“Look, a deer is sprinting by!” – “That one’s got quite some fur on his belly .. er, feathers. Well of course. It’s a bird.” – “Why does this one have to sit around here and look rather stupidly?” Dear Birdwatching expert Manuel: I seriously do not know if you’ve ever dealt with such a species as us travel blogger lot, but here’s my word of advice. Personal experiences are at the forefront of how we are, write and exist. Thanks to merry tweeting, happy liking & sharing each other’s impressions with the world instantly, correct use of language or zoological terms sometimes goes amiss. Telling a common buzzard from a falcon may sometimes succumb in the face of general excitement, and appear to be rather cute, than anything else thanks to their fluffed-up feathers. I wonder what Tripwolf Martin and video expert Christian think about us girls, including one “Bloggi-Bär” (c) storytelling by Janett Schindler. …
This Burgenland-Blogtrip really has it all. 😀
A common buzzard remains well-protected against the cold. From high up there, he probably thinks we are nuts staring at him through our camera lenses – or simply does not care at all. 😉
May I present: The “Dream Team” of our expedition into the national park Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel together with our birdwatching expert Manuel: Following goose, white-tailed eagles & other bird species we cross the plains of this particular Austrian territory, including the lowest ever measured point in the whole country at 114 metres altitude. Calories are only burned against the cold … and from holding our tummies from laughing!
These wonderful steppe cattle are calling the “Seewinkel” their home, complete with a thick fur against the bitter cold in winter – or rather, as protection against unnerving travel bloggers trying to get their best “shots” 😉
Besides all the fun, I do of course take birdwatching seriously relishing in the great Swarovski-carved binoculars: Not one detail or movement of birds goes unnoticed in front of my eyes.
Arrive & Relax: Must-See St. Martins Therme & Lodge
But let’s start from the beginning. Leaving town, we drive about 45 minutes from the heart of Vienna to the St. Martins Therme & Lodge in the national park Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel close to the border with Hungary. Complete and utter silence wraps around us. The architecture of the spa shaped like the shell of a snail is enthralling: After five minutes inside this modern space, I’m convinced I have to come back with my love soon. At least for one weekend. Or more. I have this to say about why the St. Martins Therme & Lodge including a great Facebook Fanpage (> 10.000 fans, top in Burgenland!) & their own ranger blog is definitely worth the visit:
Sit down, please: Enjoying a truly rewarding breakfast is the first step among many other soothing experiences at the hotel & spa in Burgenland, St. Martins Therme. Take your time and enjoy the regional specialities on your plate!
Out of 150 rooms, the hotel boasts this one including a truly romantic suite. We are ready to fall in love … and into bed!
A little later, we go birdwatching into the national park before returning for a spa-full afternoon with healing brine water: A great experience especially in winter, when you return frozen from an outdoor safari 😀
Pure bliss at the hotel & spa St. Martins Therme in Burgenland …
This “lawn for sunbathing” should be moved to the hotel & spa’s own “Summer Island”, for which it is definitely worthwhile coming back during the summertime.
We choose instead to place all our hopes for not getting lost but learn something about birdwatching on Manuel, who organizes tours straight from the hotel and gets you out, about and back. Hands-on nature & outdoors experience – something that is also – or especially – enticing during winter.
Birdwatching & Winter Experience in Burgenland
Tired of the same over-crowded, costly ski slopes for your winter holiday? Try the Burgenland instead! The national park “Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel” including the St. Martins Therme & Lodge can be reached in less than an hour from the Austrian capital city Vienna. Everybody has welcomed us here, food such as cheese, meat, juices & bread are delicious and local (we couldn’t be persuaded to leave our breakfast table for a looong time … !) and the modern ambiance of the recently constructed hotel & spa is definitely worth checking out.
Being welcomed in Burgenland: Thanks to Burgenland Tourismus for inviting us on this trip! All our opinions are our own.