On the tracks of the Fin de Siècle with a historical train ride
Northeast of Sankt Lorenzen at the end of the Mürztal lies the town of Mürzzuschlag. From here, the historic Semmering Railway starts over the Semmering towards Gloggnitz. The route was opened in 1854 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Along the route, there are numerous sights from the time of the monarchy and the Fin de Siècle period, such as the Südbahnhotel, which opened in 1882 on the Semmering Pass, or the Grandhotel Panhans in Semmering. Within walking distance of your vacation rental in Sankt Lorenzen is the impressive Nechelheim Castle, one of the oldest noble seats in Styria. The current three-story baroque building with its distinctive towers was first mentioned in a document in 1188.
From glacier to wine – Experience the diversity of Styria
The area around your vacation home in Sankt Lorenzen is one of the most beautiful hiking regions in Styria. The idyllic long-distance hiking trail "Bergzeitreise" takes you through a landscape of peaks, valleys, alpine pastures, dense forests, and crystal-clear rivers. The trail is part of the "From Glacier to Wine" hiking trail, which connects the alpine regions of Styria with the mild wine-growing areas. Stages of the hiking trail run through the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park. The many hiking opportunities are also perfect for a vacation with a dog in Western Styria. Above your vacation home in Sankt Lorenzen, the local mountain Töllmarkogel (or Töllamoarkogel) rises 1,366 meters into the sky. Near the summit is the managed Töllamoaralm, a popular hiking destination.
The culinary region of Styria – From pumpkin seed oil to wine
Styria is known as the "green heart of Austria" and is a true culinary region that offers many beautiful holiday accommodations. What is advertised elsewhere as slow food is a matter of course for Styrian chefs: the use of regional and seasonal ingredients. Traditional recipes are sometimes reinterpreted, but you will always taste the connection to the region. Styrian pumpkin seed oil has gained international fame – a protected trademark since the 1990s. In addition, scarlet runner beans, Styrian fruit, beer, and wine are among the culinary products of the country that are highly appreciated throughout Austria. The forests are rich in game and mushrooms, the meadows are lush green, and the rivers provide excellent trout – there is no need to look far in Styria. A special feature of Styrian cuisine is Sterz. Sterz used to be a poor man's meal. Today it is served in various variations with numerous dishes or replaces a complete meal. Wheat, corn, buckwheat semolina, or potatoes are cooked and roasted in pork fat or butter. For those with a sweet tooth, Zotter chocolate products from Styria are recommended. The hand-scooped chocolates come in hundreds of varieties – for example: goji berries in sesame nougat, "Ideenrausch" hemp and schnapps, pumpkin seed with marzipan, or Ribisel chili rock. Wine is at home in the West and South Styria. Regional grape varieties include Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Zweigelt, and Müller Thurgau, as well as Klöcher Traminer. The best single-vineyard wines in Styria are labeled as Riedenweine.
How to get to Sankt Lorenzen im Mürztal
The market town of Sankt Lorenzen im Mürztal is located in the district of Bruck an der Mur in the Western Styria in Austria at an altitude of 560 to 1,366 meters above sea level. You can easily reach your private vacation rental in St. Lorenzen im Mürztal via the St. Marein/St. Lorenzen train station with S-Bahn connections to Bruck an der Mur and from there to the Austrian Federal Railways network. By car, you can travel from Munich via Salzburg, Liezen, and Bruck; from there, take the Semmering Expressway S 6 towards Graz.