Buying a holiday home in Kaprun & Zell am See - Austria

Austrian Holiday Apartment under construction April 2008

Austria holiday Apartment bringing a plan into reality http://www.austria-holiday-apartment.com/

A while ago we were approached about writing an article about buying a holiday home in Austria. The attached link details some of the trials and tribulations in the process of finding the ideal place. buying a holiday apartment in Austria 

After following a number of property programs on TV, attending the "Place in the Sun " holiday home exhibition. We had made the decision that we were looking for somewhere which had the potential to rent all year around. We were tempted by the Canary Islands, Cyprus and Crete, but in the end we were persuaded by the arguments for an extended rental period, summer through to winter in a Ski resort.

In carrying out our detailed research across a number of countries we found the Global property website a very good reserch tool. It enabled us to make comparisons between buying in different areas i.e. Austria, Switzerland and France. It gave lots of useful information to analyze, and it was a useful resource to tool, direct further research.

In looking at ski areas we were advised to go for an area where there was glacier skiing, in other words the snow would be guaranteed and the ski season would be extended into May or even June, and start again in the October.

We wanted to be near a number of airports, so in the end with these criteria in mind, we settled on the Zell am See and Kaprun area, it had the combination of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area, the lake at Zell am See for water sports. Excellent transport links by road and rail to Salzburg, Innsbruck just over a hour away, and Munich coming in at around 2 hours. With the news that a new Tauern spa Kaprun complex was scheduled to built in a couple of years time made our decision easier to decide upon, another reason to buy in the area, was the adjacent 36 hole championship golf course of Zellamsee-Kaprun

Further we liked the area, and the contrast between holidaying in the summer and then returning in the winter was something that we would not have got in Cyprus or the Canary islands, i.e. swimming in the Zell am See lake in the summer and then walking across the frozen lake in the winter!

In looking for actual properties in Austria, the internet made life a little easier, we liked the "Live Austria" site. "Amazing Austria" was another website that gave us a good overview and plenty of information. But in the end we went with Ellmer an estate / developer based at the aerodrome between Kaprun and Zell am See, we found the approach of Christian very helpful and liked the build quality that he and Austria offered.

So after much thought, chats with friendly bank managers in the UK and Austria ( we even get birthday cards from the Volksbank at Zell am See!) after a 18 month search we found ourselves moving into our holiday rental home in Kaprun. There are still the occasional worry, drop in the £ sterling against the Euro, and the absence of bookings, with bills to be paid. But overall we are delighted with the apartment, area. Running a holiday rental business is challenging but the rewards of an appreciation from a content guest makes it more the worthwhile.

We have publicised the apartment with our website (see below and we also run two blogs Austria-holiday-apartment-blogspot ( we could have come up with a snappier title) and another based on Austrian spas and in particular the new Tauern Spa Kaprun, which is just the other side of the village from our apartment in Kaprun.

So do your research, do your sums, be prepared to put in the hours to market the apartment, it quite a journey to take, not without worries, but great scenery to look at on the way!!

View from the terrace of the Apartment we eventually brought of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier

If you  looking for some where to stay for 3-9 persons then please consider staying with us at www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

Finding a flight to Austria?

There are numerous places to find summer flights and winter ski flights to Austria on the internet.

The Austrian Tourist board website keeps an updated list of  flight options in and around Austria. With separate pages for summer flights and winter flights, with convenient additional links on railway  information.



Click on the links below to find further Austrian ski / summer flight information.

• Salzburg Airport flight info lists all the departures and arrivals. Access straight onto the motorway, and it is possible to be for example to be in Kaprun or Zell am See in around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. With a rail transfer from Salzburg taking a similar period of time.

• Innsbruck Airport flight information  cover the western part of Austria, in the Tyrol it lists the charter and scheduled flights. An alternative airport is to get your ski flight to Munich in Germany. Around a 2 hour transfer time depending upon your resort location in Austria, with a convenient motorway direct from the airport  to Innsbruck and Salzburg and beyond.

• Graz Airport flight information easy to use site which lists destinations by country and airport. Just off the motorway and about 1 hour from Salzburg, covering the central parts of Austria
  

• Klagenfurt Airport flight information site not so user friendly, but takes you to southern Austria closer to the  Slovenian and Italian borders.

• Blue Danube Linz Airport flight information handy again for Southern Austria ski resorts and getting to Slovenia.

• Vienna International Airport flight information this site available in a number of different languages. Vienna being the historic capital of Austria, located close to the Slovakian border has excellent interconnecting links with the rest of the country, by rail, road and river!

