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UPDATE: Germany to close borders with Austria’s Tyrol and Czech regions

Germany will ban travel from Austria's Tyrol and Czech border regions from Sunday due to coronavirus mutation concerns.

UPDATE: Germany to close borders with Austria's Tyrol and Czech regions
AFP

The border will be closed over a troubling surge in infections of more contagious coronavirus variants, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Thursday.

“The states of Bavaria and Saxony today asked the government to class Tyrol and the border regions of the Czech Republic as virus mutation areas, and to implement border controls,” Seehofer told the Süddeutsche newspaper.

“That has been agreed with the (German) chancellor and the vice-chancellor,” he said, adding that the new curbs will begin on Sunday.

Bavarian state premier Markus Söder had warned late Wednesday that if the Czech Republic was unable to take appropriate measures to curb contagion, then a “border closure must also be an issue”.

Germany in late January banned most travellers from countries classed as so-called mutation areas or places hardest hit by new, more contagious coronavirus variants.

Only a handful of exceptions are allowed to enter Germany from these countries, including returning Germans or residents and essential workers.

With neighbouring EU countries continuing to report high infection numbers in part fuelled by variants, German leaders fear that keeping the borders open could compromise the country's efforts to curb contagion.

Baden-Württemberg state premier Winfried Kretschmann said in a regional parliament session that if virus variants were to keep propagating in neighbouring countries, then “of course that can in the extreme case also lead to border closures”.

Austria has already ordered restrictions to stop people leaving the mountainous Tyrol region, which Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says has been hit by the biggest outbreak in Europe of the South African variant.

READ ALSO: 'Austria is acting irresponsibly': Germany considers border closures

Fearing superspreader hotspot

Anyone leaving the region must now show a negative coronavirus test, with fines of up to €1,450 ($1,750) for anyone who fails to comply.

But Söder, whose region borders Tyrol, previously said he feared that “a second Ischgl” was in the making – referring to the Austrian ski region which became a coronavirus superspreader hotspot early on in the pandemic.

Tyrol “is not taking the development seriously,” he said.

Meanwhile Saxony state, which lies next to the Czech Republic, already said it was imposing tougher checks from Saturday with restrictions to also affect cross-border workers.

Only workers in essential sectors – such as doctors or employees in elderly care home – would be allowed to travel in.

But they would be required to take virus tests daily and commit to travel only between their homes and workplaces.

The Czech government said Thursday it would block off three hard-hit districts, including two on the German border, stopping people living in these zones from leaving and others from entering.

Czech public health officials want the curb to be in force for three weeks, although there are likely to be exceptions.

 By Hui Min NEO

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Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Talk about a land of contrasts: Between alpine chalets, imposing fortress and, well, sewage pipes, there’s no shortage of unusual and unforgettable plays to stay in Austria.

Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Here are ten of the most spectacular, historic, unique or just plain weird places to stay on an Austrian getaway. 

Steirisch Ursprung Erlebnishotel – Relive the good old days

Eggersdorf by Graz, Styria

Let’s start our list by taking one giant step back… in time. The Erlebnishotel’ Steirisch Ursprung‘ (Styrian Origin Experience Hotel) has been designed to celebrate Styrian culture, folk art and cuisine of the 19th century, with rooms themed those of a typical farmer, as well as a wedding suite…

…and an ‘erotic room’ full of spicy paintings and carvings for those seeking a romantic getaway.

If you fancy a drop, you’re lucky – the hotel has its own brewery and pub, where you can sample the local beer in two-hundred-year-old surroundings. 

Hotel Schafbergspitze – Spectacular views from Austria’s first mountain hotel

St Wolfgang in Salzkammergut, Upper Austria

If you love a good view – and have no fear of heights – the Hotel Schafbergspitze is your destination. 

Austria’s first mountain hotel was opened in 1864, with guests travelling to the hotel by a cog railway that climbs around 1190 metres over almost six kilometres. 

The hotel features 17 rooms and a restaurant serving hearty local cuisine, which you can walk off exploring the Schafbergspitze’s summit, with stunning vistas in every direction. 

Dasparkhotel – Stay in a sewage pipe, anyone?

Ottensheim, Upper Austria

You may not want to gaze across the Alps from your double bed. You may want to stay in a sewer pipe instead. Fortunately, Austria’s dasparkhotel covers you, in the charming market town of Ottensheim, near Linz. 

