# Carinthia Is a Place You'll Love in Both Winter and Summer > Mountain slopes, clear lakes and cosy little towns: Carinthia is lovely all year round. Here's what to do in the region in both winter and summer, even without skis. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/karyntiya-mistse-yake-spodobayet-sya-vam/ - Language: en - Published: 2022-04-06 - Categories: Nature, Historic Sites, Mountains, Austria, Lakes, Food & Drinks --- Peace and quiet. Great slopes, but without the crowds? Breathtaking views. Carinthia is a region that will delight not only fans of winter sports, but also anyone who would rather simply relax than carve down the slopes. I'll admit right away that two wolves live inside me: one longed to remind itself whether "you never really forget how to ski," while the other could not wait to get back to the hotel pool, especially since we were staying at the Thermenresort Warmbad in Villach, which has thermal baths, a spa, a sauna, and indoor and outdoor pools. So you soak in the warm water and catch a glimpse of the distant Alps. It doesn't get any better than that. Carinthia is a federal state in southern Austria. It borders Slovenia, Italy, Tyrol, Salzburg and Styria, and it ranks among the most enchanting mountain areas. It's no wonder so many tourists choose to travel to Austria by car. On the one hand, of course, there's the convenience and the chance to bring your gear along; on the other, the chance to take in the views. If you decide to fly, the most convenient option is to reach Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and then take a bus from there to Villach. I had the chance to try both options, so I can tell you that getting to Austria by car really is very pleasant. You can cover the entire route on a comfortable motorway. Keep in mind, though, that there are road tolls: in Austria a ten-day vignette costs less than 10 euros. ![](/storage/image/prev/statti-4-1-1024x586.jpg) Villach is a town of around 60,000 people. Before heading out to the ski runs, I recommend taking a stroll through town and soaking up its idyllic, peaceful atmosphere. The streets near the main square (Hauptplatz) and the Drava River are especially charming. If you have more time, stop by the late Gothic Church of St. Jacob, which actually sits at the head of Hauptplatz. As you leave the square and head toward the river, look for Bahnhofstrasse: it will lead you straight to the bridge. In this area it's worth finding a restaurant and trying a local delicacy (more on that later). Interestingly, Villach is the hometown of Martin Koch, a three-time world team champion and five-time world championship medalist in ski jumping, and the town is home to the Villacher Alpenarena ski jumping complex, which hosts World Cup ski jumping competitions. As for accommodation, I recommend keeping an eye on the Thermenresort Warmbad Villach complex. I won't be lying if I say that all day long, despite the wonderful sights and the challenges of skiing, I dreamed of getting back to the hotel and enjoying the pool and thermal baths, especially since part of the pool extended outdoors, so you could spend the evening in the steamy water gazing at the distant peaks. ## The Pandemic and Entering Austria An additional formality since 2020 that every tourist has to bear in mind is, of course, the epidemic situation in Europe. Anyone crossing the Austrian border must carry: - proof of vaccination or of a history of COVID-19 - a negative PCR test result (even if vaccinated) or a medical certificate confirming it Important: people who have not completed full vaccination are treated as unvaccinated. All documents must be in English or German. You can find all the details on the ministry's website. If you're planning a trip, check it regularly, since the situation in many countries changes from week to week. To make use of catering services, hotels, leisure venues (including ski lifts) and cultural services, you have to follow the "2G" rule, that is, present (one) supporting document: - Vaccination with two doses. As of 1 February 2022, the validity of a double vaccination was shortened for adults from 270 days to 180 days, and for people under 18 to 210 days. The validity of a certificate confirming vaccination with a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has expired unless a booster was administered; - a negative PCR test result and at least 21 days after receiving the vaccine. The vaccination is valid for 180 days; - receipt of a booster vaccine. At least 90 days must pass between the second dose and the booster. The booster vaccination lasts 270 days; - recovery from infection within the previous 180 days; - having been in isolation; a document issued within 180 days of a positive PCR test. - In addition, you must wear an FFP2 mask in public places. It's also important to remember that some restrictions are regional, so be sure to check the rules before you travel. ![](/storage/image/prev/statti-4-2-1024x653.jpg) ## Summer or Winter Despite its obvious appeal, Carinthia is a great idea no matter the season. As I've already said, the road connection from Poland is so convenient that going there even quite spontaneously is genuinely possible and a really cool idea. Villach's location means it's pleasant here and fairly warm for an alpine region, so time on the slopes passes very cheerfully. The slopes are blanketed in snow, and the season runs until April. I had the chance to ski at the end of January, which is a very attractive time, and yet there were no crowds in the mountains and conditions were good for a few hours on the piste. If you enjoy other activities, I'd also suggest heading out for a snowshoe walk. For me it was a new experience, so at first it wasn't easy to get used to the poles on my feet, but afterward it was fabulous. On snowshoes you can confidently climb hills and higher mountains, and then all that's left is to enjoy the wonderful scenery. The slopes on the southern side of the Austrian Alps are usually bathed in sunshine, and that's another reason for Carinthia's popularity as a unique spot for winter sports. After all, in winter there are almost 100 more hours of sunlight here than in the regions north of the main alpine ridge. For connoisseurs and insiders, this is simply the top season. Spring skiing in Carinthia, on the southern, sunniest slopes of the Austrian Alps, is wonderful and full of sights and surprises. Luxury-class alpine skiing means fabulous conditions for early morning runs down pristine alpine slopes, as well as butler service on the pistes. In summer, on the other hand, it's worth looking into offers for cycling expeditions. The cycling adventure along the Drava River begins in Italy at the foot of the beautiful Dolomites, and over the following days it passes through East Tyrol and picturesque Carinthia. In Villach the Drauradweg crosses the trans-alpine Alpe-Adria route and the Great Carinthian Lakes Loop," writes Szymon Nitka on naTemat.pl. The Drava route covers a total of 366 km of path along the river, from west to east through southern Carinthia. It's worth straying a little from the road to visit spots along the way: Villach has thermal baths, and Spittal an der Drau has the Renaissance Porcia Palace. At one of the nearby lakes, Ossiacher See or Worthersee, you can cool off. ![](/storage/image/prev/statti-4-3.jpg) ## Austrian Delicacies Poles love Austrian cuisine, and Polish skiers especially so. And no wonder: after an active break in the mountains, every one of us dreams of a tasty meal. Carinthian cuisine will please even the most demanding palates. One of the regional delicacies is Karntner Kasnudeln, which resembles filled dumplings. They're a little bigger and have a minty flavour. I had the chance to learn the secrets of making them, but I prefer eating them to shaping them: despite their obvious appeal, making good dumplings really is an art. It's also worth trying a soup that resembles broth but is served with "pancake" noodles, and Flammkuchen, which is like a "pizza" with cream and onion. After a long snowshoe hike, that combination felt like a visit to a culinary paradise. For dessert, though, I can recommend the king of Austrian desserts (although some people order this dish as a lunch course because of the huge portions served in most restaurants): Kaiserschmarrn, that is, pancake-like batter torn into pieces and served with apple sauce and cream. It's worth noting that Austrians pay a great deal of attention to the quality of ingredients. Most restaurants can boast of products from the best suppliers, who care about the environment and ecology. So even if it seems to you that you're eating something "rich," it will be good for your health, and your body will tell you as much: even after the heaviest lunch I felt energetic and light, and the pleasure was heightened by something you'll definitely feel in the Alps, the fresh air.