The Joy of Summer Travel Magazine 2012

Carinthia Magazine 16 1 2 while on the mountain knoll several cosy mountain lodges await with their socalled “Kostalan”, as culinary morsels are known in Carinthian: a small steak from an alpine steer in the Neugartenstüberl, Carinthian pasta pockets with cheese at the Gipfelhaus, and for dessert you should definitely make a detour to the Pöllingerhütte. The Gerlitzen Alpe has one undisputed advantage over most of the other mountains on the Alps-Adriatic Trail: Just before Annenheim, on the northern shore of Lake Ossiacher See, the Kanzelbahn cable car runs up to the summit. We mention it here only for the sake of completeness, because you might find that the many tasty morsels are much easier to digest sitting down. And what’s more, the view across Lake Ossiacher See and towards the Julian Alps in the south can be enjoyed in a much more relaxed way from the gondolas. Finkenstein: from Caballé to Crawford. The last stage that runs entirely on Carinthian soil leads from Velden am Wörthersee to the Baumgartnerhöhe not far from Lake Faaker See. Just before the finish, you come to the ruined Finkenstein Castle, which was first documented in 1142. The owners at the time, the Dukes of Carinthia, certainly knew the most beautiful spots around, because they erected this castle on one of them. There are breathtaking views into the Gail Valley towards the west, the whole of the Rosental Valley to the east and the sparkling turquoise blue Lake Faaker See a long way down below the northern side of the castle. The present-day castle owner is in fact not a duke, but a commoner. In the 1980s he got the idea into his head of turning the ruin into a concert arena, a plan that many people mocked at the time, but which was destined to take off. Since those modest beginnings a good 30 years ago, stars from the classics, comedy and pop have appeared at the arena: Montserrat Caballé and Agnes Baltsa were here, as were Otto Schenk, the unforgettable Falco, Al Jarreau, Randy Crawford and Konstantin Wecker. Many of the stars come back more than once because – as they would be the first to agree – there is nothing to compare with this spot in the entire world. Yet the artists don’t see the best bit of all, because the sun sets behind the stage, creating a natural spectacle that is visible only from the ranks of spectators. Even Madison Square Garden and the Royal Albert Hall can’t come up with a better light show than this! Wild water and wine. On the next stages of the Alps-Adriatic Trail, hikers leave Austria and enter Slovenian or Italian national territory. Here the route by and large follows the River Soča, which becomes the Isonzo on Italian sovereign territory. Even the most impassioned Carinthian has to admit without a trace of envy that this Soča Valley as far as the little village of Kobarid is a jewel of nature, above all because of the turquoise blue water of the wild river. A wonderful setting for lovers of wild water sports and for the anglers who pull quite a few marble trout from the cool water. The further south you travel alongside the Soča, the lovelier the landscape becomes. On stage 26 you cross the Italian border for the first time and then head westwards towards Cividale. And here you will find yourself in the wellknown region of the Colli Udine, the hills around the Friulian capital Udine which is famous for its wine growing. If you decide to try this stage, be absolutely sure to have one of the many culinary guides in your luggage. It is not for nothing that Friulian cuisine is known far and wide; most of the taverns, restaurants and osterias radiate that unique charm which makes an unforgettable culinary experience simply perfect. Muggia in the Gulf of Trieste. After just a few more stages you reach the sea, where from the destination Muggia you can look across the picturesque Gulf of Trieste. The trail has followed the water, from glaciers and along little brooks, rushing rivers and deep blue lakes all the way to the Adriatic Sea, into which ultimately all the water flows. And here the idea behind the Alps-Adriatic Trail reaches its conclusion, like a perfect circle, as well befits a Garden of Eden! Further information from March 2012 at www.alpen-adria-trail.com 3 4 The 140 kilometre long River Soča rises from a karst spring in north western Slovenia and flows into the Gulf of Trieste. The Renaissance Castle Dobrovo in the Slovenian Goriška Brda. The splendid Miramare Castle, the residence of Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian von Habsburg in Grignano, 5 kilometres outside Trieste. Carinthia Magazine 17

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