Other alternatives are flights to northern Italy, Venice Marco Polo Airport which is around a 3-4 hour drive to Austria.

Another choice is Munich International Airport there are plenty of flights to this "hub" airport from around the world. This airport / flugplatz is around a one to one and half hours away from the Austrian border linked by motorway.

Austria has a great road network, making for easy driving or easy transfers to your chosen resort. Along with a modern railway system making  which i have heard described is like a figure of " 8"  around the country with trains going in both directions, it is convenient and reliable mode of transport, with the added benefit of some fantastic views, it makes getting around Austria a joy.

 I have put in the following links to help you find that Austrian holiday flight booking

1) Ryanair.com 2) Easyjet.com 3) Thomsonfly.com 4) Jet2.com  and  5) flybe.com 6) Air Berlin 7) German wings

Ryanair.com flights

Easyjet.com flights

Thomson flights

Jet2.com flights

Flybe.com flights

Air Berlin  

do regular flights to and from Austria. The mjost convenient for Zell am See and Kaprun are Salzburg with a resort transfer time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.  Innsbruck and Munich have slightly longer transfer times.

GermanWings.com

For further information on accommodation, if you are looking for somewhere for 3-9 persons to stay please consider looking at :- www.austria-holiday-apartment.com 

Austria Holiday Apartment in the Kaprun - Zell am See Salzburg Area

What's new in Zell am See and Kaprun?.

The Austrians  are a hard working nation, and  looking to improve and enhance facilities, on an annual basis,  from the upgrading of ski lift,  the provision of new cycle lanes, extension and modernization of hotels, with new infrastructure being constructed each year.

The major recent changes for  for Kaprun and the Zell am See area include:-

1) New Tauern Spa Kaprun now open

The new 85 million Euro spa complex opened  November 2010, and will enhance any stay in the area, the attached blog link gives more information http://austria-spa-world.blogspot.com/.  Great for a session of relaxation after a hard days skiing, or perhaps in the summer after a strenuous day of hiking / cycling, or just go and relax and unwind, after 36 holes on the adjacent golf course!

Tauern Spa Kaprun opens late at night.

Stop by at Tauern Spa Kaprun, hotel rooftop infinity pool.

The Tauern Spa website English website can be found at this spa link.  The German version of the same website can also be found via this link, If you visit have a great time and let us know how you get on!

2) New  Kitzsteinhorn new lift station

On the top of the Kitzsteinhorn mountain at 3000+ metres and famous for its glacier,  a new cinema complex!, viewing galleries and  refurbished restaurant has opened in December 2010  the attached article from the Zell am See - Kaprun tourist board provides further information.Go on a sunny day to take in all the views.

Kitzsteinhorn Gipfelwert 3000

The Kitzsteinhorn company run their  own website to find out the latest, prices, weather reports or events click on the link.

3)  New  Maiskogel toboggan run

The Maiskogel ski lift which comes right down into the middle of Kaprun, (is about a 10 minute walk from Austria-Holiday-Apartment) is benefiting from the extra facility of a brand new toboggan run,  it  opened in the middle of December 2010, ready for the Christmas and New year holiday period. It is designed to be used summer and winter. For further information click on the Maiskogel website link 

Maiskogel  toboggan run open winter and summer opened December 2010

The start point for the ride is in the car park adjacent to the Maiskogel ski lift close to the centre of Kaprun.  The ride starts from the valley bottom with a "tow" up the the hillside, before the ride starts for proper with an exhilarating ride back down to the start point with plenty of twists and turns on the way.

Future Developments planned

     

For the future plans in Zell am See and Kaprun, it is reported that:-

• There is future talk of ski lift  and a Proposed Schmitten to Piesendorf link

This would take you up from the valley bottom at Piesendorf, up to the top of the Schmitten, with a view down onto Zell am See. Click on the above link to see the proposals in a map form

• A new multi-screen cinema close to the aerodrome is being planned,for the area between Zell am See and Kaprun

• Along with an extension to the 36 hole Zell am See - Kaprun by a further 9 holes!

Zell am See - Kaprun Golf course, fantastic views and adjacent to Tauern Spa Kaprun

So if you are considering visiting Austria again please consider staying with us? 

Austria Holiday Kaprun apartment

If you are looking for somewhere to stay for 3-9 people in the Kaprun and Zell-am See areas?  With the benefit of three bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms. For further information on the area, please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

30 great reason to visit Zell am See and Kaprun in Austria in the summer

Chuch in Kaprun

Plenty of cycling routes

Lake at Zell am See

Thirty  great reasons to visit and stay in Kaprun / Zell am See in the Austrian  summer.

