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Journey with a stopover
Around 5.5 hours of pure driving time on this day, split up by the break in Passau.
The 700-kilometre stretch from Dresden to the Thermenland is deliberately spread over two days, so you arrive relaxed.
Long leg — plan in some breaks.
This is where your journey begins. It's best to set off early, so you arrive down south relaxed, splitting the long leg over two days.
The city of three rivers, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, is perfect for a leg-stretching break. Stroll through the baroque old town and take a look inside Dom St. Stephan, home to one of the largest cathedral organs in the world.
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1 night · Mon 08/03
Linz sits in exactly the right spot to split your journey into two comfortable legs. A central hotel lets you take an evening stroll along the Danube riverbank before the final stretch into the Thermenland the next morning.
Places to stay that fit
Hotel Daniel Graz
hotel · Hauptbahnhof, Graz · approx. 110–170 €/night (estimate)
Modern design hotel right by the main train station, easy to reach and comfortably furnished.
Augarten Art Hotel
hotel · Augarten, Graz · approx. 130–190 €/night (estimate)
Quiet location by the Augarten with stylishly designed interiors and upmarket facilities.
Prices are estimates — real availability & price via “Compare & book”. The names are planning suggestions and not checked one by one.
Searches Booking.com around where you stay — dates and party are already filled in.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Arriving and settling in
A short leg of around 2.5 hours, leaving plenty of time for a thermal spa afternoon.
From today onwards, you'll stay at the same hotel and explore the region from this base.
After breakfast, you continue heading south. The drive to the Thermenland is the shortest of the road trip, getting you there by early afternoon.
The mild, mineral-rich thermal water is just what you need on arrival. The Heiltherme is peaceful and geared towards relaxation, with indoor and outdoor pools plus a generous sauna area for your first relaxed afternoon.
4 nights · Tue 09/03 – Sat 13/03
Your base for the coming nights sits right by the thermal spa grounds, with many rooms offering their own direct access to the spa. From here, all your excursions into the vineyard hills work nicely as day trips, without needing to change hotels every day.
Places to stay that fit
Der Steirerhof Bad Waltersdorf
hotel · Bad Waltersdorf, Steiermark · approx. 280–420 €/night (estimate)
Your chosen accommodation: a 5-star wellness resort with an extensive spa and half board on site.
Thermenhotel Vier Jahreszeiten Bad Waltersdorf
hotel · Bad Waltersdorf, Steiermark · approx. 180–280 €/night (estimate)
Comfortable thermal spa hotel with direct access to Therme Loipersdorf, quietly located in the spa town.
Prices are estimates — real availability & price via “Compare & book”. The names are planning suggestions and not checked one by one.
Searches Booking.com around where you stay — dates and party are already filled in.
03333 32110Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Relaxing and Buschenschank
Morning at the thermal spa, afternoon walk and snack, exactly to your own rhythm.
If you'd rather drive less, you can choose vineyard hills closer to Bad Waltersdorf instead of Straden.
Start the day gently in the warm thermal water. It's quietest in the morning, ideal for moving calmly between the pools and the sauna.
In the afternoon, head into the gentle vineyard hills of the Vulkanland. Short circular walks lead between vines and old Kellerstöckl wine cottages; in March you'll spot the first signs of spring and enjoy wide views across the rolling landscape.
To round things off, you'll stop at a Buschenschank, serving up homemade Brettljause platters, spreads and their own wine. The rustic parlours and vineyard gardens are just the right mix of indulgence and cosiness.
Nature, views and indulgence
Short drives of around 30 minutes each, leaving plenty of time for views and indulgence.
The climb up to Riegersburg is short but steep, so sturdy footwear is worth it.
Today also starts gently in the warm water, before heading off to one of the region's landmarks.
The mighty Riegersburg sits perched on an extinct volcanic rock high above the land. The walk up via the old castle steps is a lovely, short stroll with far-reaching views, and at the top, castle rooms and the Greifvogelwarte bird of prey centre await.
Just a few minutes from the castle, you'll sample chocolate made from fair-trade cocoa at the well-known manufactory. The tour, with plenty of tasting stops along the way, is a sweet contrast to your day of walking.
One last thermal spa day
As a one-way trip, the tour ends in the Thermenland; a return journey to Dresden isn't included in the plan.
If you're continuing on the journey home, it's worth splitting it into two legs, just like the outward trip.
To finish off, a morning at the colourful Thermenwelt in Bad Blumau, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is well worth it. The curving façades, green roofs and warm pools make this a real experience in itself.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
After the thermal spa, a short walk through the gentle landscape around Bad Blumau rounds off the trip. Quiet paths between fields and hills give spring a little more room to breathe before you set off home.
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