Three stylishly appointed cabins have been constructed from repurposed sewer pipe, with comfy bedding, electrical outlets and storage space. 

Doesn’t sound very appealing? How about this – staying at dasparkhotel is free, although donations are welcome. 

Hotel Schloss Matzen – Live the high life

Reith im Alpbachtal, Tyrol

The hill on which Hotel Schloss Matzen sits has been desirable real estate since Roman times when it was a fort defending trade routes through the region. Since the castle was built in the 12th century, it’s passed through the hands of some of Austria’s oldest and most renowned families – each who left a mark as stewards of the region. 

Since 2007, it has been home to a gorgeous luxury hotel, where each room evokes past grandeur within the eight-hundred-year-old structure. 

It’s a common location for weddings, with the castle’s beautiful gardens and striking silhouette as a gorgeous backdrop for photos. 

Hotel Burg Bernstein – Red knights, white ladies and stunning vintages

Bernstein, Burgenland

We continue the castle theme with Hotel Burg Bernstein, once a fortress protecting Austria’s eastern borders. Consequently, it has a long and bloody history. 

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the castle has a reputation for being haunted by not one but two resident ghosts: ‘Red Ivan’, a furious 13th-century knight who has a habit of appearing to children, and the ‘White Lady of Bernstein’, a veiled figure who may be a 15th-century murder victim.

If that’s not your thing, be of good cheer: The castle also offers wine courses showcasing the region’s vintages. 

Historical tours are also available that explore the lives of previous tenants, including Lazlo Almasy – the explorer whose exploits helped inspire the novel and film, ‘The English Patient’.  

Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau – Soak in the surroundings

Bad Blumau, Styria

Looking like a technicolour Hobbiton, the Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau was designed by famed Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the nineties to take advantage of the thermal springs discovered on the site twenty years prior. 

When you’re done soaking and admiring the lively design of the place and eating extraordinarily well in the restaurant, there’s a ‘geomantic’ path designed by artist Marko Pogacnik to balance your energy levels. 

Gästehaus Benediktinerstift Göttweig – Simple pleasures in a House of God 

Furth bei Göttweig, Lower Austria

You may want to nourish your soul in more holy surroundings. 

Gottweig Abbey has been looking over the town of Furth bei Göttweig for over a thousand years. 

Reaching a golden age in the 18th century, the abbey is an artistic treasure house, with plenty to explore throughout its buildings and grounds. 

As is the trend with many monasteries, Benediktinerstift Gottweig has opened its doors to visitors seeking a little solace, with simple, but comfortable rooms and a restaurant with regional dishes based on local produce. 

Iglu-Dorf Innsbruck Kühtai

Kühtai, Tyrol

One of four ‘igloo village’ hotels across the DACH region, Iglu-Dorf Kühtai offers several lodgings for couples, families and groups. Cool temperatures and warm blankets make for a great night’s sleep; many of the igloos are far more spacious than you’d think.

Outside the igloos, there’s a bar, winter sports close by and frequent events to keep you entertained during your snowy excursion. 

Hotel Sacher – An Austrian Icon

Vienna

You knew we’d need to mention the Hotel Sacher to get through this list. 

The Vienna icon first opened its doors in 1876 by restauranteur Eduard Sacher. 

While he – and the hotel – are known for the world-famous Sachertorte he created, we can’t forget Anna Sacher, Eduard’s widow, who single-handedly transformed the hotel with her iron will and charisma into the Vienna stalwart it is today.

Today, run by the equally impressive Gürtler family, it’s Vienna’s only privately-owned luxury hotel. While the restaurant is a giant tourist magnet, the luxurious rooms with their belle epoque style are a more exclusive highlight. 

Honey Farm – Bzz Bzz

Himmelberg, Carinthia

We end with simple pleasures – and a little natural sweetness. 

For several years, Arno Kronhofer and his family have opened their farm at Himmelberg in the country’s south to visitors, where guests can watch and experience raising bees, harvesting honey, and enjoy a country vacation!

In tribute, many of the rooms in the renovated barn feature designs inspired by beehives, with wood, linen and honey-coloured accents filling rooms with golden light.

Have any recommendations for unusual or unforgettable hotel stays in Austria? Let us know in the comments! 

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