1. Scenery to inspire.
2. Fresh clean alpine air to relax in.
3. The sports centres, indoor pool, spa and recreation center  in Zell am See.
4. A trip to Salzburg
5. A trip to Innsbruck
6. Swimming and bathing fun in Lake Zell
7. Water sport-swimming, sailing, surfing, diving, water skiing on the lake at Zell.
8. Hiking trails at all altitudes, with different challenges, and different views.
9. Cable cars up to 3,000 m above sea level
10. One of Austria’s premier golf clubs with two 18-hole golf courses in a spectacular location.
11. Over 200 km route of the bike cycle route called the "Tauernradweg"
12. Over 700 km of well defined mountain bike routes some used in the mountain bike downhill World cup competition.
13. Over 25 km of bridle paths, for you to enjoy horse riding.
14. Over 40 different types of sports for all the family to enjoy.
15. Summer skiing up on the on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
16. Kaprun castle festivals.
17. Village, lake, city and alpine festivals.
18. Concerts, theatres, exhibit, museums, galleries locally and in Salzburg and Innsbruck.
19. Canyoning, river rafting, climbing, mountaineering, paragliding, mountain biking and so much more.
20. Fun and varied program for children
21. A visit to Kaprun’s reservoirs.
22. Railway trips Salzburg or Innsbruck.
23. Visit Krimmel waterfalls perhaps taking you cycles on the train, and cycling down the valley with a day to remember
24. An alpine drive over the alps on a road only open May to September!
25. Castles to visit, including Werfen castle with the display of falconery
26. Visit a large ice cave above Werfen castle only discovered just over 100 years ago.
27. Many great places for all the family to visit.
28. A 7 mile walk around the lake at Zell
29. Sit and have a coffee and take in the view
30. Relax you are on holiday.

For further information and ideas link to the article 22 - 23 reasons to visit Zell am See, Kaprun and surrounding areas for a winter holiday see this link.

Tauern Spa-world-Kaprun

Another great reason to visit the area will be the opening of a brand new spa complex , it will is called  Tauern Spa-world-Kaprun, the cost of the development comes in at around 85 million euro.

The spa covers a site of 18,600 metres square and with a water recreation area of 2060 metres square. It promises to be a superb enhancement to the area, make it an even more attractive place to holiday throughout the year.

The site of the spa is just a few minutes walk from the center of Kaprun, it sits in the valley bottom, surrounded my majestic mountains, and a stunning view of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with its glacier.

I feel sure that it will be worth the wait to visit.

Things to do in a week in Kaprun, Zell am See and the Salzburg area

 Summer  holidays  in  Austria
 
We’ve just returned from our second visit to Austria and stayed in Austria  Holiday apartment in Kaprun, which is perfectly positioned and very comfortable.

We are a young family and have two girls aged 7 and 5, so here’s a few notes from our trip in the Zell am See / Kaprun Salzburg area:-

Mountains, lake and valley to explore in Kaprun and Zell am See

1. The main activities for us this year were walking and swimming so we purchased a Kaprun Zell am See “Hike and Swim” ticket for a total of €176. It might sound expensive but one return ride on a cable car is £40 and one visit to the lido in Zell am See is £20 and as we can manage both in one day it’s cost effective,  it gave us "free" access to lots of the attractions in the immediate area.

2. Our first walk was one for the children “Schmidolin’s Feuertaufe”, it’s new this year and has a fire breathing dragon theme. There are 11 game action stations on a circular walk which is situated between the City Express (Mittelstation) and Areitbahn gondolas.  We all enjoyed this walk (route no. 56) and the children loved it especially when they each received a certificate at the end, which they were both very pleased with. If we had more time we probably would have done it again. For more info in German click here, the English link is above.


3. The next day the Schmittenhohebahn wasn’t running but the TrassExpress was which runs to its left (this isn’t shown on the summer map but is visible on the winter map). We then walked up the mountain to the St Elisabeth church at the Schmitten summit where we then followed the very short Empress Sisi walk (route no.1).

4. Our next walk was from the top of the Schmittenhohe along the ridge to the Sonnkogel chairlift (Erlebnisweg Hohenpromenade, route no. 67). This is mostly downhill and there are multiple information points along the way (including tunnels to explore) which can engage the children and at the top of the Sonnkogel there is a zip wire and slide.  Also here is a place where you can have your photo taken by the webcam, here’s ours!


