful to visit at anytime of year.
I'm sure it would be beautiful at other times of the year, too. The area would be much busier in the summer, though, and it wouldn't be as much to spend time in a sauna. That is why we've always gone there in the winter.
I want to go there!!!! I wonder if it’s accessible via train? I went on a similar winter retreat in Garmisch! I was confused about the sauna. I wore a bathing suit and other people were nude! I thought since it was a co ed public sauna bathing suits would be required. 🧖🏼♀️ anyway I loved walking and skiing in winter !
You could definitely get to Mariazell via bus or train. From there, you would need to take a taxi to Lurgbauer and/or to Erlaufsee. There are also a couple of downhill skiing facilities in the area. I haven't checked, but there might be buses in Mariazell that could take you there.
Many Europeans, including the Germans and Austrians, have a more natural, less puritanical attitude toward the human body than we Americans do, which I really like. Although it can require some getting used to!
My first experience of this was when I was 26 and newly married to my first husband, who was from Holland. We were visiting his parents when I needed to have a health check-up for some reason, so I went to the local village doctor. He had one large room, with his desk at one end, an examination table in the middle, and a closet for changing clothes at the other end. I had to walk naked to the table in front of this man and climb up on it--with no little gown or blanket or anything. It was an eye-opening cultural experience for sure!
The idea of a winter retreat in such a lovely place with all the amenities is so appealing, especially amidst a frantic month of holiday preparation and celebration. The descriptions of how Gerhard handled the details of the sauna and the sensual experience of the two-person tub were such a delightful read, and, combined with your excellent photos (that multicourse dinner!) definitely transport us o this Austrian winter paradise. I just wish we could follow in your footsteps! Thanks, Clarice.
Thank you, Ruth. I'm really glad you liked the post.