Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The stout
Ledererturm
(Tanner's Tower), built in 1326, overshadows the western end of
Stadtplatz and is the last remnant of the town's fortifications.
Burg Wels
(Burggasse 13; adult/child €4.50/2; 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 2-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun)
Gathered around a
quiet, flower-dotted garden, this castle is where Emperor Maximilian I drew his last
breath in 1519. The folksy museum contains everything from cannon balls to Biedermei-
er costumes. Must-sees include the horse-drawn cider press and the circular room that's a
shrine to baking, with walls smothered in animal-shaped pastries and gigantic pretzels.
CASTLE
UPPER AUSTRIA'S SMALL PLEASURES
Village-hopping through Upper Austria's countryside reveals some little-known treasures. In the Traunviertel,
take a detour to the orchards in
Adlwang
near Bad Hall, where apples go into making juice,
Most
(cider) and
schnapps. Leopold Höllhuber sells award-winning potent stuff at
Gangl
( 07258-40 18; Mandorferstrasse 28;
apt/d €33/38; ), a
Vierkanthof
farmhouse where you can also spend a very comfortable night.
Wending through the fields of the Mühlviertel, pause in
Hirschbach
to follow a steep 13km trail up to a high-
altitude herb garden, which grows 150 different types of herbs, some famed for their healing properties. Organic
peppermint and melissa are among hundreds of varieties for sale at
Bergkräuter-Genossenschaft
(
www.bergkraeuter.at
;
Thierberg 32; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri).
Further west, while exploring the misty hills and moor lakes of the Böhmerwald (Bohemian Forest), you can
stop off in sweet-toothed
Bad Leonfelden
for homemade gingerbread.
Kastner
(
www.kastner-austria.at
;
Le-
bzelterstrasse 243; 8.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 1-5pm Sun) has guarded a secret recipe since 1599;
sample freshly baked fruit, nut, honey and chocolate varieties at the factory shop.
Sleeping & Eating
The tourist office can help you find somewhere to stay. In summer, the Stadtplatz and its
tributaries offer alfresco dining with a lively vibe.
Boutique Hotel Hauser
( 454 09;
www.hotelhauser.com
;
Bäckergasse 7; s €91-121, d €121-151; )
With its polished ser-
vice, its clean-lined, contemporary rooms and a rooftop pool, sauna and terrace, this
boutique hotel outshines most of Wels' midrangers. Organic and regional produce,
homemade cakes and jams spice up the breakfast buffet, and guests can refresh with free
tea and fruit throughout the day.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€
Hotel Ploberger
HOTEL
€€