We stopped off for coffee and apple strudel at the café/restaurant and then took the chairlift ride down, which the children loved, at the end of which there is another playground. From here it is the Sonnenalm cable car back to the car park.

Klamsee above Sigmund Thum Klamm gorge near Kaprun

5. On a cloudy and wet day we drove the one mile up the road from the apartment and paid  €8, for 4 of us to walk through the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm gorge which is very impressive. From the top of the gorge we walked around the Klamsee (lake) and then drove a very short distance to take the Maiskogelbahn cable car. This is like stepping back in time and at the top by the café there are swings, a number of animals for the children to see (goats, ponies, chickens) and also great views looking down to Kaprun towards Zell am See.


6. Our next trip we gave the children the choice of either taking the train and; bus to the Krimml waterfall or visiting the ice cave at Werfen.

They chose the ice cave so that’s where we went. This is approx 45mins from the apartment in Kaprun. We would advise going as early as possible in the day because we had a lot of queuing. When we arrived at Werfen, near the impressive, imposing castle, we were told to park in the lower car park and take the bus to the ticket office, whilst this cost us an extra €16 in hindsight it was money well spent because the drive up the mountain to the ticket office is not for the uninitiated (steep narrow hairpins avoiding buses for 5km and a narrow busy car park at the top). We paid £50 for our cable car/ice cave ticket and took the 20 min walk to the cable car, which leaves every 3 mins but can only carry 15 people at a time (so a long queue takes time to shift). There is then another 20min walk to the ice cave which itself has hundreds of steps (I felt dizzy for a short period as we got to the top but our children didn’t complain at all). Warm clothing and good footwear is essential. The ice cave is amazing and is only lit by lamps carried by the visitors and magnesium carried by the guide who also speaks English and German.

7. When we weren’t walking we were mainly swimming at the lido in Zell am See which has great facilities. Here we all used the pools, the water slide and swam in the lake. Whilst our children aren’t old enough yet they enjoyed watching the teens being towed by the speedboat on the doughnuts and the banana (and falling off). The views around the lake from here are fantastic, I bet there aren’t many other better situated outdoor swimming pools. We also used the indoor pool in Kaprun but I expect the new Tauern Spa Kaprun resort due to open in November will be much better.

View from the lido at Zell am See swim and sail

8. There is a great atmosphere in Zell am See on Wednesday nights during the summer with music bands, lots of food and drink stalls and entertainers including clowns making balloon animals.

Summer traditional music in the town Square in Zell am See on Wednesdays nights

9. As we had a late flight back to the UK and the weather was poor we drove into Salzburg and visited the Natural History/Science museum which was fascinating for us all.  We spent approx 3 hours inside, there are a number of floors with rooms featuring dinosaurs, the ice age, science, space exploration and the Doppler effect, evolution, aquariums amongst others.

10. On a sunnier day we probably would have gone back to Hellbrunn on the outskirts of Salzburg (also adjacent to the zoo) – this has lovely gardens including the summer house from The Sound of Music (“I am 16 going on 17”), a great play area and a house with incredible fountains (see also ).


Some other interesting things that were happening at the time we were there

11. A mountain bike festival in Kaprun, "Bike infection 2010"for links for action packed cycle videos click here.

12. On the 7th August (day of our departure) there was the 2nd  lake festival at Zell am See
The date set for 2011 has already been set, and looks to become a regular occurrence.

13. For football fans there were a couple of team that were using Kaprun as a training base whilst we were there, German Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg  and Romanian Liga II side CS Concordia Chanjia


Other info

14. Parking – is free on the roadside in Zell am See on Friday afternoons, all day Saturday and Sunday and after 6pm on other weekdays.  At other times it is very cheap but the maximum stay is 3 hours. It also is very busy so spaces are rare but it is a much cheaper alternative than the underground covered car park. In Kaprun the parking is much easier and parking was free at the apartment where we stayed.

Whilst this has been our second visit we still have plenty more to do including the Kitzsteinhorn glacier  the Kaprun dams and reservoirs; the train ride upto Krimml waterfalls, cycling around and boating on the lake; the spa, walks and castle in Kaprun; Saalbach-Hinterglemm etc. etc. etc.

Looking forward to returning again sometime!

(Update  for  our  visit  in 2013,  where  we  stayed in the  same  apartment,  click  on this  link )

Jeremy  Emma and  family

View from the apartment where we stayed of the Kitzsteinhorn complete with glacier

If you are looking for somewhere to stay for 3-9 people? which has the benefit of three bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms please consider  www.austria-holiday-apartment.com.  For a down loadable brochure click on the Kaprun holiday apartment link